Earlier this year I wrote a review on the icOn passive preamplifier and mentioned that they were working on a balanced version with 4 Slagle transformers, not just two. Well, I have had the item at home for a little time and I have used it in my system and compared it to the active preamplifiers I was using. It was clearly better than 2 of them and just a smidgeon ahead of the other (Bryston BP17-3). Now all three cost more than the icOn PRO 4 which unlike other passives has a good remote control with the volume control totally silent in operation. No clicking noises. It bettered my Hattor passive by providing better dynamics. As you can gather I was impressed with this little box.
