From the halcyon days of America's early High End era .. starting during the early 1970s - through the 1980s -- these preamps are seldom seen, a truely scarce catch!
Stu Hegeman, spent a great deal of his lifetime designing tube amp and preamplifier circuits. His superior craft utilized by giants of the 1950s & 1960s HiFi world. Countless audio brands struck paydirt, when they had Hegeman design their products. Without him.. Harman Kardon might not be a household name... The Lafayette KT600 designed entirely by Mr. Hegeman (a modest tube based preamp, made with occupied Japan componentry) is now be worth between $800-$2000. In the early days he spent alot of time designing belwether HiFi products, like the Citation 1 ... He also did incredible things in the speaker field, fundamentally changing driver use for all time,, kicking off the introduction of domes.
So, when in the mid to late 70's after a legendary career designing to the equipment -- he finally left to form manufacturing his own. And finally under his own moniker.. Hegeman had so much experience by then, and was so masterful at building audio, a great sounding preamp was a given.
Now a bit of a legend he could pursue a purist preamp without regards to some marketing dept's silly specifications ... or big ugly boxes as was the convention back then in the 50s thru -- the then present When his line emerged during the late 1970s ... HiFi folks took note!
It seems like an anachronism .. that a tube era master, used OP-Amps to perfect what he learned in tube work ... Now was the time, and the components had just become available to do what he wanted. To build an incredibly trim, purist audiophile preamp control center.
The clean looks and slim profile, and briefly described wording proved this was an incredibly understated and straigtforward front-end for the high end, HiFi market.
The build & design thumbs it's nose at other esigns of the era. Hegeman was out to prove it was superior design made the best sound .. lots not weight or a big cabinet... The outward appearance strikingly modern and extremely compact. These early preamps sold to for those who knew him and for the the new ultra high end market. It stands only one rack unit high and weighs barely five pounds.
I briefly bench tested this preamp using the AUX input #1 & #2 (I did not test other functions). Utilizing varied digital sources, feeding a 300B amplifier, and Yamaha monitor speakers. Channels A & B work well, strong gain and sounding fine (see video exhibition below). Both channels were, at full gain surprisingly quiet for it's age. Being nearly 35 years old, with all original parts is impressive. It will arrive to you NO DOA, seems working well. Given it's age, do expect nominal maintenance in the future... still, given the exceptional it should prove reliable for some time to come. .
Cosmetic condition is excellent. A tiny nick near the power button, and a couple of minor scratches on the top of the cabinet. It presents beautifully.
If you are running an early solid state system OR or all tube amp setup ... this is one of the coolest preamplifiers you could possibly find.This HAPI TWO should be considered in the league with other other early, highly collectable OP-AMP based preamps of the day ... the AEA 520 and the sealed OP-AMP Burwen (also sold as the Mark Levinson LNP 2 ... which is arguably one the best preamps in the world).
A perfect preamp to try if you are a vinyl user! Claims about the HAPI 2 having one of the worlds best Phono sections -- have very much merit! The integrated passive EQ, buffered by amplified stages is an incredibly clean and pure way to do things! Many audiophiles search for these for just LP playback.
My guess is Hegeman had an excellent ear... and that he wanted accuracy above ALL else... If you are looking for ZEREO coloration in a preamp, and total neutrality and with uber flat response .. this IS your preamp. Generally good if the rest of your system seems too brash or "bright". Some of the forementioned pre's like the AEA 520 sound very lively, so not always a good thing if everything else you have is already sounding good -- if you're already happy with your speakers and amp - -and need a really well centered preamp .. it's a great choice!
For practicing audiophiles that were alive during the late 70's .... these HAPI preamps need no introduction. The construction consisting of ultra high quality state of the art 1970s componentry. This is very early version ... built around December of 1979. The silver face denotes the earlier era of HighEnd audio, before the faceplates went in vogue to all black for the roaring 80's. Much of the internal componentry is sourced Mil-Spec or lab computer grade. The layout is extremely modular and withgorgeous symmetry.
The design and construction of this piece could fit along side any professional audio of the era ... API and Neve come to mind.
Unlike some of the other notable designers of the day, Hegeman went with an all open layout modular design, rather than the mysterious sealed black modules that Mr Burwen had totally perfected. So, unlike the the AEA 520, Mark Levinson LNP and Burwen preamps...the open build allows repair of individual parts, right on the PCB. The HAPI is better for future serviciablity.
There's little doubt, that the original HaPI products were incredibly deeply thought out by Hagerman. They were sold at a loss, so they were not produced for long at all. The original brochure reproduction in which is included with this unit, alludes to specific buffering and impedance isolation practices which no doubt learned from his many years of designing. Finally with modern solid-state components he was able to execute the product.... With out the hindrances he had with larger , less precise tube era componentry -- he waited to do it right, his dream -- highly modular -- no etra gimmicks or frills -- no lossy or convoluted signal path. This is a dreamy design and layout for a stereo preamp ... and couldn't have been done back during the tube days.
For those of you looking for a rarefied and a incredibly nice, compact high fidelity preamp ... for collectablity and compactness, I can't think of a better choice. HAPI preamps are now very rare. They aren't something you're going to ever see at a friend's house.... A superb choice and a modern HiFi collectible you can use and enjoy. challenge to even find information on them online..
Not only a fine collectible; it's a great preamp that you can use every day and it looks to last the rest of your life as its highly serviceable due to the open construction and design.
Visually you can see how minimalist this beautiful preamp is!
Hegeman wanted a clean, refined signal path. He laid out what he knew to be thought to be best preamp circuit, with nothing silly or extra. This is a purist piece folks!
This is a beautiful looking, well cared for original survivor. Cosmetically, it has only a few tiny flaws -- please study all photos below (exhibit G )-- shows a tiny nick on upper edge, front face, near the power button --
This preamp turns on OK. A & B channels seem to work well, sounding quite clean. All original condition.
(exhibit F) shows a slight scratch on the top chassis , very faint hard to notice.
You won't see one this nice around for a while -- so seriously consider buying it now -- it may sell very quickly.
Will be carefully double-boxed, in tri-wall cardboard with lots of cushion -- best, safest packing on eBay or anywhere else.
FAST OVERSEAS or DOMESTIC SHIPPING after payment.
All happy customers, please see 100% feedback on all vintage audio items.
OVERSEAS OK, via USPS EMS Express Mail (or for Canada & select countries, Intl. USPS Priority)
Source is digital, and be sure to watch the AEA 520 to compare (it's from around 1977) -- feeding Yamaha NS-10 type monitors.
From the halcyon days of America's early High End era .. starting during the early 1970s - through the 1980s -- these preamps are seldom seen, a truely scarce catch!
Stu Hegeman, spent a great deal of his lifetime designing tube amp and preamplifier circuits. His superior craft utilized by giants of the 1950s & 1960s HiFi world. Countless audio brands struck paydirt, when they had Hegeman design their products. Without him.. Harman Kardon might not be a household name... The Lafayette KT600 designed entirely by Mr. Hegeman (a modest tube based preamp, made with occupied Japan componentry) is now be worth between $800-$2000. In the early days he spent alot of time designing belwether HiFi products, like the Citation 1 ... He also did incredible things in the speaker field, fundamentally changing driver use for all time,, kicking off the introduction of domes.
So, when in the mid to late 70's after a legendary career designing to the equipment -- he finally left to form manufacturing his own. And finally under his own moniker.. Hegeman had so much experience by then, and was so masterful at building audio, a great sounding preamp was a given.
Now a bit of a legend he could pursue a purist preamp without regards to some marketing dept's silly specifications ... or big ugly boxes as was the convention back then in the 50s thru -- the then present When his line emerged during the late 1970s ... HiFi folks took note!
It seems like an anachronism .. that a tube era master, used OP-Amps to perfect what he learned in tube work ... Now was the time, and the components had just become available to do what he wanted. To build an incredibly trim, purist audiophile preamp control center.
The clean looks and slim profile, and briefly described wording proved this was an incredibly understated and straigtforward front-end for the high end, HiFi market.
The build & design thumbs it's nose at other esigns of the era. Hegeman was out to prove it was superior design made the best sound .. lots not weight or a big cabinet... The outward appearance strikingly modern and extremely compact. These early preamps sold to for those who knew him and for the the new ultra high end market. It stands only one rack unit high and weighs barely five pounds.
I briefly bench tested this preamp using the AUX input #1 & #2 (I did not test other functions). Utilizing varied digital sources, feeding a 300B amplifier, and Yamaha monitor speakers. Channels A & B work well, strong gain and sounding fine (see video exhibition below). Both channels were, at full gain surprisingly quiet for it's age. Being nearly 35 years old, with all original parts is impressive. It will arrive to you NO DOA, seems working well. Given it's age, do expect nominal maintenance in the future... still, given the exceptional it should prove reliable for some time to come. .
Cosmetic condition is excellent. A tiny nick near the power button, and a couple of minor scratches on the top of the cabinet. It presents beautifully.
If you are running an early solid state system OR or all tube amp setup ... this is one of the coolest preamplifiers you could possibly find.This HAPI TWO should be considered in the league with other other early, highly collectable OP-AMP based preamps of the day ... the AEA 520 and the sealed OP-AMP Burwen (also sold as the Mark Levinson LNP 2 ... which is arguably one the best preamps in the world).
A perfect preamp to try if you are a vinyl user! Claims about the HAPI 2 having one of the worlds best Phono sections -- have very much merit! The integrated passive EQ, buffered by amplified stages is an incredibly clean and pure way to do things! Many audiophiles search for these for just LP playback.
My guess is Hegeman had an excellent ear... and that he wanted accuracy above ALL else... If you are looking for ZEREO coloration in a preamp, and total neutrality and with uber flat response .. this IS your preamp. Generally good if the rest of your system seems too brash or "bright". Some of the forementioned pre's like the AEA 520 sound very lively, so not always a good thing if everything else you have is already sounding good -- if you're already happy with your speakers and amp - -and need a really well centered preamp .. it's a great choice!
For practicing audiophiles that were alive during the late 70's .... these HAPI preamps need no introduction. The construction consisting of ultra high quality state of the art 1970s componentry. This is very early version ... built around December of 1979. The silver face denotes the earlier era of HighEnd audio, before the faceplates went in vogue to all black for the roaring 80's. Much of the internal componentry is sourced Mil-Spec or lab computer grade. The layout is extremely modular and withgorgeous symmetry.
The design and construction of this piece could fit along side any professional audio of the era ... API and Neve come to mind.
Unlike some of the other notable designers of the day, Hegeman went with an all open layout modular design, rather than the mysterious sealed black modules that Mr Burwen had totally perfected. So, unlike the the AEA 520, Mark Levinson LNP and Burwen preamps...the open build allows repair of individual parts, right on the PCB. The HAPI is better for future serviciablity.
There's little doubt, that the original HaPI products were incredibly deeply thought out by Hagerman. They were sold at a loss, so they were not produced for long at all. The original brochure reproduction in which is included with this unit, alludes to specific buffering and impedance isolation practices which no doubt learned from his many years of designing. Finally with modern solid-state components he was able to execute the product.... With out the hindrances he had with larger , less precise tube era componentry -- he waited to do it right, his dream -- highly modular -- no etra gimmicks or frills -- no lossy or convoluted signal path. This is a dreamy design and layout for a stereo preamp ... and couldn't have been done back during the tube days.
For those of you looking for a rarefied and a incredibly nice, compact high fidelity preamp ... for collectablity and compactness, I can't think of a better choice. HAPI preamps are now very rare. They aren't something you're going to ever see at a friend's house.... A superb choice and a modern HiFi collectible you can use and enjoy. challenge to even find information on them online..
Not only a fine collectible; it's a great preamp that you can use every day and it looks to last the rest of your life as its highly serviceable due to the open construction and design.
Visually you can see how minimalist this beautiful preamp is!
Hegeman wanted a clean, refined signal path. He laid out what he knew to be thought to be best preamp circuit, with nothing silly or extra. This is a purist piece folks!
This is a beautiful looking, well cared for original survivor. Cosmetically, it has only a few tiny flaws -- please study all photos below (exhibit G )-- shows a tiny nick on upper edge, front face, near the power button --
This preamp turns on OK. A & B channels seem to work well, sounding quite clean. All original condition.
(exhibit F) shows a slight scratch on the top chassis , very faint hard to notice.
You won't see one this nice around for a while -- so seriously consider buying it now -- it may sell very quickly.
Will be carefully double-boxed, in tri-wall cardboard with lots of cushion -- best, safest packing on eBay or anywhere else.
FAST OVERSEAS or DOMESTIC SHIPPING after payment.
All happy customers, please see 100% feedback on all vintage audio items.
OVERSEAS OK, via USPS EMS Express Mail (or for Canada & select countries, Intl. USPS Priority)
Source is digital, and be sure to watch the AEA 520 to compare (it's from around 1977) -- feeding Yamaha NS-10 type monitors.
