iFi ZEN Air Phono - High Resolution External Turntable Preamplifier

Replaced a more expensive unit which died after 5 years. Used on an MC cartridge, output is higher than the old unit, which is good. Well packed with detailed specifications which seem almost too good to be true at the price.Needs a USB 1 amp supply (packing contains a large box with just a USB cable inside - obviously space for a power supply).USB cable could be longer as I had to use an extender. As recommended by others I am using a combined USB adapter/power bank which should give a cleaner power supply.So far I am impressed.

Only thing to dislike was the shortness of the power cable

Iv only tried this preamp out with one album so far. I used the 2018 version of Pink Floyds Animals. Reason being that the new version of this lp is claimed to be like "lifting a veil on the music"...and it is when played on my older full valve preamp.Played on the Ifi I felt like the veil had been pulled back over the music. It seemed to lack any good high end, instead favouring the low end (which sounded great). I think its trying to create a lush warmth to the music, and it does but at the cost of high end, it just seemed much more rolled off.Will try again when the new amp arrives but at the present its not for me.

Does exactly as advertised. Transforms the old, onboard, phono stage on my technics amp. Back to music as it should be.Recommend

I have a Teac TN-4D-SE/B turntable with Denon DL-103R cartridge in a Denon 110 headshell now with using the built-in preamp is quiet can hear a pin drop. I plug this ifI Zen air phono preamp in and switched the Denon turntable output to the pass through for preamps and all I get with ifI preamp is constant amp noise and I cannot get rid and tried everything to resolve it. Now I have a ifI Zen air blue DAC and that is great and is there other products for reducing noisy electric which i do have and cannot understand why this zen air phono is sooooo bad. Hence I have returned and gone back to my original set-up. 03/02/2023. I have proof from post office that they have received the return and no refund has issued, was delivered Mon 30/01/2023. Bad company.

Didn't like it stopped working after 3 months & now involved in tedious support marathon

So I'm doing the dip my toes into vinyl thing- got an At-LP60x starter deck and looking to take it to the next step. This gives a lot more oomph than the built in preamp.I upgraded the stylus with the upgrade that LP Gear sells and it's been really interesting to hear the difference between the stock stylus and the elliptical needle of the upgrade on this external preamp. It really magnifies the good and the bad. A certain hollow tinny sound could hide behind the muddled soundstage of the built in preamp. On the Zen Air the old needle almost sounded worse because the bad elements came through clearer. But with the new needle and preamp it's much more clear and louder to boot. My clean and well-mixed records sound an order of magnitude better.I don't have a lot to compare this to but it gives me a nice, clear, crisp, louder sound and I think if I got a nicer turntable down the road I could still use this and be satisfied given my little A-B test results with cheap equipment. I feel this was a good choice compared to a cheaper standalone preamp that I wouldn't want to use with an expensive turntable. Good in, good out.There are links to a wall wart power supply in other reviews that I recommend, I think it contributes to a little more power from the unit.

This unit exceeded my expectations for the price. Not sure why MC input was important at this price as I think audiophiles will opt for a much higher phono preamp. I really do like a subsonic filter as this is a terrific feature ... just leave it on. I also suggest leaving this on all the time .. draws little wattage anyway. This is important, it only comes with a very short USB to DC cable so you will need a USB port somewhere to operate and likely a USB extension cable. I highly recommend a Linear Power Supply (not switching) just make sure the voltage matches and has enough amperage ... do your research if you go this route. I bought this from amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B88EP1I?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Equipo de muy buena calidad, le da nueva vida a mis vinilos.

Flyttade Phono kabeln från spelaren från att gå till min Yamaha AS-701 förstärkare till iFi ZEN Air Phono. Har inte jämfört ljudkvaliteten mellan kopplingarna men ljudvolymen via iFi blev dubbelt så högre, men ljudkvaliteten blev absolut inte sämre snarare tvärtom. Verkar göra det den ska. Är nöjd.

Realmente se nota la diferencia entre usar este previo de phono y el que incorpora mi AVR Denon X3500H. Más claridad y espacialidad en el sonido, sin ruido de fondo y a un precio realmente competitivo. Recomiendo comprar adicionalmente un adaptador de corriente ya que el previo solo trae un cable USB.