Post by Owen Y on Sept 4, 2020 21:13:51 GMT 12
iFi Audio introduce a budget-priced, but high performance MM/MC phono stage - the 4th product in iFi's ZEN series. iFi ZEN Phono: Price - US$149. Available - 4 Sept 2020. - Hi/Lo MM/MC Gain: 36/48/60/72dB - In-built 1.2MHz clean PSU - Super-silent noise floor -151dBV(EIN) - 'Intelligent' sub-sonic filter (to remove LF noise from only vertical record warp) - RIAA EQ employing paralleled TDK C0G capacitors for +/-0.15dB tight tolerance EQ, - High quality component choice - Balanced symmetrical dual-mono circuit design - RCA or 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced output (for balanced-input components or active speakers) - John Curl consultant design input (The PSU can be upgraded for better performance with either a 'super-silent' iPower 5V or the 'ultra-low noise' iPower X 5V power supply.) No cartridge input loading adjustments are provided, or specified, it appears. We will await reviews to see if the iFi ZEN Phono can live up to the promise of 'performance never before seen – or heard – at its price point'.    See - iFi ZEN Phono webpage
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Post by colinf on Sept 5, 2020 18:28:19 GMT 12
Some very cool circuitry in the Zen Phono, I think it’s going to cause a stir in the market!
AMR-iFi R&D
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Post by Owen Y on Oct 31, 2020 11:42:31 GMT 12
DAGOGO (Byron Baba, Oct 2020) is first off the mark with a review of the iFI Zen Phono stage: " My Hana EH sounded spectacular playing through the ZEN " " if you enjoy the sound of a low output moving coil cartridge you do not need to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a phono stage. This little unit can bring out that richness in sound from most quality phono cartridges, including the many low output moving coil cartridges. " " the majority of listeners would not have to spend more to have a thoroughly enjoyable vinyl experience "
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Post by colinf on Oct 31, 2020 22:41:08 GMT 12
The MC stage in the Zen has very high performance, similar to the iPhono series. Also a unique rumble filter. In addition, it includes an alternative balanced output never seen at this price before. All part of the 4.4mm connector standard iFi have adopted for balanced outputs. To go to the iPhono series, a proper class A output stage is added. At this low price though, I feel the Zen Phono may be lumbered with just a cheap cartridge, with nicer ones being considered out of it’s league. You can go ahead and use a nicer cart with it, it can handle it!
AMR-iFi R&D
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Post by Owen Y on Jan 30, 2021 11:18:04 GMT 12
AUDIOPHILIA (Maxwell Geiger, 29 Jan 2021) adds another (enthusiastic) opinion: Comparisons made with the SCHIIT Mani (US$129) and PARASOUND Zphono (US$200) : (Using a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon and Ortofon 2M Red MM cartridge) " the Parasound added some more meat to the sound...bold dynamics with occasionally edgy treble...it’s ability to impress depended unpredictably on the recording. " " Through the ZEN, vocals didn’t quite have the goosebump factor..." " the Schiit and Parasound again proved slightly more full bodied than the ZEN with some warmth coming from the Mani in particular. Neither unit got me into the music like ZEN Phono, though. " " The ZEN delivered the largest soundstage and most detailed ‘view’ into the music. " In conclusion: " A bona fide audiophile component for the price of a few premium LPs, a ridiculous value. " " I plan to order the optional power supply to squeeze even more resolution from this magnificent little unit. " 
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Post by colinf on Jan 30, 2021 20:53:04 GMT 12
I’ve been listening to the Zen Phono a lot here over the last months or so and I’d say that it’s probably not showing itself best with MM cartridges. The 2M Black is a bit on the harsh side with it- their sounds don’t really seem to complement one another. If using MM I’d possibly try a warmer sounding cart, say one of the Nagaoka carts, or a Grado. (But not tried either so can’t say for sure!) Best is when the MC section is engaged with gain setting on 3 (it has gain settings of 1 to 4; MM to MC very low output). The MC section gives it back that supple warmth. The Dynavector sounds quite good with it. I have a lot of phono stages here atm to compare...iPhono3 BL, my own valve and SS phono stages, the AMR PH-77 (which is incredibly warm & open with limitless depth, as it should being a cost no object unit!) and really, the tiny Zen does a pretty good job, a bit of a bargain really. Make sure it’s earthed and use the iPower power supply with it, not the low cost non-iFi one it comes with in the box.
AMR-iFi R&D
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Post by michaelw on Jan 31, 2021 13:56:18 GMT 12
This looks great. Could you hotrod it with fixed 47k load and just two gain steps - 36db, 60db ? Asking for a friend
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Post by colinf on Jan 31, 2021 21:37:59 GMT 12
No....The highest input impedance possible with the MC section is 1k for gain setting 3. Setting 4 lowers the input impedance to 110 ohms. Use gain setting 2 for 47k - high output MC at 48dB gain, but this isn’t the quietest input for a normal low output MC cart.
AMR-iFi R&D
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Post by Owen Y on Mar 9, 2021 12:17:26 GMT 12
Michael Fremer ( ANALOG PLANET, 8 Mar '21) - inserts the iFi Zen Phono into his big rig system including a SME Model 6 TT (under review), darTzeel electronics, & a pair of (US$139,000) Wilson Audio Specialties XVX loudspeakers. Cartridges used were a Ortofon Cadenza Black MC (US$2729) and a 2M Black LVB250 MM (US$999). " ...there’s no way you’d imagine you were listening to a $149.99 phono preamplifier. " " ...the blackest of backgrounds....spatial delivery was solid, stable and 3 dimensional as few, if any “cheap” phono preamps deliver." " ...timbral balance and especially its low end extension were beyond any expectations at this price point." Compared to iFi's iPhono 3 (US$999): "... it doesn’t quite have the far more costly unit’s airy, open top end or its bottom end punch and weight "
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Member
Post by mattb on Mar 9, 2021 23:02:59 GMT 12
Hi All
I’m giving the zen a go on my SP10 rig - got sick of diving in to the Xono for cart settings when I change between arms so have the AT33EV / Terminator going through the zen and the Ortofon SL15 / SME3012 through the Xono. Early days, have it set on 3 for gain and pretty impressed so far. I did try running it through balanced but i have an intermittent signal drop out which I think is in the converter cable I’m using (to go to XLRs) rather than the zen itself
. I’m using a good quality linear power supply
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Post by colinf on Mar 10, 2021 3:59:03 GMT 12
Make sure when you use balanced out that you don’t inadvertently short out the negative phase by connecting pin 3 (cold) to ground. (Only relevant for subsequent single ended inputs.) If going to a single ended device leave pin 3 on each disconnected.
AMR-iFi R&D
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