For four years the Icon Audio LA4 has provided an ideal pre-amplifier, not just for Icon Audio’s MB25, MB90 and MB845 power amplifiers, but also for amplifiers from many other brands. It has been extremely well received by the specialist press and has even been recommended as the perfect partner for solid-state (transistor) power amplifiers. Icon Audio have been careful to retain the special qualities that made the LA4 such a success keeping the same tried and tested circuit, the excellent 6SN7 double triodes and high quality double choke power supply. In addition to a new smart appearance, the LA4 MkII includes two significant improvements. The valve rectification uses a 274B valve in place of the previous version’s pair of EZ80s. The Western Electric designed 274B has long been accepted as the best sounding rectifier valve available. The LA4 MkII also includes adjustable gain. This allows an even wider range of source components and power amplifiers to be used whilst keeping noise levels to an absolute minimum.