Life Changer icOn 4PRO User manual
AVC PREAMPLIFIER
OWNER’S MANUAL
Congratulations on your purchase of our icOn 4PRO
passive preamplier! We are pleased that you choose a
Life-Changer Audio UK product, as by doing so you have
acquired a preamplier with an outstanding sonic
performance which will provide enjoyment for many years
to come.
icOn 4PRO has been designed by us to provide the
highest sound quality possible and provide an enjoyable
user experience free from the hassles normally associated
with manually controllable passive preampliers. It includes
intuitive software for controlling inputs, volume and balance
via Apple IR Remote from the convenience of the arm-chair,
front-panel optical encoder and the 7 segment LED display.
This manual provides a technical reference for hardware,
setup, interconnectivity, warranty, and safety.
Again, thank you for choosing the icOn 4PRO preamplier.
Dear Music Lover,
Pal Nagy
designer
QUICK START
UNPACKING
•Carefully unpack your icOn 4PRO
• Keep the packing for future transportation
• Please treat the acrylic window surface on the faceplate with care
• Position the icOn 4PRO on a stable base.
CABLING
•Switch off all appliances of your system
• Connect the icOn 4PRO with your amplier
• Connect the icOn 4PRO with your source components
• While changing cables your power amplier should be switched off.
• Default values for all functions are programmed
• Selected input: 1st
• Volume: -47 dB
• Balance: 0 dB
• No additional programming is required for the start-up.
SWITCH-ON
•Switch-on the icOn 4PRO on the back plate’s power switch
• Select a moderate volume level or leave at the initial -47dB
• Switch-on your source components and last your power amplier
• Double check the cabling before switch-on
2
DESCRIPTION
icOn 4PRO is a magnetic passive - autoformer based smart preamplier.
Sonically transparent without addition or subtraction of anything.
The sound level can be adjusted remotely with a total of 68 volume
positions. 58 steps are 1 dB and the remaining 9 steps are 2 dB, scattered
between low volume positions. The changes in level are seamless, with
the channel balance adjusted in 1 dB steps / channel should this be
necessary. .
Unlike the resistive passive preamps, icOn 4PRO overcomes any
impedance mismatching between source and power amplier, which is a
key factor in preserving the sound quality.
Level switching is carried out using state of the art analogue switches
which eliminates the possibility of contact errors from conventional open
rotary switches used on many other passive preamps.
The channel balance is exemplary at max. 0.1 dB - virtually undetectable
by the human ear. The balance function provide 2x6 dB difference in 1 dB
steps.
icOn 4PRO can be connected to equipment without any sensitivity issues
to cable lengths and capacitance, thus improving its interconnect exibility.
It has a sleep mode and mute functions, which preserves any settings
made prior to this being activated, and negating the needs to reset the
levels every time.
All functions such as volume, balance, mute, source selection are
controlled remotely with an Apple Remote which enables the listener to
make adjustments from the seating position, and not where the equipment
is located. Except the balance, every function is reachable through the
knob and touch sensor of the faceplate with the combination of short and
long touches or turning.
The manual volume control on the faceplate is realised with an
industrial grade optical encoder giving instructions to the built in
microprocessor. The way of working of the optical encoders provide
a smooth, very precise control with adjustable sensitivity, but may
differ from what you are used to. The volume control must be
adjusted carefully, as it has the ability to get loud quickly. Do not spin
the volume control knob.
The 7 segment amber colour LED display provides important information
on the status of icOn 4PRO, so it’s easy to see what is happening and view
any changes. 4
USING THE APPLE REMOTE
1
53
3
2
6 4
1Volume Up
2Volume Down
3Input / Balance adjustment
4Mute / Unmute
5Status (active input and volume
on the display), goes to Sleep
when pushed in Muted state
6Enter and Exit to Balance
adjustment, Night mode when
pushed in Mute (pushing again in
Muted state switches back to
normal display mode)
Volume: turn the Volume up with the button on top (1) and turn down with
the button on bottom (2).
Changing the Balance: Select the Balance function with the Menu button
(6). Two dashes will appear on the screen, showing the approximate state
of the balance. When both sides has equal value the dashes will appear
in the middle. The dash in the top position will indicate higher volume on
the relevant side. Adjust the Balance (in range max. 12 dB) with the left
and right (3) buttons. When you push the left button the level of the left
channel is increasing and the right channel’s volume decreasing (and vice
versa). After that you should press again the Menu button to go back to the
normal listening mode, where you can change the Inputs with the right and
left (3) buttons. The balance adjustment is disabled below -63 dB and
above -3 dB volume ranges to preserve the integrity of the channels.
Changing the Inputs: Inputs can be changed with the left and right
buttons (3) if Balance adjustment is not active. If Balance adjustment is
active to go back to normal listening mode push the Menu button again.
Central Button: The button 5 (in the centre of the black circle) has two
different functions. Pushing the central button the number of activated
input and the volume level are displayed for 2 seconds to check the status
of icOn anytime without any change. If icOn 4PRO is muted then this
button will take icOn into sleep mode. In sleep mode the display is dark
with a dim dash at the left. Every preamp function is disabled, the outputs
are inactive. Double touch the sensor on the faceplate to wake up icOn
from sleep. The remote is disabled in sleep mode, you can’t wake up icOn
with the remote.
MUTE: Press the PLAY/PAUSE (4) button on the remote to mute or
unmute the music. Pressing the 1,2 or 3 buttons in Mute initiates an
Unmute too. The Mute/Unmute changes are not abrupt but quick, pleasant
up or down sweeps. In Mute state -99 is shown on the display.
LED Display Night Mode: First activate Mute and after that you can
activate/deactivate the Night Mode pushing the Menu button (6). Go back
to the normal Listening Mode with the PLAY/PAUSE button. In Night Mode
the volume numbers are not displayed, only a dimmed dash but it goes
back to full display for a short time when you initiate any change.
6
USING THE KNOB
AND THE TOUCH SENSOR
Turn the knob right: Volume Up
Turn the knob left: Volume Down
Touch sensor: the small silver metal hemisphere on the left side of the
front plate. In order to reach certain functions you will need to combine
short (•) and long (–) touches.
Here you can nd the combinations:
• next input (after last input comes input 1 again)
–mute / un-mute
•–night mode activation/deactivation. After activation a dim dash will be
displayed in night mode. Deactivate the night mode with one short and
one long touch again on the sensor
••sleep mode / wake up from sleep state
Personalisation possibilities:
• • • You can choose between two display brightness. They alternate with
every 3 clicks between the brighter and dimmer state
• • –switch between ‘L’ - low sensitivity and ‘H’ - high sensitivity of the
optical encoder. In high sensitivity mode adjust volume carefully and do
not spin the volume control knob.
Important note:
If you bought your icOn 4PRO with the optional AV pass-through function
enabled for a particular input, on the output the input signal will appear
without attenuation (full volume, 0 dB) and you will see 0 (dB) on the
display. In AV pass-through state every function (volume adjustment,
mute, balance) is disabled , only input change is possible to nish the AV
pass-through mode and listening normally from the other inputs. Please
be careful with the AV pass function, because using it in a wrong way you
can destroy your loudspeakers. If you don’t understand fully how does it
work - do not enable this function.
FACEPLATE
Handle the faceplate with care, it’s easy to scratch it with sharp objects.
Clean it only with soft cloth and window cleaner if it’s necessary.
7 SEGMENT LED DISPLAY
The display shows the volume in dB (or optionally in numbers from 0 to
67. Max. volume is +3.0 dB (67), minimum level is - 72 dB (1), when
muted -99 dB (0). The night mode without showing the volume numbers
(only a dim dash) is reachable through the sensor on the faceplate and
from the remote.
REAR PLATE
Power switch: You can leave icOn 4PRO switched ON, using the sleep
mode for deactivation from the Apple remote or the sensor.
Power connector: use only the supplied wall wart power supply.
icOn 4PRO can have unbalanced (RCA) or balanced (XLR) connector
pairs in great variety. For product versions with XLR connectors we have
to use bigger enclosures.
The grounds (cold) of RCA inputs and outputs pins are connected parallel
all the time and are connected to the chassis. There is no galvanic
isolation between the inputs and outputs due to the nature of autoformers.
PAIRING AN APPLE REMOTE
icOn 4PRO works with its supplied (and paired) Apple remote to prevent
any disturbance by other Apple remotes used together with an Apple TV,
etc. If you want to use another Apple remote with icOn 4PRO you have to
“pair” them. icOn 4PRO will learn the unique ID code of the new Apple
remote and will work only with it afterwards. Steps of pairing:
1. Switch on icOn 4PRO with the power switch on the back and keep
touching the sensor immediately till ‘ir’ will appear on the display.
2. Push the Volume Up button in the next 5 seconds on the remote. After
few more seconds a ‘YA’ shows that the remote is pared successfully
with icOn 4PRO.
3. If ‘no’ shows, the pairing was unsuccessful. Please try it again.
8
REMARKS
The input to the icOn 4PRO must be COMPLETELY free of DC
offset. The presence of DC voltage degrades the performance
of the icOn 4PRO, both with respect to level handling and
frequency response. In addition when changing the inputs or
volume a small “clicking” sound will appear at the output.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
• Please read and follow all instructions
• Do not use this apparatus near water.
• Exclusively use only the original power adaptor. Unplug this
apparatus when moving it & during lightning storms or when
unused for long periods of time. Only use attachments/
accessories specied by the manufacturer.
• Clean only with dry cloth. We suggest using a non abrasive
micro bre towel. Please do not use any solvents or liquids.
• We service icOn 4PRO with return to base. Service is
needed when the power adaptor is damaged, liquid has
been spilled, the equipment has been exposed to rain or
moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
GUARANTEE
icOn 4PRO comes with a 2 years return to base warranty.
PACKAGING
Please save all packaging. Your icOn 4PRO preamplier is a
precision electronic instrument and should be returned in its
case and properly cartoned any time shipment is made.
Should you need to ship your icOn 4PRO it should be packed
carefully.
SCOPE OF DELIVERY
1. icOn 4PRO preamplier
2. Apple Remote controller
3. 6 or 7.5V/ min. 0.5A wall wart power adaptor
4. User’s Manual
This manual belongs to the rmware version: 1
HOW TO MAKE A
FIRMWARE UPGRADE
1. You will need
• Windows PC/laptop with a normal USB 2.0 port.
• RCT Firmware uploader program downloaded and installed on your
computer. (instructions in the next section).
• The special rmware upgrade cable for icOn 4PRO (optional item, you can
order it together with your icOn or later when you need it).
2. Preparing for the upgrade
• Switch off your power amplier or disconnect it from icOn.
• Download the RCT Firmware uploader program from the Download section
of this page: https://www.rc-thoughts.com/rct-rmware-uploader/
• After downloading please unzip it into a new folder on your computer. You
will be able to start the program by double-clicking the executable RCT-
FW_Uploader.exe le (you can nd more detailed instructions on the
Installation section of the download page).
• You can keep this folder for the next icOn 4PRO rmware upgrade.
• Save the icOnxxxx.hex binary le provided by Life-Changer Audio UK on
your PC/laptop.
3. Upgrade
• Start the RCT Firmware uploader program (RCT-FW_Uploader.exe) on
your PC/laptop.
You should see this window:
Annex
• From the COM-port drop-down list please check your available ports
and remember it or make a note of them.
• Connect the USB end of the cable to your PC/laptop.
• Connect the 3.5mm jack connector to icOn through the 3.5mm socket
on the back end of the right side of icOn.
• Switch on icOn.
• Click on Scan on the RCT Firmware uploader program.
• Check the ports again and select the one that was not there when you
checked the rst time.
• Click on the 3 dot button next to the Select Firmware To Upload and
locate the provided icOnxxxx.hex le on your computer.
• Click on the Upload button, the Uploading - please wait! message
should appear at the bottom left of the window. 2 red LEDs will start to
ash on the USB connector. This indicates that the upload process
started. Wait until the Upload successful! message will appear there. It
should take around 5 sec.
• The uploading of the new rmware to icOn has ended and icOn should
restart automatically with the new rmware.
• Close the RCT Firmware uploader program, disconnect the USB cable
from icOn and your PC/laptop.
• Start using your icOn 4PRO as usual and enjoy the new features. If you
have any problems with the upgrade process or with the new icOn
control program please contact our software support specialist Agnes
If you have any feedback, suggestions regarding the upgraded program
version we are happy to hear from you.
https://www.passivepreamp.com/contact/
You can share your experience with icOn on social media or on our
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/iconpassivepreamp/
Thank you for using our product!
Life-Changer Ltd.
18 Old Lane,
Manchester M11 1BE,
United Kingdom
www.passivepreamp.com
+44 7462 538 212
Table of contents
Other Life Changer Amplifier manuals
