{"product_id":"ifi-zen-phono-desktop-phono-stage","title":"iFi Zen Phono Desktop Phono Stage","description":"\u003ch3\u003eFall in Love with Your Vinyl All Over Again\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe ZEN Phono is an entry level phono stage with a difference. Normally, phono stages in this price range add excessive noise that hinders musical enjoyment. The iFi ZEN Phono is an exception to the rule due to its trickle-down know-how from AMR\/iFi phono preamps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eFirst and foremost, the noise floor is a whisper-quiet 90\/96dB (36\/60dB, BAL 2V\/SE 1V, A-weighted) on MM\/MC respectively. It is also able to handle MM\/MC cartridges from \u0026lt;0.25mV to \u0026gt;2mV to bring true high-end performance and flexibility to the entry level sector. Finally, the ZEN Phono has the performance and the features not found in many other phono stages, such as balanced circuitry, which is unheard of in this category, an Intelligent Subsonic filter that solves warp issues effectively, and MM\/MC performance with -36dB \u0026gt;72dB gain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSerious Trickle-Down Technology\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eWhile designed to be sold at a highly competitive price point and using ultra-modern manufacturing methods, the ZEN Phono’s fundamental design is based on classic ultra-fidelity products, which were, in their time, considered as market defining (Vendetta Labs SCP-2, AMR PH-77). The ZEN Phono offers true high-end performance, objectively and subjectively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe ZEN Phono include some serious boutique audio components behind a circuit design that uses trickle down tech from its ultra-fidelity AMR PH-77 and iFi iPhono siblings. From the moment you lower the needle, you will be immersed, playing \"just one more album\" into the wee, small hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRegenerated Power Supply\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eTop-of-the-line audiophile phono amplifiers create their own power supplies off the mains, like a mains regenerator. This is the starting point for any good phono stage, because without this it will struggle to amplify the signal and not add noise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe super quiet ZEN Phono creates a 1.2MHz power supply (20,000x mains frequency of 60Hz). Here, a 10uF filtering capacitor equals 200,000uF at lower frequency. The result? Very large filtering, as per classic LC filtering in tube amplifiers and located on its own ‘island’ so no surrounding noise pollution. It outputs a super clean +\/- 12V DC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRIAA EQ at Military Specification Level\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe ZEN Phono uses iFi's famous two-stage circuitry with the latest op-amps. Equalization uses multiple parallel TDK C0G capacitors for the best stability and least distortion possible, even when compared to polystyrene capacitors. They are nearly as good as Teflon. Despite already using the lowest tolerance capacitors and multiples in parallel, tolerance is exponentially improved by the square root of the number of capacitors. The ZEN Phono achieves RIAA EQ tolerance level (+\/- 0.15dB) which is equal to hand-selected capacitors!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAI Subsonic Filter\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eA subsonic filter removes extreme low frequencies resulting from warped records (records that are not perfectly flat). Such signals can cause the so-called “woofer pumping” effect, resulting in excessive distortion and possible damage to your speakers if the volume is set too high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThis is no ordinary sub-sonic filter. Normal subsonic filters don't just remove, they also remove bass and create phase issues. The ZEN Phono's iFi AI Subsonic Filter removes rumble only and has only a positive impact on sound. The AI Subsonic filter has been used since iFi Audio's first iPhono in 2012. Thereafter, it can be found in the iPhono2 and the iPhono3 Black Label and now, the ZEN Phono. There is no other phono stage in its price range that has this valuable feature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWorks with Any Cartridge\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eWith MM\/MC, high\/low and very low, the ZEN Phono is able to handle just about any cartridge. From 36dB all the way up to 72dB. So, as your vinyl system grows over time, the ZEN Phono will keep easily keep up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBalanced Circuit Design\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eBalanced circuits are just not seen at this price point. It is a superior method to the traditional single-ended circuit approach. Balanced circuits reduce noise and crosstalk, and less interference equals clearer sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSuperior Components\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe OV series operational amplifier used in the ZEN Phono is another example of a top-notch component used to get the best sound quality out of iFi Audio products. The OVA2637 op-amp has low noise density and low distortion (0.0001%) and performs on a much higher level sonically than the product price suggests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eEach Panasonic ECPU capacitor in the ZEN Phono is constructed from some 3,500 layers of ultra-thin dielectrics less than 0.5μm thick. It offers class-leading Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR), low impedance, frequency stability, and vanishingly low distortion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eTexas Instruments low-noise ICs offer great Unity-Gain Bandwidth, very low-noise, high output-drive capability, Common-Mode Rejection Ratio: 100 dB and maximum-output-swing bandwidths, low distortion and high slew rate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eClass 1 ceramic TDK C0G capacitors offer high stability and low losses for resonant circuit applications. They are pricey but are a perfect addition to our products.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eThe ZEN Phono uses muRata control-type, low-ESR high-Q multi-layer capacitors. The ‘ESR control’ aspect of the muRata is something special. Their noise suppression abilities are impressive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eA Short History of iFi Audio's Vinyl DNA\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eiFi Audio's parent company AMR made the PH-77 which was a £12,000 \u003cem\u003eStereophile\u003c\/em\u003e Class A’ rated phono stage. It is a dual-mono, 35 kilo beats that sounds amazing. Michael Fremer said, “The PH-77 is a sweet, tonally well- balanced, quiet performer that produced a large, authoritative sonic picture packed with honest detail.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eiFi Audio made the iPhono, the iPhono2, and then most recently the iPhono3 Black Label that pushes the performance of its phono stages even further. Michael Fremer advised, “If you own an iPhono2 and love it, sell it and buy an iPhono3. It’s that much better. The improvement isn’t incremental. It’s a major step forward.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eiFi has distilled much of the AMR\/iFi audio vinyl design into the low-price segment with the ZEN Phono. It makes your vinyl come alive.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"iFi Audio","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":45980620128429,"sku":"NEW-IFZENPHO","price":199.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Demo","offer_id":45980620161197,"sku":"DEMO-IFZENPHO","price":149.37,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/IFZENPHO_01-Large__34479.1726823581.1280.1280_b022a599-b590-4de1-9cdc-c5ae4fe6ecce.jpg?v=1778115099","url":"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/ifi-zen-phono-desktop-phono-stage","provider":"Audio Advisor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}