Icon Audio LA4 MKIII - Exceptional Tube Line Pre-amp

Icon Audio is a small company based in Leicester in the UK. Established in 2000, it is wholly owned by David Shaw who has been a keen hi fi enthusiast all his life. Coming from a musical family, his interest in all things audio began at an early age fascinated by the family radiogram and collection of 78rpm records. As a teenager he built his own audio system using valve amplifiers.

On leaving college he studied electronic engineering. From 1972 to 1997 he worked in the hi fi industry in sales, marketing, service and installation, enabling him to take a holistic view in terms of sound performance, presentation and value. These 25 years were very useful when designing an amplifiers function and “user friendliness” and closing the gap between expectation and reality.

In 2000 he founded Icon Audio with the philosophy that Icon Audio amplifiers would be affordable, offer high performance, be of high-quality construction and have excellent back up service. The company head office and laboratory is in Leicester UK where research and development is done as well as the commissioning and quality of every product is checked.

In order to maintain our high standard, every Icon Audio amplifier is tested carefully in our listening room and listened to by either David Shaw or his assistant. As a small company with low overheads, Icon Audio is uniquely placed to offer high quality hand-built amplification that goes beyond the mass-produced products of our larger competitors.

Building on the success of the earlier marques, the LA4 MKIII has improved cosmetics and an upgraded circuit. Now with lower feedback and lower gain the macro dynamics and sound stage are enhanced.

A deceptively simple high quality single stage design followed by an output buffer. But what makes the LA4 III special is the power supply and our “finely tuned” design. A high end pre amplifier must have the best power supply. The LA4 MK III uses a large choke in Pi configuration for well conditioned power giving superb smoothing for velvety inky black silence. The rectifier valve, which makes a small but valid difference may be either the Mullard designed GZ34 (pictured) or the venerable WE designed 274B. 

The three audio valves we use are the 6SN7 double triodes. This 1940 vintage valve has all the best characteristics for the job, and its larger size means long life and good stability. Also the sound is more musical as we feel these have a more fluid sound. You can experiment with both vintage and modern types.

Like all our equipment the LA4 III is very solidly made. It has a heavy alloy and steel chassis. The internal wiring is all “point to point”, “hand wired”, this is essential for valve amplifiers, and allows for upgrading to larger capacitors, and makes future servicing very simple. 

A line pre-amp of outstanding quality...

- Pure Valve
- All Triode
- Valve Rectified
- Remote Control
- Four Inputs
- Record Loop
- Low Gain
- Twin Choke PSU
- 12AU7/ECC82

Very simple high quality line pre-amp. Ideal for virtually any kind of power amplifier. This particular unit is in like-new condition with low hours on its tubes and with its full compliment of as-new accompaniments including OM box/packaging/remote/OM & PC. Really a fabulous line pre-amp adding just the right amount of tube presentation to your SS power source - 100% winner!

Come have a listen here at the Andover shop.

Icon Audio LA4 MKIII Tube Linestage Preamp: $2,199.00 plus shipping and sales tax when applicable