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Tony from UK
Hi Pal,
I received the unit today. The inner box arrived intact, although the outer box took some rain damage. I installed the Zen and my initial impression was… WOW. I will write a full testimonial in a few weeks, but here are some initial thoughts: I have more than enough volume with the phono preamp at 65db (the E-Glo Petit puts out 70db max), and the ‘line out’ is adequate to drive 25 foot long RCA cables to the Yamaha DSP-3000 preamp for the rear speakers. In terms of sound quality, it’s everything published reviewers have described. Additionally, it fits neatly next to the phono amp on the same shelf (see attached photo). For my needs, the Zen is absolutely perfect! Thank you again for your help, great communication, and fast delivery. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season.
Sincerely,
Tony
Johann from Austria
Hi Pal,
You gave me one of my best presents I’ve ever got
And I don‘t mean the bar of chocolate!!
Your Icon pre is an incredible machine.
A new dimension in sound and handling.
I owned an Audio Innovations passive preamp years ago, but it is not comparable to your device.
I never bought a device for my rig that had so much positive impact on sound.
Thank you so much!!
Best wishes from Austria
Johann
icOn 5 balanced, USA
Dear Pal and Agnes,
My icOn 5 balanced pre-amp has been in my system for two months now. Clarity is the one-word description that returns. Two sessions close, listening after a long break on a trip, at my 13ft (4m) listening position in the room upstairs, or acting as a large radio for background downstairs.
Passive and active are both enjoyable. I run a server from local drive through balanced 4V DAC output, but appreciate that the active is there if I ever add a 2V source or a turntable.
The manual and setup were easy. I like to keep the icON quiet while turning on the power amp. This preamp shines, as well, at low volume settings.
Best Regards
Chip
South Carolina USA
Testimonial for icOn 5 Dual from Italy
Hello dear Agnes and Pal,
I’m enjoying my vinyl at full speed!
Mediocre acoustic recordings now sound acceptable or even good, good ones become excellent, and excellent ones turn into something truly superlative—almost like being at a live concert (in the best possible way).
Sending you my greetings and heartfelt thanks.
Best regards,
Salvador
Grant, New Zealand
The package arrived on Tuesday morning. It was very well packed, and the unit arrived unblemished. Your user manual was clear, and the icOn 5 and Extender were easy to set up. The default settings were good, and the icOn 5 sounded fantastic from the first power-up. I know that your goal is neutrality, and all my sources sound wonderful, especially the analogue ones. Pic below. Very natural musical sound with no undue emphasis, very enjoyable. The icOn 5 replaced a very well-regarded TVC, so I was hoping that there would be an improvement with your new autoformers. It is a very significant upgrade, and I am very pleased with the unit. All the best for your new project! Best Regards, Grant
John from the USA
The icOn 5 is truly a wonder to behold and is mandatory for maximum sonic transparency. I doubt there are more than a relative handful of audiophiles/music lovers who couldn’t improve their systems with one regardless of how much they spent on their preamp.
I’ll keep close attention to your new science-based product line for 2025; it’s sure to be revelatory.
Thanks, and best regards,
John
Vincent from Hong Kong, China
I have moved from icOn 4 Pro (balanced version) to icOn 5 (balanced version) after 3 years as an upgrade.
The tiny box, the icOn smart passive preamp, is a giant killer and amazing, I had used the Mcintosch tube-combo (C2200 + MC2102) and the integrated amp, Lyndorft 3400 before. They are not comparable to the icOn smart passive preamp in terms of neutrality, purity, transparency, openness and liveliness.
After receiving the icOn 5 about 4 months ago, I’m now confident to say that the icOn 5 version is better than the 4 Pro version.
Now, I have connected the icOn 5 with the streamer Rose HiFi RS
130 (via Weiss 502 Mk2 DAC), Sony professional CD player (CDP-D500), Dutch & Dutch (D&D) 8c active speakers, Magnetar blu-ray player (UDP-900).
I have found the icOn smart passive preamp a good match with the active speakers. I have not used the volume control in the Weiss DAC or D&D 8c, simply because the icOn 5 performs better. I had tried to connect other DACs (RME ADI-2 DAC FS and Okto Research dac8 Stereo) with the active speakers for the preamp section and volume control, but the result is also not as good as the icOn 4 Pro or 5.
There are other competitors in the high-end hi-fi market, but they are either too expensive (not value for money, I would say) or too old-fashioned (without digital read-out and/or remote control).
I agree very much with Pal’s thought that simplicity is a keyword in good music reproduction. Complexity seems a good way to make money and justify the high prices charged.
Thank you, Pal, for your dedicated work in fine-turning the already very good preamp (icOn 4 Pro) into another gear at a higher level (icOn 5), and Agnes, for her very professional packing and fast delivery.
Sridhar from California, US
We compared both my icon4PRO and icon5, man! You are right icon5 is just livelier and the bass is tight. It’s a keeper 🙏🏼. The tilt feature in icon5 is awesome! Left it at my friends place, he will connect with you soon.
icOn 5 is just amazing, thank you
Cheers
Paul from Norway
Pal, what can I say?!
I am sitting here a grown man almost crying…. yes its so good! It has everything, the glow, the naturalness, the flow the ease. My stereo has never sounded better! And they say a line stage, or pre or what shall we call it has no meaning, but this is a game changer for sure! And i have had and heard many preamps an also direct. Nowhere near.
Thanks again, i am happy here, life is good!
Have a nice weekend! Paul
Victor from Canada
I wanted to thank you for transforming my listening experience this year with the Icon5, I have been enjoying it immensely, even more each day. It has enabled me to listen and re-listen and appreciate Vikingur Goldberg variations…
Cheers, Victor