Every so often I come back to looking at the HP8 as it's usually talked about very favourably when it comes up. It doesn't hurt that it's a very nicely compact size and actually has a proper dealer in Canada.Yup. It's a great amp.
I have a number of amps, and the HP8 (after some tube rolling) muscled its way into the top 3. It sounds quite amazing through the VO, and (shock & awe) may be my best amp for the Caldera (different from, but at least equal to, the V281 and Milo).
I never expected the HP8 to be this good, but it clearly is.
I had kind of written off tubes for now - I tried out the feliks echo & elise but they didn't wow me enough to warrant all the extra considerations over just a do-it-all solid state. Chalk that up to inexperience, lousy ears, source, whatever. The HP8 is one of a couple that still makes me think 'hmmm...maybe another go..'