Icon Audio HP8 MkII
Headphones have such an intimate relationship with the listener, the headphone amplifier should be as close to perfect as possible.
The usual way to provide a headphone output on an amplifier is to drop the power through a couple of resistors, giving “low fi” disappointing results due to the poor coupling between amplifier and earphones. Ideally headphones should be driven from small high quality amplifiers. We use high quality output transformers that provide ideal matching to almost any headphone type.
We start with a generous mains transformer with matching power supply and two special output transformers. The HP8 MK II is a heavy 7kg, and very solidly made, giving you an idea of how much iron you get for your money!
Like our other models the HP8 MKII has no printed circuit board and is all hand wired with top quality components. We use silver PTFE audio cable, gold plated terminals and the famous “ALPS” volume pot for sonic purity. Our HP8 MKII is made exactly the same way as a small pure valve hi fi amplifier. We use our own special design output transformer which give perfect matching to any headphone load.
We start with a generous mains transformer with matching power supply and two special output transformers. The HP8 MK II a heavy 7kg, and very solidly made, giving you an idea of how much iron you get for your money!
Like our other models the HP8 MKII has no printed circuit board and is all hand wired with top quality components. We use silver PTFE audio cable, gold plated terminals and the famous “ALPS” volume pot for sonic purity.
The front valve is the excellent ECC83. this has exceptional detail and fluidity. Its smoothness complements the super 6SN7 (the best hi fi valve ever?). This combination will give you a simply stunning insight into inner detail of your favourite recordings whether analogue or digital.
Like our other amplifiers, close attention has been paid to the finish of the HP8 MKII. It uses the same heavy build quality as our other amplifiers with a combination of alloy plate and painted steel.
The HP8 MKII is very versatile. It may connected to your hi fi in several ways:
1, In a normal hi fi system you would connect to the “record out” of your amplifier. This will then be directly connected to the “source” that you have selected.
2, Now with built in loop enabling easy connection.
3, With “Pre and power” systems a connection may be made between the two units.
4, As a stand alone unit you can directly connect to any CD/iphone/phono pre-amp etc.
Specifications:
ube complement:
1x ECC83 Input tube (12AX7)
2x CV181 Brown Plate Signature Output tubes
Input Sensitivity: 350mV
Output Impedance: Matching from 8Ω to 600Ω
Freq Response: 20-20kHz (+0,-0.02dB)
THD: <0.2% @ 1kHz
Power Consumption: 36W @ 120VAC
HWD: 5.8"x4.3"x13.78"
Weight: 14.3Lbs
