Icon Audio HP8 MkII Headphone Amplifier

Headphones have such an intimate relationship with the listener, a good headphone amplifier needs to have the purest possible sound to avoid long term listening fatigue for the user.
The usual way to provide a headphone output on an integrated amplifier is to drop the power through a couple of resistors, giving “low fi” disappointing results. Solid State headphone amps often use a couple of $2 microchips which can sound harsh and have limited power.
We use two Class A valves with high quality output transformers that provide ideal matching to almost any headphone type 30-600.
The power supply has generous mains transformer two custom output transformers. The HP8 MkII is a heavy 7kg, and very solidly made, giving you an idea of how much iron you get for your money!
Like our other models the HP8 MKII has no printed circuit board and is all hand wired with top quality components. We use silver PTFE audio cable; gold plated terminals and the famous “ALPS” volume pot for sonic purity.
The front valve is the excellent ECC83. this has exceptional detail and fluidity. It complements the super 6SN7 (the best hi fi valve ever?). This combination will give you a simply stunning insight into inner detail of your favourite recordings whether analogue or digital. Like our other amplifiers, close attention has been paid to the finish of the HP8 MKII. It uses the same heavy build quality as our other amplifiers a combination of alloy plate and painted steel.
The HP8 MkII is very versatile. It may connected to your hi fi in several ways:
1, In a normal hi fi system you would connect to the “record out” of your amplifier. This will then be directly connected to the “source” that you have selected.
2, Now with built in loop enabling easy connection.
3, With “Pre and power” systems a connection may be made between the two units.
4, As a stand-alone unit you can directly connect to any CD/iPhone/phono pre-amp etc.

Features & Specifications

All hand wired point to point
No printed circuit board to ‘colour’ sound
Japanese Blue ALPS volume pot
Class A, all Triode circuit
Output impedance matching from 6 to 600 Ω
2 x 6SN7/CV181 for output 1x ECC83 input valve
NOS, Treasure and other types available
Signal to noise level - 90 dB
Freq response better than 20 Hz - 20 kHz, + 0 - 0.2 dB
Total harmonic distortion typically less than 0.2% 1 kHz
Japanese steel EI transformers with low oxygen copper
High quality 2 W metal film, & wire-wound resistors
Solen audio capacitors, Mundorf upgrade available
Custom hand wound output transformers
Ceramic valve holders for minimum leakage
Silver PTFE audio cable
Gold plated Input/outputs
One line input
Loop through facility
350 mV input sensitivity
220/240 volts 36 watts
Dimensions: 160 (W) x 270 (D) x 160 (H) mm
Weight: 7.0 kg

Turnaround

Orders will usually dispatched within 2 working days of receiving cleared payment.

Shipping Rates

We calculate your shipping rate based on the total weight of your items and your delivery address. Standard shipping to the UK Mainland (excludes Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands) is free, except where specifically indicated. Don't worry, you'll always see the final shipping charge displayed before you reach the payment step (on the checkout page).

Carriers

We despatch the bulk of our UK mainland items on a 24 hour service.  Non-Mainland locations – Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, the Scilly Isles, the Scottish highlands and Islands, the Channel Islands and Northern Ireland may take a day or so longer. Smaller items are delivered using Royal Mail 24 or special delivery. Larger items are delivered using a courier service such as UPS and occasionally by a Pallet service.

Order Tracking

If a tracking # is provided by the carrier, we will update your order with the tracking information. Please note that some orders will not have tracking numbers.