Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Hovland HP-100 VS CAT Ultimate Preamp Hovland HP-100 Preamplifier (Tube) by Kimballcorson

Model:	Hovland HP-100
Category:	Preamplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$6500
Description:	Tube Preamp
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available

Review by Kimballcorson ( A ) on May 08, 2004 at 14:39:48
IP Address: 32.102.44.166

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for the Hovland HP-100

I have had the good fortune of simultaniously owning both the Hovland HP-100 and the CAT Ultimate MKII (line stages only, sorry) and using them interchangeably back and forth in my system for enough days to truly get their measure across a broad range of program material. I decided to keep the CAT and sold the Hovland. First both are excellent preamps. Secondly, I should state my biases. I cannot stand the appearance of the Hovland, and the black CAT is no cutie either, but more to my taste. As a listener, I favor, in order, (a) spectral balance, (b) good macro and mirco dynamics, (c) good transparancy, (d) good resolution, (e) an open, non-electronic liquidity, especially in the mid-range and lower treble, (f) good soundstaging with layering and depth, and (g) spectral reach at both ends.
Both preamps excel pretty much equally on spectral balance. The CAT is clearly superior on macro dynamics and also on micro dynamical shadings, but the Hovland is very close on this latter point. The CAT is also more transparent and has greater resolution than the Hovland, in my view. Both have an excellent open, non-electronic liquidity, with the Hovland ahead of the CAT here. (However, adding a NBS Statement power cord to each, reverses this and puts the CAT well ahead.) Both have equally good soundstaging, layering and depth, with suitable program material, with the Hovland perhaps a step ahead here. The CAT excells on both ends in regard to spectral reach. It has greater apparent low and high frequency reach. The difference on the bottom end is not slight. With an NBS Statement power cord on each, the CAT steps ahead of the Hovland in virtually every regard. I found no power cord that made a big difference with the Hovland and I have been testing a lot of power coards of late, but -- except as noted -- I used stock power cords for these comparisons on all equipment.
The real problem with the Hovland is macro dynamics. I believe this is due to the relatively low gain of the line stage of the Hovland, only 13 db, compared to the CAT's 26+ db. Pressed, the Hovland will put out about 8 to 10 volts, whereas the CAT will do 50 volts, enough to make any amp get up and dance.
Power cord upgrades did not do too much in my experience for the Hovland, but allowed a lot of tuning opportunities for the CAT. I used stock tubes and power cords for these comparison, but have subsequently improved the CAT by going to Amperex P.Q. white lable gold pins and Bugle Boys and keeping an NBS Statement on it. I did not tube roll the Hovland because I decided to sell it and wanted it as near new as I could keep it. I do not agree with the comparison suggested on this forum that the CAT's sonic presentation is like the sun's views at high noon and the Hovland, the the sun's views late in the afternoon. I would put the CAT in the latter part of that analogy, and the Hovland's view like that on an overcast day with very even lighting. Preference comes in here. The Hovland tips the scales at about 27 pounds, the CAT, at 67 lbs.
I had no trouble choosing between the two preamps for my system.

Product Weakness: Both are ugly. The Hovland needs more gain. The CAT is very heavy. Neither is cheap.
Product Strengths: Both are well made. Both are top gear. Both can do well in the right system.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Cary CAD 280MB V12i mono blocks
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	CAT Ultimate MKII
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Audio Note 2 and Mark Levinson 360S DAC
Speakers:	Piega P-10's with ribbon midranges and front and back ribbon tweeters
Cables/Interconnects:	Stealth M-21 and PGS ICs, Transparent digital Reference IC, JPS Superconductor Plus biwired speaker cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical mostly, some Techno, some Pop and some Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH):	20 x 15 x 15
Room Comments/Treatments:	none really needed for relative near-field listening
Time Period/Length of Audition:	a few weeks for the comparison
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	NBS Statement power cords on DAC and preamp
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Both are ugly. The Hovland needs more gain. The CAT is very heavy. Neither is cheap.
Product Strengths:	Both are well made. Both are top gear. Both can do well in the right system.