Robert Hovland is amazing! The UK manufacturer of my tube mono-blocks is long gone. With heat and age, problems started showing up. They visited three different reputable repair shops. Each time, they came out worse than when they went in. Recently, a friend mentioned that Robert occasionally repairs miscellaneous equipment. Not only did he fix the obvious problems, but he also fixed the 'repairs' committed by the other shops. He could not have been nicer. My system sounds great. I'm not surprised at all that his equipment is still measuring up well. He's one of the good guys!
Hovland still cuts it 7 yrs on as 2013 approaches
In 2006 I made a fantastic discovery in matching tubes and solid state (SS) with the Hovland HP200 tube preamp and Radia SS power amp, achieving liquidity and power. This combination initially powered my Pro Ac Futures 2 spkrs, followed by Zu Audio Definitions Mk 2s, and now Mk 4s.
In all this time, I've investigated other combinations but none have had the synergy the Hovlands possess.
With my current and most likely final spkr upgrade I'm achieving real transparency, and only now is a hint of SS glassiness evident, although it's highly music dependent, the rest of the time I remain really in love with the combination.
On the Zu Audio Definitions 3/4 thread, I'm being encouraged to go all tube by swapping out the SS Radia with either a SET 845 or OTL power amp, while possibly keeping the Hov pre.
What I'm concerned about is losing a winning synergy in the Hovs with possibly increased tonality maybe at the expense of neutrality that I have at present. Added to the fact that any reticence with current setup is only occasional.
Additionally, I still remain so sad that Hovland folded, they are definitely the longest lived components in my system, and I feel it's a real tragedy that an exceptional company is no longer with us, while decidedly underachieving and overpriced components thrive.
So A'goners, comments on my scenario, and testimonials for the late lamented Hovs.
In all this time, I've investigated other combinations but none have had the synergy the Hovlands possess.
With my current and most likely final spkr upgrade I'm achieving real transparency, and only now is a hint of SS glassiness evident, although it's highly music dependent, the rest of the time I remain really in love with the combination.
On the Zu Audio Definitions 3/4 thread, I'm being encouraged to go all tube by swapping out the SS Radia with either a SET 845 or OTL power amp, while possibly keeping the Hov pre.
What I'm concerned about is losing a winning synergy in the Hovs with possibly increased tonality maybe at the expense of neutrality that I have at present. Added to the fact that any reticence with current setup is only occasional.
Additionally, I still remain so sad that Hovland folded, they are definitely the longest lived components in my system, and I feel it's a real tragedy that an exceptional company is no longer with us, while decidedly underachieving and overpriced components thrive.
So A'goners, comments on my scenario, and testimonials for the late lamented Hovs.