iFI Audio / ZEN Air Phono

The ZEN Air Phono is the perfect phono equalizer for those who love records, such as those who know the joy of records for the first time.

■ZEN Air Phono not only demonstrates excellent performance with both MM and MC cartridges, but also achieves clean, clear, ultra-low noise performance.

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

■Using a custom OV series operational amplifier (OVA2637A in this case), the ultra-low distortion (THD <0.0001%) boasts price-breaking sound performance.

■The high-class phono stage has its own high-quality power supply, which effectively reproduces the power taken from the power supply and amplifies the delicate audio signal from the cartridge without adding noise.

■ZEN Air Phono has a power supply oscillation frequency of 1.2MHz, which is 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 audio frequencies, providing excellent filtering capability. The power circuit is located in a separate "island" on the circuit board, providing ultra-clean +/-15V DC so that the audio signal is not contaminated.

■It is equipped with a subsonic filter, and by operating it with the button on the front panel, it corresponds to the output of a large subsonic signal caused by the warp of the record. This proprietary circuit "cleverly" filters out unwanted subsonic output without affecting the deep bass of your recording, an undesirable side effect of some warp filters.

■ Connection is simple, only gold-plated stereo RCA input and output. Hum noise can be eliminated by connecting the turntable's ground wire.

■ Gain setting is changed to simple MM/MC switch (40dB/64dB gain). The ZEN Air Phono's high-gain MC circuitry delivers an astonishing -82dB S/N ratio, unmatched by any other phono stage in this price range.

*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 your home USB charger (5V/2A or higher, e.g. Apple A1401).

■ Input voltage: DC 5V
■ Gain setting (switch switching): MM: 40dB
-MC: 64dB
■ Input impedance: MM: 47KΩ
■ MC: 1kΩ
■Frequency characteristics: 20Hz - 20kHz (±0.15dB)
■ Channel separation: > 75dB (1kHz all modes)
■ Maximum output voltage: 6.5Vrms 600R (<1% THD & N)
■ Output impedance: 100Ω
SN ratio: MM (40dB ±1dB): 86dB (A-weighted) re 1V S-E
MC (64dB ±1dB): 82dB (A-weighted) re 1V S-E
EIN (input equivalent noise): MC: 0.6nV | /Hz (unweighted), -151dBV (A-weighted)
MM: 6.5nV | /Hz (unweighted) MM -130dBV (A-weighted)
Total harmonic distortion rate: MM: <-90dB / 0.005% re 1V S-E
MC: <-80dB / 0.01% re 1V S-E
■ Power consumption: <1.8W
■ Size: 158 x 100 x 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 your home USB charger (5V/2A or higher, e.g. Apple A1401).