The Icon Audio Stereo 25

An “Entry Level” version  of our award winning Stereo 40 at nearly half the price!

A “Basic” amplifier with simplified design, with many of the features of our £900 Stereo 40.

Designed by David Shaw, founder of Icon Audio, the Stereo 25 has all the performance you would expect from Icon Audio an amplifier which has wide bandwidth smooth dynamics and the ability to deliver very musical performance ahead of its transistor competitors. All we have done is to carefully strip away some of the more expensive features, without compromising the basic design.

Icon Audio make a wide range of pure valve amplifiers and pre-amplifiers aimed at all kinds of pockets, but we are aware that not everyone can justify the expense of some of our more exotic designs. With this in mind we have used our expertise to create the ST25. This replaces both our popular Stereo 20 (EL84 13x2w) and the Stereo 40ie (entry level). Originally designed with the venerable 6L6 in mind (forerunner of the EL34/KT66). But because we use the same power supply and output transformers this amplifier is extremely versatile being able to use a wide range of valves*: 6L6, EL34, 6CA7, KT66, KT77, KT88, 6550.

The ST25 uses a circuit inspired by the H J Leak 1950’s amplifiers*. This combination of traditional design, excellent valves, audiophile components, custom transformers, power supply with beautiful looks all adds up to a stunning combination!

The simplified bias circuit means that providing the replacement valves of the same type are used, no bias checking is required. But unlike older British amplifiers, there is very little heat generated under the chassis to degrade other components and waste power.

Valves The solution to your hi fi problems?

You may have an excellent hi fi system but the reproduction can be a bit cold and sterile. And you find that prolonged listening unsatisfying and tiring.
The characteristics of a simple pure valve amplifier bring out the warmth and colour of music. You get a smooth and detailed sound stage which works well to bring out the colour and texture of older recordings and whilst not overemphasizing the harshness of many modern digital recordings. This makes for a very easy to live with amplifier that still has plenty of power to control modern speakers.

On the scales at 15Kg this amplifier is no lightweight in quality or performance and should give many years of excellent service.

As each amplifier is prepared to your order here in Leicester. We can offer a range of upgrades and modifications, including lower power “Triode” and “Power Amplifier” versions, as well as our unique HT delay, premium and “new old stock” valves. And the superb JENSEN “Copper foil in paper and oil” capacitors. Ask us for a quote.

Icon Audio are a small well established company (9 years). We are proud of the quality of our products and make customer service a priority in order that customers can get the best out of them, and minimise any “down time”.

Specifications and Features

(Typical conditions EL34 valves@ 240v 50Hz. 8 Ω)

• 6L6/EL34/6CA7/KT66/KT88/6550 output valves
• ECC83/12AX7 double triode for first stage
• ECC81/12AT7 double triodes phase-splitter
• Class A, all Triode front end
• Ultralinear output circuit
• (Can be supplied in triode form upon request)
• Hand wired point to point components
• No printed circuit board colour sound.
• Ceramic valve bases for low noise
• Optional automatic HT delay to protect cold valves from cathode stripping at switch on
• 30w RMS per channel Ultralinear
• 15w RMS per channel Triode (hardwired option)
• Suitable for 4 to 8ohm loudspeakers (nominal)
• Signal to noise level -90db
• Freq response 20-20khz +0 - 0.5db 1W
• Bandwidth 10Hz (0db) -55kHz (-3db) (12.5W)
• Bandwidth 18Hz – 55kHz -3db (25w)
• Total Harmonic Distortion typically less 0.2% 1kHz
• Custom hand wound transformers using Japanese long grain steel
• Attractive valve cover included in the price
• Minimal feedback used
• Audiophile oversized 2W resistors
• Audiophile High quality polypropylene audio caps
• Optional Copper foil paper in oil capacitors
• Silver TEFLON audio cable
• Valves carefully matched for best performance
• Gold plated Input & speaker terminals
• 3 line Inputs for CD, Tuner, Phono etc
• Gain= 70 (8ohms)
• 250 mv sensitivity for full output
• 230/240volts, 100w (180w max)
• ‘Soft start’ device incorporated
• 1.6 amp rear fuse (with spare in fuse holder)
• 320W, 310D, 215H (overall) 15kg
• IEC mains lead, (5amp fused)
• CE, ROHS & WEEE compliant
• Comprehensive manual supplied
• Full instructions for valve change included

 (Specifications subject to change, errors & omissions excepted. General 13/08/08)

Downloads

For full details of this product (including pricing, options and delivery details) pls download the PDF.

The updated Stereo 25

PDF