Pharmaboy
Headphoneus Supremus
(image of lame, riderless horse at keyboard)*** New York Pharmaderby ...
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(image of lame, riderless horse at keyboard)*** New York Pharmaderby ...
(Bringing this over from the Violectric thread)Agree, the Icon Audio HP8 is a fantastic transformer coupled amp. It runs both dynamics and planar HP's very well for me and the adjustable impedance works with all my ZMF's. It gets just a little warm on the casing and only the tubes are hot. I found mine used and it had an annoying hum as well. Recently I sent it to a certified Icon Audio distributer in Canada and they were able to replace a part that significantly improved the hum issue.
A blast from the past from an album my mom owned that started my love of music.
She had an awesome vinyl collection that unfortunately I played the hell out of them and scratched up several of her records on a cheap children's record player.
Bless her soul for being patient with me. She passed in 2021 and wishing she were still here so I could share the wonderful audio experience with her.
Thank you mom for the memories and Happy Mother's Day!
Curious how many sets of NOS tubes all you HP8 owners have. I just bought another 12AT7 (ECC81) and pair of 6SN7GT (VT-231) and am worried about rabbit holes and such.
Really thinking I should stop now, with 4 NOS 12A variants 3 pairs of NOS 6SN7s (in addition to the stock tubes the Signature model arrived with). Seems like enough, if I'm loving the sound, right? RIGHT???
I haven’t even bought an HP8 yet, but I already have tubes squirreled away for when I do. Get more boxes and make some space in a closet somewhere. NOS tubes are only going to get more scarce and more expensive.Curious how many sets of NOS tubes all you HP8 owners have. I just bought another 12AT7 (ECC81) and pair of 6SN7GT (VT-231) and am worried about rabbit holes and such.
Really thinking I should stop now, with 4 NOS 12A variants 3 pairs of NOS 6SN7s (in addition to the stock tubes the Signature model arrived with). Seems like enough, if I'm loving the sound, right? RIGHT???
OK, OK! I guess I haven’t even glimpsed the edge of the rabbit hole!... only 4 and 3 ?!! .
EDIT: left box = Brimar 12AT7, middle box = 6SN7, right box = other 12AT7.
.... pfft! "edge, wedge" .... it's stygian depth that countsOK, OK! I guess I haven’t even glimpsed the edge of the rabbit hole!
For a 'first tube amp', HP8 Mk II is one hell of a start!! With the cap upgrades, select tubes -- music 'manna from heaven' is yours!!Hello, please let me present my candidacy to join this select and iconic group.
After much reading and researching (surely you all know what I’m talking about) I decided to go with the Icon HP8 for my first tube amp. I got this one from the classifieds last week. It’s not the Signature version, just MKII, but if it sounds this good, I can't imagine how fantastic the Signature version will be. My intention though is to update the Caps at some point, but for now I'm not letting it go anywhere
The HP8 MKII came with its original tubes, 2 x David Shaw and 1 x JJ 12AX7, but I also got two additional NOS tubes from the seller (well, NOS but used), one RCA 12AX7 from 1970 made by Mullard and one RCA 12AX7 Black Plates from 1950 (long plates)
I have tried the 3 driver tubes and to my ears there are subtle differences but always maintaining the wonderful sound signature of this fantastic amp
My first Wow moment came with the stock tubes, with that thick and bold sound yet very detailed, deep and tight bass, lush and liquid mids and very pleasant and controlled highs. Great holographic image with a good soundstage. The soundstage was not as huge as I expected, but it was still a very good size.
The RCA Black Plates brought more detail and air, with better separation and bigger stage. Also (even) better bass and extended treble. This tube works very well with rock, blues, etc, but with Classical the high frequencies are a bit harsh sometimes (violins for example) to my ears (maybe this is due to my chain too)
And finally, the RCA 12AX7 made by Mullard, that is my favorite now, gives a smooth, musical and detailed sound, with nice warm mids, which works very good with Jazz, acoustic and Classical, that are the main genres I tend to listen
I have read entirely this thread and there are plenty of tube recommendations (thanks for that!) But, among all of them, which would be your choice to get a smooth, musical and warm yet detailed sound with big and holographic soundstage? (Both power and driver). I think my next purchase will be Brimar 12AT7 CV455 KB/FB to get a bit more headroom in the volume pot, but I don’t know which is the sound signature that this tube can provide
Well, and that’s all. I’m very happy with this little but powerful amp, and now I can see how many people loves this lush and euphonic sound coming from theses little glass bubbles made 50-60 years ago
Interesting... So far I have preferred the high impedance setting with my ZMFs. Will go back and listen some more at Medium just to check.It is hard for my old ears to tell much of a difference on swapping the 6SN&'s but I do acknowledge the powerful presentation of the music with the HP8. It immediately impressed with it's strong presence. All my HP's sound fantastic on it and the adjustable impedance tap works nicely with both dynamics and planar. ZMFs seem to like the Mid setting on the output impedance.