icOn
The Transparent Passive Preamplifier with Remote Control
Balanced passive AVC preamplifier built with Dave Slagle autoformers. 135 steps of attenuation, optional active buffer, tilt control — all from your armchair.
Introducing the NEW icOn Zen
What is a passive preamplifier?
Less in the signal path. More in the music.
A passive preamplifier controls volume and source selection without adding any gain to the signal. Unlike active preamplifiers, it introduces no transistors, valves, or op-amps into the signal path — which means no added noise, no distortion, and no coloration.
Most modern digital sources produce enough output voltage to drive a power amplifier directly. A passive preamplifier simply gets out of the way and lets the music through unchanged.
“People don’t just buy what they need. They buy what they want. Most modern digital sources will drive most modern amplifiers to full output. No extra gain is required, just signal cut/attenuation. A passive simplifies the math. 2−1=1. It’s pure signal cut, no boost.”
Srajan Ebaen · 6moons.com
Our models
Three models. One mission.
Get out of the way of the music. Choose the model that fits your system.
icOn Zen
The spiritual successor to the icOn 4 Zen — refined with experience from the acclaimed icOn 5 series. Musical transparency and effortless dynamics at a more accessible price.
€ 2,590 ex. VAT
icOn 5 Single-ended
The premium passive experience. 136 steps, 8-step tilt control, FET switches. Equipped with 8 pairs of RCA or 3 XLR + 3 RCA for a large system.
€ 3,759 – € 6,359 ex. VAT
icOn 5 Balanced
True balanced signal path throughout. Designed for users who prefer fully balanced connections from source to power amplifier.
€ 5,699 – € 9,999 ex. VAT
As seen in
icOn 5 — what it is
Everything you need. Nothing you don’t.
Seven years of refinement, hundreds of audiophile conversations, and one obsessive goal — the most transparent, versatile passive preamplifier ever made.
Why is the icOn 5 different?
The icOn 5 features a new autoformer with lower inductance, larger air gap, and improved linearity — contributing to a livelier and more natural sound profile. 136 steps over 83 dB, from −80 dB to +3 dB. Optional 8-step tilt control for subtle tonal adjustment.
- Passive magnetic preamplifier (AVC) built around world-class autoformers and an active buffer to overcome limitations
- Without colouration, noise or distortion — unrivalled transparency to enjoy the original recording to the full
- Fully controllable from your listening position with an easy to use remote
- Unlimited noise-free switching using FET switches instead of rotary switches or reed relays
- Adjustable in 0.5 dB volume steps — 83 dB range with 136 steps
- Unbalanced and true balanced models with flexible input/output configurations
- Balance, mute, optional AV bypass, display with night mode
- The most versatile and future-proof passive preamp family on the market
- Contemporary design with clean, sleek lines in a minimalist enclosure
- Highly innovative with unique features seldom found in passive preamplifiers regardless of price
- Designed and handmade in Manchester, UK
Best Hi-Fi of 2024 · The Ear
“Simply the best. And by a country mile. I can think of no other way to sum up the truly astonishing icOn 5. In the review system it trounced a highly regarded active line stage with a price ticket more than six times greater.
This is a line stage that achieves such a high level of transparency and energy transfer that all other contenders are left sounding veiled and un-dynamic. Done right, as in the icOn 5, passive attenuation gives the most direct connection to recorded music that most of us will ever hear.”
What customers say
Heard by audiophiles worldwide.
The resulting completeness of sound is simply magical to me. I salute your work Pal, I believe this is the end game design for attenuation from what I know. With the icOn 5 in my system, it seems to enhance the performance of everything connected to it.
What can I say?! I am sitting here a grown man almost crying…. yes it’s so good! It has everything, the glow, the naturalness, the flow, the ease. My stereo has never sounded better!
icOn 5 is just amazing. You are right — it’s just livelier and the bass is tight. It’s a keeper. The tilt feature in icOn 5 is awesome!
I wanted to thank you for transforming my listening experience this year with the icOn 5. I have been enjoying it immensely, even more each day.
icOn 5 is a very substantial improvement over the ‘4, in every way that matters. All four of the key musical pillars — dynamic expression, tonal density, dynamic agility and timing — are better.
Designer of icOn preamps
Why did I design the new icOn 5?
Over the past few years, I have built up my experience and collected feedback from several hundred audiophiles worldwide. They shared their unresolved problems and dreams of their perfect system.
After working in this sector for seven years, I now have a clearer understanding of everything. I have identified recurring patterns and pinpointed some unresolved issues I wanted to address.
The icOn 5 is more than just another set of supplementary “mods” for the icOn 4PRO. Finding a preamplifier within this price range that surpasses the quality of the icOn 5, whether active or passive, will be a challenging endeavour.
Paul Grand Audio, Manchester UK — formerly Life-Changer Audio UK
As seen in
Acclaimed by the world’s leading audio press.
“As far as sheer sonic excellence, maturity and completeness go, it sits as high as my reference linestage that now sells for roughly £17,000 before VAT and is the best one I know.”
DAWID GRZYB
“Today’s award wrote itself… One this good and flexible is simply more globally relevant than many will have thought. Being priced fairly and built to a high standard makes it a true standout.”
SRAJAN EBAEN
“Now with refined system design, excellent ergonomics and improved sound quality, the remote controlled icOn4 is a no-brainer for overall value.”
MARTIN COLLOMS
Common questions
Quick answers.
Will a passive preamplifier work with my system?
A passive preamplifier works best when your source outputs at least 1.5V and your power amplifier has a high input impedance (ideally 10kΩ or more). The icOn uses autoformers which provide automatic impedance matching — a major advantage over resistive stepped attenuators.
What is the difference between a passive and active preamplifier?
An active preamplifier adds gain to the signal, which also adds noise and distortion. A passive preamplifier only attenuates the signal — no gain, no added noise, no coloration. Most modern DACs output enough voltage to drive a power amplifier directly, so the extra gain from an active preamp is unnecessary.
What makes AVC (autoformer) better than a potentiometer?
Most people find that the autoformer volume control sounds significantly better than even the best potentiometer or stepped attenuator. The autoformer has such an open, effortless sound that they would not consider going back to a resistive device.
The icOn models
The all-new icOn Zen is now available for order
The expected delivery time is approx. 2–3 weeks. Prices don’t include VAT. We charge 20% VAT for UK customers. You can choose between EUR, GBP and USD prices on the product page.
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