What it is
Icon Audio LA-4 MkIII — David Shaw's reference valve line preamp. All-triode single-stage 6SN7 design + cathode-follower output buffer + 274B (Western Electric) valve rectifier + double-choke Pi PSU. 3× 6SN7 (CV181) audio valves + 1× GZ34/274B/5AR4/5R4 rectifier. Designed Leicester + initial chassis assembly Zhuhai China + final assembly/test/listening evaluation Leicester UK.
CRITICAL DESIGN: Very low 100Ω output impedance + 20V max output + 5V max input + +12dB low gain. Drives any power amp; tolerates long cable runs; 5V input handles even hot DAC outputs (most modern DACs 4.0V XLR / 2.0V RCA fit comfortably). Suitable for power amps with 100mV-5V sensitivity range.
Tube-rolling friendly: 6SN7 sockets accept many vintage and modern variants. Adapters available for 12AU7/ECC82. The Absolute Sound: "It allows the end user to voice the LA4 to match a particular system or sonic preference."
Pre-amp pairing: native partner is Icon Audio Stereo 30 SE / MB-845 / ST40 MkIV power amps. Cross-brand: any RCA-input power amp with 100mV-5V sensitivity. Excellent partner for high-power solid-state amps via low 100Ω output Z.
Who it comes up against
10 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Cavity-Native, Characterful, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Music First Audio Baby Reference V2 keeps the slot decisively.
With the Whest Audio 60Se Pro, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Audio Note P1 SE, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Icon Audio LA-4 MkIII (Standard) is the stronger preamplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Whest Audio 60Se Pro gives up quietness at rest under the Silent Path weighting.
had not heard a better preampStereophile (Art Dudley) — Baby Reference V1 review
had not heard a better preampStereophile (Art Dudley) — Baby Reference V1 review
9 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Characterful, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Anchored brief, the Audiolab 9000Q keeps the slot clearly.
With the Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Icon Audio LA-4 MkIII (Standard) is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
S/N exceeding 112dB A-weighted, THD <0.002%Audiolab 9000P/Q HomeTheaterReview specs + Audio Tailor review
9 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Anchored brief, the NVA P50 MKII keeps the slot clearly.
With the Audiolab 9000P, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC, the pairing gains most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Icon Audio LA-4 MkIII (Standard) is the stronger preamplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Audiolab 9000P gives up quietness at rest under the Anchored weighting.
8 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Cavity-Native, Intimate, PRaT, Reference
Against the Anchored brief, the NVA P50SA MKII keeps the slot clearly.
With the Longdog Audio P6100M (pair), the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC, the pairing gains most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Icon Audio LA-4 MkIII (Standard) is the stronger preamplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Longdog Audio P6100M (pair) gives up quietness at rest under the Anchored weighting.
pin sharp clarityNVA owner consensus (P50SA)
pin sharp clarityNVA owner consensus (P50SA)
4 lost · Cavity-Native, Characterful, Romantic
Against the Cavity-Native brief, the Leema Neutron keeps the slot clearly.
With the Leema Hydra II, the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the Icon Audio LA-4 MkIII (Standard) is the stronger preamplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Leema Hydra II gives up vocal presence under the Cavity-Native weighting.
2 lost · Intimate
Against the Intimate brief, the EAR Yoshino 868L (Line) keeps the slot clearly.
With the EAR Yoshino 890, the pairing gives up most on midrange truth.
On its own merits the Icon Audio LA-4 MkIII (Standard) is the weaker preamplifier for that brief.
all-valve preamp with David Shaw signature voicingIcon Audio LA-4 MkIII positioning
2 lost · Artisan, Reference
Against the Artisan brief, the Exposure 3510 Preamplifier keeps the slot decisively.
With the Naim NVC TT MM/MC, the pairing gives up most on rhythmic grip.
With the Exposure XM9 Biamp 2x2 (4 units), the pairing gives up most on vocal presence.
On its own merits the Icon Audio LA-4 MkIII (Standard) is the stronger preamplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Naim NVC TT MM/MC gives up rhythmic grip under the Artisan weighting.
1 lost · Intimate
Against the Intimate brief, the Audio Note M2 Phono keeps the slot decisively.
With the Audio Note P1 SE, the pairing gives up most on midrange truth.
With the Naim NVC TT MM/MC, the pairing gives up most on rhythmic grip.
On its own merits the Icon Audio LA-4 MkIII (Standard) is the stronger preamplifier — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Audio Note P1 SE gives up midrange truth under the Intimate weighting.
all-valve preamp with David Shaw signature voicingIcon Audio LA-4 MkIII positioning