The HP8 MkII is an uncompromising hi-end valve headphone amplifier — in essence a miniature SET (single-ended triode) amplifier with hand-wound output transformers. Operating in pure Class A, fully triode, it gives headphones the same tangible, natural sound that large valve designs are famous for.
The output stage is based on two 6SN7 valves, and the input stage on an ECC83/12AX7. Matching to headphones across a 6–600 Ω range is handled by dedicated output transformers made of Japanese EI laminations and oxygen-free copper, so the amplifier works superbly with both low-impedance and demanding models.
The whole unit is hand-assembled, point-to-point, on ceramic valve bases, with Solen capacitors (Mundorf optional), silver-plated PTFE wiring and gold-plated sockets. A loop-through allows the unit to be inserted into an existing chain, and optional Bluetooth extends its possibilities. Named „Product of the Year 2023” by Audiophilia magazine.
| Valves | 2× 6SN7 (output), 1× ECC83/12AX7 (input) |
| Operating mode | Class A, single-ended triode (SET) |
| Headphone matching | 6 – 600 Ω |
| Input sensitivity | 350 mV |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | −90 dB |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+0 / −0.2 dB) |
| THD distortion | below 0.2% (1 kHz) |
| Inputs / outputs | 1× line + loop-through |
| Power supply | 220 / 240 V, 36 W |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 160 × 270 × 160 mm |
| Weight | 7 kg |
Hi-end valve headphone amplifier — a miniature SET on 6SN7 valves, output transformers, 6–600 Ω matching and hand-wired assembly. Product of the Year 2023 (Audiophilia).
