ZEN Phono 3

£249.00
  • Free worldwide shipping
  • Guaranteed 12 months warranty
For record lovers, new and old. 

The ZEN Phono 3 redefines what your turntable can do. Its intelligent subsonic filter corrects warped LPs, while an ultra-quiet noise floor and adaptable loading options unlock a new level of clarity from your cartridge. 

Key Features

Texas Instruments low-noise ICs offer great unity-gain bandwidth, very low noise and distortion, high output drive capability, Common-mode and Power Supply Rejection Ratios of over 100 dB, wide maximum-output-swing bandwidths and high slew rates.

muRata control-type, low-ESR high-Q multi-layer capacitors. The ‘ESR control’ aspect of the Murata is something special. Their noise suppression abilities are impressive.

Since the very first iPhono launched in 2012, we have used our own in-house Subsonic Filter. As there is only minimal vertical modulation remaining at very low frequencies with an actual cut LP that is playable, we know that “vertical modulation” at low frequencies must be warp. By understanding fully how LP’s are cut and replayed, it is possible to filter record warp strongly without at the same time attenuating low bass or adding group delay.

TDK C0G (Class 1 ceramic) capacitors offer high stability and low losses for resonant circuit applications. Getting ever closer to the theoretical ideal of pure, frequency-constant capacitance, these capacitors reduce capacitor-induced distortion to vanishingly low levels.

They are pricey but are a perfect addition to our products.

Super Smart. Super Subsonic.

Standard subsonic filters aren’t intelligent and are typically loathed by audiophiles. They filter not only the bass rumble from warped records but also the bass of the song. Our intelligent subsonic filter knows the difference between the two and only filters the warp, leaving the song completely intact, and without adding group delay.

Your Cartridge. Your Rules.

The ZEN Phono 3 supports four MM/MC gain selections from 36 to 72dB and four input impedance settings. Mix and match gain and loading settings independently of each other with the all-new loading button, ensuring optimum compatibility with a wide range of cartridges and allowing you to get the sound ‘just right’.

Exacting Equalisation.

At the vinyl mastering stage, records are pressed with an inverse RIAA equalisation curve applied. This needs to be undone on playback by the phono stage to reveal the magic of the music. ZEN Phono 3’s RIAA EQ circuitry uses multiple TDK C0G capacitors in parallel. This is for best stability and the least distortion.

This allows for ZEN Phono 3’s RIAA playback equalisation curve to be within +/- 0.15dB tolerance from 20-20kHz, allowing you to hear your records more accurately than ever before.

Shockingly Silent.

Clean Power Supply: The ZEN Phono 3 features an isolated high-tech clean power supply, ensuring only audio is amplified with a whisper-quiet noise floor.

Ultra-Low Noise: With an EIN of -151dBV, it’s 20dBV quieter than some Stereophile Class A+ phonos.

Enhanced Performance with iPower2: Pair with the SilentPower iPower2 for ultra-quiet, audiophile-grade power, thanks to Active Noise Cancellation II technology.

Superior Specification.

Zen Phono 3 boasts futuristic features unlike any other entry-level stage:

  • MM/MC with 36-72dB gain range
  • Independent loading adjustment
  • Super-silent -151dBV noise floor
  • Precise RIAA with balanced output
  • Intelligent subsonic filter
  • High-tech 1.2MHz clean power supply

ZEN Phono 3 opens the door to that analogue world with style and substance.

Specifications

CHANNEL SEPARATION >75dB (1kHz all modes)
DIMENSIONS (Length x Width x Height)
158 x 115 x 35mm (6.2” x 4.6” x 1.4”)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE BAL:
20Hz-80kHz (-3dB)

SE:
20Hz-20kHz (-0.15dB)

GAIN SETTINGS MM:
36dB

MC High:
48dB

MC Low:
60dB

MC V-Low:
72dB
INPUT IMPEDANCE MM:
47KΩ (100/200pF)

MC High:
47kΩ (100/200pF)

MC Low:
1k/400/100Ω

MC V-Low:
1k/400/100Ω
LIMITED WARRANTY 12 Months*
MAXIMUM OUTPUT VOLTAGE BAL:
100kΩ: ≥19.98V (THD+N <1%), 600Ω: ≥12.75V (THD+N <1%)

SE:
100Ω

NET WEIGHT 456g
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE BAL:
200Ω

SE:
100Ω
POWER CONSUMPTION No Signal ~1.5W; Max Signal ~1.8W
SNR MM:
91dB(A)/82dB (unweighted 80kHz BW)

MC High:
81dB(A)/72dB (unweighted 80kHz BW)

MC Low:
89.6dB(A)/80dB (unweighted 80kHz BW)

MC V-Low:
78.6dB(A)/69dB (unweighted 80kHz BW)
TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION MM:
<-91dB/0.0027%

MC High:
<-80dB/0.0095%

MC Low:
<-70dB/0.031%

MC V-Low:
1k/400/100Ω
POWER SUPPLY REQUIREMENT DC 5V/0.5A (centre positive)

What's in the Box

1x Zen Phono 3

1x RCA Cable

power-adapter

1x Power Adaptert

1x Quick Start Guide

1x Warranty Card

Product Documentation

User Manual

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Tech Lowdown

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