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HIFI EXCLUSIVE PREAMP/POWER AMP

9 under Fritz Reiner from one sound high- OCTAVE HP 700 OCTAVE MRE 220
light to the next. You just have to hear that!

Enormous efforts
One would have no problem writing a
book about this combination which also
has unusual solutions for the partially
channel-separated controls or and adjust-
able RCA/XLR inputs. Or one could sim- from € 11,000 (test version € 17,070)
ply assume that a lot of thought went into Dimensions: 46 x 14 x 48 cm (WxHxD) from € 17,000
every facet of this device in order to make a Warranty: 3 years (tubes 6 months) (SBB test version € 23,000)
world-class musical experience possible and With source control, fixed resistor network Dimensions: 49 x 18 x 45 cm (WxHxD)
ensure it for the long term by using optimal volume adjustment, transducer, phono, Warranty: 3 years (tubes 6 months)
components. This is ensured by stabilized and high-gain inputs, almost unlimited Even the basic version is a very powerful
circuits, optimized circuit layouts, and elec- upgrade and adoptability preamp of musical and excellent sounding mono amp, which
trolytic capacitors with an expected lifetime superlative. Sound almost unbeatable. Top becomes out of this world with the optional
of 15 years, helped by the “soft start” which reference. Super Black Box (SBB). Top reference.
uses a clever start-up routine to gently ener- LAB MEASUREMENTS LAB MEASUREMENTS
gize the capacitors and tubes in all three
devices, as well as preventing any annoying
“plop” when switching off.
Whether with the DALI Epicon 6 or
Bowers & Wilkins 802 D3, the Octave com-
bination allows the speakers to appear to
dissolve and be replaced by music, clearly
surpasses both expectations and even that
decade-old experience we mentioned at
the beginning. Katja Maria Werker’s cover Maximum output voltage (1 kHz, 1% THD) 13 V Continuous power at 8 | 4 Ohm 138 | 168 Watt
of “Here Comes The Flood” (Stockfisch) Distortion at Pulse power at 4 Ohm Safety circuit Watt
makes your hair stand on end, and even the 0.03 / 3k / 1 Volt 0.07 | 0.01 | 0.004 % Distortion at
experiment of using small but quality com- Intermodulation 50 mW | 5 W | Pmax -1 dB 0.2 | 0.13 | 0.44 %
pact speakers – like Canton 9 K or Cabasse at 0.03 / 3k / 1 Volt 0.03 | 0.005 | 0.004 % Intermodulation at
Murano – with this apparently overkill Signal-to-noise ratio CD (500 mV, 1 kOhm) at 50 mW | 5 W | Pmax -1 dB 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.7 %
0.03 | 0.3 Volt
62 | 83 dB
amplification creates an overwhelming Signal-to-noise ratio Phono MC (0.5 mV, 10 Ohm) at Signal-to-noise ratio at 50 mW | 5 Watt 72 | 91 dB - dB
Channel separation at 10 kHz
result. Clearly using the best possible amp 0.03 | 0.3 Volt 73 dB Attenuation at 63/1k/14k Hz -
technology is the only way to exploit the Channel separation at 10 kHz 55 dB Upper cutoff frequency (-3 dB, 4 Ω) >80 kHz
full potential of any speakers. Upper cutoff frequency (-3 dB) >80 kHz Load ratings practice-oriented
The Octaves’ musical presentation is epic: Load ratings practice-oriented Power consumption
the glimpses shown by the combination of Output impedance at 1 kHz Cinch/XLR 97/130 Ohm On | Standby | Idle 0 / <2 / 170 Watt
Octave V 80 SE integrated amp Super Black Crosstalk attenuation tuner/CD at 10 kHz 59 dB LAB COMMENTS: For a tube power amp very high
Box, which itself makes some favorite rivals Timing error volume control up to -60 dB 0.1 dB output power, wideband and low distortion and hiss.
sound a bit pale, are now fully realized here Power consumption The power phase plays no role.
in an amplifier which can run up to six sep- On | Standby | Idle 0 / <2 / 64 Watt EQUIPMENT
arate housings in “full-blown” form. LAB COMMENTS: Good and standard values through- Monobloc with optional exchangeable
These amps can simply do everything, out, distortion values are even excellent. The power power tubes tube (test sample used KT
and I am convinced the deluge of interna- phase plays no role. 120), standard and balanced inputs, single
tional awards for their previous flagships EQUIPMENT set of speaker outputs for all impedances,
will only increase for these new models. Selectable amplification factor L/M/H, bias adjustment, eco-energy saving switch,
They’re dream, and I have rarely heard symmetric and asymmetric inputs, external soft start, muting, ground lift, power cable
exchangeable, optional Super Black Box
such good music, this applying to every- power supply, diverse phono and input power supply for enhanced dynamics and
thing from Adele via Mozart to ZZ Top, options, sound control network optional, power stability
remote control depending on equipment
and without reservations. I can’t think of
a higher compliment.
Tom Frantzen
SOUND QUALITY 100% SOUND QUALITY 100%
PRICE/PERFORMANCE PRICE/PERFORMANCE
Contakt: Octave HiFi
Phone.: +49 7248/3278
www.octave.de VERY GOOD VERY GOOD

10 STEREO MAGAZINE ISSUE 07