Zen Phono 3 Audiophile MM/MC Turntable Pre-Amplifier

I bought this based on the reviews. This is my 2nd phono pre-amp ; I run two turntables, one with a MM cartridge and one with a high-end, very sensitive lo-output MC cartridge -for detailed sound out of those 'special' vinyl albums. The Zen has settings which are flexible yet easy to set up. I also bought the balanced XLR to 4mm cable since my amplifier supports XLR as an input. I'm using this with the MC cartridge, and the sound is - the best I've heard. The texture and detail on a well recorded album is simply stunning. I am sure it would sound great with MM cartridges also. Very easy to adjust. The only adjustment on the back panel is the 'gain' and for the majority of MM users, you wont even need to bother. Everything else is on the front panel. Unit is made of high quality materials. Very satisfied with this, especially at this price point. You can easily spend $$$$ on phono pre-amps but I am not sure I can better the sound I'm experiencing. Recommended.

Easy to use, easy to set up, looks great, sound quality is fantastic. I currently have it paired with a Hana EH cart, and I am very pleased. I'm using the #2 switch position on the back of the Zen phono 3 for this combination. Highly recommend.

I have the original Zen Phono that I purchased in 2022 and for the last three years it has given me solid performance and excellent fidelity. I saw that that the Zen Phono 3 was under $200, so I decided to give it a try-out. Wow! There is a difference! After playing a few of my favorite LPs through my Original Zen Phono, I swapped out the phono amps, correctly set the switches on the Zen Phono 3 and played the same LPs. The immediate difference was in the soundstage. It was much wider and three dimensional. The sonics were also clearer and more detailed. The Phono 1 was no slouch, I enjoyed many LPs hearing wonderful clarity and beautiful separation, but the Phono 3 just took it several notches higher. There was a lushness that gave my system a sound many times its cost. This was right when I connected the Phono 3 and started playing the music right away, no break-in! I can imagine after I play this baby for another 50-60 hours. This is a highly recommended upgrade if you own the original Zen Phono Preamp. For $200? It's a no-brainer.

I brought this to tame a high output MC cartridge and it did not disapointed. I hooked up the Ifi, set it to hi MC and it does tamed the Denon DL-110 a lot more and amplified it a bit louder without edgy sound than using the MM port. The low is rounder also. I am declaring a victory on this one and very happy with the result. Before the Ifi, I tweaked the VTA and also the compliance using the stock plate that came with it for a medium compliance tone arm and the result was good but incremental. The high had an hint of edgy but not as bad without the stock plate tweaking. With the iFi, I say I completed my tweak and tamed that cartridge. The iFi is indeed a pretty good phono pre and very easy to use instead of fiddling lots of dip switches to get the combo correct.

The online reviews were fantastic BUT it made my turntable sound completely loud & distorted Had to return it.

I run mine between an Audio Technica AT-LP5x and Denon PNA-600NE. The design esthetic is not my style, but it is hidden in my system. The 4 gain options on the back panel and several load options on the front panel make it a versatile component. I future-proofed my move from MM to MC when I bought this a while ago and I just made the switch this week. I’m really happy I didn’t need to buy a new preamp along with the cartridge. Now that I’ve seen it perform with MM (Ortofon 2M Bronze, Nagaoka MP-200, AT-VM610MONO) and MC (Sumiko Blue Point no. 3), I have to say it really cut loose with the Sumiko. It’s pushing a lot of power for that low output cartridge and it fills the entire room exactly like I’d hoped. Definitely worth it.

The iFi Audio Zen Phono 3 is the latest iteration of iFi's popular entry-level phono preamplifier, aiming to bring high-fidelity vinyl playback to a wider audience. Building upon the success of its predecessors, the Zen Phono 3 promises improved performance and features at an attractive price point. Does it deliver? Let's find out. Build and Features: The Zen Phono 3 retains the compact and sturdy design of the Zen series. The aluminum enclosure feels solid and well-built, giving a sense of quality that belies its price. The front panel is clean and straightforward, featuring a single power button and indicator LED. The rear panel houses the RCA inputs and outputs, a grounding post, and a gain switch offering settings for MM (Moving Magnet) and MC (Moving Coil) cartridges, including a dedicated setting for low-output MC cartridges. This versatility is a significant plus, allowing it to accommodate a wide range of turntables and cartridges. Sound Quality: This is where the Zen Phono 3 truly shines. Compared to previous versions, the 3rd generation offers a noticeable step up in sonic performance. The sound is clean, detailed, and dynamic, with a wider soundstage and improved clarity. Bass is tight and well-defined, midrange is smooth and natural, and treble is crisp without being harsh. The noise floor is impressively low, even with sensitive MC cartridges, allowing for greater detail retrieval and a more immersive listening experience. MM Performance: With MM cartridges, the Zen Phono 3 provides a lively and engaging sound. It brings out the best in classic MM designs, offering a balanced and enjoyable listening experience. MC Performance: The dedicated MC settings, especially the low-output option, are a standout feature. The Zen Phono 3 handles the delicate signals from MC cartridges with impressive finesse, delivering a detailed and nuanced presentation. Pros: Excellent sound quality for the price. Versatile MM and MC compatibility, including low-output MC support. Solid build quality. Low noise floor. Compact and attractive design. Cons: No adjustable loading options for fine-tuning MC cartridge performance (though the provided loading generally works well). External power supply (though it's a small and unobtrusive unit).

The performance is outstanding with a legendary Fidelity Research FR1 Mk3 moving coil cartridge from the late 1970's. Even with a low 10 ohm impedance and very low 0.14 mv signal from the moving coil cartridge it produces music with a full and detailed soundstage. The audio quality from the cartridge exceeds that compared to using it together with a Fidelity Research FRT 3G step-up transformer. Overall it is a tremendous improvement over a the step-up transformer paired with a vintage Conrad-Johnson tube preamplifier.

Fantastic phono pre-amp. Great clarity and no audible hiss.

El equipo llegó en buen estado y hasta ahora funciona muy bien, estoy satisfecho con mi compra.

Un muy buen pre amp, compacto, con muy buena calidad y muy bajo ruido. le hace justicia a su reputación.

A nice sounding phono stage. In my opinion sounds better than the phono stage included in my integrated amp. It also offers more versatility allowing the use of MC cartridges. Including the subsonic filter is nice. I do wish the included power supply had a longer cord. It made it difficult to integrate into my system.

Bought this as my Schiit Mani wasn’t cutting it. The look isn’t my favourite, but I’ve got it hidden anyways. Sounds great, tons of settings to ensure you can use whatever cart you want.