Enhance Your Vinyl Experience with the iFi Audio Zen Phono Preamp Review

I used an old Marantz 1030 phono stage for the integrated amplifier to power my Denon AVR (which has pretty poor phono capability hence the Marantz). Unfortunately the 40+ year old 1030 has developed some features (but still sounds better on vinyl than the Denon) so I decided it was time to get a dedicated preamp. Zen Phono seems to be exactly what I was looking for. I was happy when I turned it on and burned the record straight to disc. I just listened to it before I connected the Zen so I…

Ground connection checked, it's sealed. Loose metal inside the unit causes rattling. As much as it sounds, I'm bringing it back. I don't want a short game that can blow my $3,000 speakers and my ears. I think that's what you should expect for a sub-$1,000 device these days. {EDIT} The replacement has arrived and it has the exact same metallic rumble coming from inside the case! So maybe everyone has it, and I don't think it's a defect in any particular device. I keep it because I like the sound

First off I'm blown away by the features and sound quality of this little bug. A good alternative to Schiit Mani - it certainly can't compete with my Musical Fidelity MX-VYnL, but I'm glad it doesn't. :-) Featuring a redesigned Denon DP-45f with a NOS DL-160 HOMC cartridge, it does exactly what I need it to do on the system it's installed on. The only thing that doesn't suit me is that one of the main selling points is the presence of a separate balanced output. . For better or worse, this…

I compared this preamp to four others I chose from: a modified RS 42-2111, a home made lamp, Puffin and Slee Communicator 2. This iFi took a week, to break in, after that it was significantly improved compared to new. I powered it with a DIY 5V linear power supply. iFi presents music on one level: neither forward nor deep, without attracting attention, without accidentally changing the music. Deeper tonal and sonic elements of well-played instruments were pleasantly revealed. Gave a real "feel"

An amazing preamp worth every penny! I came with a $20 PP999, as do a lot of people looking at this preamp. I started building my system with $40 Edifier speakers and PP999 early in the pandemic. This setup worked great for getting my feet wet, but then I bought Kanto Yu6 in-wall speakers and a Sub6 subwoofer. I connected the Kantos to a Technics 1200MK2 and an AT-VMN95ML pen. When I got Kantos I realized that PP999 was holding everything else in my setup back. Sound seems to have bled through…