Developed in 1987 and first presented to the press in 1990, the HP 500 was the preamplifier that brought Octave international recognition. At a time when tube equipment was often associated primarily with warmth, it took a different path: clarity, precision and truth in sound.

Across multiple generations, its core philosophy remained unchanged: to reproduce music exactly as it is, without coloration and without compromise.

The HP 500 did not only shape a product line — HP 500, HP 500 MKIII, HP 500 SE, followed by the HP 700 and HP 700 SE, it fundamentally defined what Octave stands for to this day.

With the development of the HP 500, a new era of tube preamplifiers began: exceptionally fast, with deep and controlled bass, extremely low noise and hum, and long-term stability comparable to modern solid-state preamplifiers. Low output impedance ensures effortless compatibility with cables and transistor power amplifiers.

In short: the HP 500 offered outstanding flexibility, qualities that helped make Octave preamplifiers a reference in this segment.

Discover the full Octave history:
https://www.octave.de/en/about-octave/history