iFi Zen Phono

[camcroft]

Hi. I have just bought one of these fantastic Phono stages this site gave it a 4 star rating but on the AV Forums site it got a glowing 5 star review which has had numerous members there going out and buying one myself included. I have had the Schiit Mani for quite a long time and had been happy with its performance until I read the AV Forums review and curiosity got the best of me and after reading a few of the other comments left by other users I decided to hit the buy button and buy one needless to say I love it and it will surely be Adios to the Mani very shortly.

 

[Gray]

I thought being from ifi it was likely to be good.

I see you've got a Magni headphone amp. Would I be right to assume you bought it from Schiit UK (Electromod)?......sorry for straying off the subject.

 

[camcroft]

I thought being from ifi it was likely to be good.

I see you've got a Magni headphone amp. Would I be right to assume you bought it from Schiit UK (Electromod)?......sorry for straying off the subject.

Hi. The Magni 2 I bought it second hand but I bought the Mani from the states

 

[abacus]

Most reviews are subjective which is why you should only use them as a guide (One person’s meat is another person’s poison) and no 2 peoples ears are the same.

Bill

 

[camcroft]

Agreed Bill but they do get the stuff out there for the publics attention or we would all be buying stuff blindly.

 

[Gonepostal]

Hi. I have just bought one of these fantastic Phono stages this site gave it a 4 star rating but on the AV Forums site it got a glowing 5 star review which has had numerous members there going out and buying one myself included. I have had the Schiit Mani for quite a long time and had been happy with its performance until I read the AV Forums review and curiosity got the best of me and after reading a few of the other comments left by other users I decided to hit the buy button and buy one needless to say I love it and it will surely be Adios to the Mani very shortly.

Have you compared it against the Rega Fono mm. Was wondering if it's worth an upgrade.

 

[Al ears]

Have you compared it against the Rega Fono mm. Was wondering if it's worth an upgrade.

Good point. The iFi Zen would make sense if you ever envisiaged using a MC cartridge, if you do not then probably not.
Having said that, in my opinion, the MM section of the Zen is as good as the Rega so might be an idea to audition both and possibly save yourself £50........

 

[Gonepostal]

Good point. The iFi Zen would make sense if you ever envisiaged using a MC cartridge, if you do not then probably not.
Having said that, in my opinion, the MM section of the Zen is as good as the Rega so might be an idea to audition both and possibly save yourself £50........

I've already got the Rega Al and I don't ever see me using an MC cartridge. Was wondering if it would be better, probably more of a sideways step.

 

[camcroft]

The Schiit Mani that I had was well regarded by many but to me whilst offering the same features namely MM& MC I think ( only my opinion ) it came off second best against the IfI Zen Phono

 

[erbasically]

Has anyone compared the iFi Zen Phono with the Art DJ Pre II? I have the Art DJ and am wondering whether it would be worth upgrading but want to keep the budget under £200 if possible.

 

[Al ears]

Has anyone compared the iFi Zen Phono with the Art DJ Pre II? I have the Art DJ and am wondering whether it would be worth upgrading but want to keep the budget under £200 if possible.

what cartridge do you have? I haven't heard the Art DJ but, more often than not, at this price level, a cartridge upgrade offers now noticeable improvement

 

[erbasically]

what cartridge do you have? I haven't heard the Art DJ but, more often than not, at this price level, a cartridge upgrade offers now noticeable improvement

Goldring E3. Only had it a week, seems pretty good so far. So possibly not ready to upgrade the cartridge yet!

 

[Al ears]

Just to point out the Zen phono is a MM/MC preamp and you don't need the MC side of it.

 

[erbasically]

Just to point out the Zen phono is a MM/MC preamp and you don't need the MC side of it.

True, though that raises the question of whether there's an MM-only phono stage that does a better job in that price range. The main issue with the E3 is that its output is 3.5mV and to my ears it's quieter than other cartridges I've tried, so maybe a preamp with a bit more gain would help.

 

[Al ears]

True, though that raises the question of whether there's an MM-only phono stage that does a better job in that price range. The main issue with the E3 is that its output is 3.5mV and to my ears it's quieter than other cartridges I've tried, so maybe a preamp with a bit more gain would help.

You could be right, most MMs are between 4 and 5 mV so the Zen may well be worth trying