Icon Audio HP8/MP 3

[mudguardiain]

Thanks @JonT . I have had those same conversations with David Shaw. First, he told me that we would hear flavor differences up to the tolerances of the tubes. Which is 10%. Then he told me he couldn't hear any difference with tube rolling. I agree with what is written above, there are differences and although David might be protecting his branded tubes, moving to the right compliment of NOS tubes can really make a wonderful difference with the amp. You don't need to break the bank on tubes. One of the best ways to not break the bank is to switch from 12AX7 to 12AT7 in the driver slot. The 12AT7 NOS tubes are exponentially less money than their 12AX7 counterpart and they are also 40% less gain which gives you more volume play and better dynamics. Something I learned from @jonathan c . In addition, you can find wonderful 6SN7s online for under $200 for a matched pair. You just have to hunt a bit and make sure you are using a reputable seller who provides the testing info. Just saying it is NOS isn't enough. Seeing the test figures is very important to know you are getting a true NOS tube.

When I spoke to Icon regarding changing the 12AX7 for a 12AT7 or 12AU7, I was informed that this is not ideal long term as the valve characteristics would not be centred, does anyone have any experience with this

 

[geoffalter11]

It is not compatible with the 12AU7, but the manual states that 12AT7s are compatible. I spoke with David Shaw about it and he said that he has waffled back and forth about making the 12AT7 the spec driver tube as they have less gain and are cheaper to procure NOS variants.

I wouldn't use 12AU7s, but 12AT7s are just fine according to the manual and David. I go back and forth. I use 12AX7s about half the time and 12AT7s the other half.

 

[geoffalter11]

Here is from the manual...

 

[Deleeh]

I will definitely look into this again with the hp205d.

Since I still have the A&S Kenzie on the list, I could add it to the list, and it would have to be cleared through customs anyway.

Currently I have
Cayin Ha 3A,Kenzie Og rev 2,hp 8 mk2 signature on the list,still struggling to buy one.
Headphones would be Auteur Og which I have had for a while and Atrium open which was ordered in early April and is on its way.
And very likely more Zmf to come.
I also still have a Lcd 2 C although I am selling it.

Does anyone happen to have a comparison of the Hp8 and Feliks Euforia or similar? (Euforia is currently my main)
I would like it to be a bit above the Euforia as a 2nd amp.
The Kenzie would do it, but with much less roll in terms of tubes and probably more expense.

I think that the Hp8 could tend to be on par with the Cayin and maybe just different in sound to the Euforia.

The Hp8 turns me on for various reasons, you read a lot of good things, more than about the Kenzie.
And you guys don't make it easy for me when I read new things about the Hp8 .
The roll possibilities are endless and still good for the wallet .
The mod with the Mundorf Gold also seems to be very good and well received.

 

[mudguardiain]

It is not compatible with the 12AU7, but the manual states that 12AT7s are compatible. I spoke with David Shaw about it and he said that he has waffled back and forth about making the 12AT7 the spec driver tube as they have less gain and are cheaper to procure NOS variants.

I wouldn't use 12AU7s, but 12AT7s are just fine according to the manual and David. I go back and forth. I use 12AX7s about half the time and 12AT7s the other half.

Ok, thanks for the information, this might be worth a try when using my V2 Stealths, the 12AX7 definitely feels like too much gain with these phones & restricts volume control.

 

[geoffalter11]

I will definitely look into this again with the hp205d.

Since I still have the A&S Kenzie on the list, I could add it to the list, and it would have to be cleared through customs anyway.

Currently I have
Cayin Ha 3A,Kenzie Og rev 2,hp 8 mk2 signature on the list,still struggling to buy one.
Headphones would be Auteur Og which I have had for a while and Atrium open which was ordered in early April and is on its way.
And very likely more Zmf to come.
I also still have a Lcd 2 C although I am selling it.

Does anyone happen to have a comparison of the Hp8 and Feliks Euforia or similar? (Euforia is currently my main)
I would like it to be a bit above the Euforia as a 2nd amp.
The Kenzie would do it, but with much less roll in terms of tubes and probably more expense.

I think that the Hp8 could tend to be on par with the Cayin and maybe just different in sound to the Euforia.

The Hp8 turns me on for various reasons, you read a lot of good things, more than about the Kenzie.
And you guys don't make it easy for me when I read new things about the Hp8 .
The roll possibilities are endless and still good for the wallet .
The mod with the Mundorf Gold also seems to be very good and well received.

Hard to compare to the Euforia. SET vs OTL... very different sounding amps. I think the HP8 is probably more like the HA-6A in terms of sound quality based on a friend who has owned both.

 

[Deleeh]

Hard to compare to the Euforia. SET vs OTL... very different sounding amps. I think the HP8 is probably more like the HA-6A in terms of sound quality based on a friend who has owned both.

Wow 6a is quite a word.
I looked at that one too, and it would have been the same if they hadn't installed the step poti.
I once had one of these for testing as a headphone amplifier and I didn't like it.
And I liked the triode and cathode mode on the 6a.

Let's stay with the set amps.
3a,kenzie and hp 8 would be set amps.

Would you say that the hp8 is absolutely worth the money in terms of price/performance ratio?

 

[geoffalter11]

Wow 6a is quite a word.
I looked at that one too, and it would have been the same if they hadn't installed the step poti.
I once had one of these for testing as a headphone amplifier and I didn't like it.
And I liked the triode and cathode mode on the 6a.

Let's stay with the set amps.
3a,kenzie and hp 8 would be set amps.

Would you say that the hp8 is absolutely worth the money in terms of price/performance ratio?

YES! I haven't heard an SET amp close to its price that compares. The HP8 won product of the year at audiophilia, and was on the wall of fame at Innerfidelity for years. It is such a good amp. I think there are a lot of good tube amps in the $1500-$3000 range. I would take the HP8 over all of them. Form factor, flexibility, beauty, and the sound is to die for. The low end is as good as I've heard from any amp, and the midrange opens up like a warm summer breeze. The treble shimmers and changes with the tubes. It has plenty of gain and can drive pretty much every headphone but probably the HE6 and Susvara. It drives my Code X at 88 SPL without any issue. For the price, there is nothing that compares, in my opinion.

 

[Deleeh]

YES! I haven't heard an SET amp close to its price that compares. The HP8 won product of the year at audiophilia, and was on the wall of fame at Innerfidelity for years. It is such a good amp. I think there are a lot of good tube amps in the $1500-$3000 range. I would take the HP8 over all of them. Form factor, flexibility, beauty, and the sound is to die for. The low end is as good as I've heard from any amp, and the midrange opens up like a warm summer breeze. The treble shimmers and changes with the tubes. It has plenty of gain and can drive pretty much every headphone but probably the HE6 and Susvara. It drives my Code X at 88 SPL without any issue. For the price, there is nothing that compares, in my opinion.

Thank you for your assessment.
Even if it is not easy.

I'll see what Icon Audio does for me.
I asked for a signature version with pure Mundorf gold cap mode, which they offer without Bluetooth and tubes, as I still have a few from the Feliks, which would be enough for a start.
I really don't need the Shaw tubes as I have some that are better.
Only thing would be to get 12ax7 and 12 At7 maybe a pair of good 6sn7 if the price is right.

The rest we'll see if I should buy the Hp8, I think it has a typical British sound which I like and less house sound from the manufacturer itself.
Well, good things don't always have to be expensive.
I would be curious to see how it does with the Gustard R26.

 

[geoffalter11]

Thank you for your assessment.
Even if it is not easy.

I'll see what Icon Audio does for me.
I asked for a signature version with pure Mundorf gold cap mode, which they offer without Bluetooth and tubes, as I still have a few from the Feliks, which would be enough for a start.
I really don't need the Shaw tubes as I have some that are better.
Only thing would be to get 12ax7 and 12 At7 maybe a pair of good 6sn7 if the price is right.

The rest we'll see if I should buy the Hp8, I think it has a typical British sound which I like and less house sound from the manufacturer itself.
Well, good things don't always have to be expensive.
I would be curious to see how it does with the Gustard R26.

This hobby is getting crazy when we think spending close to $2000 on an amp isn't expensive any longer. Such as life... Good luck on your quest! There are a lot of great 6SN7s and 12AX7/12AT7s. I don't use the David Shaws. Although, I did roll them in this morning as I was curious what they sounded like as I haven't used them in 8 months. They sound really good, but I prefer my NOS 6SN7s... I will be putting my Raytheon VT-231s back in when I get home. Or maybe my RCA Narrow Gaps. Those are sweet sounding tubes.

 

[Deleeh]

Thanks again,.

Sounds good.
I have as 6SN7 Brimar gty,Hitachi,Linlai Elite and a few others that are a little less good.
As a 12..7 I'll have to see what fits and could find.

Have also looked at a few more cap mods it seems pretty easy to do if you are willing to go for it on duelund or even on vcaps cutf or odam.

The amp could really be a little beast.

 

[geoffalter11]

I like the amp just the way it is. I am not a tinkerer outside of tube rolling and cables.

 

[geoffalter11]

I switched back to my Raytheon VT-231s from the David shaw Ceramics. They are faster with more top end resolution and a more integrated sound. The Ceramics have a more boomy bass, and they sure are pretty tubes, but they don't hold up to the better NOS 6SN7s.

I am listening to the AC on the HP8 tonight and the sound is just special. It is such a breath of fresh air. What an amazing amp. I'd love to hear a better tube amp, because the HP8 is the best tube amp I've owned. I am sure that the Nirvana or the Stellaris is better. I dream about the Icon 205D with 300B tubes, but don't feel the need to spend another $4k to get that little bit extra. There is nothing missing in the sound. Everything is balanced, weighty, subtle, and so sweet sounding. I love the way the Hp8 handles guitar tone and the shimmer of cymbals and a holographic stage where the keyboards/organ/piano are floating above the melody and across my head laterally and front to back. This amp kicks ass... As does the new AC!

 

[jonathan c]

I like the amp just the way it is. I am not a tinkerer outside of tube rolling and cables.

…. psst …. SR purple? ….

 

[geoffalter11]

…. psst …. SR purple? ….

I haven't been able to make myself pull the trigger on a $200 fuse. Anytime I ask a builder or designer they tell me that it is just a fuse. I know there is probably something to it, I just have never bought one, so I can't speak to the differences between the normal fuse and the SR Purple. Have you put the regular fuse into the HP8 to hear the difference between it and the purple?