Preamplifier Icon Audio LA4 MkII
Leicester based Icon Audio have established a reputation for making affordable valve amplifiers for the past decade. The first LA4 introduced some five years ago was a solidly made all triode circuit design that includes valve rectification, using a Western Electric designed 274B, and the 6SN7 double triode for the amplification. This is the latest incarnation; housed in a robust 250x370x230mm alloy and steel chassis, it boasts an Alps Blue Pot motorised volume control, dual choke power supply, DC heater supply, what are described as 'audiophile' polypropylene audio capacitors (Jensens are available for another $330 over the $1320 list price) and high quality 2W metal film and wire wound resistors.
The internal wiring is with silver Teflon coated cable, and the valve holders are ceramic. An optional acrylic valve cover is available for an extra $80. At the back, from left to right there are the gold plated RCA phono sockets for the line in puts, another pair for the tape loop and two pairs of outputs, to allow for bi-amping. The mains IEC input is on the far right.
I started again with the 'Arabesque' CD which, this time, felt a bit more lively and was driven along by some very deep and solid bass. It was not that the Creek was lacking in this department, but the LA4 delivered the same sound with considerably greater weight and drive. The sound of the drums had a sensation of physical impact that was very convincing and that seemed to propel the music along with more energy than I'd heard previously...
Staying rhythmical I next played the Fats Waller LP. Waller was in all senses a larger than life character, and it shows through in the track 'Dinah', where he takes a fairly standard 1920s Foxtrot, swings it, and adds a rolling bass line on the piano to the already driving brass and drums. Through the LA4, the music romped along, capturing the effervescence of a performer who would party for three days, and then turn up at the RCA studios in New York, complete with retinue, and carry on the party whilst he cut records! The directto-disc nature of recordings of this period seemed to carry through, with the sound seeming to be very immediate and accessible.
Staying live, but in a different sense, I next played the Belafonte LP. This is an example of just how good vinyl can actually be, with this preamp describing a spacious auditorium, pinpointing the singer centre stage, with the orchestra spread lower down to the sides and front. The audience response flowed across the room, adding to the feeling of involvement. Overall, the Icon Audio LA4 sounded excellent through all three of my power amps. It majored on musical flow, and attention to detail, creating a very convincing musical panorama. It's not the world's most detailed or transparent, but is great value considering what it can do.
