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Owned the AVP and HPA (both 2 and 3 and BPAs for the rears) many moons ago. I enjoyed them. What really killed them is the PMDT (which I owned also at one point). The PMDT was a wonderful CD transport (when I was into disc playback) when it worked and towards the end they seemed to be getting it to that point (I sold mine literally days before they announced the end). There biggest mistake was probably not supporting the brand a bit longer. There are posts all over AA about people turning to them for repairs and getting a list of a few independent repair shops that might be able to repair them. That's why they don't have tons of value today ($450 asking for something the quality of the AVP is low - https://www.audiogon.com/listings?q=proceed). Very nice components though and the amps could drive anything.
The amps are heavy and lots of power. To me the most intriguing aspect is the voicing. They sound good with so many different speakers.I do not have the PMDT, if one becomes available for cheap, i will buy to try it out. The reason I have been holding on to the preamp and amp is that price I will get if I sell does not justify selling them.
Years ago I had a BPA-3, little brother to the HPA-3. About half the power, but a wonderful sound. I sold it as I had no need for a 3 channel amp. Not long ago I picked up a BPA-2 and was once again impressed with the exceptionally clean and neutral sound. It was one of the best sounding amps I've used with my Revel M22s, especially the low frequencies. Oddly though, it was not a good match with KEF LS-50s. My biggest complaint about the amp was it's size and weight. And it wasn't even close to the size and weight of the HPA amps.
The HPA came with a free hernia When I sold it and shipped it, the weight was 120lbs. The handle helped lots
Usually audio manufacturers use diodes and resistors 10% precision, maybe Proceed used 5% to voicing, military equip usually use 1% but there is 0.5% precision.
I recently pulled out my proceed AVP and HPA3 combo out of storage and hooked up B&W 802Ds to them. The sound is so engaging and zero listening fatigue. B&W 802D are known for being bright.It made me wonder what goes behind voicing of the components be it preamp or amp that make them non-fatiguing. I have had different amps (krell, lexicon, coda etc) but no other preamp/amp seem to have the laid back yet firm presentation of sound and instruments as Proceed. The instrument placement, the vocals and the precise note of the drums just make music come to life. The combo sounds very similar to the Mark Levinson 326S and 532H combo I had couple of years ago. Its really unfortunate one cannot purchase cheaper option from Harman since Madrigal bought Proceed.What have been some of the most natural and non-fatiguing preamp/amps you have used and with what speakers?
Do tolerances play a role in voicing? Or is it that by choosing lower tolerances ensure that voicing remains consistent?
My Pass X250 amp is non fatiguing as are pair of Pass XA-100.5's that I have heard. The X250 is paired with my Magnepan 1.6's and the 100.5's with a pair of Revel Salon Ultima 2's. AVA HiFi's new SET 400 was non fatiguing.
Tolerances will change the sound but I have never see a such evaluation.
If you think the HPA was heavy, try the Levinson 33Hs. I believe with the shipping crate, they were 220 lbs. each. I used to help my friend who worked at the high end shop do deliveries and set-ups. The store owner came over my house to install my projector screen and told me don’t worry about the charge for the installation as he didn’t want any part in the moving of the 33Hs.
I have not heard to Pass X250. Thats one of the amp in my radar to try soon.
