Hallo Pal and Agnes,
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.
With best wishes for Christmas and 2026,
Tony
