excellent bulit tube pream is a truly outstanding preamp and a comparison with the HP100 better bass control and detail huge sound stage this is the best i ever heard. I think their top level pream is in the $6k to $ 8k range.

I'm owner of 3 Hovland items. Sapphire power, HP-100 preamp. and HP-200 preamplifier. The HP-200 is one of the best preamplifier I ever have listen to. It's combination of transistors in RIAA section and 3 tubes in Line section gives the optimal combination of low noise and open "tube" sound. Compared to HP-100 which also is one of the best preamp I have heard do the HP-200 still better resolution and micro-dynamic in the high frequency and still more control in the bass region. The well balanced sound and perspective eliminates all signs to tire and wear and give you only pleasure for long time listening. It helps also with the remote control for adjusting volume settings from your listening position. I have owned a several amps and preamps in my lifetime but have never been more satisfied over a long term than with this HP-200. I use a set of Jeff Rowland 301 mono-blocks and a set of Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario speakers behind this HP-200 and a Nottingham Hyperspace turntable with Graham 2.0 tonearm and Benz LP cartridge as a analogue source, Eastern Electric MiniMax CD as the Digital source.