Any high end pair of headphones needs a headphone amplifier to match, otherwise you’re not getting your money’s worth from the sound. But seldom are you able to match the warmth and lushness associated with valves in anything head-orientated. Unless, of course, you know where to look.
This is the Icon Audio HP8 MkII Valve Headphone Amplifier, a miniaturised valve amplifier that allows you to enjoy your headphones in a new and beautiful way. It isn’t new, but it is classic, and something that the world needs reminding of every once in a while.
It is one of the most popular models we sell, and rightly so! Despite it being something of a niche product, it is actually very versatile featuring a custom wound output transformer, providing perfect matching to virtually any headphone load. Couple this with a substantial mains transformer (and a matching power supply for extra assurance regarding interference) and two output transformers, you get a lot for your money.
Also featured: a silver Teflon audio cable and gold plated terminals. It’s a Class A smorgasbord of warm valve sound, experienced in a close, intimate way that only headphone lovers truly understand.
This compact but dense 7kg unit (small, but mighty) is available as “Standard” for £699.95 or the upgraded “Signature” version for an extra £125. Here’s what Icon have to say about their Signature headphone amplifier:
“It incorporates a Jensen capacitor upgrade, an upgrade from the standard 6SN7 valves to David Shaw CV181 and a gold pin 12AX7 rather than the standard 12AX7 valves. These upgrades offer even more detail, dynamics and performance.”
Both versions feature the build quality that Icon have become hugely famous (and therefore rather successful) for. Nothing cheap, and no corners cut. Just anodised alloy plate, stainless and painted steel, and high-grade components. Valves aren’t perceived as “easy”, nor are they particularly convenient which means they are (rather regrettably) consistently less commercially popular than solid state/transistor style amplifiers. But what you get for them (especially with a trusted brand such as Icon Audio) if you take the valve plunge is a sound which is almost impossible to replicate in solid state amps. And to get close, you have to spend a lot more money. Valves look cool (well, actually they look warm if you’ve ever seen them in action) and sound… indescribable. Different, but different in a very good way.
Moving back to the HP8 MkII, this is a valve based headphone amp, it may be small (and, of course, valve based) but it’s powerful enough to drive high end headphones like Sennheiser HD800S or HiFi Man HE560. All the while with a warmer, more inviting sound than the solid state models of a comparible price (and beyond). For those who are skeptical (or had no idea this kind of thing existed), it’s something you have to try before you believe.
Click here to see the full specs and dig a little deeper into the tech. If you’d like to try it out for yourself (highly advised) get in touch and we shall arrange a demo.