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 for 2010 are a pair of 150 watt mono blocks called the MB150 priced at £2599.95 using EH KT90`s. An upgraded version of the Stereo 40 now called the Stereo 40 III, the EL34 version costs £1099.00 and the KT88 version is priced at £1199.00. An upgraded LA4 II line level pre-amp which is excellent value at only £699.00.

Following the success of the MFV 3 (Made For Valve) high sensitivity loudspeakers, three new Bookshelf models are added to the range with prices ranging from £249.95 for the MFV 5 through to £349.95 for the MFV 6 up to £599.95 for the MFV 2.

Of great interest to the vinyl enthusiast is the range of valve phono stages, all with separate power supply units. Prices start at only £549.00 for the MM only version of the New PS1 MKII which is exceptional value for money. 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.

MM /MC models are switchable from the front facia, which also has a mono/stereo switch for those who wish to listen to their mono records with the minimum of noise.

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.

The PS3 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 £100.00 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 £699.00 in basic form represents excellent value. Our own LA4 MKI is available fo £599.00, it is only a few month`s old and not fully run-in yet. A straight forward Passive line level device, with or without remote control, £245.00 or £323.00.

Just released (pictured below) is the new 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 £976.00, with Jensen capacitors at extra cost for a useful upgrade.

A new entry level 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 £489.00 for the EL34 version.

New Stereo 40 III now available.

The Stereo 40III starts at £1099.00 with EL34 valves or £1199 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 a valve and Jensen Copper foil paper in oil capacitor upgrade for better sound quality, prices vary depending on model.

Next in line is the Stereo 50 with KT88 valves and a high gloss white painted finish, all for only £1,174.00. 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 £1,566.00.

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 £1,699.95, 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 £1,799.00 this is amazingly good value, add £228.00 for the Jensen capacitors.

Second is the fabulous MB25 which gives 28w in its triode mode and is driven by two 300B valves per channel. Prices start at £1,799.95 with optional valves available for upgrading and of course the Jensen capacitors, add £228.00.

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 £2500.00, up to £3000.00 for the David Shaw Signature version. That has got to be a bargin.

MFV LOUDSPEAKERS.

The MFV 3 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.

With a high sensitivity of 92 db they can be driven by even very low powered single ended valve amps from 9w upwards.

The are an D`Appolito based design for high efficiency and seamless blending of drivers which gives a coherent dispersion, on and off axis and makes the system sonicall well balanced.

Double ported for extended bass and with a simple crossover with Audiophile inductors and poly prop caps for easy driving and low colouration.

Long grain loudspeaker quality MDF for minimum cabinet colouration and a choice of Cherry or Walnut veneers.

They weigh 25kg each and are 21cm (8 1/4") wide x 109cm (43") tall x 35cm (13 3/4") deep and priced at only £979.00

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