icon Audio PS 3 Instructions

PS 3
A "High-end" All Valve Phono Pre-Amp
Thank you for purchasing one of our phono
stages. A lot of care has gone into the design,
component selection and production of this
amplifier. We are sure that you will hear the
difference.
Our amplifiers have a reputation for excellent
performance and reliability endorsed by award
winning reviews in the Hi Fi press.
It well know that for many reasons, valves can
sound much better than transistors, this is
especially so with vinyl reproduction. Chiefly
because:
• The massive headroom of valves does not
emphasise irritating noise and distortion on highly
modulated or scratched & worn LPs therefore
minimising noise.
• The 40db RIAA difference between 20hz and
20khz is easier for valves than transistors to cope
with in the first stages of amplification.
• The "warm" sound of valves is particularly suited to
the reproduction of music from vinyl.
• Our "passive" design uses no "feedback"
• Our simple design uses "audiophile" components.
• We use "hard wired" "point to point" wiring with no
printed circuit board.
There are several "valve phono pre-amps" that are
only part valve or only use valves as an output stage;
these will not have the colour and vibrancy of an "all
valve" design.
The simplicity of the design means that we were able
to avoid the use of printed circuit boards, which are
icon Audio
All Valve Phono Pre Amplifier Instructions

About the PS 3

not ideal for valve amplifiers despite their common
use.
Although good frequency response, low noise and
distortion are important in any hi fi unit, there are
several other criteria that are often forgotten.
Transistors have a poor overload capability, and the
resulting distortion is very unpleasant. The PS3 has a
massive overload capability and even then would go
into 'soft clipping', which is much more benign and
easier on the ear.
The simplicity of the circuit means that there are
much fewer components for the signal to pass
through, fewer connections and switches, again
adding to the purity of sound.
This simplicity also means that we can use higher
quality oversized components, such as 2w resistors.
The use of popular valves, which are still in
production, means that obtaining replacements is
easy and inexpensive when necessary. This also
means you will be able to able to change valves
yourself and experiment with the different tonal
balance of different types.
The final result is an amplifier with excellent
characteristics, with an accurate yet smooth and
transparent quality.
To get the best out of the PS 3 Please read the
enclosed notes. We have tried to give you all the
basic information you will need. Should you be
uncertain about anything contact your dealer, or
ourselves.
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