iFI Audio / ZEN Air Phono

ZEN Air Phono is the perfect phono equalizer for record lovers, including those who are discovering the joy of records for the first time.

■ZEN Air Phono not only performs well with both MM and MC cartridges, but also delivers clean, clear, ultra-low noise performance.

■ZEN Air Phono uses a symmetrical channel layout with high-quality surface-mount components with low ESL (equivalent series resistance), high stability, and low distortion. Improved sound quality and RIAA equalization accuracy.

■Using a custom OV series op-amp (in this case OVA2637A), it boasts price-breaking sound performance with ultra-low distortion characteristics (THD <0.0001%).

■The high-end phono stage has its own high-quality power supply, which can effectively reproduce the power taken from the power supply and amplify the delicate audio signal from the cartridge without adding noise.

■ZEN Air Phono has a power supply oscillation frequency of 1.2MHz, more than 20,000 times that of the main power supply. In this circuit, a 10uF filter capacitor is equivalent to 200,000uF at low audible frequencies, providing excellent filtering. The power supply circuit is located on an independent ""island"" on the circuit board, providing ultra-clean +/-15V DC to ensure that the audio signal is not contaminated.

■Subsonic filter is installed, and by operating the front panel button, it can handle the output of large subsonic signals caused by record warping. This unique circuit ""intelligently"" filters out unwanted subsonic output without affecting the deep bass of the recording, an undesirable side effect of some warp filters.

■Simple connection, only gold-plated stereo RCA inputs and outputs. Hum noise can be eliminated by connecting the turntable's ground wire.

■Gain setting is changed to a simple MM/MC switch (40dB/64dB gain). The high-gain MC circuit of the ZEN Air Phono achieves an astonishing S/N ratio of -82dB, which is unmatched in phono stages at this price range.

*The ZEN Air Phono does not come with an AC adapter, so you will need to purchase one separately. In addition to a 5V AC adapter such as the iFi iPower II 5V, a USB-DC cable is included, so you can use a USB charger (5V/2A or higher, e.g. Apple A1401) that you have at home.

■Input voltage: DC 5V
■Gain setting (switchable): MM: 40dB
■MC: 64dB
■Input impedance: MM: 47KΩ
■MC: 1kΩ
■Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz (±0.15dB)
■Channel separation: > 75dB (1kHz all modes)
■Maximum output voltage: 6.5Vrms 600R (<1% THD & N)
■Output impedance: 100Ω
■Signal-to-noise ratio: MM (40dB ±1dB): 86dB (A-weighted) re 1V S-E
■MC (64dB ±1dB): 82dB (A-weighted) re 1V S-E
■EIN (equivalent input noise): MC: 0.6nV | /Hz (unweighted), -151dBV (A-weighted)
■MM: 6.5nV | /Hz (unweighted) MM -130dBV (A-weighted)
■Total harmonic distortion: MM: <-90dB / 0.005% re 1V S-E
■MC: <-80dB / 0.01% re 1V S-E
■Power consumption: <1.8W
■Size: 158×100×35 mm
■Weight: 320g
■Warranty: 12 months

*The ZEN Air Phono does not come with an AC adapter, so you will need to prepare one separately. In addition to a 5V AC adapter such as the iFi iPower II 5V, a USB-DC cable is included, so you can use a USB charger (5V/2A or higher, e.g. Apple A1401) that you have at home.