iFi Zen Air Phono Review - Hi-Fi Sound without the PRICE
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- Опубліковано 5 гру 2022
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This is my review of the iFi Zen Air Phono, an amazing sounding photo stage for your turntable without the hefty price tag. A lot of new turntables, especially higher end ones like the Fluance RT85 or the Project Debut Carbon require a phono stage and its best to have one that sounds good - but you also don't want to pay through the nose! If you are considering a phono stage under $100 this might be the one for you.
Zen Air Phono - amzn.to/3UA0VX5
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I bought my Zen Air Phono based on this video. I'm loving it.
Thank you very much for the review!
Nicely done review Sir, I've given you a thumbs up.
Jim 🏴🙂
I absolutely love this preamp! New subscriber btw. Great work on the channel so far!
Hi, thanks for posting this review. I have a question. The RCA female jacks don’t seem to protrude a lot on the Air model. Did you try to plug chunky RCA cables and see whether they push in enough to make solid contact?
Actually - on my second setup where I primarily use this the RCA cables I have are very thick - I normally have issues with them on other things - this hasn't been an issue. These arent super high quality cables but they are thicker. Thanks for the Q!
i have the Fluance PA10 because i love the minimalist look but have been hearing how well the IFI Zen works with the RT85
I can't speak to the Fluance sound wise - but I can say I do like the look of it! I would imagine Fluance paired that thing to go well with the Ortofon 2m Blue. If I can get my hands on the fluace I will do a shoot out - but I think you are good with the PA10.
First time coming across your channel so just wanted to add, great review... I have a pro-ject debut carbon evo hooked up to Rotel a11 tribute and Paradigm Monitor 5 floorstanding speakers.
I'm getting massive error flutter so deciding between this and Pro-ject Phono box S2 as both have a subsonic filter.
Would you be able to recommend one over the other?
Thanks
I would personally try the Zen Phono Stage which is the bigger brother to this. They sound similar but you have a nice setup and the zen phono stage also has balanced outputs but I have never tried the pro-ject stuff before.
My Zen Air arrived, and it's 'all dat'. Best pound for the dollar of any electronic equipment I may have ever purchased, since 1984.
Glad you are enjoying it!
Thanks for the review. If looking under the hood it's essentially the same, I'm asking myself why pay twice the price for features I won't use (connections for a moving coil cartridge for example).. Put another way, did you notice any difference in the sound?
If you don’t have any use for the extra features yeah this is pretty much the same. There was a slight difference in sound but not anything major. The only thing to consider is if you might want a headphone amp the Zen phono offers the balanced line out. Thanks for watching!
@@PiecesofVinyl I acquired the Ifi Zen Air Phono and the Ifi Zen Phono. To my ear the difference might be more than slight. The Zen Air to my ear was a little livelier and warmer. Definitely more bass. However it was hard to choose between the two. They both are great. The Zen Air is a ridiculously good pre amp for $89.
1 year later to the video and some random guy asks a question 😂: i have ayima t5 that jas a phono in that i currently use for an at-60lp. From ayima i then go to a wiim pro plus that handles all my sources an finally into a pair of 2.1 active studio monitors. Do you think a zen phono would bring an added value into the current setup? Or is just money thrown away considering all the existing components... Thanks
I think anytime you go with separate units you can improve the sound vs. internal. however, in your setup at this point, the bottleneck would be the turntable or the cartridge since you cant change out that cartridge. I would hold off on the phono stage until you upgraded the ATLP60 - not saying you need to, but the internal of the T5 is probably serving you just fine.
Apparently the phono has been discontinued and they replaced it with the three which costs $250. So I went with the air which is still $99
Can I use the the can air headphone amp with the air phono? Can I not just plug the rca outs of the phono air to the rca inputs of the can air? RCAs are basically all unbalanced anyway.
I’m new to audio, need help. I’d like an ifi air stack setup. Thanks in advance.
Yes - if you don't care about not having a balanced connection - then RCAs are fine - and - a balanced line is really only necessary for longer cable runs - which is why RCAs are unbalanced and most audio equipment for home use is not balanced, until you get really high end. This would pair well with Air Headphone amp I think you would be very pleased. Good Luck!
Thanks for your informative reply, this will help me make my mind up for sure. It’s amazing to think we can get such a great sounding affordable compact setup like this these days. Peace
What would you recommend as the ideal setup: A turntable, stereo receiver and speakers or A turntable, pre-amp, amplifier and speakers?
I think if you are asking is a built in phono stage on an integrated amp better then a dedicated one? And if so - usually - dedicated components are better and give you more control. But - it’s about synergy between the units. And usually something like a Cambridge audio with a dedicated phono stage is just fine. Especially if you are just getting started.
Just ordered the Air and waiting on its arrival. I decided to go with the air because based on the reviews I've seen; it appears to me the advantage of using the Zen is if you're using a MC cartridge. I'm using the Music Hall Mark 1 with the Rega Carbon, that I prefer over my Carbon elliptical upgrade, Ortofon Red and/or the Nagaoka MP-110 that left me disappointed. We will see how it compares to the ART DJ PRE II currently in use.
better than the Schiit Mani? (2nd gen)
Its cheaper - I feel like the Schiit Mani 2 is in a different class - more in line with the Zen Phono Stage, which I haven't heard the Schiit (dont own it) but the Zen Phono Stage is pretty insane. Its a little more expensive then the Shiit so its probably all a wash.
Ifi Zen Air Phono vs Schiit Mani 2??
I would go with the regular ifi zen phono. I have never used the schiit but I have heard it’s good.
"for only 100 bucks more..." Well, that's double the price so quite a big difference.. if there's not much of a difference in sound quality, why go for the double priced zen phono?
The sound quality is comparable but I still think a little better on the Zen Phono - plus it has the Balanced input - if you don't need those - then sure - go for the cheaper Air and you will be happy. But if you do need those or think you might down the road - then it makes sense to just get the Phono. Thanks for watching!
I got the zen about 4 months ago 200.00. It's the best pre and outperforms higher priced ones. Keep in mind it takes 50 or so hours to really come to life. I also have the technics sld202 with vm 95L cart. Would never get rid of any technics TT..
I almost did get rid of this technics then I came to my senses. For an automatic turntable it’s rock solid.
This is a great product, but in a way, makes no sense. If you end up needing a longer power cable and brick/plug, then you should just buy the ifi Zen version which comes with a plug. Adding the cost of a power supply makes the purchase of the higher price Zen item a no brainer.
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