[340519]

I had just emailed icon about the audeze's pairing with the icon and got a nice response:

There should be no reason why your Audeze headphones should not work fine with the HP8 MkII. We have had customers with these types of headphones and not reported any problems. At 20 Ohms you would normally use the low impedance setting on the HP8 MkII (for 8-32 Ohms) setting.

Regards

Icon Audio (UK) Ltd
351 Aylestone Road
Leicester LE2 8TA U.K.
(+44) 0116 2440593
(+44) 07787 158791
Email: sales@iconaudio.com
www.iconaudio.com

 

[theBlackKey]

Well friends, I can tell from my own experience that Icon Audio HP8 mkii works great with planar magnetic headphones, I am now pairing it with my Abyss Diana and Hifiman Edition X v2 on medium output impedance and notice no distortion in sound. Also, I try to experiment switching from low output to medium and high to see if there is differences. And there are, in fact on low output my edition sound pretty goods with clarity and dynamic but a bit lack in body, I should say as refined sound. While switching to medium I notice substantial change in volume and body, basically it still maintains dynamic and clarity but you get more body to the mid range. What can I say, Icon Audio HP8 mkii in fact is versatile amp and one of the best amp I own. Also, I changed the power cord to audiophile grade and also notice an improvement in overall quality. I guess cables are still a debatable subject and in fact very subjective matter, however, I am speaking based on my own experience and I cannot deny the fact the power cord did improve my Icon Audio Hp8 mkii quietly substantial.

 

[340519]

Maybe I'll experiment with the gain settings tonight. I have kept it in the low setting with the x and xc.

 

[RobertSM]

I agree. I also upgraded to a Hi-Fi level power cord and noticed a good improvement. The Icon Audio HP8 MKII had a more quite and dark background. I also noticed what I believe to be faster transients. Also more deep and refined bass. These of course are my experiences using Audioquest NRG-Y3. Either way, I think a few small tweaks can go along way to really let the Icon shine.

 

[340519]

Would you all recommend a higher gain on the Icon with the Audeze even if they are 20 ohm?

Edit: It seems the medium gain brings out more dynamics in the x and xc, but high seems to just become too much

 

[Jay Smith]

My 12AX7 electro-harmonix is not working, I just find the top silver coating is gone, is it a common issue to tube? It was only one year old and I did not use it often.

 

[theBlackKey]

Very rare, I have not seen the coating wear out like that. Do you have replacement tube?

 

[RobertSM]

Maybe the heat vaporized the silvering of the tube? I too haven't seen this before.

 

[340519]

Maybe the heat vaporized the silvering of the tube? I too haven't seen this before.

I haven't either.

 

[Jay Smith]

Perhaps just my bad luck, my other 12AX7 are just fine.

 

[340519]

Perhaps just my bad luck, my other 12AX7 are just fine.

I really like the gold lion in my hp8, but I just got the tubestore.com house brand 12AX7 and it's supposed to be more warm and gooey which is what I'm seeking.

 

[Jay Smith]

This is my HP8mk2, the layout is quite different to others I google, normal?

If I want to upgrade capacitors, is the spec 630V, 0.33uF correct? Thanks.

 

[roskodan]

My 12AX7 electro-harmonix is not working, I just find the top silver coating is gone, is it a common issue to tube? It was only one year old and I did not use it often.

That is the metallic deposit from the getter. If it's gone, it means the vacuum inside the tube has been compromised. The tube is dead.

 

[roskodan]

This is my HP8mk2, the layout is quite different to others I google, normal? If I want to upgrade capacitors, is the spec 630V, 0.33uF correct? Thanks.

I use these in my HP8 mk2

 

[Jay Smith]

I use these in my HP8 mk2

Thanks!