Octave HP 300 SE, Owner'S Manual

Page: 6 / 28

7
1. OCTAVE TECHNOLOGY
1.2. Description HP 300 SE

The HP 300 SE MKII is a member of a new generation of tube preamplifiers built by OCTAVE.
The first model of this line was the reference preamplifier Jubilee. Heart of this line is a newly
developed circuit design, which still has the tube as the central amplifying component, but the
necessary output power is generated by a new type of super-gain semiconductor circuit.
As OCTAVE decouples the output load from the tubes, the HP 300 SE convinces with excellent
measuring results. Free from the output load the tubes can develop their tonal and dynamic
sound characteristics unrestrained. It sounds vivid, relaxed, totally free or with one single word
– simply light.
Because of that, the HP 300 SE preamplifier can be used extremely universal.

Furthermore, the HP 300 SE is manufactured perfectly, which also finds expression in the stable,
low resonance solid-metal chassis. Resonances are thereby ruled out. The solid connecting
sockets allow the connection of high-quality NF-wires with large plugs.
Every product of OCTAVE is built in Germany in single-piece production and is subject to a
100% check. A 48-hour endurance run completes the final inspection.
Special Features of the SE generation

Over and above the HP 300 SE uses a lavish external special power supply, which was
developed especially for the HP 300 SE.
The power supply of the HP 300 SE carries out complex functions: On the one hand it ensures
a constant acoustic quality by preventing mains disturbances and by creating constant working
conditions with low noise high speed electronic voltage regulators. On the other hand the built-
in control logic guarantees highest reliability and achieves with soft-start-techniques the
theoretically maximal possible lifetime of the tubes (up to approximately 10 Years or more).
 An additional function of the power supply is the protection circuit, which releases the output of
the HP 300 SE by a relay with a time delay or disconnects it immediately in case of a malfunction.
Click-interferences etc. caused by the power supply are therefore absolutely ruled out.
Transformers are individually designed and produced in house.
 The bypass / multi-channel facility makes the HP 300 SE to one of the most versatile preamps
in this range. The Bypass function can be selected for a Cinch or XLR Input.
 The HP 300 SE is fitted with two Balanced Inputs one of them can be selected for the Bypass
function.
 Adjustable gain of the Line stage in three steps. This feature allows to optimize the HP 300 SE
according to the sensitivity of the power amplifier and the loudspeakers. Thus, the volume control
range is always in the optimum range and the volume can be adjusted finely.
 Transformer coupled Balanced Outputs as in professional Studios. Transformers have
unsurpassed sound characteristics and eliminate ground loops effectively.
 Another useful feature is the buffered Monitor Output. Generally this Output is for any recording
unit, like the AD converter of a PC or a headphone amplifier with separate Volume control.
 Energy efficient, the Power Supply and the Amplifier design burns no unnecessary energy to
keep the temperature as low as possible of the HP 300 SE. This also increases the lifetime of
the internal electronic parts of the HP 300 SE.