Octave HP 300 SE Tube Preamplifier

The HP 300 SE is Octave's mid-tier tube preamplifier — the SE evolution of the HP 300 MK2, whose ancestor HP 300 in turn benefited from technical developments made for the reference Jubilee Preamp. The SE version closes the gap toward Octave's higher-priced preamplifiers through several key advances: an external power supply with significantly advanced power supply technology, improved amplifier circuitry, amplification in three gain stages, XLR outputs with precision balancing transformers, and refined housing aesthetics.

The two-piece power supply architecture pairs an external mains transformer with optimized mains filter characteristics against precise, extremely low-noise voltage regulators inside the preamplifier chassis. Both systems are perfectly coordinated and audibly reduce the noise and interference floor of the HP 300 SE. The balanced output is constructed with a precision balancing transformer that makes it possible to switch the ground connection to the power amplifiers on or off — a feature that eliminates leakage current from connected devices' ground connections, which introduce a negative influence on the sound.

Comprehensive connectivity: two independent XLR inputs, three RCA inputs, a monitor output, two RCA outputs, and one XLR output. Optional phono MC or MM board. Three-level gain selector (12 dB / 19 dB / 25 dB) allows optimal matching to speaker efficiency. Both RCA and XLR outputs have very low output resistance — cable runs up to 10 meters to the power amplifier have no negative sonic influence. Multi-channel bypass is standard for home cinema integration.

Standard Octave Power Management, Soft-Start Electronics, Gain Selector, Monitor/Record Output, and HT Bypass. Silver or Black chassis. Available at LMC by appointment.