Solid advice. As usual.At the risk of "burying the lead" on my upcoming review of the Aegis (not really -- the review will about way more than Aegis vs HP8), both amps please my ears to no end. After >1 hr of head-to-head listening on my best headphones, a few perceptions:
So it's the Aegis by 1/2 a length--as it should be for an amp twice the size & ~$1K more in price. The Aegis truly is a next level tube amp.
- Not surprisingly, the Aegis pulls ahead somewhat in ultimate articulation and separation of voices and instruments. The clarity of this big tube design is exceptional, and the soundstage is somewhat wider
- But the HP8 runs a close second in every respect. It can't quite equal the big amp's articular and clarity, but it comes close. There is nothing fuzzy or vague about the HP8's sound--not bad for a compact 3-tube amp vs a full-size 5 tube amp. In addition, the HP8 has a somewhat deeper soundstage
- The bass of the Aegis is the best I've ever heard from a tube amp. But the HP8's bass goes a touch deeper and hits a bit harder, no doubt the result of the NOS RCA 6NS7s I'm using that escalated the HP8's bass noticeably over other NOS tubes. Both amps totally belie the myth that tube amps can't cut it vs SS in the bass
- Finally, the HP8 has a hard to describe sonic "beauty" on every cut & every genre, as if the music gives off a soft glow. It's not some "tubey" tonal thing (both amps are rather neutral). I'm not quite sure where this effect comes from, but I like it a lot
Regardless, after hearing the HP8 come so close to the best tube amp I ever heard, I appreciate it even more. The HP8 is one of the best audio purchases I ever made, a slam dunk from the 1st time I heard it.
Punchline: Buy an HP8 & hear for yourself what a sonic overachiever it is. Later on if you have the space & $$, buy the Aegis (it's quite amazing).
And a pretty thorough comparison for just a quickie. Very much appreciated.
It’ll be interesting to read the rest of your impressions after you’ve had more time. I doubt it’s a surprise to anyone that the Aegis is great. I doubt very many amps that start as DIY projects get production runs.
I probably need to slow down on the acquisitions. More listening, less FOMO.