iFi ZEN Phono Review

Here goes:

1. MM: 47K Ohms
2. MC High: 47K Ohms
3. MC Low: 1.4K Ohms
4. MC Vlow: 110 Ohms

 

i am not savvy in technical terms at all and aren't those value are loading resistance value? I thought that the other member asked input capacitance value. Are they same thing?

 

That's what I got from our tech team, but let's wait for someone else to chime in just to make sure.

 

@iFi audio May I ask if Zen Phono come with iFI iPower 5v power supply or generic power supply? Thank you in advance.

 

hello,
Decomo is right, 47kohm is a resistance value. What should be listed in specs, and sometimes in entry level phono stages isn't, is the capacitive load at the input. Since there is no selection switch for it on the Zen, this is a single value expressed in pF. The vendor labs should know the answer.
I'm pretty sure purr1n can easily measure it.

 

I got the unit from local retailer just now and power supply looks generic one. Definitely not iFi iPower that I used to have. Looks pretty good quality though..

 

Nervosa inducer! But hmmm, maybe...

With a 1A linear wall-wart (not iPower) in place of the stock 500 mA switcher, I get the impression of an overall 'less hazy' presentation, with sibilants, cymbals & hi-hats being cleaner and horns having less underlying screech. Through headphones (HD 6XX from MCTH) I felt like I wanted to turn it up a bit vs the stock supply, because everything became that little bit clearer and less fatiguing.

Mrsdegraded though, who hears things pretty well and who had no expectation bias, did not detect a difference on brief listening. So insert disclaimers.

Impressions of the preamp and comparisons with Hagerman and Rega units I have here will come in a few days - need more listening.

 

Add a couple more decimal places. And +/- 3% uncertainty.

 

Hi, I received a ZEN phono a few days ago, but I have a disturbing buzz when the power supply is connected to my chain, even if everything is properly grounded. I just contacted my local dealer who suggested that the generic supplied one might be faulty. He will send me an iPower to check if it is just a matter of the power supply. Anyone with the same problem here? Thanks in advance!

 

Ifi still have this problem? I don't know what it is but buzz is also an issue with my iPhono 2 and my ican se. It's certainly something to do with the powersupply and possibly grounding.. I just can't believe they havent resolved it by now - it's a major PITA

 

Hi, so you have not been able to get rid of this buzz? Switching from the OEM power supply to the iPower one might solve it? The local vendor will send me an iPower, but if this does not fix the problem, I am considering to ask for a total refund and go to another brand (suggestions?)... @iFi audio, do you have any suggestions on how to solve it?

 

This. I had to fiddle with the wires, connect separate grounding cable direct to plug, even touching the case in some instances changed the noise.. very fiddly and I never had this with my other phonos. I use the ipower - likely that's part of the problem. Even after all the fiddling around there's still noise that comes through on quiet passages. I will try the AC purifier dongle... Yet another dongle for my other dongles for something that should just work without dongling around. Ifi - good business model

 

So far I've had less trouble with the Zen in this respect than with other units past & present - in my system it seems less susceptible to proximity to power supplies, cable crossings, etc. using either the stock or an old Iomega Zip Drive power supply. Shrug.

 

I am not sure about sound quality of iFi iPhono Zen as yet since it is too early but I do not have any hum issue in my chain. I also got iFi iPower 5V power supply and tried it with and again no hum.

 

Thanks to all of you for your comments. I tried to move/touch cables/TT arm/TT chassis and all the rest, but the noise is still there. On Monday the local vendor will send me the iPower. Let's see!

 

Also you can always let us know about the problem here:

https://support.ifi-audio.com/

Folks at our tech team might have something interesting to say and will do their best to help you out

 

Hi, thanks, I am already in touch with the Ifi technical support.