5
D
Burning in
: This will take at least one to six months
of regular use before all the subtle ageing has
completed.
Trouble shooting
Amplifier Dead
If the LEDs or valves do not light up, check the 1 amp
mains fuse at the back of the amplifier. To gain
access, remove the mains lead. The fuse is in a
small plastic drawer, which forms part of the socket
assembly. To open insert a flat bade screwdriver or
similar and prise open.
The fuse in use is the
innermost
the outer is a spare. Should the
replacement fuse also blow there is a fault.
Replacements should be 1Amp ‘anti-surge’.
The fuse in the mains plug (where fitted) should be a
3 amp fuse, although unlikely, this should be checked
if the amplifier fuse is OK.
No sound
Have you selected the right input? Are the
connections OK? Is everything switched on? Are the
speakers connected? Is MC selected on the MM only
version?
Valve Replacement
Before removing valves the power supply should be
disconnected from the mains for at least 10 mins to
allow for any remaining high voltage to dissipate.
NEVER USE WITH THE BOTTOM COVERS
REMOVED!
You will need a small Allan Key to remove the valve
cover rings on the pre amp unit.
Valve life will depend upon such things as hours of
use and number of on/off cycles. A valve may be
considered to have come to the end of its life when
the sound quality has changed or it has become
noisy and/or microphonic typically rustling, spitting,
hissing sounds . If the unit has had several years use
we would suggest replacing all ECC88s at the same
time, The 6SN7 would normally last longer, but
Ideally you should replace all at the same time.
Failure of the EZ80/EL84 may give low or no sound.
Failure of the ECC83/0A2 may give unstable sound.
If the PS3 was previously working correctly valve
faults are the most likely cause.
The power supply valves should be routinely
replaced as a set, ideally at the same time as the
pre-amp valves, as individual power these are not
expensive.
As the valves are crucial to maintaining the
performance and quality, choose them with care.
We recommend purchasing a replacement set of
valves from Icon Audio as these will be tested in an
identical unit for several hours so you can be sure of
the best performance. The 0A2 (WY1) must be 150v
type. Please note this does not “glow” and gets warm
but not hot like the other valves.
Warning:
It is worth noting that this application is
very demanding from the ECC88 valves. Therefore
valves which are 100% OK in another application
may be noisy/microphonic or hum in the PS3. In the
process of testing and commissioning we reject
about 10% of valves for this reason. Used valves are
unlikely to work well. We have also found many so
called “premium” valves to have no advantage. At the
time of writing the JJ ECC88 have been consistently
good performers. But feel free to experiment!
Icon Audio are happy to replace valves and check
to performance of your pre-amplifier, there are
often upgrades available.
It is essential that only the correct valves are
used as similar looking valves have a different
pin connection and insertion could result in
damage to the amplifier and risk of electric
shock. If in any doubt consult your dealer or Icon.
Service:
Should you suspect a problem, you should
return the unit to your dealer or Icon Audio for a
periodic service or return the valves for testing free of
charge.
Specifications and Features
Stereo/mono switch for better S/N and distortion
from mono and worn stereo records
Double Choke regulated power supply
Built in volume control
Separate Power supply
All hand wired point to point
No printed circuit board to ‘colour’ sound
ALPS Japanese ALPS volume pot.
All Triode valves
4x ECC88 (6922) 1x 6SN7 ( for pre-amp)
1x EZ80/EZ81 1x ECC83 (12AX7) 1x EL84
1x 0A2 (WY1)
( for power supply)
Sensitivity: 5mv for 1.6v (0.5mv MC)
Gain = 320 MM/50dB (2720 MC/69dB)
Load: imp: 47k MM, 100 ohms MC
Custom wound MC transformers (option)
Signal to noise level -75db (MM unweighted)
RIAA Freq response 20hz-20khz +0 - 2db
MC transformers x 8.5 gain =18.6dB
MC transformers 20-20kHz -1dB
NO feedback used
High quality close tolerance resistors
LED mains indicator
Polypropylene audio capacitors
Silver PTFE audio cable
DC supply for valve heaters
Stainless steel chassis
6mm solid alloy front & rear plates
Gold plated Input terminals
230/240volts 30watts 1.0A anti-surge fuse
USA 115 volts 2.0A anti-surge fuse
C E certified
Pre-amp 155mmW, 290mmD, 160mmH*, 3.6kg
Power Supply 155mmW, 290mmD 160mmH 6.4kg
Packed: 40cmx40cmx28cm (0.044CM) 11.5KG
*With tall 6SN7. Not allowing for knobs and connections. Minimal ventilation required.
(Specifications subject to change, errors & omissions excepted 17/01/20)
Designed and developed by David Shaw in Leicester, each pre-
amp is carefully checked & tweaked plus any custom modifications
added as required before undergoing rigorous tests in all its
important static & dynamic parameters. Finally each pre-amp is
run to allow the valves to “bed in” for 24hrs to ensure you get the
best performance.
icon Audio
(UK) LTD
351 Aylestone Road
Leicester LE2 8TA UK
www.iconaudio.co.uk
Email: iconaudio.com
Phone +44(0) 116 244 0593
Cell +44 (0) 778 715 8791
gen 17/01/2020
