{"product_id":"ifi-zen-phono-desktop-mm-mc-phono-stage-open-box","title":"iFi ZEN Phono Desktop MM\/MC Phono Stage (Open Box) - Discontinued","description":"\u003ch2\u003eFall in love with your LPs all over again.\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePedigree. Performance. Peerless.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLPs + ZEN = Magical combo.\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou’ve spent years building your dream LP collection. We know because we have done the same!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZEN Phono\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis a wonderful enhancement to your vinyl setup. It will max out every MM\/MC cartridge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoc full of AMR\/iFi trickle-down vinyl technology, it will have you poring over your LPs into the wee, small hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpec’d to make you smile\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\"\u003eUnlike any other entry-level phono stage. The \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZEN Phono\u003c\/strong\u003e has:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\"\u003eMM\/MC from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\"\u003e36dB \u0026gt;72dB gain. Super-silent n\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\"\u003eoise floor -151dBV\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\"\u003ePrecise RIAA with Balanced output, p\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\"\u003eerformance comparable to +$1k phono stages\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-ccp-props='{\"134233279\":true,\"201341983\":0,\"335551550\":6,\"335551620\":6,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}'\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\"\u003eAI sub-sonic filter. A\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"none\"\u003eddresses warp \u003cem\u003ewithout\u003c\/em\u003e eliminating bass or causing phase issues\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHissless whisper\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlagship phono amplifiers create their own power supply off the mains, like a mains regenerator. This is fundamental to a well-designed phono stage. Without this, it will struggle to amplify the signal\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003ewithout\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eadded noise. This is why phono stages ‘hiss’ so annoyingly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnusually, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZEN Phono\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ehas its own high-tech clean power supply. It creates a 1.2MHz power supply (20,000x mains frequency of 60Hz). In this circuit, a 10uF filtering capacitor = 200,000uF at lower, audible frequencies. With serious levels of noise filtration, it performs at the level of well-designed LC filtering circuits as found in classic tube amplifiers. Further, located on its own ‘island’ PCB, it is isolated so there is no noise pollution of the analogue stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust super clean +\/- 12V DC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasured EIN (Equivalent Input Noise) is -151dBV. It is 20dBV quieter than some Stereophile Class A+ phonos which are -131dBV.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMil-spec RIAA\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe EQ circuit uses multiple TDK C0G capacitors in parallel. This is for best stability and the least distortion. They beat polystyrene capacitors and are close to Teflon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlready using the lowest tolerance capacitors combined with multiples in parallel, tolerance is exponentially improved by the square root of the number of capacitors. This is quite a natty circuit design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe RIAA EQ tolerance level (+\/- 0.15dB) is impressive as it is en par with hand-selected capacitors!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWith great circuit comes great components\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZEN Phono\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ehas some seriously good audio components backing up the fab circuit design which has trickled-down from its ultra-fidelity AMR PH-77 and iFi iPhono siblings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScroll down for more on the most consequential circuit highlights\/boutique components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuper sub-sonic\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe intelligent sub-sonic filter is from the iPhono range and is quite special.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNormal sub-sonic filters remove ‘rumble’ AND bass and cause phase issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur unique AI phono sub-sonic filter\u003ci class=\"far fa-info-circle pop-ssf orange\"\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eremoves ‘rumble’ only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\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 always keep up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBalanced circuit design. 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. Less Interference – clearer sound.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAs with many other iFi audio products, we’ve incorporated a custom OV Series operational-amplifier. This top-notch component contributes to the extremely low noise, low distortion (0.0001%) and wide bandwidth.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePanasonic ECPU capacitors. Each ECPU capacitor is constructed from some 3,500 layers of ultra-thin dielectrics less than 0.5μm thickness. It offers class-leading Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR), low impedance and frequency stability and vanishingly low distortion.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTexas Instruments low-noise ICs offer great unity-gain bandwidth, very low noise and distortion, high output drive capability, Common-mode and Power Supply Rejection Ratios of over 100 dB, wide maximum-output-swing bandwidths and high slew rates.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTDK C0G (Class 1 ceramic) capacitors offer high stability and low losses for resonant circuit applications. They are pricey but are a perfect addition to our products.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003emuRata 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.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-19\" id=\"tablepress-19\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"row-1\"\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-1\"\u003eGain settings\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-2\"\u003eMC (v lo)@\u003cbr\u003eMC (lo)\u003cbr\u003eMC (hi)\u003cbr\u003eMM\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-3\"\u003e72dB (+\/- 1dB)\u003cbr\u003e60dB (+\/- 1dB)\u003cbr\u003e48dB (+\/- 1dB)\u003cbr\u003e36dB (+\/- 1dB)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"row-2\"\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-1\"\u003eAI Sub-sonic filter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-2\"\u003eRemedies only the 'warp' in LPs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-3\"\u003eNo negative impact to bass response\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"row-3\"\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-1\"\u003eMax Output Voltage (RMS)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-2\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-3\"\u003e20v RMS bal output into 100k (\u0026lt; 1% THD \u0026amp; N)\u003cbr\u003e13.5V RMS bal output into 600R (\u0026lt; 1% THD \u0026amp; N)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"row-4\"\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-1\"\u003eOutput Impedance:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-2\"\u003eBAL\u003cbr\u003eSE\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-3\"\u003e200 Ohm resistive\u003cbr\u003e100 Ohm resistive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"row-5\"\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-1\"\u003eInput impedance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-2\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-3\"\u003eMM: 47K Ohms\u003cbr\u003eMC High: 47K Ohms\u003cbr\u003eMC Low: 1.4K Ohms\u003cbr\u003eMC V Low: 110 Ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"row-6\"\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-1\"\u003eSignal\/Noise Ratio:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-2\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-3\"\u003e94dB(A) MM re 2V BAL\/1V UNBAL\u003cbr\u003e80dB(unweighted 80kHz BW) MM re 2V BAL\/1V UNBAL\u003cbr\u003e84dB(A) MC Hi re 2V BAL\/1V UNBAL\u003cbr\u003e71dB(unweighted 80kHz BW) MM re 2V BAL\/1V UNBAL\u003cbr\u003e90dB(A) MC lo re 2V BAL\/1V UNBAL\u003cbr\u003e79dB(unweighted 80kHz BW) MC lo re 2V BAL\/1V UNBAL\u003cbr\u003e79dB(A) MC vlo re 2V BAL\/1V UNBAL\u003cbr\u003e69dB(unweighted 80kHz BW) MC vlo re 2V BAL\/1V UNBAL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"row-7\"\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-1\"\u003eEIN (equivalent input noise):\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-2\"\u003e0.6nV|\/Hz (unweighted) MC lo\/vlo\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e6.5nV|\/Hz (unweighted) MM\/MC hi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-3\"\u003e-151dBV (A weighted)\u003cbr\u003e-141dBV (unweighted)\u003cbr\u003e-130dBV (A weighted)\u003cbr\u003e-119dBV (unweighted)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"row-8\"\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-1\"\u003eHarmonic Distortion:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-2\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-3\"\u003e\u0026lt; -110dB \/ 0.0003% MM re 2V BAL\/1V UNBAL\u003cbr\u003e\u0026lt; -80dB \/ 0.01% MC lo re 2V BAL\/1V UNBAL\u003cbr\u003e\u0026lt; -86dB \/ 0.005% MC vlo re 2V BAL\/1V UNBAL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"row-9\"\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-1\"\u003eDimensions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-2\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-3\"\u003e158 x117 x35 mm\u003cbr\u003e6.2\" x 4.6\" x 1.4\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"row-10\"\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-1\"\u003ePower Supply:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-2\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-3\"\u003eDC 5V \/ 500mA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"row-11\"\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-1\"\u003eNet weight:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-2\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-3\"\u003e515g (1.14 Ibs)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"row-12\"\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-1\"\u003eWarranty:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-2\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"column-3\"\u003e12 months\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"iFi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42432131105001,"sku":"Zen Phono (US) (OB)","price":179.1,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0065\/4432\/6771\/products\/ZEN-phono-1x_10fc65aa-6a50-4619-9b07-092473b5a8ee.jpg?v=1762460232","url":"https:\/\/audio46.mom\/products\/ifi-zen-phono-desktop-mm-mc-phono-stage-open-box","provider":"Audio46 Headphone Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}