The iFi ZEN Phono 3. When Funds is AWESOME!
By Steve Huff
I typically get requested to evaluate price range gear and truthfully, there’s nothing I take pleasure in extra. I like it after I discover a beautiful piece of audio gear that does NOT price an arm and a leg but performs to a good to excessive degree. Such is the case for todays product, the iFi Zen Phono 3.
Over time I’ve reviewed choose iFi items that I loved and felt have been a real bang for the buck, The Zen Phono 3 would be the greatest bang for the buck by iFi to this point. It’s a stunner for its $249 price ticket and has options and sound high quality not all the time seen on this value level.
Some Fast Specs earlier than I discuss what this piece was like in my system.
- suitable with transferring magnet and transferring coil phono cartridges
- clever subsonic filter removes LP rumble with out affecting bass response
- unbalanced stereo RCA enter and output
- balanced stereo 4.4mm output
- grounding lug
- 4 selectable MM/MC achieve choices:
- MM: 36dB
- MC Excessive: 48dB
- MC Low: 60dB
- MC V-Low: 72db
- 4 enter impedance settings:
- MM: 47k ohms, 100/200pF
- MC: 100, 400 and 1k ohms
- output impedance: 200 ohms (balanced), 100 ohms (unbalanced)
- max output voltage (RMS):
- balanced- 100k ohms: ≥19.98V (THD+N <1%), 600ohms: ≥12.75V (THD+N <1%)
- unbalanced- 100k ohms ≥10.07V (THD+N <1%), 600ohms: 7.94V (THD+N <1%)
- signal-to-noise ratio:
- MM: 91dB
- MC Excessive: 81dB
- MC Low: 89.6 dB
- MC V-Low: 78.6dB
- frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz (balanced), 20-80,000 Hz (unbalanced)
- channel separation: >75dB (1kHz all modes)
- harmonic distortion:
- MM: <-91dB/0.0027%
- MC Excessive: <-80dB/0.0095%
- MC Low: <-70dB/0.031%
- MC V-Low: <-73dB/0.022%
OK, let’s discuss NOISE and why the “higher than entry degree” Zen 3 delivers “all you might want” efficiency at such a low value level.
One factor I’ve realized over the many years of listening to audio programs is that noise is the enemy of our programs, regardless of the price of mentioned system. Even when in low doses, any form of noise coming from our electronics can really have an effect on our listening experiences. Even when we don’t actually audibly hear this noise, it might probably obscure particulars and in addition trigger the sound to be blurred. Previously I’ve had some noisy phono preamps, each inexpensive and costly. Often, when price range phono preamps use excessive achieve for the transferring coil cartridge aspect of issues this could convey noise, even to the purpose of it being audible between songs.
Virtually each phono pre I’ve used or examined underneath $300 has some form of noise when utilizing excessive achieve settings for transferring coil cartridges. Most of them have been nice with transferring magnet however not all phono preamps will sound the identical. Once I final examined the Schiit Mani price range phono pre it buzzed fairly a however but additionally sounded juicy, fats and wonderful, simply how I really like my data to sound. The decrease finish MoFi phono pre that did MM and MC additionally had some noise inside my system.
What is exclusive concerning the iFi Zen Phono 3 is that iFi has included know-how to considerably cut back the noise ground to a powerful -151dBV. That’s spectacular for phono pre at this value level, interval.
Listening to the Zen Phono 3
Once I unboxed the Zen Phono 3 I knew I used to be going to pair it with my inexpensive turntable, which I actually take pleasure in. The U Flip Orbit Particular (newest GEN) has been one among my most used turntables as a consequence of ease of use, ease of transferring it and in addition as a result of the inbuilt phono stage of the Orbit is definitely fairly good. Excellent to be clear. It has bested most phono phases I’ve heard underneath $500. It’s that good so if the Zen 3 bested it then I knew it might be a particular piece for the value of $249.
I set all of it up and utilizing my Qualio IQ audio system together with a Black Ice FX10H Tube Built-in amp I performed my first album with the Zen. I began with the transferring magnet setting as I used to be utilizing an Ortofon Blue, a well-known “price range” cartridge that’s fairly good. I used to be very accustomed to the sound of this cartridge utilizing the inbuilt phono stage within the Orbit desk. It was detailed with some heat although there’s a slight dullness with the Blue in my system when in comparison with a lot m0ore dear transferring coil cartridges. For the value although, it’s nicely value it. I dig it for certain and at underneath $200 it’s an excellent nice alternative for a starter system.
Once I switched to the Zen Phono 3 I heard a distinction for certain. The sound was all the sudden bigger, beefier, and extra rythmic. It was candy, groovy and I heard no noise in any respect throughout the playback. Enjoying Diana Krall’s Reside in Paris double LP was a deal with and did convert that stay efficiency as its was recorded. Vigorous, balanced and candy. I felt as if Diana was proper right here, with me… virtually. ; )
Switching to a MoFi Ultradeck with UltraGold MC Cart and a excessive achieve setting on the Zen Phono 3 resulted in additional of the identical. Clean, musical, and detailed but with a full bodied sound that jogged my memory why I really like that analog vibe a lot. Noise was not a difficulty however after I plugged within the unit with an iFi Silent energy provide the music appeared to circulation much more unrestricted however solely by a tiny bit.
Utilizing the Zen Phono 3 with MM and MC carts was superior and I advised myself that this might be all most wanted with regards to listening to data. Solely choosy audiophiles would need extra, actually. My listening consists of 95% digital and 5% analog and this makes the iFi Zen an ideal match for me and my listening habits. I’ve no want for some unique $5k phono preamp as I solely have just a few cartridges, 2-3 MM and 2-3 MC’s. I discovered nothing to nitpick right here for the value of $249. The unit is beautiful, small, and does what it says it does. It made my vinyl sing and gave me a richer presentation vs the very good inbuilt on the Orbit Particular desk.
If you’re like me and have a desk underneath $2k and possibly a modest system then this “entry degree” phono preamp, the Zen 3 from iFi is a stellar alternative. For me it bests the standard suspects underneath $200 which are challengers to this product. No contest.
BTW, this unit additionally includes a “good” subsonic filter, kicking in solely when wanted. Fairly cool for a price range piece!
Purchase the iFi Zen Phono 3 HERE at B&H Picture
Most sellers are out of inventory proper now on the Zen Phono 3, however B&H Picture has it now, out there. I’ve shopped from BH Picture for two many years and they’re high notch! There may be additionally extra info there if wanted. See it right here.