Features
| Warranty length | 1 Year |
|---|---|
| Brand | Icon Audio |
Tech Specs
- Comprehensive manual supplied
- All hand wired point to point
- No printed circuit board to 'colour' sound
- Japanese Blue ALPS volume pot.
- Class A, all Triode circuit
- Output impedance matching from 6 to 600Ω
- 2 x 6SN7 for output 1x ECC83 input valve
- NOS, Treasure and other types available
- Signal to noise level -90db
- Freq response better than 20hz-20kHz +0 –0.2db
- Total harmonic distortion typically less than 0.2% 1khz
- Also Suitable for ≥ 8 ohm high efficiency loudspeakers
- Japanese steel EI transformers with low oxygen copper
- High quality 2W metal film, & wire-wound resistors
- Solen audio capacitors, Mundorf upgrade available
- Custom hand wound output transformers
- Ceramic valve holders for minimum leakage
- Silver PTFE audio cable
- Gold plated Input/outputs
- One line input
- Loop through facility
- 350mv input sensitivity.
- 220/240volts 36 watts.
- Unit 16W x 27D x 16H cm 6.5kg
- Carton 37W x 27D x 30H cm 7.0kg
Product Description
The Icon Audio HP8 MkII headphone amplifier is in fact a miniaturised hi-fi valve amplifier, featuring a custom wound output transformer which provides perfect matching to virtually any headphone load. This model is designed to provide a much better listening experience than most substandard headphone outputs and is an excellent match for many headphones.
The HP8 MkII is also available with optional Bluetooth (from Oct-21 onward) and also in its excellent "Signature" version which 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 (also includes Bluetooth). This is actually the most popular version of HP8 that we sell as these upgrades offer even more detail, dynamics and performance. Please be aware the Bluetooth variant will not have loop output.
The conventional way to provide a headphone output is to drop the power through a resistor. This has a big problem that it provides very high source impedance (rather like a weak battery) the effect of this is to give very 'Low FI' results. Ideally headphones should be driven from small high quality amplifiers. Many headphone amplifiers use small “microchip” amps which although are a better solution still do not provide ideal matching to the wide range of headphones available.
Icon Audio start with a substantial mains transformer with matching power supply and two output transformers. It uses silver Teflon audio cable, gold plated terminals and the famous “ALPS” volume pot for sonic purity. The HP8 MK II tops the scales at 7kg, giving you an idea of how much iron you get for your money. Like its predecessor and other models, the HP8 MKII has no printed circuit board and is all hard wired with top quality components.
The first stage gain uses the JJ 12AX7 - a valve renowned for its detail and fluidity. The tonal smoothness complements the super 6SN7 valve. This valve combination provides spectacular insight into the details and texture of your favourite recordings, whether they are analogue or digital.
The HP8 MkII features the same superb build quality that Icon Audio have been associated with, combining anodised alloy plate, stainless and painted steel. No cheap metals and plastic are used with the HP8!
