"The extra features on the small Apple remote aren't fully self explanatory since I had to code multiple inputs in series to add functions. There will be a small cheat sheet or engraving on the back of the remote. Here is the small DIY card to print out and laminate. The MatchMaker doesn't need explanations I think. Its two outputs connect in parallel. I produced measurements but distortion (1kHz/1V) and frequency response deviation are below the limits of my QuantAsylum QA402 analyzer. That means around 0.0001% distortion and less than 0.05dB amplitude variation from 20Hz to 20kHz. The L/R channel mismatch is less than 0.05dB at all four attenuation positions.
"Below you can see the 5’s measured tilt responses. It's very subtle but a real difference maker for people who want to fine-tune their house sound. The Quad 44 booklet gave a perfect explanation of how it works already some 40 years ago:
"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 for +1/-1 there will be a gradual fall of 2dB from bass to treble, with the maximum rate of change in the centre of no more than ½dB 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 but with a slight added warmth. Such a setting will be used if the recording and/or listening room are slightly too analytical or overbright. Conversely if both recording environment and listening room have reverberation falling with frequency rather than sounding lush, the -1/+1 or even -2/+2 would be used to restore detail…"
"The only difference in the icOn 5 is double precision of eight not four steps, remote control and far better sound quality due to the latest op amps of OPA1652 vs. LF351. Quad's part had 0.01% distortion and 15nV/sqrtHz noise. Mine has 0.00005% and 4.5nV/sqrtHz."
The icOn 5 thus resurrects what many believe was one of the most useful/purist 'tone controls' ever made. For those who don't need/want it, it remains entirely out of the signal path. Likewise for the input buffer; and balance control which really is two mono autoformers which suddenly work at slightly different values rather than being simul-clutched as per normal. The 'status' command is a convenient way to at a glance see how all the behind-the-scenes options have been set 'n' forgotten since the display doesn't otherwise show them. 'Night display' shows just a decimal point to keep light pollution at a minimum. It's for all those who do their best work after (in the?) dark.
In use neither icOn Power nor MatchMaker need instructions. The former has 6V/0.5A and 7.5V/3A outputs. The various icOn preamps use the former. Future products with 6.4V heater voltages will tap the latter. The MatchMaker's business end shows coil conductor and core choice built in.
My loaner had the standard copper/nickel option. Cracking into the hybrid ultracap supply necessitates a hollow-center Torx key. It'll keep out all but the most resourceful who don't mind lethal voltages. Whilst my collection of screwdrivers and tip choices is quite extensive including all the standard Torx heads, it doesn't include security types. I asked Pál to provide the below. "The violet chaps are three 50-farad ultra caps. Even with my high-current SMPS they need 1-2 minutes to charge up after you trip the rear toggle to 'on'. When you disable the front switch, it will only cut the 6V to the icOn."
It's the icOn 5's feature-rich menu which relies on a manual and/or cheat sheet. Below are the readouts for the key functions. The display's upper left-hand corner remains touch sensitive. It's here where sundry combinations of short and long taps trigger shortcuts and select between display bright/dim.
Upper: standard volume display | tilt 1 bass | tilt 4 treble | input select | output select — lower: balance at zero | buffer bypassed | buffer engaged | normal display | night mode
Toggling passive/buffer modes incurs an auto mute to avoid switching transients. Whilst cosmetically minimalist, the icOn 5 is a smart component. It hides its sharp brain behind that black window not to mar its Zen appeal with knobs and dials when after the initial romance of heavy petting and red panty nights, most functions will be set then forgotten. Like the icOn 5, the icOn Power has a rear mains toggle. It then adds a frontal push button with orange light ring for convenient on/off action so no clumsy rear fumbles in tightly packed racks.
