Icon Audio PS1 MkII Phono Preamplifier

Icon Audio designer David Shaw loves vinyl. What he doesn't like are the medium's sonic impurities, often found on older records that each and everyone of us has in their collection. His solution? The Icon Audio PS1 MkII MM/MC phonostage.

Inherent Warm Sound of Valves Is Tailored for Vinyl Playback
An all-valve component, this best-selling model is newly updated with a better power supply, enhanced circuitry and wiring, and sexier cosmetics. Completely passive, point-to-point wired by hand, this exceptional-sounding unit gives you fluidity, musicality, detail, and pitch-black backgrounds. The inherent warm sound of the valves are tailor-made for vinyl playback. Since the massive overload of valves prevents distortion and reduces noise on LPs, valves handle massive transient spikes on imperfect, older LPs much better than transistors.

Built-In Volume Control, Stereo/Mono Switch, Choke Power Supply Among the Myriad Features
Originally built for Shaw's own personal use, the PS1 MkII MM/MC became a public product after the English designer was overwhelmed with requests by listeners that heard it in action. Shaw built the PS1--a "Reference Standard" component for Hi Fi World--so he could maximize analog's potential without having to hear unwanted artifacts. Equipped with a built-in volume control, stereo/mono switch for lower noise from mono LPs, separate power supply, choke power supply, Japanese Blue ALPS volume pot, high-quality resistors, and audiophile-grade audio capacitors, the PS1 is exemplary of what's possible when incredible build quality and intuitive design are combined. This is a phonostage that captures the magic residing in vinyl's grooves.

Sonic Purity and a Smooth, Detailed Sound
Touting a higher-than-normal output, the PS1 can be connected directly to power amplifiers without a preamplifier. Its own volume control results in a noticeable sonic purity. Icon also constructed and fit its own transformers for the requisite extra gain in the MC pickup; they boast a smooth, detailed sound that will leave you enraptured. Silver audio cable, gold-plated input/output terminals, and a blue LED mains indicator help round out the feature set.