Icon Audio HP8/MP 3

[G8torbyte]

The LTA Velo impressed me at CanJam. How would you describe the differences between it and the HP8?

Great question. As an owner of the HP8 (wonderful) who thinks often about the Velo, I'm curious about this comparison.

I would use the Velo primarily as a remote-controlled preamp, but still--how it sounds via hp output is likely to track, at least approximately, how it would sound via preamp output.

Sure, I'm still doing some comparisons back and forth and trying different tube combinations. For now I can share I the following when listening to each with a few of my HP's:

- The Velo has lovely spaciousness and separation of the music that is better than what I hear from the HP-8. It has a smooth presentation I am finding quite enjoyable and the detail is coming through very nicely paired with the Bifrost 2/64.
- Tube rolling is very easy with each amp and the Velo has the option to use 12SN7/12SX7 series tubes (voltage switch on back) in place of the 6SN7's
- The three RCA inputs for the Velo are easy to switch and each holds the volume setting in memory from the last input setting. The remote works well and does make it handy to use as a preamp to an integrated speaker amp. The Velo is helping my KEF desktop speakers sound wonderful.
- The HP-8 has a fuller presentation and delivers the output in a stronger commanding way with HP's that I prefer more than the Velo.
- The multi-tap impedance matching on the HP-8 makes it work so well with all my dynamic and planar HP's so it is still the champ for me.

I like the versatility of the Velo as a preamp and may try other chain combinations with it. Each has their strengths that I'm enjoying and I like experimenting to see what tube combinations work well with each.

 

[JonT]

Spent the last few listening sessions (analogue source) with an RCA 12AX7A 7025 in the driver position (from Langrex) and Ken-Rad 6SN7GT VT-231 Black Glass versions in the power tube positions. This was swapping out the Brimar 12AT7 CV455 KB/FB triple mica.

Notable improvement with Sennheiser HD800S - more texture and body without sacrificing any of the detail or dynamics.

Best I have heard my HP8 since purchase in 2021!

 

[Shane D]

If anyone is looking for a used amp at a good price, there is an ad on CAM (Canadian Audio Mart). About 45% off retail. I do not know or endorse the seller.
But if I had the money...

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/650124879-for-sale-audioarcan-hp8-mkii-headphone-amplifier/

 

[Pashmeister]

Got myself a Caldera but the Feliks Euforia in my secondary station is not a good fit. But it sounds great in my main 300B SET rig. Seems the HP8 is gonna be good for my Atrium Closed and my new Caldera so I went ahead and grabbed a deal on a barely used Signature edition (720USD, not bad I think). Now waiting to be delivered tomorrow!

Seems there’s mixed reviews where some forum posts mentioned that Susvara cannot be driven well but other written reviews (and a youtube review) mentioned that the HP8 made the Susvara sing. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow for myself too!

 

[oldson]

Got myself a Caldera but the Feliks Euforia in my secondary station is not a good fit. But it sounds great in my main 300B SET rig. Seems the HP8 is gonna be good for my Atrium Closed and my new Caldera so I went ahead and grabbed a deal on a barely used Signature edition (720USD, not bad I think). Now waiting to be delivered tomorrow!

Seems there’s mixed reviews where some forum posts mentioned that Susvara cannot be driven well but other written reviews (and a youtube review) mentioned that the HP8 made the Susvara sing. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow for myself too!

is the Euforia OTL?
HP8 is transformer coupled.

 

[Deleeh]

Yes,

 

[geoffalter11]

is the Euforia OTL?
HP8 is transformer coupled.

Yes, Euforia is an OTL... HP8 is an SET with in house wound transformers and an amazing copper plate that is mostly for aesthetics but also has vibration properties. It is the best tube amp you will find for the price. It loves NOS tubes too. I think it is a better amp, but it is also a very different circuit and topology to the Euforia.

 

[lauthoerer]

If anyone in EU is looking for one, feel free to reach out (see my Signature Edition in the classifieds)

 

[ChJL]

If anyone in EU is looking for one, feel free to reach out (see my Signature Edition in the classifieds)

in your listing you call it an OTL, which it's not!

 

[lauthoerer]

Oops, sorry about that, then. Have it corrected now.

 

[Pharmaboy]

Got myself a Caldera but the Feliks Euforia in my secondary station is not a good fit. But it sounds great in my main 300B SET rig. Seems the HP8 is gonna be good for my Atrium Closed and my new Caldera so I went ahead and grabbed a deal on a barely used Signature edition (720USD, not bad I think). Now waiting to be delivered tomorrow!

Seems there’s mixed reviews where some forum posts mentioned that Susvara cannot be driven well but other written reviews (and a youtube review) mentioned that the HP8 made the Susvara sing. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow for myself too!

$720 USD for an HP8 Signature is an amazing deal! Prediction: you'll love how this amp drives both the Caldera & Atrium. I's one of the few TC-tube amps I've heard (the other is the ZMF Aegis) that absolutely nail it with planars.

 

[Rollnrock]

Got myself a Caldera but the Feliks Euforia in my secondary station is not a good fit. But it sounds great in my main 300B SET rig. Seems the HP8 is gonna be good for my Atrium Closed and my new Caldera so I went ahead and grabbed a deal on a barely used Signature edition (720USD, not bad I think). Now waiting to be delivered tomorrow!

Seems there’s mixed reviews where some forum posts mentioned that Susvara cannot be driven well but other written reviews (and a youtube review) mentioned that the HP8 made the Susvara sing. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow for myself too!

HP8 sounds amazing with the Atrium Closed IMO. Listening right now some jazz and it's pure joy

The punch, dynamics and detail of the Hp8 pair very well with the biocellulose driver of the AC to my ears. (RCA Black Plates NOS 50s in the driver)

 

[Pashmeister]

$720 USD for an HP8 Signature is an amazing deal! Prediction: you'll love how this amp drives both the Caldera & Atrium. I's one of the few TC-tube amps I've heard (the other is the ZMF Aegis) that absolutely nail it with planars.

False alarm. I got a normal Mkii for 720usd, not a signature. I thought so long as David’s name was on the tubes it meant it was the Signature and didn’t realize it had to have the ceramic base. Anyway, I still think it’s a good deal.

Anyway it’s my first night with the HP8 mkii and I am immediately loving it with the Calderas. This sounds expensive. I can’t take it off to test the Atrium Closed just yet but I will tomorrow.

But I did have a quick listen with the Susvara and I dunno why the review from Absolute Sound claimed that HP8 can drive it. Bass distorted in my first 10 seconds of listening to Malia’s “Touching Ghosts” cmon.

 

[Loftprojection]

False alarm. I got a normal Mkii for 720usd, not a signature. I thought so long as David’s name was on the tubes it meant it was the Signature and didn’t realize it had to have the ceramic base. Anyway, I still think it’s a good deal.

Anyway it’s my first night with the HP8 mkii and I am immediately loving it with the Calderas. This sounds expensive. I can’t take it off to test the Atrium Closed just yet but I will tomorrow.

But I did have a quick listen with the Susvara and I dunno why the review from Absolute Sound claimed that HP8 can drive it. Bass distorted in my first 10 seconds of listening to Malia’s “Touching Ghosts” cmon.

Will be interesting to read your feedback on the Atrium Closed as I'm quite tempted to get those for my next purchase.

 

[geoffalter11]

Will be interesting to read your feedback on the Atrium Closed as I'm quite tempted to get those for my next purchase.

All of the Atrium variants sound fantastic on the HP8 from my experience. I owned the amp for close to 2 yrs and have tried the AO,AC. CO and VC on the HP8. They all sounded fantastic. The AO and AC being the best.