You should also look at a Holo Red or a Lumin U2 mini.

much obliged

I also agree with the video. I prefer the MMT overall but the DAC200, especially with a DSD feed, punches way above its price point.

I may have missed this in the thread but how do you update firmware w/o the MP200?

Depends on whether you consider a complementary hp which offers a lot or just a few contrasts. If the former : HD800s - leaner bass, wider stage, more treble presence versus Final’s bass, more intimate stage, and slightly less sparkly treble. Also dynamic vs. planar.

Gently used LCD4 perhaps.

I cannot speak to the Caldera pairing of the other Icon owner as I no longer own a Caldera but I find the Final (and its bass) to perform very well on the Icon. It is true the amp imparts a very open soundstage with great treble and mid presence. Unlike many other amp pairings, the mid and upper...

Which is a darn shame. I owned a Sus and a TC, sold them both, kept the Final.

I have #36. #3 is indeed very low.

Too rare and expensive now, but my favorite Islay malt from years ago was Port Ellen.

Interesting. I mainly pair the Icon with the Final and Spirit Torino which have great sub-bass and bass respectively so I’m very pleased with the lower FR overall but i’ll retry the Icon with something leaner.

You can also buy an even fancier remote as a separate but I prefer just using the iPhone app.

Tak and Elrog 274B fit just fine. A WE 274B (haven’t used on) MAY require a socket saver but not absolutely sure.

Yes 274Bs, GZ34, 5AR4. Octal base. Yes, 4-pin UX4 Yes, all 6922 variants are 9-pins — 6DJ8, 6922, ECC88, E88CC, and 7308. ~10”

Yes, it is very flexible.

For this evening's random Icon HP205D musings, I will discuss the Mullard GZ34 metal base rectifier, a highly desirable 5AR4, in the Icon. Despite its well deserved reputation, I have mixed feelings about this valve. In the EC Studio B which is already very fast and dry, the metal base's...

I will add that David Shaw at icon for whom I have nothing but respect has not heard a NOS WE205D set in his amp (I asked). That isn’t a dig as why should he have as the tubes are very rare in good condition and thus impractical for a builder. The Icon uses UX4 sockets for the power tubes to...

Thank you. Like any proud parent, Icon likes their amps best “just as they are” with stock tubes. That said, having rolled through 8+ rectifiers with my Eddie Current and 3 on the Icon, non-stock tubes do subtly but audibly change the sound and largely for the better, specially with some (I...

I owned the trinity (Elrog, WE, Tak) but ultimately pared down to the WEs and Taks as they meshed better with my EC and Icon DHT amps.

I, too, enjoy headphones with note weight similar to the Caldera on the Icon, e.g. the Final D8K Pro. Is Caldera your primary headphone or any other pairings you have tried on the Icon?

Agreed. However, I do think rolling the rectifier and input tubes will improve it at a less eye watering investment level than seeking out NOS 205Ds. I will say the NOS 205Ds are spectacular but they are very hard to find at “semi-justifiable” prices. The brass top plate is really attractive...

My prayers to the dark audiophile gods have been answered, another acolyte/owner emerges on this thread!

What is your chain you are going to be paring with the MMT?

Very smooth and easy transaction. Item was fairly priced and arrived exactly as described. Too thumps up for the seller.

Yes, I got on pre-order / wait list for Immanis in February. Per my reading, the Immanis and Magna need less power via combo TI transformer / headphone stand than earlier Raals. So, unclear if Icon will have enough or whether I will drive from another SS amp I own and/or my HSA-1b.