icOn Zen – When Less Truly Is More

Sometimes, less is more — especially in high-end audio.

Many music lovers today use just one or two source components: a DAC for streaming or CDs, and perhaps a phono stage for vinyl. What they really need is a pure, transparent control unit that lets the music breathe — without adding distortion, noise, or coloration.

The icOn Zen was designed exactly for them. It delivers:

• Remote-controlled precision volume control with perfect channel balance
• Pure passive autoformer attenuation for a lively, dynamic sound even at very low listening levels
• Wide attenuation range ideal for high-efficiency loudspeakers and tube amps
• Balance control, clear display, and flexible connectivity (RCA & XLR)
• Smart options and personalisation, ready for future system expansion with an optional I/O Extender

👉 Order now or contact us to reserve your Zen

Feedback from customer:

"I’ve now been using the icOn Zen for about three weeks.   I listen mostly to classical orchestral and piano music.   As my ears are now aged  86 I was a little concerned that they might no longer be able to distinguish the difference between the Zen and my existing preamp, which was a Townshend Allegri about fourteen years old, but I’m pleased to tell you that the Zen is a considerable improvement and I am enjoying listening to music through it.

The areas of improvement are:

• Greater clarity and detail throughout the frequency range;
• Both treble and bass seem more extended;
• Bass is more clearly articulated;
• There is more colour and character to instruments;
• There is greater separation between instruments and sections of an orchestra, and the soundstage is more clearly defined;
• The overall sound is slightly fuller.

These characteristics increase the enjoyment of listening to music in the following ways.   I can hear more details of what the composer wrote and intended to be heard in a good performance.    I hear more dynamic details, and performances sound more expressive as a result.    The greater bass clarity provides more support to a good performance.   It is easier to hear harmonic changes and to follow contrapuntal lines, and to appreciate details of orchestration.    Reproduction seems well-balanced across the frequency range.

The extent of these improvements varies from one recording to another, but almost all recordings sound different and better in at least some respects.   In a minority of cases, poorer recordings sound less attractive because of the greater contrast with the good ones.

Every time I’ve upgraded a piece of my hi fi system I’ve thought it couldn’t get much better, but with the Zen it has got a lot better.   I wonder whether it might be better still with the icOn5, but that would be considerably more expensive.   I am very happy with my purchase, and I expect to go on enjoying it for a long time. "