What People
Are Saying

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

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.

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

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

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

I’m sure you really don’t need me to say how much better  the icOn 5  actually is.. because you already know this to be true. This is  exactly what you set out to achieve… and you have  done…emphatically, the ultimate autoformer attenuation device is  here. As you say in possibly the final development for  this technology.. and I am delighted  that I have the privilege to own one. Yet, after previously being so content with the icOn 4, it really doesn’t prepare you for just  how profoundly different next level will  turn out be. Now I find the step change, to this higher plateau, demands a complete re evaluation. Its not just another component  with marginal gains. With the icOn 5  in my system, it seems  to enhance the performance of everything connected to it. It takes a while to absorb this level of instant upgrade, nothing I have previously experienced comes near to this. The 136 steps of attenuation is absolutely sumptuous, maintaining the dynamics and details proportionally at lower levels, results in a more harmonious relaxing audio experience. Listening to music is a time and space experience, with the icOn 5 effectively performing as a super conductor, flowing our precious signals so efficiently , that the time and space is flooded with more music and less of anything else .This is the best way I can understand this, by describing it as a light speed audio effect.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.. and given the laws of physics and known materials, this will be so for a very long time..bravo!

All the very best Michael

I have the line stage running in the system at the moment and it sounds more dynamic, more natural and more transparent than the ‘4. icOn 5 is a very substantial improvement over the ‘4, in every way that matters. All four of the key musical pillars  – dynamic expression or energy, tonal density, dynamic agility and timing, are better with the ‘5 than the 4. Spatial effects are also greatly enhanced with the 5’. Do tell Agnes that her packaging is impressive, adding to the feel that one has acquired a quality item.

With kind regards, Kevin