ifi Audio ZEN Air Phono
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
87/100
Cartridge Compatibility
84/100
Build Quality
86/100
Value for Money
92/100
The iFi ZEN Air Phono brings open, spacious vinyl sound to compact systems, combining easy MM/MC switching with a useful subsonic filter that tidies bass for subwoofer setups. Pieces of Vinyl found its performance close to the pricier ZEN Phono in normal RCA use, making this a compelling, high-value phono stage for newcomers and second systems alike.
Pros
Delivers a notably open, spacious presentation and a strong upgrade over basic budget phono stages.
Subsonic filter effectively cleans up bass, particularly benefiting systems with subwoofers.
Straightforward MM/MC switching, compact footprint, solid construction, and easy turntable hookup.
Offers sound reported to be very close to the more expensive ZEN Phono in standard RCA setups.
Cons
Limited adjustment flexibility versus the ZEN Phono, which adds four gain settings and balanced output.
The included USB power cable is extremely short and no dedicated power brick is supplied.
Its close price proximity to the higher-spec ZEN Phono may make the latter a better sole long-term phono-stage purchase.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 87/100
The review finds the ZEN Air Phono notably more open and engaging than a basic budget phono stage, calling its overall performance great. It also reports a spacious presentation and useful bass cleanup from the subsonic filter, though some finer aspects of the presentation receive limited direct discussion.
Transparency Noise Floor
84/100
The reviewer says the unit opened up the system substantially compared with an older inexpensive phono stage, suggesting a cleaner and less constrained presentation. There is no direct listening commentary on hum, hiss, or the silence of the background.
Tonal Balance Musicality
88/100
The presentation is described as opening up the room and delivering great overall performance, with the subsonic filter helping clean up bass when used with subwoofers. The review does not identify an obvious tonal coloration or trade-off in long-term musicality.
Dynamics
84/100
The reviewer hears a clear step up from a very cheap prior phono stage and describes the resulting performance enthusiastically. There is little specific discussion of transient attack, rhythmic drive, or microdynamic contrast.
Soundstage Imaging
92/100
A great soundstage is specifically credited to the ZEN Air Phono, and the reviewer says it made the system open up considerably in the listening room. It is also said to pair particularly well with Ortofon cartridges.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Cartridge Compatibility
84/100
The ZEN Air Phono supports both moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges through a dedicated hardware switch, making setup straightforward. Its fixed MM and MC operating modes are less adaptable than designs with multiple gain and loading selections, but cover the two principal cartridge types.
Build Quality
86/100
The reviewer describes the compact hard-plastic enclosure with metal faceplate as solid, and finds its low-profile format practical for smaller equipment racks. Gold-plated RCA connections, a proper ground terminal, and easy hookup are also positively noted.
Value for Money
92/100
At $99, the reviewer calls it an awesome phono stage and a great first step for vinyl listeners. It is presented as closely related in everyday RCA use to iFi's more expensive $199 ZEN Phono, reinforcing its appeal against entry-level alternatives.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
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Specifications
- CHANNEL SEPARATION
- > 75dB (1kHz all modes)
- DIMENSIONS
- 158 x 117 x 35 mm 6.2" x 4.6" x 1.4"
- EIN EQUIVALENT INPUT NOISE
- 0.6nV | /Hz (unweighted) 6.5nV | /Hz (unweighted) MC: -151dBV (A-weighted) MM: -130dBV (A-weighted)
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE
- 20Hz -20kHz (±0.15dB)
- GAIN
- MM 40dB / MC 64dB
- INPUT IMPEDANCE
- MM 47k / MC 1k
- MAXIMUM OUTPUT VOLTAGE
- RMS6.5V RMS 600Ω(<1% THD & N)
- NET WEIGHT
- 320g 0.71 lbs
- OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
- 100Ω
- POWER CONSUMPTION
- <1.8W
- SNR
- MM (40dB ±1dB): 86dB (A-weighted) re 1V MC (64dB ±1dB): 82dB (A-weighted) re 1V
- TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION
- MC: <-80dB / 0.01% re 1V MM: <-90dB / 0.005% re 1V
- POWER SUPPLY REQUIREMENT
- DC 5V/1.0A (centre +ve)
Manufacturer's Description — ifi Audio
Rediscover the soul of vinyl.
Engineered to reveal the true sound of records, this entry-level phono stage upgrades any record player by eliminating hiss, noise, and rumble – letting the music take centre stage.
Purer still...
Listening to music on vinyl is good for the soul. It sounds purer than listening to a track via your phone or computer. Make this experience purer still by reducing hiss, noise and rumble on your records with the ZEN Air Phono.
MC and MM
There are two kinds of turntable cartridge – Moving Magnet and Moving Coil – and the ZEN Air Phono works with both of them. The MM setting is for cartridges with an output voltage of 2mV and higher. The MC setting for outputs less than 2mV. You use the gain switch on the rear to change this setting.
Engage warp drive
As we all know, records can become warped with age. With the ZEN Air Phono any warp on your records will be driven away by our ‘subsonic filter’. Normal subsonic filters remove ‘rumble’ AND bass and cause phase issues. Our unique AI phono sub-sonic filter removes ‘rumble’ only.
Enjoy a purer listening experience with the ZEN Air Phono
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for ifi Audio ZEN Air Phono
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Acoustipower — online and in-store — Markham, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Adorama — in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Advanced MP3 Players — online and in-store — Musselburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Apos Audio — online and in-store — Oakland, California, United States (website)
- ARK Audio — online and in-store — Borensberg, Östergötlands län, Sweden (website)
and 133 more verified dealers