Zen Phono 3 - Audiophile MM/MC Turntable Pre-Amplifier with Adjustable Loading and Intelligent Subsonic Filter

I bought this based on the reviews. This is my 2nd phono pre-amp ; I run two turntables, one with a MM cartridge and one with a high-end, very sensitive lo-output MC cartridge -for detailed sound out of those 'special' vinyl albums. The Zen has settings which are flexible yet easy to set up. I also bought the balanced XLR to 4mm cable since my amplifier supports XLR as an input. I'm using this with the MC cartridge, and the sound is - the best I've heard. The texture and detail on a well recorded album is simply stunning. I am sure it would sound great with MM cartridges also. Very easy to adjust. The only adjustment on the back panel is the 'gain' and for the majority of MM users, you wont even need to bother. Everything else is on the front panel. Unit is made of high quality materials. Very satisfied with this, especially at this price point. You can easily spend $$$$ on phono pre-amps but I am not sure I can better the sound I'm experiencing. Recommended.

Wow this thing really leveled-up the sound of my Pro-ject customized record player. The brain of my system is a Yammy A8A (usually in direct mode for 2 channel pure sound with records) which apparently has a dismal phono preamp. This Zen 3 brings incredible detail and presence to the sound. It is a singular value, maybe the best value in all of HiFi things. If you have good speakers, or even mere okay speakers, this, this I tell you, is what all affordable systems need. Is it better than super expensive ones? I don’t know. This one sounds great to me. If you have any magnetic gremlin in your connections, this unit also has a button to kill that noise. I was able to find my gremlin (power the phono player, the Zen 3, and your pre-amp or receiver all on the same circuit). Until I sorted it, the button was handy. If you cannot sort out line interference, this may be a no-brainer purchase for you, since it has a button for it.

I have the original Zen Phono that I purchased in 2022 and for the last three years it has given me solid performance and excellent fidelity. I saw that that the Zen Phono 3 was under $200, so I decided to give it a try-out. Wow! There is a difference! After playing a few of my favorite LPs through my Original Zen Phono, I swapped out the phono amps, correctly set the switches on the Zen Phono 3 and played the same LPs. The immediate difference was in the soundstage. It was much wider and three dimensional. The sonics were also clearer and more detailed. The Phono 1 was no slouch, I enjoyed many LPs hearing wonderful clarity and beautiful separation, but the Phono 3 just took it several notches higher. There was a lushness that gave my system a sound many times its cost. This was right when I connected the Phono 3 and started playing the music right away, no break-in! I can imagine after I play this baby for another 50-60 hours. This is a highly recommended upgrade if you own the original Zen Phono Preamp. For $200? It's a no-brainer.

I have 2 of these now. I coupled this Pre-Amp with my Technics SL-1500/Sumiko Moonstone cartridge (which is quite warm but articulate) with my Sonos 5's in stereo mode. I think this is about as good as I can make these Sonos speakers sound playing Vinyl. Previously I tried my Tube box S which made the sound a little muddy with this particular cartridge and then I tried a NAD PP2E and that sounded flat. Now the music is more analogue and rich sounding to my ears but still with detail. Very happy.

The iFi Audio Zen Phono 3 is the latest iteration of iFi's popular entry-level phono preamplifier, aiming to bring high-fidelity vinyl playback to a wider audience. Building upon the success of its predecessors, the Zen Phono 3 promises improved performance and features at an attractive price point. Does it deliver? Let's find out. Build and Features: The Zen Phono 3 retains the compact and sturdy design of the Zen series. The aluminum enclosure feels solid and well-built, giving a sense of quality that belies its price. The front panel is clean and straightforward, featuring a single power button and indicator LED. The rear panel houses the RCA inputs and outputs, a grounding post, and a gain switch offering settings for MM (Moving Magnet) and MC (Moving Coil) cartridges, including a dedicated setting for low-output MC cartridges. This versatility is a significant plus, allowing it to accommodate a wide range of turntables and cartridges. Sound Quality: This is where the Zen Phono 3 truly shines. Compared to previous versions, the 3rd generation offers a noticeable step up in sonic performance. The sound is clean, detailed, and dynamic, with a wider soundstage and improved clarity. Bass is tight and well-defined, midrange is smooth and natural, and treble is crisp without being harsh. The noise floor is impressively low, even with sensitive MC cartridges, allowing for greater detail retrieval and a more immersive listening experience. MM Performance: With MM cartridges, the Zen Phono 3 provides a lively and engaging sound. It brings out the best in classic MM designs, offering a balanced and enjoyable listening experience. MC Performance: The dedicated MC settings, especially the low-output option, are a standout feature. The Zen Phono 3 handles the delicate signals from MC cartridges with impressive finesse, delivering a detailed and nuanced presentation. Pros: Excellent sound quality for the price. Versatile MM and MC compatibility, including low-output MC support. Solid build quality. Low noise floor. Compact and attractive design. Cons: No adjustable loading options for fine-tuning MC cartridge performance (though the provided loading generally works well). External power supply (though it's a small and unobtrusive unit).

Works for those on a budget that need flexibility.

I liked the improvement in sound in comparison to the integrated phono amplification of my receiver. I was already liking the unit, when the phone stage started to take too long to turn off and off. After a few days, the gadget just stopped turning on. I ignore if it was an internal issue or if it was just the adapter that was failing. I decided to return the whole thing. I just ordered a replacement hoping that this second unit will work fine without power issue. I will keep my fingers crossed.

Fantastic phono pre-amp. Great clarity and no audible hiss.

El equipo llegó en buen estado y hasta ahora funciona muy bien, estoy satisfecho con mi compra.

Bought this as my Schiit Mani wasn’t cutting it. The look isn’t my favourite, but I’ve got it hidden anyways. Sounds great, tons of settings to ensure you can use whatever cart you want.

Un muy buen pre amp, compacto, con muy buena calidad y muy bajo ruido. le hace justicia a su reputación.

The clarity of the ifi Zen Phono 3 is amazing. Unfortunately, I found it lacked bass for my system setup. Overall, I prefer the sound of the original ifi Zen phono.