The more I listen to this amp the more I love it. It has insane power (20 watts into 32 ohms!) and handles 1266 as if it's a toy.
Susvara is an absolute weapon on this too. Haven't felt drivers gripped like that since I had AIC-10 here.

I've used a clickbaity thread title in the hope someone actually finds out about this amp, and I don't want to spam the Riviera thread. But there are several similarities between the HPA and AIC.

• tube-based input, solid state output
• huge power that laughs at 1266 and Susvara
• ridiculous macrodynamics and crazy transient response

  It's not a slamdunk for HPA of course. The AIC is warmer and has a nicer midrange for sure. But the bass is deeper and tighter on HPA. Stage is bigger too and has more extended treble. So there are preferences to get checked here. But for me, I can very happily live with not having AIC for an extra 10k.

  There's a lot that's chain dependent of course, I'm sure my Atlantic DAC is doing some heavy lifting here. But the sound of AIC is etched into my brain, and I had it here for a while along with Atlantic. The value on offer for HPA here is crazy.

  Considering this amp can be had for around £2500 on the used market, what you get for that even at a new price direct from Paltauf is, in my opinion, the best value on the amp market today along with LTA z10e.

  For whatever reason their name hasn't really got out there, despite a glowing review from https://musicalhead.de/2022/02/14/test-paltauf-hpa100-sp/ who agrees with me that it's kicking the heels of AIC. That's a £15k amp, remember.

The main reason I love Paltauf so much is that it's a reminder that cost isn't always reflective of quality. It's warm enough for 1266, and every bit as punchy and dynamic as AIC. And with a Siemens CCa tube inside, the resolution and detail is extraordinary.

It's just a powerhouse and, for me, should absolutely be part of the conversation of summit-fi amps.

Well that’s interesting. Have you tried bigger variety of input tubes in it? To bring the tonality closer to AIC (the knobs are even similar lol). A killer price point while it likely can drive speakers too i assume