icOn 4Pro

The icOn preamps are unique: they're passive AVC (Dave Slagle transformer) preamplifiers with a remote. The unique part is the remote; most of AVC preamps are manual only. This particular model preamp features both XLR and SE inputs as well as a balance control (this is an extra expense). There are 4 inputs for both left and right channels: 2 of which are XLR and 2 SE. There are 2 outputs: one each for XLR and SE for each channel. The dimensions are 120mm high, 134mm wide and 260mm in length.

There are 68 volume positions: 58 are 1dB steps, and 9 are 2dB steps with a range of -72dB to +3dB. Since this is a balanced unit, there are 2 sets of transformers, hence the greater cost. See the photos for details. New, this preamp costs £3790 (or ~$5,100 with S/H to the US).

(Please refer to their website for more details: https://www.passivepreamp.com/)

This unit is less than 1 year old (purchased mid-2021) and looks more Mint (10/10) than 9/10, but I rated as 9/10 since there is no original box. Included are the preamp, remote and power supply as supplied by the manufacturer. Also included is the USB interface adapter (which is an extra purchase) with a USB stick containing 2 styles of firmware. One firmware is for input 2 (one of the XLR inputs for each channel) to be an All Pass (AV passthrough) for use in a home theater setting, bypassing the volume control. The 2nd firmware has input 2 as a standard input controlled by the volume control. As is, the firmware is set for AP, but I can change before shipping to style 2 if desired. But the USB stick and adapter will allow the purchaser to change at a later date, going back and forth (firmware flashing does require a Windows PC to perform).

Sales restricted to CONUS only.