The iFi ZEN Phono 3. When Budget is AWESOME!

The iFi ZEN Phono 3. When Budget is AWESOME! 

By Steve Huff

DISCLAIMER: I was not paid for this review nor did I get a free unit. This review is not sponsored.  My words here are just my honest feelings and to me this is important. Enjoy! 

I often get asked to review budget gear and honestly, there is nothing I enjoy more. I love it when I find a stunning piece of audio gear that does NOT cost an arm and a leg yet performs to a decent to high level. Such is the case for todays product, the iFi Zen Phono 3.

Over the years I have reviewed select iFi pieces that I enjoyed and felt were a true bang for the buck, The Zen Phono 3 may be the biggest bang for the buck by iFi to date. It’s a stunner for its $249 price tag and has features and sound quality not always seen in this price point.

Some Quick Specs before I talk about what this piece was like in my system.

• compatible with moving magnet and moving coil phono cartridges
• intelligent subsonic filter removes LP rumble without affecting bass response
• unbalanced stereo RCA input and output
• balanced stereo 4.4mm output
• grounding lug
• four selectable MM/MC gain selections:
  • MM: 36dB
  • MC High: 48dB
  • MC Low: 60dB
  • MC V-Low: 72db
• four input impedance settings:
  • MM: 47k ohms, 100/200pF
  • MC: 100, 400 and 1k ohms
• output impedance: 200 ohms (balanced), 100 ohms (unbalanced)
• max output voltage (RMS):
  • balanced- 100k ohms: ≥19.98V (THD+N <1%), 600ohms: ≥12.75V (THD+N <1%)
  • unbalanced- 100k ohms ≥10.07V (THD+N <1%), 600ohms: 7.94V (THD+N <1%)
• signal-to-noise ratio:
  • MM: 91dB
  • MC High: 81dB
  • MC Low: 89.6 dB
  • MC V-Low: 78.6dB
• frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz (balanced), 20-80,000 Hz (unbalanced)
• channel separation: >75dB (1kHz all modes)
• harmonic distortion:
  • MM: <-91dB/0.0027%
  • MC High: <-80dB/0.0095%
  • MC Low: <-70dB/0.031%
  • MC V-Low: <-73dB/0.022%

OK, let’s talk about NOISE and why the “better than entry level” Zen 3 delivers “all you may need” performance at such a low price point. 

One thing I have learned over the decades of listening to audio systems is that noise is the enemy of our systems, no matter the cost of said system. Even when in low doses, any kind of noise coming from our electronics can truly affect our listening experiences. Even if we do not really audibly hear this noise, it can obscure details and also cause the sound to be blurred. In the past I have had some noisy phono preamps, both affordable and expensive. Usually, when budget phono preamps use high gain for the moving coil cartridge side of things this can bring noise, even to the point of it being audible between songs.

Almost every phono pre I have used or tested under $300 has some sort of noise when using high gain settings for moving coil cartridges. Most of them have been great with moving magnet but not all phono preamps will sound the same. When I last tested the Schiit Mani budget phono pre it buzzed quite a but but also sounded juicy, fat and lovely, just how I love my records to sound. The lower end MoFi phono pre that did MM and MC also had some noise within my system.

What is unique about the iFi Zen Phono 3 is that iFi has incorporated technology to significantly reduce the noise floor to an impressive -151dBV. That is impressive for phono pre at this price point, period.

Listening to the Zen Phono 3

When I unboxed the Zen Phono 3 I knew I was going to pair it with my affordable turntable, which I really enjoy. The U Turn Orbit Special (latest GEN) has been one of my most used turntables due to ease of use, ease of moving it and also because the built in phono stage of the Orbit is actually quite good. Very good to be clear. It has bested most phono stages I have heard under $500. It’s that good so if the Zen 3 bested it then I knew it would be a special piece for the price of $249.

I set it all up and using my Qualio IQ speakers along with a Black Ice FX10H Tube Integrated amp I played my first album with the Zen. I started with the moving magnet setting as I was using an Ortofon Blue, a well known “budget” cartridge that is quite nice. I was very familiar with the sound of this cartridge using the built in phono stage in the Orbit table. It was detailed with some warmth though there is a slight dullness with the Blue in my system when compared to much m0ore pricey moving coil cartridges. For the price though, it’s well worth it. I dig it for sure and at under $200 it’s a super great choice for a starter system.

When I switched to the Zen Phono 3 I heard a difference for sure. The sound was all of the sudden larger, beefier, and more rythmic. It was sweet, groovy and I heard no noise at all within the playback. Playing Diana Krall’s Live in Paris double LP was a treat and did convert that live performance as its was recorded. Lively, balanced and sweet. I felt as if Diana was right here, with me… almost. ; )

Switching to a MoFi Ultradeck with UltraGold MC Cart and a high gain setting on the Zen Phono 3 resulted in more of the same. Smooth, musical, and detailed yet with a full bodied sound that reminded me why I love that analog vibe so much. Noise was not an issue but when I plugged in the unit with an iFi Silent power supply the music seemed to flow even more unrestricted but only by a tiny bit.

Using the Zen Phono 3 with MM and MC carts was awesome and I told myself that this would be all most needed when it comes to listening to records. Only picky audiophiles would want more, really. My listening consists of 95% digital and 5% analog and this makes the iFi Zen a perfect fit for me and my listening habits. I have no need for some exotic $5k phono preamp as I only have a few cartridges, 2-3 MM and 2-3 MC’s. I found nothing to nitpick here for the price of $249. The unit is lovely, small, and does what it says it does. It made my vinyl sing and gave me a richer presentation vs the very nice built in on the Orbit Special table.

If you are like me and have a table under $2k and maybe a modest system then this “entry level” phono preamp, the Zen 3 from iFi is a stellar choice. For me it bests the usual suspects under $200 that are challengers to this product. No contest.

BTW, this unit also features a “smart” subsonic filter, kicking in only when needed. Pretty cool for a budget piece!

Buy the iFi Zen Phono 3 HERE at B&H Photo

Most dealers are out of stock right now on the Zen Phono 3, but B&H Photo has it now, available. I have shopped from BH Photo for 2 decades and they are top notch! There is also more information there if needed. See it here.