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ifi Audio ZEN Phono 3
For record lovers, new and old.
The ZEN Phono 3 redefines what your turntable can do. Its intelligent subsonic filter corrects warped LPs, while an ultra-quiet noise floor and adaptable loading options unlock a new level of clarity from your cartridge.
Super Smart. Super Subsonic.
Standard subsonic filters aren’t intelligent and are typically loathed by audiophiles. They filter not only the bass rumble from warped records but also the bass of the song. Our intelligent subsonic filter knows the difference between the two and only filters the warp, leaving the song completely intact, and without adding group delay.
Your Cartridge. Your Rules.
The ZEN Phono 3 supports four MM/MC gain selections from 36 to 72dB and four input impedance settings. Mix and match gain and loading settings independently of each other with the all-new loading button, ensuring optimum compatibility with a wide range of cartridges and allowing you to get the sound ‘just right’.
Exacting Equalisation.
At the vinyl mastering stage, records are pressed with an inverse RIAA equalisation curve applied. This needs to be undone on playback by the phono stage to reveal the magic of the music. ZEN Phono 3’s RIAA EQ circuitry uses multiple TDK C0G capacitors in parallel.This is for best stability and the least distortion.
This allows for ZEN Phono 3’s RIAA playback equalisation curve to be within +/- 0.15dB tolerance from 20-20kHz, allowing you to hear your records more accurately than ever before.
Shockingly Silent.
Clean Power Supply: The ZEN Phono 3 features an isolated high-tech clean power supply, ensuring only audio is amplified with a whisper-quiet noise floor.
Ultra-Low Noise: With an EIN of -151dBV, it’s 20dBV quieter than some Stereophile Class A+ phonos.
Enhanced Performance with iPower2: Pair with the SilentPower iPower2 for ultra-quiet, audiophile-grade power, thanks to Active Noise Cancellation II technology.
Superior Specification.
Zen Phono 3 boasts futuristic features unlike any other entry-level stage:
- MM/MC with 36-72dB gain range
- Independent loading adjustment
- Super-silent -151dBV noise floor
- Precise RIAA with balanced output
- Intelligent subsonic filter
- High-tech 1.2MHz clean power supply
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iFi Audio ZEN Phono 3 — compact, high‑value phono stage
iFi Audio's ZEN Phono 3 squeezes exceptional silence and resolution into a palm‑sized package, thanks to its fully balanced circuitry and ultra‑low noise floor. Reviewers from What Hi‑Fi? and HiFi Choice highlight its immaculately clean presentation and remarkable quietness even at high gain. Sonically it favors detail and space: articulate, natural mids, deep controlled bass and a wide soundstage that brings instruments forward without added colour, though a few tests noted a touch less transient snap than reference phono stages. Practical strengths include four gain steps for MM/MC, selectable loading and an intelligent subsonic filter, all in a rock‑solid anodized aluminium case (see Audiophilia). Ideal for listeners upgrading from built‑in phono stages or anyone seeking a flexible, high‑value standalone phono solution.
Pros
- Exceptionally low noise floor and very quiet backgrounds, which reveal more microdetail and low‑level information.
- Detailed, spacious presentation with strong imaging and natural midrange that keeps vocals and instruments well defined.
- Wide cartridge compatibility (MM + MC) with four gain settings and multiple loading options plus an effective subsonic filter for warped records.
- Compact, well‑built anodized aluminium chassis with thoughtful features (balanced output, upgradeable power supply) that punch above its size.
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Cons
- Slightly limited transient snap and rhythmic punch compared with higher‑end phono stages; dynamics are very good but not reference‑level.
- Balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn output requires an adapter to reach XLR inputs (not included), and reviewers note the supplied interconnect/power leads can be short.
Transparency
93/100
Multiple reviewers explicitly note an exceptionally low noise floor: 'inky black silence', 'utterly silent at idle', and iFi's claimed -151dBV noise floor/SNR figures back this up (MM 91dB(A)). What Hi‑Fi and Tracking Angle both confirm minimal audible noise even at high gain settings, supporting a very high Transparency rating for both MM and practical MC use.
Sound Quality
86/100
Most reviews describe good liveliness and punch relative to built‑in stages, with comments about added 'breath, width, extension and liveliness.' However several reviewers (Tracking Angle, What Hi‑Fi) note a slight softness to transients or a small deficiency in absolute snap, so Dynamics are strong but not reference-level.
Cartridge Compatibility
93/100
Full MM/MC support with four gain steps (36–72dB) and multiple loading options (47k, 1k/400/100Ω plus selectable capacitance) gives excellent compatibility with a wide range of cartridges. Reviewers highlight independent loading adjustment and practical gain options, which make it suitable for both MM and low-output MCs in most systems.
Build Quality
90/100
Solid all‑metal enclosure, quality parts (Panasonic/TDK caps, OPA/ICs) and iFi's engineered low-noise power supply are repeatedly cited by reviewers and measurements. The compact chassis and thoughtful layout are praised, though its light weight is noted (easy to move with cables attached).
Value for Money
96/100
At the stated retail (~$249/£250) reviewers repeatedly call the Zen Phono 3 a bargain/astonishing value and urge recommendation ('genuine audio bargain', 'astonishingly good value for money', 'incredible upgrade'). Given widespread, strong praise for its performance relative to price, the Value score reflects consistent superlative language across multiple reviews.
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