Whest whestTHREE Phonostage Reference Series User manual

Contents
Introduction
Safety
Cleaning
Connections
Cartridge gain and loading
Technical specification
Fig.1 whestTHREE Signature rear panel
Fig.2 HVDM (High Voltage Dual Mono) Supply connection
Fig.3 Gain and load selectors
Warranty

Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Whest Audio whestTHREE Signature phonostage.
As you know, this unit is designed to retrieve the maximum amount of information from your vinyl LPs.
It does this by using proprietary low noise audio circuitry as well as a newly developed filter which
together with the RIAA filter enables the whestTHREE to playback up to 56Khz.
Brief history
The RIAA curve was designed many years ago to enable the use of vinyl as a playback medium. Back
then the humble stylus and audio electronics could really only playback a very limited bandwidth. A
system bandwidth of 12Khz was quite rare. Nowadays most systems have a bandwidth of 100Khz; the
modern day cartridge can playback frequencies beyond 60Khz – so why continue to use a
phonostage with a filter curve designed for systems designed in the 1950s?

Forward thinking
Because of our close links with the music recording industry we were able to measure several
Neumann cutter heads prior to cutting a master onto acetate. What we found was that the cutter head
would cut high frequency all the way to 50khz!
With these results and the research acquired from the DAP programme in 2004, we then designed an
hf filter that would complement the RIAA filter we had designed for the famed PhonoStage.20. This has
now been incorporated into the whestTHREE phonostage. Because of the extended hf response of the
whestTHREE Signature, large amounts of information are now able to be heard when it was once
thought there was nothing there!
The extended hf enables you to hear further into the soundstage by bringing to life the lowest
frequencies of a kick drum and positioning all instruments to form a three dimensional soundstage.
It is partly because of the extended hf response that the whestTHREE excels where others just plainly
fail.

Safety
Place your unit on a firm level surface where it is not exposed to dripping or splashing of any liquid.
Position it away from radiators and other heat sources and leave a space of at least 5cms around the
unit for ventilation.
Please note that there are no user serviceable parts inside.
In the unlikely event that this unit needs to be serviced please return it to an authorised Whest Audio
service agent.
There is a REAL risk of electrical shock if this unit is opened!
Please do not attempt to open this unit for servicing unless authorised as it WILL invalidate your
warranty.

Cleaning
When cleaning the unit please do not use any liquids as it may enter the unit causing it to malfunction.
We recommend applying a very small amount of engineering oil such as WD40®to a lint free cloth and
then wiping the unit in the direction of the grain on both the front panel and lid. Engineering oil is a tried
and tested method of cleaning grained aluminium and stainless steel panels. You only need to do this
a few times a year.

Connections
Please read the safety section before connecting your unit.
Before connecting to the mains, check that the mains supply voltage corresponds to the voltage printed
on the power supply unit. If the mains voltage is different, please consult your authorised Whest Audio
dealer.
All whestTHREE units come supplied with an Audiophile grade interconnect as well as a computer
grade interconnect for transferring your LPs to your computer.
Although all listening tests were conducted with this interconnect please feel free to use your preferred
interconnect or ask your dealer for advice.
1. When connecting the whestTHREE please make sure that your system’s source selector is
switched to an input OTHER THAN the input to which the whestTHREE unit is to be connected.

2. Please make sure that the HVDM supply unit connected to a switched wall socket or similar
switched socket and is in the OFF position.
3. First disconnect the turntable from the amplifier / preamplifier or other phonostage.
4. Connect the turntable leads to the whestTHREE observing the colour codes for channel ID.
5. Connect the ‘grounding’ lead from the turntable arm lead to the grounding post on the
whestTHREE.
6. Connect the output of the whestTHREE to the amplifier / preamplifier aux/line input.
The whestTHREE features both balanced and unbalanced outputs. Please make sure you
only use one of these outputs - either balanced or unbalanced - not both.
Unlike differential balanced outputs that increase output gain by 6dB, the whestTHREE features
'true impedance balanced outputs' which many of today's professional microphones and mixers
use. Please do not be alarmed if the gain is the same as the RCA unbalanced outputs - this is
quite normal. As long as you have a correctly wired balanced interconnect the balancing system

along with noise cancellation will work as it should. The balanced outputs are configured to AES
standards. Some older products built in the USA may be wired incorrectly. Please check your manual.
AES standards for XLR should be wired as Pin2 HOT Pin3 COLD Pin1 Chassis.
7. Once you are happy that all inputs and outputs have been connected properly, attach the 2 HVDM
multi-pin cables to the whestTHREE multi-pin chassis sockets. Please make sure CH1 is
connected to CH1 or L.Power CH2 is R. The connectors will 'click' once they are plugged in
properly.
8. Next connect the 3 pin mains cable supplied making sure the HVDM supply switch is in the OFF
position. '0'

9. If all is OK, just switch on. 2 small RED LEDs will glow on the front panel of the whestTHREE –
this indicates that all is OK and both channels are operational.
10. Select the correct source input on the amplifier / preamplifier.
11. You are now ready to go, so play an LP, sit back and enjoy!
It may take several hours before the whestTHREE settles down to work efficiently, but generally 4-6
hours is sufficient time for the sensitive components to find their ‘steady state’ working temperature.
The whestTHREE has been designed to be simple to integrate into any audio or computer based
system. Please familiarise yourself with the rear panel layout Fig. 1 & HVDM supply rear layout Fig. 2
as it will make connecting, unplugging and cleaning easier.

Connecting to a computer soundcard for transferring to hard-drive
The whestTHREE phonostage comes supplied with a special interconnect to connect to your computer
soundcard analog input. With this interconnect you will be able to transfer your vinyl collection to your
computer hard drive.
The whestTHREE can be connected to your computer sound card analogue audio input while the
whestTHREE and computer are in the ‘on’ position.
To get the best possible quality from your transfers please do read the instructions for your software
fully before attempting to transfer your vinyl.

Cartridge gain and loading (Fig. 3)
Caution: THIS OPERATION CAN ONLY BE DONE WHEN THE UNIT IS DISCONNECTED FROM
BOTH THE HVDM POWER SUPPLY AND THE AUDIO SYSTEM
Your whestTHREE comes preset for a low output moving coil cartridge requiring a gain setting of 65dB
and a load setting of 100ohms. This will be fine for the majority of moving coil cartridges. If however
your cartridge requires a different setting you can either ask your dealer to set it for you OR you can
easily do it yourself in just a few minutes:
i) the whestTHREE comes supplied with a 2.5mm Allen key. This Allen key is used to remove the
small rectangular panel underneath to access the gain and load settings. After removing the 2
screws that hold the panel, you will see 4 banks of switches - 2 banks per channel (Fig. 3)
ii) The 1st bank of 8 controls the load to the cartridge and the 2nd bank of 8 controls the gain of the
whestTHREE which should be matched to the cartridge. DO NOT match the gain to your system -
only match the gain to your cartridge for optimum performance.

iii) LOAD - Fig.3 will show the loading values for the corresponding switches. Select the load
(switch the corresponding switch to 'ON') which is appropriate for your cartridge.
iv) GAIN - Fig.3 will show the gain values for the corresponding switches. Select the gain
(switch the corresponding switch to 'ON') which is appropriate for your cartridge.
MAKE SURE ALL OTHER SWITCH POSITIONS ARE IN THE 'OFF' POSITION
to set the whestTHREE for moving magnet with a load value of 47K ohms:
- set all the switch positions to the ‘off’ position
- slide switch no 8 (LOAD) indicating 47K ohms and switch no.1 (GAIN) indicating 42dB
(MM). Gain switch no.2 maybe required if your MM has a slightly lower output.
to set the whestTHREE for moving coil with a output value of 0.25mV
- set all the switch positions to the ‘off’ position
- slide switch no.1 (LOAD) indicating 100ohm and switch no.6 (GAIN) indicating 65dB
(MC)

v) Once your gain and load characteristics are set, just replace the panel and 2 screws, put
the whestTHREE back on the equipment shelf and power it up - remember to check the
amplifier volume is on its minimum ‘low’ position.

If your cartridge requires a different loading value, please ask your Whest Audio dealer or contact
Whest Audio Ltd on [email protected] or tel: [phone].
Alternatively, if you find that you have just purchased a cartridge that requires gain and load values
outside of the parameters used by any phonostage manufacturer, please call Whest Audio Ltd on
[phone] or email [email protected]. Our technical department will be able to
advise how to setup the whestTHREE for your new cartridge as the whestTHREE has the ability to be
‘trimmed’ for absolutely any cartridge manufactured.

Technical specification
Model No.: whestTHREE Signature electrically dual mono phono stage
RIAA curve accuracy: 17Hz – 20Khz +/- 0.15dB
Amplifier Frequency response: 5Hz – 68Khz +/- 1.5dB
Working band: 12Hz – 56Khz
MM Gain: 42dB & 46dB
MC Gain High and low 50dB - 72dB in 6 steps
Cartridge Loading 100ohm - 47k ohms in 8 steps
THD+N: 0.004%
Connections: Unbalanced RCA inputs
Connections: Unbalanced RCA plus True balanced XLR outputs
Connectors: Gold Audiophile

Unpacked weight: 3.5 Kgs
Packed weight: 4.0 Kgs
Dimensions: Head Unit 240mm x 215mm x 50mm
Dimensions: HVDM Supply 140mm x 140mm x 50mm
Operating voltage: 230VAC 50Hz or 115VAC 60Hz (see dealer)

Supplied in package:
1 x whestTHREE dual mono head unit
1 x HVDM power supply
1 x Audiophile RCA interconnect
1 x Audiophile 3.5mm plug to 2 x RCA computer/ audio cable
1 x 2.5mm hex tool
1 x Operating manual