Page 28 - Hi-Fi World (January 2020)

REVIEW

Classic 40

Icon Audio’s Stereo 40 MkIV valve amplifier is their latest re-model of a classic valve
amplifier. Noel Keywood listens.

alve amplifiers for audio tested classic. Push it hard and 50 Watts appear
were an open subject But that was long ago historically or flick a front panel lever switch to
back in their day, both – and technologically. Build a classic Triode mode and you’re down to 30
Mullard and GEC pub- circuit today and modern technology Watts. All this is exactly as expected
lishing books of circuits intrudes: it only makes sense in from KT88 Kinkless Tetrodes run
V– Mullard’s Circuits For terms of cost, safety, convenience and in push-pull, using modern valves
Audio Amplifiers (1959) being avail- reliability. All of which sets the stage working with fixed bias, confusingly
able today as a reprint (Amazon). for the new MkIV. Oh! – I forgot to meaning you have to adjust it. Fixed
Icon Audio refer to it in their notes mention fashion: there’s a headphone bias gives more power than auto-bias
on the new Stereo 40 MkIV ampli- socket. (that you don’t have to adjust).
fier I am reviewing here, making the As you might guess the Stereo Ours came with Genelex Gold
point that this amplifier is a tried and 40 MkIV delivers nominally 40 Watts. Lion KT88s (around £40 each), made
28 HI-FI WORLD JANUARY 2020 www.hi-fiworld.co.uk