Icon Audio HP8/MP 3

[Pharmaboy]

Whatever you do, don't blow it, buddy

(cue "music of doom" soundtrack with distant sounds of screaming)

 

[geoffalter11]

I've heard TC-tube amps that are larger, more powerful, and in some ways, better than the HP8. I'm thinking of:

• My (since sold) Woo WA22 during the 5"-10" period where the NOS tube set sounded magical and didn't hum
• Several big Auris amps
• Once, a Woo WA33

It's mind-bending to realize how much sonic upside there is in big tube amps--but to get there you have to deal with huge frames (I can't fit most of them in either of my systems); high(er) tube counts & thus far higher cost for NOS tube sets; heat; maybe hum or electrical interference...the list is long.

My mind can only handle so much dissonance, then I flat-line. I made peace with this years ago, pretty much the same way I made peace with big 2-channel stereo gear that was 100X better than any system I could afford: I give myself permission to have less than the best gear, and instead focus on the many good things my gear does.

That's the HP8 in a nutshell. It's a true "Goldilocks" tube amp: compact, not drawing attention to itself, very capable & competent, giving me a taste of the really special things tubes can do. I don't worry about it--just listen to it.

I learned a long time ago to only buy the best I can afford. I know there is better sound and better tube amps, but the price into that club far exceeds what I’m willing to spend for nominal improvements. I am not a Woo fan personally but I know many are and swear by their designs. They do make beautiful products. I have ogled at the Auris Nirvana, The DNA Stellaris, the Euforia EVO, the Envy, the Dana Tube Amp, The EAR HP4, The Ultrasonics Citadel, among others, and the Icon 205D.

Bottom line for me is that I keep tweaking things around and in my chain to continue improving the sound and I feel very comfortable knowing that my DAC and Amps more than get the most out of my headphones. Plus, I have a Meier Corda Soul that just might be the best of all of them. It is a no compromise AIO with an amp and DAC that boggles the mind. It is truly sensational.

My system will change again, just not anytime soon. End game doesn’t exist in my world. End game is the day I expire, curiosity will never allow me to say I’ve got my end game system and I am done. Too much to try and things are constantly evolving. I want to evolve with it:

 

[gimmeheadroom]

I have the same affliction. I can’t determine if it is worth the expense. I asked Jan Meier and he told me no. Others swear by their sonic improvements. It is literally the only other thing I can do for my HP8.

Jan is really a very down to earth and practical guy. I have gotten only good gear and good advice from him

I learned a long time ago to only buy the best I can afford.

True wisdom. I remember that era, I still live in it.

I have an e-friend, an engineer, who put a nice spin on it, he said "I am too poor to afford cheap tools."

 

[geoffalter11]

Jan is really a very down to earth and practical guy. I have gotten only good gear and good advice from him



True wisdom. I remember that era, I still live in it.

I have an e-friend, an engineer, who put a nice spin on it, he said "I am too poor to afford cheap tools."

That is awesome… so true.

 

[jonathan c]

I learned a long time ago to only buy the best I can afford. I know there is better sound and better tube amps, but the price into that club far exceeds what I’m willing to spend for nominal improvements. I am not a Woo fan personally but I know many are and swear by their designs. They do make beautiful products. I have ogled at the Auris Nirvana, The DNA Stellaris, the Euforia EVO, the Envy, the Dana Tube Amp, The EAR HP4, The Ultrasonics Citadel, among others, and the Icon 205D.

Bottom line for me is that I keep tweaking things around and in my chain to continue improving the sound and I feel very comfortable knowing that my DAC and Amps more than get the most out of my headphones. Plus, I have a Meier Corda Soul that just might be the best of all of them. It is a no compromise AIO with an amp and DAC that boggles the mind. It is truly sensational.

My system will change again, just not anytime soon. End game doesn’t exist in my world. End game is the day I expire, curiosity will never allow me to say I’ve got my end game system and I am done. Too much to try and things are constantly evolving. I want to evolve with it:

There is a Head-Fi thread titled “Has Anyone Reached Their Endgame?” Of course, my reply was . . . . “many times “.

 

[WorksUnit]

That‘s looks pretty
https://iconaudio.com/hp205d-headphone-amplifier-hp205d

2500£ for the 300b version and 3000£ for the 205 version,damm is really nice.

*Plots weekend break*
Showroom time with Hp205d whilst collecting re-capped HP8 ....

 

[Jay Smith]

Still enjoying this amp very much even after 5 years.

 

[Deleeh]

Hello,
does anyone have some recommendations for the 12AX7?
Was it 12AU7 or 12AT7 where you could still use?

 

[Pharmaboy]

Still enjoying this amp very much even after 5 years.

Who's your little friend?

 

[Pharmaboy]

Hello,
does anyone have some recommendations for the 12AX7?
Was it 12AU7 or 12AT7 where you could still use?

I used a 12AX7 only once. I much prefer results with a good NOS 12AT7. These tubes have lower gain than the 12AX7, which works much better in my system which already has excessive gain. Besides that, the HP8 is a very powerful, compact amp. I barely get the volume pot up to 10 AM with any headphone, including power hog planars...so using the lower gain 12AT7 tubes buys me a bit more volume pot rotation.

I have 5 or 6 NOS 12AT7s. The one I'm using currently is the Brimar CV455 from the '50s (it's a terrific tube).

 

[geoffalter11]

Hello,
does anyone have some recommendations for the 12AX7?
Was it 12AU7 or 12AT7 where you could still use?

12AX7 - Bugle Boy, Amperex 'Fisher', RCA 12AX7A Grey Plate 1960s;, Raytheon CK 5751, Telefunken 1960s or 1950s
12AT7 - Brimar CV455 Footscray, Mullard 62001 Gold Pin, RFT Rohre 12AT7, Telefunken 1950s, Superior by RCA 1953 12AT7

There are so many to choose from... These are tubes I have in house...

 

[Jay Smith]

Who's your little friend?

A little gift from Japan few years ago. Smiski.

https://smiski.com/e/smiski/

 

[geoffalter11]

Alrighty, @jonathan c finally wore me down and I bought a Synergistic SR Purple Fuse for my HP8. It is the last way I can upgrade this amp unless I want to try and put higher end caps in. But, I don't feel it needs them as the Mundorf's sound sensational. The SR Purple has been an amazing addition to my HP8. Top End Resolution is better, the sound is cleaner and faster. I feel like I get more of the tube's character which is awesome. I have a pair of NU Black Beauties 6SN7GT 1950s and a Superior by RCA 1953 12AT7 currently in the HP8 and I can say without question this is the most refined, detailed and fast the HP8 has sounded without losing any of the musicality, weight or low end heft that makes this amp so special. The midrange is still absolutely perfect, just with a bit more top end shimmer and resolution. Especially with cymbals, marakas, and all various types of sounds that come out of the 5-7k region. They are more palpable and easily heard.

Thanks for continuing to push me to get the SR Purple. You were right. It is a great addition to the HP8. I now believe I have achieved the HP8s maximum level of sonic ability. And what I am hearing is nothing short of breathtaking.

 

[559938]

Alrighty, @jonathan c finally wore me down and I bought a Synergistic SR Purple Fuse for my HP8. It is the last way I can upgrade this amp unless I want to try and put higher end caps in. But, I don't feel it needs them as the Mundorf's sound sensational. The SR Purple has been an amazing addition to my HP8. Top End Resolution is better, the sound is cleaner and faster. I feel like I get more of the tube's character which is awesome. I have a pair of NU Black Beauties 6SN7GT 1950s and a Superior by RCA 1953 12AT7 currently in the HP8 and I can say without question this is the most refined, detailed and fast the HP8 has sounded without losing any of the musicality, weight or low end heft that makes this amp so special. The midrange is still absolutely perfect, just with a bit more top end shimmer and resolution. Especially with cymbals, marakas, and all various types of sounds that come out of the 5-7k region. They are more palpable and easily heard.

Thanks for continuing to push me to get the SR Purple. You were right. It is a great addition to the HP8. I now believe I have achieved the HP8s maximum level of sonic ability. And what I am hearing is nothing short of breathtaking.

So glad to hear you're enjoying the fuse upgrade. I'm on the edge of ordering an HP8 or a WA6 and reading about the upgrade paths is interesting. My only fear is that when I get one I'll immediately start thinking of upgrades instead of chilling out and enjoying.

Can I ask, what fuse does the HP8 take?
Cheers
Mick

 

[geoffalter11]

So glad to hear you're enjoying the fuse upgrade. I'm on the edge of ordering an HP8 or a WA6 and reading about the upgrade paths is interesting. My only fear is that when I get one I'll immediately start thinking of upgrades instead of chilling out and enjoying.

Can I ask, what fuse does the HP8 take?
Cheers
Mick

It takes the small 5x20mm Slow T 2A

Hard decision. I would get the HP8, but I haven't heard the WA6, so I am no authority by any means. But, the HP8 is one seriously sweet tube amp. I have gone completely overboard with mine. I have bought way too many tubes and now the fuse. I have been a skeptic about fuses. Designers poo poo them as a waste of money, but there is definitely an uptick in detail and treble resolution. Plus an increase in clarity and speed and I am only 2-3 hrs in. I am not going to burn it in for 200-300 hrs without listening. I am done burning in the HP8. I will listen as it burns in and enjoy the changes as they happen organically.

I asked my tube seller if I should burn in his tubes which are all over 70 yrs old and he says, "does it sound good out of the box? If so, good to go..." This is a philosophy that goes well with my listening habits. If I had to stop and burn in every tweak I made I'd never listen.