The Icon Audio Stereo 60 MkII

New Upgraded Design for 2008!

This is probably the valve amplifier you always promised yourself! A high quality powerful, hand built amplifier with a luxurious warm sound that is also detailed and dynamic. It has many features not normally available in its class. Our Stereo 60 MKI has been a big hit with the Hi Fi Press and audiophiles alike. But we have listened to our customers views and for 2008 have a new MKII with some important improvements:

Simplified front end. Now with 6SN7/6SL7s. We have re-designed the front end using these superb driver valves. Older and bigger they have greater headroom and overload margins, a more textured fluid sound and a reputation for a very long life.
Integrated or Power-amp operation at the flick of a switch with dual sensitivity.
“Warm-up” circuit included in the price. Saves tube life and power with instant warm up.
Beautiful Plexiglas & Stainless Steel Cover
4 & 8 ohm loudspeaker taps for precise matching.
Stainless Steel Chassis No expense has been spared or corners cut to create a “High End” powerful valve amplifier.

Why Choose The Stereo 60 MKII?

In line with our policy of enough tube power to drive modern speakers, the Stereo 60 has a generous power supply, fully choke regulated (giving smooth power), simple, all triode, low noise front end. It offers more “Pure Class A” power than many more exotic designs. Not only does it have a powerful 65+65 watts, but a low source impedance that will precisely control “difficult” speaker loads, adding to the purity of sound. There are many modern speakers that are just not sensitive enough for many valve amplifiers. This is made even worse the massive dynamic range of CD/DVD and the requirements of some music to be very loud and have very deep bass.

We have used the fabulous GEC/Marconi designed KT88 valve, probably the greatest all round Hi Fi valve. Having beautiful sonics, low distortion and high power output,

Close attention has been paid to the driver stages of the amplifier. The excellent 6SN7s effortlessly drive the KT88s with grip and dexterity that allows for big dynamics yet convey the inner detail of complex recordings.

The large hand wound output transformers easily convert the big voltage swings into the heavy currents needed for accurate speaker control. The large power supply utilizes both big capacitors and choke regulation for smooth power delivery for deep bass & transients. Because we use a passive pre amplifier stage the amplifier remains very simple. The resulting performance is very smooth and warm but with astonishing clarity. The massive headroom provided by the high power available means that under most circumstances the output stage will be operating in Class A.
Customers who have bought this amplifier have reported hearing greater inner detail of their recordings and the ability to listen for long periods without “Listening Fatigue”.
The switchable “Triode Mode” facility means that a massive 35 watts is available in pure triode mode, normally only available from very exotic and expensive transmitting valves.

The remote control feature enables to get precise listening levels from your arm chiair and mute the volume to answer the phone etc.

Integrated & Power Amplifier in One!

A new feature is the ability to change the sensitivity of Stereo 60 MKII at the flick of a switch. Choose between use as either a sensitive integrated amplifier, or as a power amplifier fed from a pre-amp. Done without any sound degrading attenuation.

Specifications and features

• Comprehensive manual supplied
• Supplied bias & valve test meter
• Full instructions for valve change included
• All hand wired point to point
• No printed circuit board to ‘colour’ sound
• Japanese Blue ALPS volume pot.
• Class A, all Triode front end
• Output circuit Ultralinear or Triode switchable
• 4x KT88/6550 precisely matched for best performance
• 2x 6SL7 first stage valves
• 2x 6SN7 output driver valves
• “Warm up” circuit fitted to prevent cathode stripping
• 2x 65w RMS continuous per channel
• 2x 35 Watts RMS in Triode mode
• Signal to noise level -90db
• Freq response better than 20hz-20kHz +0 – 0.5db at all
powers
• Total harmonic distortion typically less than 0.05% 1khz
• Suitable for 4 to 16ohm loudspeakers
• Japanese steel EI transformers with low oxygen copper
• Custom hand wound output transformers
• Attractive cover included in the price
• High quality 2W metal film, & wire-wound resistors
• Blue LED mains indicator
• Polypropylene audio capacitors (Paper foil on request)
• Silver TEFLON audio cable
• Ceramic valve holders for minimum leakage
• Centre tapped heater circuit for minimum hum
• ‘Soft start’ device incorporated
• Gold plated Input & speaker terminals
• Four line inputs
• Tape monitor circuit
• 350mv input sensitivity.(high) 1.2v (low)
• 230/240volts 200watts typ, 500w max. 3A AS fuse
• C E compliant
• 440W, 400D, 230H, 33kg outside width of feet 390mm
(remember to allow space for connections and ventilation)
(Specifications subject to change, errors & omissions excepted. General 27/03/08)

Downloads

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

PDF