What it is
All-valve, point-to-point hand-wired (no PCB). Pre-amp uses 4× ECC88 in cascode topology + 1× 6SN7 (CV181) output valve. Signature edition features Genalex Gold Lion ECC88s, David Shaw white-base CV181, and Mundorf silver/gold-in-oil capacitors (Standard uses Solen/SCR caps).
External valve PSU houses EZ80 valve rectifier + dual high-value chokes + 5687 regulator + ECC83 control valve. Hi-Fi Choice notes "the PSU is housed in a separate enclosure for maximum isolation of the mains components."
Hi-Fi World "Reference Standard" component (Nov 2008 review). Audiophilia (Nov 2020) review: "rich orchestral music sounded divine. Beautiful midrange with great bass... bloom and magical tonal qualities ensured listening was a continuous musical delight."
Hi-Fi Choice (2014, retested 2019): "fast and detailed performance enormously engaging... energy and enthusiasm... captivating." Notes "superb sound quality" with caveat preferring stepped attenuator over Alps potentiometer for high-end use.
Designed/built in Leicester by David Shaw. Two turntable inputs (MM + MC/MM with selector). Internal Alps Blue volume control + stereo/mono switch. Passive RIAA in zero-feedback topology.
Fills genuine catalog gap — only valve phono stage in current phono_stage category (all 20 prior entries solid-state).
Who it comes up against
12 lost · Anchored, BBC Sound, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Romantic, Twin Arms
Against the Anchored brief, the Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Frog, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the NVA P50SA MKII, the pairing gives up most on depth of bass.
On its own merits the Icon Audio PS3 MkII Signature MM/MC is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the van den Hul The Frog gives up quietness at rest under the Anchored weighting.
no trace of hum or hissHi-Fi Choice (Roberts) 2015
10 lost · Anchored, BBC Sound, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Romantic, Twin Arms
Against the Twin Arms brief, the Naim NVC TT MM/MC keeps the slot decisively.
On its own merits the Icon Audio PS3 MkII Signature MM/MC is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the way it sits with the rest of this system under the Twin Arms weighting.
full and rich with splendid detailHi-Fi Choice (Roberts) 2015
8 lost · Anchored, Characterful, PRaT, Romantic
Against the Anchored brief, the Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Frog, the pairing gives up most on bass weight.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on depth of bass.
On its own merits the Icon Audio PS3 MkII Signature MM/MC is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the van den Hul The Frog gives up bass weight under the Anchored weighting.
full and rich with splendid detailHi-Fi Choice (Roberts) 2015
4 lost · BBC Sound, Intimate
Against the Intimate brief, the Rega Aura Reference MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Crimson, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
With the EAR Yoshino 868L (Line), the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the Icon Audio PS3 MkII Signature MM/MC is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
3 lost · Vocals-First
Against the Vocals-First brief, the Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII keeps the slot clearly.
With the Etsuro Urushi Gold MC, the pairing gives up most on midrange truth.
On its own merits the Icon Audio PS3 MkII Signature MM/MC is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
all-valve phono with cartridge loading flexibilityIcon Audio PS3 MkII Sig + dealer reviews
2 lost · Vocals-First
Against the Vocals-First brief, the Cyrus Classic PHONO keeps the slot clearly.
With the Etsuro Urushi Cobalt Blue MC, the pairing gives up most on midrange truth.
On its own merits the Icon Audio PS3 MkII Signature MM/MC is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
all-valve phono with cartridge loading flexibilityIcon Audio PS3 MkII Sig + dealer reviews
1 lost · Twin Arms
Against the Twin Arms brief, the EAR Yoshino 88PB MM/MC keeps the slot decisively.
On its own merits the Icon Audio PS3 MkII Signature MM/MC is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the way it sits with the rest of this system under the Twin Arms weighting.