The Aeolus seems about as diametrically opposed (…oof, I must mean “complementary”) to the Grado sound as you can get. With the HP8, do you address their different sound signatures with specific tube choices?
EDIT: Let me elaborate. The sound from a headphone, I believe, is a function of quite a few things: frequency response, transient response, shape of inner / outer earcup, materials, absorption vs reflection, angle / proximity of drivers to ears, tightness of earcup-to-head seal ... . Besides, changing earpads -- when possible -- has large effects on the perceived headphone performance. So, I don't use tube rolling to specifically address headphone sonics.
I would imagine that the HP8 is perfect with Grado's. I have never owned a Grado headphone but feel that their efficiency aligned with how the HP8 makes everything sound so sumptuous would make the pairing perfect.
Edit: to respond to @jonathan c on headphone sonics, tube rolling addresses the amps sonics, not the headphone. And I agree with Jonathan's assessment. For me transients are the single most important aspect. It is the only thing in the industry that cannot be measured and is the single most important aspect of sound. It is the space between the notes and the place where music becomes music. All of the other areas he has highlighted also make a big difference for each person on how a headphone will sound. It will be different for everyone and we all hear differently with different preferences. As for tube rolling, on an SET tube amp, the transformers make up more than 80% of the sound. Tube rolling is for flavor changes. On an OTL amp tube rolling will have a greater affect. However SET amps sonics are mostly attributed to the quality of the transformer. And Icon uses fantastic in house wound transformers.
The Icon HP8 has always been on my radar, as fellow ZMF lovers always gush about how great the synergy is between them. Well I figured I'd better act fast before tariffs increase the price. Have a signature edition on order, should be here in two weeks or so. Has to ship from across the pond. Got mine from the US distributor, Music Direct. Super excited to give it a go with my ZMFs! I need to grab an 12AT7 or two for lower gain and hopefully better sonics. Got some Sylvania 6SN7 for cheap awhile back that I can use in place of the stock tubes, though I'll likely grab some VT231s too. Lots of great tube advice in this thread, much appreciated.
Conscripts for the single "V1" station of Icon Audio HP8 Signature .... .... one will be deployed to relieve / rotate with RCA 'black long-plate, angled D-getter' 12AX7. .
Also a great tube seller who has sold me several incredible rectifier 5Y3G U50's and a GZ-34 F31 that is simply sensational. Those Telefunken's look gorgeous.
The Icon HP8 has always been on my radar, as fellow ZMF lovers always gush about how great the synergy is between them. Well I figured I'd better act fast before tariffs increase the price. Have a signature edition on order, should be here in two weeks or so. Has to ship from across the pond. Got mine from the US distributor, Music Direct. Super excited to give it a go with my ZMFs! I need to grab an 12AT7 or two for lower gain and hopefully better sonics. Got some Sylvania 6SN7 for cheap awhile back that I can use in place of the stock tubes, though I'll likely grab some VT231s too. Lots of great tube advice in this thread, much appreciated.
They can special order it from Icon. They quoted a 4-6 week fulfillment time, and I'm on the 3rd week now. While talking to them they said they gave up on headphone equipment and focus on speakers, their bread and butter. But they can order anything in their vendor's catalogs.
There is also Audioarcan in Ontario, Canada. Warren Lavender, the sales director, is very responsive. Audioarcan, which specialises in only a few lines, is where I ordered my HP8 MkII Signature.
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. Besides, changing earpads -- when possible -- has large effects on the perceived headphone performance. So, I don't use tube rolling to specifically address headphone sonics.
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