ZEN gets groovy with iFi’s new phono stage

[iFi audio]

So the main question is actually how this Ifi compares to a VP29

Honestly I haven o idea

 

[matej]

I know I'm late to the party on this thread but can anyone compare the ifi to the project phono box S2? I've got the S2 on order but I've had an email to say there are problems with the supplier and it may not be ready to ship for a month. I've been suggested the ifi as a readily available alternative instead. I'm using a Beogram 1700 with an MMC20EN cartridge, my concern is that 36db of gain on the MM setting will be too low, 48db on the high MC too high. Never really been able to get my head around voltages and what's appropriate for any given setup.

 

[Taz777]

I know I'm late to the party on this thread but can anyone compare the ifi to the project phono box S2? I've got the S2 on order but I've had an email to say there are problems with the supplier and it may not be ready to ship for a month. I've been suggested the ifi as a readily available alternative instead. I'm using a Beogram 1700 with an MMC20EN cartridge, my concern is that 36db of gain on the MM setting will be too low, 48db on the high MC too high. Never really been able to get my head around voltages and what's appropriate for any given setup.

You have effectively 4 selectable gain settings:

And here is the specs from the box:

For reference, the MM setting worked fine on my OM-10 cartridge/stylus. The output of the OM-10 is 4mV at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec. If you can find the spec for your cartridge for the same frequency and speed, then I guess it should work. If your cartridge outputs a lower voltage then you can try the first MC setting. I couldn't find specs for 5cm/sec for your cartridge. From what I understand, you have a lot of leeway when it comes to cartridge outputs.

 

[matej]

You have effectively 4 selectable gain settings:

And here is the specs from the box:

For reference, the MM setting worked fine on my OM-10 cartridge/stylus. The output of the OM-10 is 4mV at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec. If you can find the spec for your cartridge for the same frequency and speed, then I guess it should work. If your cartridge outputs a lower voltage then you can try the first MC setting. I couldn't find specs for 5cm/sec for your cartridge. From what I understand, you have a lot of leeway when it comes to cartridge outputs.

Having trouble finding the specs as well. I doubt the MM gain will be sufficient though because I'm currently using a Behringer PP400 (crap I know) and that gives 35bd of gain. It's nowhere near enough for a 2.12mv cartridge and I'll have to turn my amp up to between -15db to -5db depending on the album as I'm only getting an output of 119mv.

With 48db of gain there'll be an output of 532mv. How would this work in practice with an amp that has line inputs with a sensitivity of 200mv at 47k ohms? Is this going to be overkill and mean there'll be clipping at moderate volumes?

 

[samuelbass]

I just bought Zen Phono and attached it to my LP system which is: Technics SL1200 MK5, Ortofon 2M Blue, and active speaker Klipsch R-51PM. I set the gain on '1' which is for moving magnet as per my cartridge. But the sound was so awful, there are so many loud static noise and pop sound from my speaker. Is there anything I done wrong? I already activated the Subsonic Filter, but the result remain the same.

 

[Taz777]

I just bought Zen Phono and attached it to my LP system which is: Technics SL1200 MK5, Ortofon 2M Blue, and active speaker Klipsch R-51PM. I set the gain on '1' which is for moving magnet as per my cartridge. But the sound was so awful, there are so many loud static noise and pop sound from my speaker. Is there anything I done wrong? I already activated the Subsonic Filter, but the result remain the same.

Does your record player sound fine when connected directly to an integrated amplifier? Did you check that the earth wire is connected securely? What do you hear when you are NOT playing a record? Do you still hear noise?

 

[samuelbass]

Does your record player sound fine when connected directly to an integrated amplifier? Did you check that the earth wire is connected securely? What do you hear when you are NOT playing a record? Do you still hear noise?

Yes, it's sound fine when I connect it directly to an active speaker. The setups I used are Technics SL1200 mk5 with ortofon 2m blue cartridge and klipsch R51PM speakers.
I then just added Zen Phono at the middle of chain. There's nothing when I just plug it and not playing it.
When I turned on the subsonic filter, there are popping noise, and when the record started to play, the noises intensifies.

 

[Taz777]

Yes, it's sound fine when I connect it directly to an active speaker. The setups I used are Technics SL1200 mk5 with ortofon 2m blue cartridge and klipsch R51PM speakers.
I then just added Zen Phono at the middle of chain. There's nothing when I just plug it and not playing it.
When I turned on the subsonic filter, there are popping noise, and when the record started to play, the noises intensifies.

Okay, I've just looked up your speakers and they do have a phono input (RIAA) via switched LINE/PHONE input. Could you carry out the following check please?

1. Check that your record player left, right and ground connections are connected to the correct terminals on the Zen Phono

2. Check that the LINE OUT from the Zen Phono is connected to your active speakers using a stereo RCA cable

3. Check that the SWITCH on your active speakers is set to LINE INPUT mode (as you are no longer using PHONO IN on your active speakers). The output from the Zen Phono is a line level output and requires a line level input on your amp/active speakers. Make sure you turn the volume right down before switching anything on!

 

[samuelbass]

Okay, I've just looked up your speakers and they do have a phono input (RIAA) via switched LINE/PHONE input. Could you carry out the following check please?

1. Check that your record player left, right and ground connections are connected to the correct terminals on the Zen Phono

2. Check that the LINE OUT from the Zen Phono is connected to your active speakers using a stereo RCA cable

3. Check that the SWITCH on your active speakers is set to LINE INPUT mode (as you are no longer using PHONO IN on your active speakers). The output from the Zen Phono is a line level output and requires a line level input on your amp/active speakers. Make sure you turn the volume right down before switching anything on!

Thank you for the quick response, I will try it and update the status to you.
Thanks a bunch!

 

[AnalogEuphoria]

if the zen phono has such a clean internal power supply filtering system is it pointless to feed it something like ipower x?

 

[iFi audio]

if the zen phono has such a clean internal power supply filtering system is it pointless to feed it something like ipower x?

A good external PSU is always something worth taking into consideration

 

[AnalogEuphoria]

A good external PSU is always something worth taking into consideration

Sneaky...

 

[iFi audio]

Sneaky...

It ddoesn't have to be our PSU, but in general we encourage everyone to experiment with such products. Power is important and there's a lot of feedback here on HF how much it impacts sound. Hope this helps, thanks!

 

[Rowan94]

Did you know we are launching a new tour? If you are interested in testing out our ZEN Air range then please take a look at our latest post for more information! https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-audio-official-zen-air-tour.965084/

 

[iFi audio]

We're giving ourselves a little pat on the back here...

Zen Phono has won the best Phono Pre under 200 dollars as given out by Gear Patrol!

A Big Thank You to Gear Patrol for this honor, we appreciate it!

https://www.gearpatrol.com/tech/audio/a713052/best-phono-preamps/

Cheers!!