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

After receiving your order we will confirm the expected delivery date and send you an invoice, please read the T&C for more information. 20% VAT is applied within the UK. If you order from outside of the UK you may have to pay local VAT, administration fee, import tax, or customs fees upon customs clearance.

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. “