Before you order
Understanding your icOn 5 options.
When you order an icOn 5, you choose between several options. This page explains — in plain English — what each one means, who it’s for, and what difference it makes. Read this first, then order with confidence.
Applies to: icOn 5 Single-ended • icOn 5 Balanced
Option 1
Input / Output configuration
This is the most important choice — it determines how many sources and amplifiers you can connect, and what type of connectors the icOn 5 will have on its rear panel.
The icOn 5 comes in two fundamentally different connector layouts. The right one for you depends entirely on what your existing equipment uses.
icOn 5 Single-ended
The Single-ended model is available in two rear panel layouts:
Most popular
8 pair RCA
Eight pairs of RCA (phono) sockets with user-reconfigurable input/output assignment. You choose the layout yourself — Pal ships the unit in the default configuration and you can change it later without opening the case.
- io1 — 6 inputs, 2 outputs (factory default)
- io2 — 5 inputs, 3 outputs
- io3 — 5 inputs, 2 outputs + 1 line output
Who is this for? Most audiophiles — the majority of consumer audio equipment uses RCA connectors. DACs, phono stages, CD players, amplifiers, tape machines.
Mixed connections
3 pair RCA + 3 pair XLR
2 XLR inputs + 2 RCA inputs, 1 RCA output + 1 XLR output. Fixed layout — cannot be reconfigured.
Important: The XLR sockets on this model carry a single-ended (unbalanced) signal. They are physically XLR connectors, but the signal path is not balanced. This is useful if your source or amplifier has XLR sockets on its chassis, but is not a true differential balanced connection.
If you need a truly balanced signal path, the icOn 5 Balanced is the correct model — it uses two pairs of autoformers and genuine differential balanced operation.
Who is this for? Users whose DAC or power amplifier has XLR connectors on the chassis but single-ended internals, or who prefer the locking XLR connection format.
icOn 5 Balanced
The Balanced model always uses XLR connectors throughout. The input signal must be differentially balanced. Two I/O layouts are available:
3 input / 2 output
3 pairs of XLR inputs, 2 pairs of XLR outputs. Remote-controlled output selector allows switching between outputs from your listening position.
4 input / 1 output
4 pairs of XLR inputs, 1 pair of XLR outputs. For systems with more balanced sources and a single balanced power amplifier.
Not sure which I/O layout you need? Count your sources (DAC, phono stage, CD player, streamer) and how many power amplifiers or subwoofers you want to connect. If you are still unsure, ask Pal directly — describe your system and he will recommend the right layout.
Option 2
Autoformer type — copper or silver
The autoformer is the heart of the icOn 5. It is what does the attenuation — and it is the reason the icOn sounds the way it does. Both options use bespoke, custom-wound autoformers. The difference is the wire.
Standard on every model
Copper autoformer
Custom copper-wound autoformer built by Dave Slagle of Intact Audio, USA — made to Pal’s exact specifications. Lower inductance and larger air gap than previous icOn models, resulting in a lively, transparent and effortless sound.
About Dave Slagle: Dave Slagle of Intact Audio, USA, is widely regarded as producing the finest autoformers available anywhere. These are not off-the-shelf components — each is custom wound to Pal’s specification and measured before fitting.
Optional upgrade
Silver autoformer
Hand-wound in-house at Paul Grand Audio using pure silver wire on an 80% nickel core. Silver has lower electrical resistance (DCR) than copper, which in theory — and in the experience of many listeners — results in a slightly more open, refined and effortless sound at all volume levels.
Copper is the standard on every model. Silver is an optional upgrade on the icOn 5 Single-ended and icOn 5 Balanced. If you would like to discuss whether silver is worthwhile in your particular system, ask Pal — he will give you a straight answer rather than a sales pitch.
| Model | Copper | Silver |
|---|---|---|
| icOn 5 Single-ended | Standard | +€2,100 |
| icOn 5 Balanced | Standard (2 pairs) | +€3,500 (2 pairs) |
| icOn Zen | Standard | Not available |
Option 3
Tilt control
The tilt control is an optional feature on the icOn 5 Single-ended. It is not available on the icOn 5 Balanced.
The name describes it exactly. It produces a very gradual, smooth tilt in the frequency response — like tilting a see-saw pivoting at around 900 Hz. Turn it one way and you get slightly more bass and less treble. Turn it the other way and you get slightly more treble and less bass.
How it works
There are 8 steps, each of 0.5 dB, giving a range of −2 dB to +2 dB at 20 Hz and 20 kHz. The pivot point — where nothing changes — is at approximately 900 Hz. Below and above that, the response gradually slopes in opposite directions.
The rate of change is no more than ¼ dB per octave at any point in the audio band. This is far gentler than any tone control you have ever used. The idea is that you cannot hear the tilt as “colouration” — you simply hear the music as slightly warmer or slightly brighter, without any sense that something has been done to the sound.
The original inspiration: This feature was inspired by the vintage Quad tilt control, originally described thus: “The tilt control operates exactly as its name implies and produces a very gradual change in balance across the musical spectrum without changing the overall subjective level. When set to 1, there will be a gradual fall of only 1 dB from bass to treble, with the maximum rate of change at the centre (900 Hz) of no more than ¼ dB per octave. This absence of any sudden change means that there won’t be colouration added to the sound. The sound will remain entirely natural.”
Who needs tilt control?
You probably don’t need it if…
- You are happy with the tonal balance of your system as-is
- Your room is well-treated
- You mostly listen to well-recorded modern music
The pure passive icOn 5 without tilt is already sonically transparent. Adding tilt that you never use adds no benefit.
You may want it if…
- Your listening room is slightly bright or slightly warm
- You listen to a lot of older recordings that lean analytical or dull
- You like the ability to fine-tune your system’s tonal balance from the armchair without EQ
- You are moving from an active preamp with a built-in tone control and want to retain some adjustment capability
| Model | Tilt control available |
|---|---|
| icOn 5 Single-ended | Optional — +€500 |
| icOn 5 Balanced | Not available on this model |
| icOn Zen | Not available on this model |
Can I add it later? The tilt control is a separate board fitted during the build, so it is much simpler to specify it now than to add it afterwards. If you are undecided, ask Pal before ordering.
Option 4
Display colour
The simplest choice on the page. The 7-segment LED display on the front panel is available in two colours. Both are the same size, same brightness levels and same functionality. This is purely cosmetic.
Amber
The classic icOn look. Warm, easy on the eyes in a darkened listening room. Similar to the orange glow of vintage audio equipment.
-44.5
Amber display — as seen in most icOn photos
White
Higher contrast and easier to read from a distance or in a brighter room. A cleaner, more modern look.
-44.5
White display
Both displays have two brightness levels and a night mode — in night mode only a dim dash is shown rather than the volume number, to avoid any visual distraction during listening. No price difference between amber and white.
| Model | Amber | White |
|---|---|---|
| icOn 5 Single-ended | Yes | Yes |
| icOn 5 Balanced | Yes | Yes |
| icOn Zen | Amber/orange only | — |
Ready to order?
Go to the product page and choose your options.
After placing your order, Pal will confirm the expected delivery date and send you an invoice. Payment is made after confirmation — not at checkout. 20% VAT is added for UK orders.
icOn 5 Single-ended
8 pair RCA or 3 RCA + 3 XLR • Optional tilt control • Copper or silver autoformer • Amber or white display
From €3,759 ex. VAT
icOn 5 Balanced
3 in / 2 out or 4 in / 1 out XLR • No tilt control • Copper or silver autoformer • Amber or white display
From €5,699 ex. VAT
Still have a question? Ask Pal directly — he replies to every enquiry personally and will help you choose the right configuration for your system. You can also browse the FAQ for technical questions about compatibility and impedance.