How I improved my Icon PS3

[mountain biker]

I have not posted before but I quite often read WigWam.

I have noticed quite a few of you have PS3's. So I hope the following may be helpful.

Recently I had an anoying channel imballance for all the lead swapping I could not isolate it then the right channel died completly, I proved this to the MM/MC selector on the PS3. Trying to avoid a 350 mile round trip to Leicester for a replacement to be fitted I decided to cut out this selector as I only have an MC cartridge.

After working out what to do, a deep breath and out of circuit went the switch which in my opinion is crap and not up to the rest of the PS3.

I tested the result and quite frankly was surprised with the result not only had the imballance gone but the SQ had improved completely like an upgraded amp, more ambience less hash much improved top etc etc.

I have heard switches in the signal path degrade SQ but I am totally amazed by this unexpected improvement.

Hope this helps.

John.

 

[misterpete]

Thanks for the tip John and welcome to the jungle! Hope some Icon owners found it useful.

 

[Ian Sampson]

Welcome to the wam John.

Repped for the tip, I might try it.

Whereabouts in the Lakes are you?

Best wishes

Ian

 

[Vinyl Art]

Welcome John, good to see another from Cumbria in the Wam.

I wonder if this might work the other way, ie leave the MM section in and isolate the onboard SUT so that an external SUT could be used with more success. Does the internal switch effectively switch in and out the onboard SUT?

Maybe just a better quality switch to be fitted?

Cheers

Bob

 

[mountain biker]

Hi

I actually live in Morecambe but not many people have heard of it.

The switch is right in signal path and switches between the MM input and MC input it is after the SUTs, yes if you use both inputs a better switch would be useful infact on inspection my MM would not have worked on one channel as the contacts were not making at all and the contacts were dirty and loose for both MM and MC.

Nice to speak with you all.

John

 

[Ian Sampson]

Welcome John, good to see another from Cumbria in the Wam.I wonder if this might work the other way, ie leave the MM section in and isolate the onboard SUT so that an external SUT could be used with more success. Does the internal switch effectively switch in and out the onboard SUT?

Maybe just a better quality switch to be fitted?

Cheers

Bob

I was wondering about that as well, particularly as I need the MM stage rather than the MC stage.

I really must get round to getting sorted out.

 

[mountain biker]

Hi

The MM input has a capacitor across each channel so I dont think you could use one input for both pickup types. You could by pass the selector for just MM if you need to.

Both inputs go to the selector they are on 4 co-ax cables 2 for L/R of each input the screens of the co-ax are only earthed at the socket end and the L&R feed to the main amp are both co-ax, again only earthed at the far end so the screens at the switch are not connected. These co-ax cables are thin and springy so when soldering it was a little tricky, the wife held then whilst I soldered them.

If you are unsure remove the switch its open and you can see what the contacts are doing and what needs connecting to what. BTW my switch was glued as well as fixed by the nut a 2mm allen is required to remove the switch knob. If in doubt come back on here and I will explain further.

Thanks

John

 

[khapahk]

It's not only the PS3, the selector switch on my PS1 can be a bit temperamental as well, in much the same way. A bit of regular cleaning helps.

Suggests that there could be an issue with their switches......

k