Icon Audio MB81 SE Mono Block Valve Power Amplifier (Pair)
Icon Audio MB81 SE Mono Block Valve Power Amplifier, supplied as a pair, is the ultimate Single Ended Triode amplifier.
SET Amplifier
The characteristics of the outstanding GU81m valve make MB81 SE ideal for those seeking a high power Single Ended Triode amplifier. With 100 watts of power, it is suited to low/medium efficiency speakers in medium or very large rooms for exceptional results.
GU81 Valve
This venerable 1950s GU81 transmitting valve has superb audio qualities and is tremendously robust. Worldwide acclaim and awards for the MB81PP was the motivation for this SE design.
Dedicated Design
The GU81 is a superb, hugely powerful and versatile valve but there is very basic information available from the manufacturers, therefore Icon Audio have devoted considerable resources to gaining expertise in circuit and transformer design to get the best performance from this valve.
Long Life Valve
High dissipation of the output valve is essential for any SE amplifier, in Pure Class A the efficiency is low and the power not used by the speaker is dissipated by the anode which gets very hot limiting performance for audio valves in Class A. GU81 dissipates 350 watts glowing cherry red at only half of its maximum capability giving it an easy relaxed sound as well as a stable and very long life.
Hand Wound Transformers
The GU81 is capable of sublime audio performance but only if the quality of power and signal from the driving circuit is also of the highest quality. MB81 SE’s power supply and transformer design are totally uncompromised supplying the GU81 with the highest quality smoothed and conditioned power from in-house designed hand-wound transformers.
Balanced Synergy
Also the GU81 demands the finest driving circuit, two 6SN7s and a KT150/KT120 which is choke- loaded using their own wide bandwidth design. This needs to be technically perfect with a “balanced synergy” to recreate the desired sound stage and macro detail. Hundreds of listening hours and several redesigns of the circuit and transformers were involved in attaining the elusive sonic perfection.
Impressive Performance
Like the PP version, the MB81 SE has seemingly unlimited vigour and drive capable of reproducing large orchestral works and rock music in a vivid 3D soundstage but utilising a simpler SE design has a quality more akin to using eleven 300Bs in parallel.
Tech Specs
Design
Power Output: 100w (28.3v) 8Ω
clipping point: 1 kHz
THD: 0.2/0.5/1%, 8Ω (8/50/96w)
Amp: Pure Class A, Triode
Wired: by hand point to point
circuit board: Easy to service
Easy Bias Meter: Built In
Valve
1st stage valves: 2x 6SN7
Out driver valve: 1x KT150
Performance
Signal to Noise: -90db
Damping factor: 5
Freq Resp: 20Hz-20kHz -1dB @8v (8w)
Suitable loudspeakers: 3Ω to 16Ω
Sensitivity: 0.4/0.8/1.2v (0/-6/-9.5dB)
Input impedance 100 kΩ
235/117 volts 450watts typical
Transformers
Output: Low Distortion Tertiary wound
Capacitors: Solen/SCR HiFi quality
Jensen copper PIO caps: on request
Connections
Audio: Silver plated pure copper PTFE
In/speaker terminals: Gold plated
valve Cover: Attractive Plexiglas
General
Dimensions (WHD): 31.5 x 66 x 38.5cm
Weight: 50kg
Packed Total Weight: 136 kg
