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.
