Should I replace my 20-year-old Hovland Radia Amp?


I recently upgraded my speakers to Sonus Faber Olympica Nova V. My preamp is a relatively new Pass XP-30. Ditto my VPI Prime Signature turntable and Moon 280 D streamer. My phono preamp is an older ARC PH-7. 

About 20 years ago a friend asked me to help him buy a new system. We took three days and drove all over Southern California. He purchased Wilson Sophia speakers. The dealer recommended the Hovland Radia amp. The Radia was the only solid state amp Hovland ever made. The company cliams it took ten years to perfect it. We tested the Radia against a few other very good amps and both liked it. Several years ago my friend passed away and I inherited the Radia.

Paul Bolin describes the attributes of the amp in a 2004 review much better than I could : "[The] Radia was a delight to listen to in virtually all respects. It consistently displayed a light, limber touch with images and timbres. Dimensionality was surprisingly and delightfully tubelike in its solidity and freedom from too-sharp, unnatural-sounding ultra-definition. The point source of each instrument's body was clearly discernible, but didn't exist in highlighted isolation from the air around it or the sound of the recording venue. The Hovland's overall resolution of detail was very good, bordering on the truly exceptional, and there was never any sense of resolution for its own sake. It always maintained a holistic sense of continuity, embracing all aspects of the music and knitting together the disparate parts of the recorded experience."

I was fifty-eight when I took that three-day jaunt with my friend who purchased a fairly expensive stereo system. I am now 78 and do not have the energy to go looking all over L.A. for a new amp. I could, however, go to a few dealers. The one closest to me carries Macintosh amps. 

My question is this: could the superb Hovland Radia now be so out-of-date that I should seriously think about replacing it? Or just "love the one I'm with"?

audio-b-dog

Showing 2 responses by lucky_doggg7

Power output:

125Wpc into 8 ohms 

200Wpc into 4 ohms

So this is what you're talking about, got it.  I gotta say, it's an attractive piece when it comes to industrial design.  Stating the obvious, a Hovland preamp back in the day would be logical.  I happen to have a late production HP-100 in my stash; I love that preamp.  It is very musical.  Anyways...

I noticed you have an excellent 3-box preamp in a Pass Labs XP-30.  I had the predecessor, the 3-box X0.2 model.  This next thing is important, when I paired that to my Pass Aleph 1.2 (single ended class A, 200 wpc into 8 ohms), it was pure magic. I thought that was a mediocre amp until the Pass Pre landed in my rack.  Then, once the amp was on for about 45 minutes - bam!  It would catch it's second wind, sprint off and that wonderful glow and lit from within musicality along with that glorious midrange would just rope you in and command your attention.  It was a jaw dropping moment for me because I had tried 2 or 3 other pre's and was about to give up on that Aleph 1.2.  

You must, I repeat you must buy a Pass amp, preferably in the XA-xxx.5 or the XA-xxx.8 and mate that to your Pass XP-30 preamp.  The current generation of Class A amps is the ".8" series.  I listened to both the XA-200.5 and the XA-200.8 monos.  I bought the ".5" mono amps.  Perhaps being $20K less expensive has something to do with my choice but to my nit picky ear, there is something about the ".5's" warmth and liquid midrange that just snags my attention.  It is hard to explain, it has this wholesome-ness and I guess that certain inner glow that the .8 does not muster-up as well.  Okay, the .8 though, in short, it is the better amp holistically.  The greater air and separation plus captivating pin point position of singers and instruments emanating from a black 3D space is pretty satisfying though.  The .5 does not lack in bass, but the .8 is better in that deep bass that anchors music down and gives it that certain foundation.  

As usual, too wordy.  Sorry.  In less words man, you must try a Pass Class A amp.  The symmetry of having that Pass preamp+amp combo, ya have to hear it to believe it.  You'll also be floored how black the negative 3D space is, and when the singing starts and instruments come in, it is something else.  There, I said it.  At least try a Pass Class A amps; you'll be glad ya did.  Lastly, Pass gear cold is good, but Pass gear when it's roasty-toasty hot, it is something to behold.  Have a prosperous & Happy New Year!  

 

 

 

Hello B-Dog!

I noticed something in your original post that is pretty important in selecting amps, and that is their weight.  B-Dog, you're 78, which is fantastic!  At the same time, we all lose some strength as we age.  My Pass XA-200.5's, it can be a boat anchor at 160 pounds.  In short, I'm going to provide some info, and I need you to decide how you're going to get it where it needs to be.  For now, I say this, nothing is worth hurting yourself, and I mean throwing your back, or worse yet, dropping your amp on yourself because you lost the "handle" on it.  Okay, now some amp weights: 

1. 100 lbs - Pass X260.8 Monos (1 amp per channel so 2 amps) 

2. 100 lbs - Pass XA-100.5 Monos (2 amps) 

3. 62 lbs - Pass XA-60.5 Monos (2 amps) 

4. 88 lbs - Pass XA-60.8 Monos (2 amps)

5. 127 lbs - Pass X350.8 Stereo Amp (single chassis) 

6. 105 lbs - Esoteric S-02 Stereo Amp (single chassis)

Pass X260.8 Amps - $9,000.00

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650167152-pass-labs-x2608-monoblock-pair/

 

Pass XA-100.5 - $7,000.00

Me!  I have a pair I'm trying to sell.  I'm in CA also.  

 

Pass X-350.8 - $6,500.00

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650134627-pass-labs-x3508-power-amplifier/

 

Esoteric S-02 - $10,500.00

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650172955-for-sale-esoteric-master-soundworks-s-02-stereo-amplifier-like-new-120v60hz-us-version-with-all-orig/

I was unable to find used XA-60.5 or XA-60.8 amps.  I threw in the Esoteric S-02.  That is a very special amp.  I have the previous generation amp, the A-02 and it is a fabulous amp.  Very different from the Pass having a warm midrange/lit from within presentation.  The Esoteric, it is warm leaning, but very precise, detailed and a fast amp.  Anyways, this is just one person's opinion so do with it what you will.  Happy amp hunting!