iFi Audio Zen Phono

iFi Audio Zen Phono

Supporting each moving-magnet and coil cartridges and capable of generate as much as 72dB of achieve for low output MC designs, the Zen Phono sits in the direction of the extra inexpensive finish of iFi Audio’s in depth vary. No much less usefully, there’s a 50dB setting that caters for high-output moving-coil designs, however the actually noteworthy determine within the Zen Phono’s spec is the claimed equal enter noise of -151dBv. This is sweet going for something beneath £1,000, not to mention one thing costing £150 – suggesting the Zen Phono needs to be exceptionally quiet, whatever the cartridge you utilize it with. An uncommon fitment that will assist this even additional is the presence of a 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced connector on the rear. iFi now sells a cable to attach this to an XLR enter and, when you have such a factor, it leaves the Zen Phono with a set of options past most rivals.

Power is provided by way of a 12V wall-wart, however this runs right into a 1.2MHz circuit with noise filtration. The EQ circuit makes use of TDK C0G capacitors in parallel to naturally pair match the channels within the method that hand pairing gadgets can do, however with much less element wastage or time misplaced. There isn’t any adjustment for impedance or capacitance settings as there are on costlier iFi phono phases, however that is hardly uncommon on the worth

The Zen Phono is comparatively standard with RCA connections for enter and outputs, a stable grounding put up and a rear panel swap for choosing achieve. The entrance panel has buttons for energy and a subsonic filter, plus 4 LEDs to show which achieve setting has been chosen.

Sound high quality
Crucially, the Zen Phono is totally silent at idle and stays so even with the quantity dial of a Cyrus i7 XR (HFC 473) wound round to a firmly delinquent stage. Connected to an AVID Ingenium Twin (HFC 379), Rega RB330 and Goldring 2500 (HFC 434), probably the most notable result’s that tremendous element that may be onerous to put by means of the superbly respectable phono stage of the Cyrus is out of the blue obvious. Switch cartridges to a Rega Ania Pro (HFC 460) – a significantly costlier design than the iFi – and the distinctive silence is maintained. Even on the 72dB achieve setting, until you set an ear proper as much as the speaker, noise is minimal.

With the great urgent of Hayden Thorpe’s Diviner, there may be way more details about the motion of Thorpe behind the piano evident. This easy addition of nuance lifts the presentation, whereas these distinctive vocals are dealt with with authority and realism. The supporting piano is tonally plausible and has the burden and presence wanted to be a tangible instrument reasonably than canned impact. The bass extension that the Zen Phono presents is persistently spectacular too. The enormous low notice in the course of the stay efficiency of Kraftwerk’s Aerodynamik is fantastically reproduced and exceptionally deep.

Something additionally value noting is that, whereas the Zen Phono may lack a few of the absolute technical mastery of iFi’s costlier designs, it’s arguably extra enjoyable. The unabashed bluegrass pleasure of Sturgill Simpson’s Cuttin’ Grass Vol I fizzles with power and the easy pleasure of nice musicians delivering a tremendous efficiency. Via the Zen Phono this enthusiasm radiates out of each notice and it does a greater job of the suspension of disbelief than any inexpensive rival I can consider.

Conclusion
This implies that the Zen Phono needs to be seen as a outstanding discount. Until you end up on the worth level the place options like adjustable loading and capacitance are attainable, the specification it presents at £150 is actually excellent. It’s considered one of a tiny variety of designs anyplace close to this worth that may do justice to just about any cartridge beneath £500 (and realistically extra) and for that reason it needs to be on any shortlist anyplace close to the value level. ES    

DETAILS
Product: iFi Audio Zen Phono
Type: MM/MC phono stage

FEATURES
● Moving-magnet and moving-coil enter
● 12V energy provide with 1.2MHz circuit
● Four adjustable achieve settings

Read the complete assessment in  Issue 476

HI-FI News

by way of Hi-Fi Choice https://ift.tt/qglRE2e

March 13, 2024 at 11:58AM