Post by Andrew Robinson on May 15, 2013 14:53:17 GMT -5
While I know Dan and Co. have their hands full getting some of Bob Carver's designs ready for primetime, I had to chime in with my two cents on another great tube-based design company that I think would be perfect for Emotiva to help -or in this case revive.
Remember Hovland?
Hovland is now no more, having shut their doors a few years ago now, but their famed HP-100 preamp is the stuff of legend and their Sapphire tube amp -the very definition of audiophile pornography. I've already put the bug in Dan's ear to see if its even possible to acquire the rights to either design, suffice to say, if it is and Dan does, serial numbers 01 and 02 are mine.
I owned an HP-100 preamp for a number of years and while I know it wasn't the end all be all among tube preamps, it was music to my ears and I just loved it. I sold it upon notification that the company was closing because I didn't want to be stuck with a paper weight in the off chance that something went wrong down the road. Still, it is a piece I miss dearly but would love to see reborn under the tutelage of someone like Dan.
As for the Sapphire amp? That might be more of a challenge to bring to market on a budget as the chassis alone has to cost a small fortune, but hey, a guy can dream right! What say you? Good move for Emotiva, reviving Hovland. After all both brands are quite fond of blue.
Remember Hovland?
Hovland is now no more, having shut their doors a few years ago now, but their famed HP-100 preamp is the stuff of legend and their Sapphire tube amp -the very definition of audiophile pornography. I've already put the bug in Dan's ear to see if its even possible to acquire the rights to either design, suffice to say, if it is and Dan does, serial numbers 01 and 02 are mine.
I owned an HP-100 preamp for a number of years and while I know it wasn't the end all be all among tube preamps, it was music to my ears and I just loved it. I sold it upon notification that the company was closing because I didn't want to be stuck with a paper weight in the off chance that something went wrong down the road. Still, it is a piece I miss dearly but would love to see reborn under the tutelage of someone like Dan.
As for the Sapphire amp? That might be more of a challenge to bring to market on a budget as the chassis alone has to cost a small fortune, but hey, a guy can dream right! What say you? Good move for Emotiva, reviving Hovland. After all both brands are quite fond of blue.
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