ICON AUDI0 (UK) Ltd.

Classic Valve Amplifiers from this Leicester based company, also "Made For Valve" MFV loudspeakers.

Icon Audio produce a large range of superb sounding valve amplifiers with gorgeous good looks and a very solid reputation for reliability and at very competitive prices. This is now complemented by the new MFV (Made For Valve) range of floorstanding and bookshelf loudspeaker designed specifically to be driven by valve amplification.

New products now available including two MKII versions of the highly regarded MB845 monoblocks, pictured below.

A CD player with 6SN7 valve output stage.

A full range of bookshelf and floorstanding MFV loudspeakers, please refer to the bottom of this page.

Of great interest to the vinyl enthusiast is the range of valve phono stages, all with separate power supply units. Prices start at only £449.95 for the New PS2 MM (illustrated below), followed by an upgraded range of PS1 amps in MM or MC + MM.

With a warm open highly detaild sound and the useful ability to keep vinyl noise to an absolute minimum, they make most solid state phono stages sound constricted, grainy and noisy. All models have a volume control on the front facia which can be used to drive a power amplifier directly without the need for any pre-amplification and are exceptional value for money.

The New top of the range PS3, this is the only version to have a valve regulated power supply with prices starting at £1,199.00. It uses an EZ80, a ECC83 and a 5687 to rectify and regulate the power supply. This is filtered twice through two large chokes for improved purity. It is a passive device that uses hard wiring throughout. It also improves on the PS1 by utilizing 4 ECC83 and a 6SN7 valve instead of just 2 ECC83 and a ECC81 of the smaller unit. The PS3 can be ordered with military grade valves for a sonic improvement at a £50.00 extra. A big performance boost comes from using the optional Jensen Copper foil paper in oil capacitors. This option is available at £200.00 when purchased from new.

See table below for details and prices

Pre-amplification comes via the new LA4 II line level units with remote control and at only £799.95 in basic form represents excellent value. Also a straight forward Passive line level device, with or without remote control, £249.95 or £325.95.

Pictured below is the Stereo 20 SE integrated, Icon Audio`s first Single Ended amp utilizing the electro-harmonix KT88 output and 6SN7 driver valves. A Western Electric 275 valve rectifier is also incoporated into the design to give 20W.

The starting price is a very reasonable £999.95, with Jensen capacitors at extra cost for a useful upgrade as is replacing the existing valves with Black Treasure KT88Z and CV181Z. Please enquire for prices

The Stereo 25 integrated is now available with a choice of valves from EL34 to 6CA7 to KT88`s, which gives 30W plus depending on the valves used. Prices start at £599.95 for the EL34 version.

A new entry level Stereo 20 PP (push pull and not to be confused with the 20 SE single ended KT88) is a 15w integrated utilizing the EL84. Prices start at £449.95.

New Stereo 40 III now available.

The Stereo 40III starts at £1199.95 with EL34 valves or £1299.99 with KT88 valves. All models have a triode mode switch which gives up to 20w depending on the valves used or up to 45w in ultralinear mode.

Most amplifiers are available with optional valve and Jensen Copper foil paper in oil capacitor upgrade`s for better sound quality, prices vary depending on model. A further improvement is available by upgrading the EL34, KT88, 300B and 6SN7 valves for the equivalant Shuguang Treasure series of Black valves, please enquire for details.

Next in line is the Stereo 50 with KT88 valves and a high gloss white painted finish, all for only £1,199.95. Triode operation gives 27w, ultralinear 55w.

Next model moving up the scale is the Stereo 60 MKII with Electro Harmoix KT88 and 6SN7 plus Sovtek 6SL7 valves giving 65 watts or 35w in Triode mode, complete with remote control operation. Fantastic value at only £1,599.95.

Most expensive model in the integrated category is the Stereo 300 which uses 2 pairs of the legendary 300B valves in Push Pull formation to give 35w. A passive pre-amp with remote control is employed to give a wonderfully smooth detailed sound and all this for only £1,999.95, absolutely unbeatable value.

Three pairs of mono block valve amplifiers are available. First the MB90 which gives 100w in ultra-linear and 50w in Triode mode driven by Electro Harmonix KT90 and 6SN7 valves with Sovtek 6SL7. At £1,799.95 this is amazingly good value, add £228.00 for the Jensen capacitors.

The New MB150 KT90 monoblocks give 160w and are available for £2,799.95

Lastly and by no means least is the new flagship of the range, the MB845 which uses the huge Shuguang transmitter valves for a truly sensational sound. If you are looking for a rich, warm lazy sound this is not for you. Rich and warm they certainly are, but the detail, naturalness, speed, power and weight with tremendous dynamics puts them in a totally different world .

The massive 845B radio transmitter valves glow like minature lighthouses and seems to have huge reserves of power, giving an effortless performance with a large sound stage, vivid detail and lighting fast dynamics. Prices start at £2699.95, up to £5999.95 for the new MKII David Shaw Signature version which has just been announced, further details to follow shortly but the top model will feature a tertiary transformer and have the better sounding Jensen "paper in oil" capacitors and will feature Treasure Black and Full Music valves.

MFV LOUDSPEAKERS.

The MFV range of loudspeakers have been designed to give valve amplification an easier load to drive than is usually the case with the majority of speakers available today.

Details and pricesof the new range to follow.

.For Hi-Fi that brings you closer to the original sound