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"Beat Fidelity Controlled Every Single Session"The HP 300 SE is an enhanced version of Octave's highly regarded HP 300 MKII preamplifier. The HP 300 SE does not replace the HP 300 MKII, but instead expands the range of the company's preamps by offering a new model with increased capabilities. The HP 300 SE offers more flexibility in the connections and sonic benefits compared to the HP 300 MKII due to improvements in the power supply and the output stage. The new SE design gives this preamp an extremely high signal-to-noise ratio. A significant cause of noise in most hi-fi components comes from the mains AC power connection through the onboard power supply. The power supply of the HP 300 SE consists of the external transformer with optimized isolation characteristic to keep line noise extremely low. Tubes can also generate noise, and the precise ultra-low noise voltage regulators are very effective at reducing this problem. "Embedded in excellent separation and dry matter-of-fact attacks, what we might call beat fidelity – that taut gathered reaction to musical pulses – controlled every single session," notes Srajan Ebaen at 6moons.com. " Component Connectivity ChoicesYou get lots of component connectivity choices with the HP 300 SE. The HP 300 SE has two independent XLR inputs, three RCA inputs, one monitor output, two RCA outputs, and one XLR Output. The gain is switchable in three steps: Low, Med and High. This is a powerful feature which allows you to choose the optimum gain and regulation ratio of the volume control depending on the efficiency of your loudspeaker. The balanced output takes advantage of a highly symmetrical output transformer. This transformer offers the possibility of connecting or disconnecting the ground connection to the power amplifier, which helps reduce disturbing mains induced currents that can flow through the ground of the signal connection. Both Outputs offer very low output resistances, letting you use connecting cables up to 30 feet in length without adverse effects on the sound. The rear panel monitor output is a buffered output for connecting an audio recording device to the HP 300 SE. It can also be used to drive an external headphone amp, the analog input of a computer or similar. Theater Bypass FunctionA helpful feature in modern hi-fi configurations is the Home Theater Bypass Function. This feature of the HP 300 SE is very useful if the two-channel amplifier and speakers used in your two-channel hi-fi system is also used in a home theater or multi-channel music system as the main front right-channel and left-channel speakers. Therefore, the HP 300 SE lets you combine your two-channel and multi-channel systems without disconnecting the power amplifier or speakers and eliminates the problem of double volume control regulation. The HP 300 SE offers this feature, along with the additional convenience of letting you switch the bypass input from the RCA-AUX input to a balanced XLR input. Optional Internal MM or MC Phono StageYou can order the HP 300 SE with an optional internal MM or MC phono stage. The phono section is an enhanced version of Octave's hybrid phono technology. A phono preamplifier must exactly equalize for RIAA recording characteristics if it is to avoid coloring the sound. Equalization accuracy must be within 0.5 dB over the entire frequency range, with channel matching of at least 0.2 dB. At the heart of the HP 300 SE's equalization circuitry is a tube circuit containing one tube and two integrated circuits, which is a very clever hybrid design approach for best performance within the HP 300 SE cabinetry. This circuitry incorporates a switchable subsonic filter, which prevents very low frequencies generated by warped records or tonearm resonances from overloading the loudspeakers. The phono stage for MC moving coil phono cartridges offers a high level of compatibility with low output and low impedance MC cartridges. Many preamps have problems with these cartridges, since both gain and input impedance issues have to be addressed. The MC phono stage circuit board features a High/Low gain setting switch as well as two sets of eight sliding DIP switches for setting the MC load impedance separately for each channel for the highest degree of accuracy.
"Embedded in excellent separation and dry matter-of-fact attacks, what we might call beat fidelity – that taut gathered reaction to musical pulses – controlled every single session. Whether by this you envision the obvious feet tapping, heads bopping and fingers snapping or simply an underlying but communicative sense of springiness and vigor, you'll have pegged this essence. If your system needs more of it because it's presently a bit old fogy, chilled and indecisive – in other words sleepy – you could want the HP300SE to move into a higher octave of perkiness and energetic timing." - Srajan Ebaen, 6moons.com, March 2013 |
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