Icon Audio CDX1 Valve CD Player

Made to order & dispatched within 7-14 days.

£1499.95 Free UK Delivery

or £100.00/month on 0% Finance (12 months) after an initial 20% deposit

Version

Quantity

Pin It

more Icon Audio | more CD Players

Product information

Icon Audio CDX1 valve CD player features a proper valve output stage, which unlike many "valve CD players" has its own hard-wired chassis, power supply and uses highly regarded 6S7N valves, with the option of a Signature version for an even better sound. The CDX1 is a winning combination of traditional design, excellent valves, audiophile components, hard wiring (no printed circuit boards), custom wound transformers, massive choke regulated power supply and some careful thought.

The CDX1 was designed by Icon Audio's David Shaw with the aim of making CDs sound less harsh. The common practice of making a "valve CD player" is to add a couple of valves (ECC88/6922) to the output stage that share the same circuit board and power supply, which is far from ideal. In contrast, the CDX1 uses the latest 192kHz 24bit upsampling technology for high resolution audio. But Icon did a lot more to avoid a “mechanical sound”.

It is commonly known that RF (radio frequency) interference degrades the delicate audio signals in hi-fi and CD players are full of RF noise from high speed processing of the digital signals. Icon Audio separated the digital and analogue sections and gave the valve section a dedicated power supply sympathetic to valve design. This features a choke regulated power supply and a valve regulator - both of which are excellent at absorbing RF interference, thus solving this problem.

You can expect a more musical presentation with more warmth and colour, being very easy to listen to. Icon feel it sounds very similar to their “Reference Standard” PS3 phono stage. You will also get better results from the “mediocre” recordings that you have.

Signature Version

The option for the CDX1 Signature version uses legendary Shuguang CV181 valves which are rugged, long lasting and give exceptional insight to recordings, along with Jensen copper foil in paper capacitors - designed to offer an even better sound.

Icon Audio CDX1 Reviews

'This player brings a degree of humanity to CD that is quite uncommon, particularly at this price...the transparency, combined with a fluid and relaxed presentation, makes for great listening' (Hi-Fi Choice magazine January 2011)

'Open, vital sound with very high listenability factor plus build' (Hi-Fi Choice magazine January 2011)

'The CDX1 has a remarkable balance of sound, build and features at the price and makes much of the competition seem just a little bit dull' (Hi-Fi Choice magazine January 2011)

Specifications

- Latest 192kHz 24bit upsampling technology
- Three independent power supplies
- All hand wired point to point
- Class A, all Triode output stage
- 2x 6SN7 output and buffer stage (0 feedback)
- EZ80 Valve rectifier
- Valve regulator
- Signal to noise level -100db
- Freq response better than 20hz-20kHz +0 – 5db
- Japanese steel EI transformers with low oxygen copper
- High quality 2W metal film, & wire-wound resistors
- Solen Polypropylene audio capacitors
- Jensen Copper foil caps option
- Various valve upgrade options
- Silver TEFLON audio cable
- Special custom wound PSU Choke
- Ceramic valve holders for minimum leakage
- Gold plated RCA
- Output 2v (0db reference standard).
- 220/240volts approx (adjustable to 115v)
- Power Consumption: 50w
- Comprehensive manual supplied
- Full instructions for valve change included
- CE, ROHS, WEEE compliant where applicable
- Size in cm W43.5 D37 H15 (Carton: 44x40x18 weight 16kg)