iFi Zen Phono 3 MM,MC Phono Stage Review

[@Tharbamar]

"Please Note: According to iFi Audio ZEN Phono 3 is not supposed to be able to connect two amplifiers because taking two different types of ground sources and that is what was causing the hum. Nor do we claim that 2 different amps can be connected to the ZEN phono 3." Be aware, If you see any giveaways on Social Media Platforms under Tharbamar is not by me, Please be careful of anyone trying to impersonate me! Also, due to spam messages, links are No Longer Allowed in comment section, Thank you 🙏 for all your support.

[@VictorEnnis-n1w]

Thank you for this review. I often wonder if the difference between a product like this and one that cost thousands is a matter of splitting hairs. I also wonder that in a blind audio test. How many times out of ten they would choose the more expensive one. You are always very informative and detailed. Thank you for all the great reviews that you do. Have a great one.

[@Tharbamar]

Technically they all follow RIAA curve but sound is not the same, if you do the blind testing phono stages are more noticeable than DAC between different price points. Thanks

[@VictorEnnis-n1w]

@@Tharbamar Oh I completely understand. I am not saying they sound exactly the same. I am just saying often times those differences are much more subtle then people mention. Thanks for responding. Love your reviews.

[@Skyshakerrrr]

​@Tharbamar you are 100% right about being more noticeable for sure.

[@Skyshakerrrr]

Zen makes a good product for the money. I have the original zen and it is as good it can be

[@lastdayaaa]

Тестировали iFi Audio Zen Air phono ??? Есши да то как он?

[@rosswarren436]

Glad to see them add more setting options for cartridges. That was one Achille's heel of the older model compared to Schiit's Mani 2. Generally, if you move up to more expensive phono amps like the $500 Moon 110LP v2, what are you getting that is better (assuming I'm using MM cartridges)?

[@matytinman]

Maybe a very good idea: IFI Audio iPower X

[@beslemeto]

Please review the new Willsenton R8 sir!

[@chrislj2890]

Did you try it into your Muzishare X7 or did I miss that" I'm currently using the Zen Phono 3 with a TEAC TN-5BB and Audio-Technica AT-OC9XML moving coil into a Willsenton R8 tube amp. Before that I was using the phono preamp in my Yamaha A-S3200. I initially had a problem with the power button on the Zen but it seems to be working better now. Other than that I'm pleased with the sound. Note: The power button issue returned and was even worse. Customer support said they were have this problem with other units also and that I should send it in for repair or replacement. But I just returned to for a refund and bought a Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3 B. That was what I wanted in the first place and it's worth the extra cost.

[@clicheclicksphotography6566]

Wow

[@BigBoyzToyz1974]

Any idea how to change the load from 100pf.(default) to 200pf

[@Young__Dad]

What is the 4.4 to XLR cable you are using?

[@latheofheaven]

Hmmm... Interesting. I thought you were reviewing the $1000 Ifi Phono 3, but I'm guessing the 'Zen' part makes it a different series. When you said $250 I realized it was a different one. I was *EXTREMELY* fortunate to get one of the discontinued Ifi Phono 2 units which were about $500 and were replaced by the $1000 Ifi Phono 3. The Ifi Phono 2 was VERY well reviewed, and yes, it does indeed sound quite amazing on my system. That's good though that they provide a more affordable one in this unit and that you feel it sounds so good. They are a very well respected company. I'm just glad I was able to find one of the discontinued Ifi Phono 2 units new at Crutchfield, because otherwise its replacement was twice the price!

[@Tharbamar]

More expensive option is iPhono 3, thanks for sharing.

[@latheofheaven]

@@Tharbamar Heh, well yeah... at $1000 I would guess so... 😁 No, I realized that you were reviewing NOT the IFI Phono 3 (which I have the IFI Phono 2 for $500) But, you were reviewing the IFI *ZEN* Phono 2, big difference!

[@Tharbamar]

@@latheofheaven Zen Phono 3.

[@latheofheaven]

@@Tharbamar Heh... Yes, yes, I know... 😊

[@danielc5191]

Sensei, how is the Zen DAC 3? Does it compare to the likes of SMSL DO200 pro or DO300?

[@Tharbamar]

Hi I haven't try it in my system yet, thanks

[@nicolastefanozanframundo71]

Nin ho capito cosa busogna fare per l'alimentazione è comoresa o non è comoresa l'alimentatore?bisogna acquistarlo a parte?

[@Tharbamar]

It has standard power supply but if you want better power supply you have to buy it separately.

[@nicolastefanozanframundo71]

@Tharbamar e quale consigli ?

[@Tharbamar]

I like upgraded one.

[@nicolastefanozanframundo71]

@@Tharbamar e qual'è?

[@Tharbamar]

This one iFi SilentPower iPower2: amzn.to/4dYTbc For your information, everything is listed in the video description, thanks

[@obstoaga8121]

Thanx for the review ! Great job !

[@Tharbamar]

Glad you liked it!

[@obstoaga8121]

@@Tharbamar Sorry if you're answering this is one of your videos, but do you also use another, higher priced allegedly better phono pre-amp and if you do what and are they really much better ? I was seriously considering a Hegel V10 or Lehman Audio Decade as an upgrade to my regular Ifi zen phono... but decided against it because the money is significant an I can spend it more wisely to get a better Hi-Fi experience. So just went for the iFi Zen Phono 3.. and have the reagular Zen phono as backup ( had one die on me before after about 11 month...)..

[@Tharbamar]

@@obstoaga8121 generally higher price point components come with better parts and build, also better performance in noise control which helps elevate your listening experience.

[@cazaresfamily007]

I have the zen phono will this be in upgrade what do you think

[@Tharbamar]

I would say load setting will be significant upgrade if you need that feature, thanks

[@claricecarter4750]

Guess what...I saw your review of this. It arrives tomorrow. Shall I report back to you on my experience with it? It sounds like one should order the power device. It was not the Linear Power supply correct. You used the filtering power supply??? The video did not make that perfectly clear. Looking forward to hearing you.

[@Tharbamar]

Hi, love to hear your feedback. it's a very good phone stage for the money, I used with this iFi SilentPower iPower2: amzn.to/4dYTbc7 Thanks

[@MrToonfish]

Those iFi Audio products are pure gold and affordable, I got several of them in my system and for the power source treatment. Also the micro iPhono3 Black Label is a killer machine for 999€ ! ;-)

[@hoobsgroove]

you should try the classic audio Michael fidler Spartan 15 £350 should be a lot better than the Zen especially with a step up transformer if you using MC. actually Michael talks about not having balance it's not a good idea for a phono stage adds distortion. reach out to him he sells it directly might send you one for review. a new company. do you know what the signal to noise ratio is of the Zen without noise? doesn't sound bad for the price of the Zen! you used a means filter with that? you were talking about hum ifi make a mains earth filter hum blocker use it on the amplifiers meant for PCs but be alright. the thing is the RCA cables are connected to two amplifiers taking two different types of ground sources that's what's giving you the hum make sure the phono stage is not grounded ground from the turntable ground it in to the amplifier make sure the amplifiers uses consensual sockets could eliminate it and the phono stage Keep them all on the same network.

[@Tharbamar]

Thank you for suggestions, 4.4mm out is from balanced circuit, If I have ground cable connection between Zen Phono 3 and Turntable technically should be enough, when I have both RCA and XLR connection to same amplifier it does not make any hum or noise. Another ground I will have to try is when RCA cable is connected to different amplifier, iFi only listed Input Noise measures at -151dBV, thanks

[@hoobsgroove]

@@Tharbamar that's your problem that's what I'm saying you don't want to have the Zen connected to your turntable ground wire!! ground the earth from the turntable to the amplifier you can ground both to one amplifier would be better just in case there's any impedance issues! you're getting impedance issues because it's grounded to the zen phono, there's no need to ground a phono stage You're only going to introduce noise. you could try a resistor on the earth ground wire say 500 to 1K ohms that we'll sort out the hum. it is good to have some resistance in the ground earth wire that's why they are very thin.

[@Tharbamar]

@@hoobsgroove I will try that out and report back, thanks

[@hoobsgroove]

@@Tharbamar ok

[@Tharbamar]

@@hoobsgroove Just try it out, it reduced a few decibels but still there, I also tried all grounding points but same results, thanks for suggestions.

[@theonlyegg]

The way Ifi sells those garbage power adapters for $80 like they’re worth more than $8 is SUPER shady on their part. “Here’s a power supply that comes with your new phono stage but really you SHOULD spend another $100 with tax for our ‘better’ one.” Puke. And of course they send it free for the reviewers, which makes it YOUR job to make sure the viewers know that you’re using a $340 phono stage, not a $250 one.

[@theonlyegg]

Hidden prices make me a pissed off consumer.

[@salviaspuzzle]

🎯. Yes. The power supply "upgrade" nonsense isn't helping my decision to buy

[@bankruptfilly]

He makes money from you buying these products. Just another shill trying to make a buck to support their expensive hobby.

[@MICAMOTEESTABIENGRANDE]

Snake oil cables....

[@rosswarren436]

There is a limit to how much I'd spend on cables, but generally, buying some at say 3X to 4X the cost of Amazon Basics is a good idea if you want to get the most from your system. For RCA interconnects, I buy well built "Worlds Best Cables" having Mogami cable and Amphenol connectors. They are around $25 or so depending on length. They should last a lifetime, so I see them as a decent investment. Buy once and forget. While there is "snake oil" out there, there are also valid physical differences between cables that can make a difference in sound quality, especially with analog signals. Using balanced cables is not a bad idea, but it depends on your environment and how electrically noisy it is. Some people will benefit more than others. I generally don't have issues in my home as I am in a rural area, but if I lived in a city, I'd definitely use balanced cables, even for short runs.

[@Jil8840]

I don't think that i would trust a phono pre amp with a power supply like that!!!!

[@rosswarren436]

Why not? Getting the noisy power supply away from the electronics that do the "magic" is not a bad idea. Keep in mind this is a $250 phono amp, not a $2000 one by Parasound.

[@theonlyegg]

Schitt Mani has had the same type power supply for a decade…

[@Jil8840]

@@rosswarren436 let's put it simply. I don't think that there are many decent hi fi components using this kind of power supply....!!!! I believe they are cheap and cause problems!!!!

[@rosswarren436]

@@Jil8840 "cheap" yes, cause problems? Maybe, maybe not. As always it depends on the implementation and isolation. And well, this isn't a $1000 or $2000 device. Most people using it would see it as a step up from whatever phono pre came with their lower end TT...maybe a Audio Technica, U-Turn Orbit, or Fluance RT85. I tap out at around $700 for a phono pre...maybe the one by Moon or the better $399 Skoll by Schiit. They still use a wall-wart PSU for it too. I can't see spending more unless I ever got into moving coil cartridges.

[@clan_biblioteke]

Help, is the Dragonfly cobalt obsolete as a portable DAC or do you think it is still just as valuable and good. It is now about $200 on sale. I have a Fiio btr5, and I have looked at some other small portable DACs, none of them are nearly as strong as the cobalt .Thank you and happy work

[@Tharbamar]

Hi I would say if you’re enjoying the sound still relevant because that’s all that matters, thanks

[@rosswarren436]

The Dragonfly Cobalt set a bar pretty high when it was $299. Definitely a step up from the Black and the Red, but many people thought the Red was fine with its somewhat warmer sound. But for $200, I'd think it'd still be relevant today. I have a FiiO BTR5-2021 but use it mostly as a Bluetooth adapter for my car to play music, not as a dongle DAC. Anyway, I'd think at $200 the Cobalt could hold its own against similar priced models, even newer ones today. Good luck if you get one.