stuart1927
100+ Head-Fier
I just got the Icon HP8 Mk II via analogue seduction in the UK. Pretty good price v's the retailers here in the US. It has the David Shaw CV181 tubes and standard caps etc. I thought I'd share my initial impressions.
Initially, I was not crazy about the sound as it seemed detached / distant somehow. I thought this might be due to the base Chinese 12AX7 tube, but I let things burn in for an entire weekend and wow....what a transformation! I've never heard such a massive change due to burn in! I have a lot of other gear, tube and solid state, but have never heard such a change after burn in (only 72 hrs or so). I wonder if anyone else has noticed this?
Anyway, I have ordered some Sylvania Black Plate 6SNWGTA tubes and a gold lion 12ax7 ....will be interesting to see how they sound v's the stock tubes, which are sounding pretty good in their own right.
I did a comparison with my ifi micro dsd and really there was no comparison in my view. I use the ifi micro dsd with the ibasso DX80 as my travelling rig, which it is great for. However, by comparison, the Icon sounds extremely natural, with much wider sound-stage and great separation. A very neutral sound for tubes, with controlled bass, certainly not in your face. I suspect this amp is perfect for classical music. I suspect tweaking of tubes will bring some extra warmth and bass for those who need it.
I'm using Alpha Prime headphones.....really nice pairing too!
When I get some time, I will compare with my Cavali liquid carbon, which I got recently and also really enjoy.
Initially, I was not crazy about the sound as it seemed detached / distant somehow. I thought this might be due to the base Chinese 12AX7 tube, but I let things burn in for an entire weekend and wow....what a transformation! I've never heard such a massive change due to burn in! I have a lot of other gear, tube and solid state, but have never heard such a change after burn in (only 72 hrs or so). I wonder if anyone else has noticed this?
Anyway, I have ordered some Sylvania Black Plate 6SNWGTA tubes and a gold lion 12ax7 ....will be interesting to see how they sound v's the stock tubes, which are sounding pretty good in their own right.
I did a comparison with my ifi micro dsd and really there was no comparison in my view. I use the ifi micro dsd with the ibasso DX80 as my travelling rig, which it is great for. However, by comparison, the Icon sounds extremely natural, with much wider sound-stage and great separation. A very neutral sound for tubes, with controlled bass, certainly not in your face. I suspect this amp is perfect for classical music. I suspect tweaking of tubes will bring some extra warmth and bass for those who need it.
I'm using Alpha Prime headphones.....really nice pairing too!
When I get some time, I will compare with my Cavali liquid carbon, which I got recently and also really enjoy.