iPhono Calculator

Select your iPhono

Depending on the version of your iFi iPhono there will be different dip switches to change.

Please select the correct iPhono to get started.

Cartridge type

Turntable cartridges come in two types: moving magnet and moving coil. You can find out which type you have by looking in your catridge technical specifcations.

MOVING MAGNET
Moving magnet (MM) cartridges have a cantilever which transfers the mechanical vibrations picked up from the record groove directly into the cartridge’s magnet. Its constantly changing magnetic field creates a magnetic flow which generates an electromotive force in direct proportion to the vibrations.

MOVING COIL
A moving coil (MC) cartridge has a fixed magnet and mobile coil. This coil moves within the magnetic field created by the fixed magnet, generating an electromotive force. Because its moving mass is much closer to the pivot point, it reduces inertia, creating a more hi-fidelity sound.

HIGH OUTPUT MOVING COIL
This functions the same as a moving coil catridge but produces a higher mV output, by selecting this cartridge type it will allow you to select a higher cartridge output.

Cartridge load

Each and every cartridge requires a correct load to sound the best. MM cartridges require a specific capacitive load (pF) with a fixed 47kΩ resistive load for correct high frequency response, MC cartridges require resistive load (Ω) for correct damping.

Generally speaking, the correct load value is stated in the cartridge manual. However some cartridges don’t state this value and the stated value may not be always the best. It may require some experimenting to find the favoured load.

Cartridge Output

All phono pre-amplifiers have gain adjustment levels. Different cartridges require different gain levels. Normally, gain is expressed in decibel (dB).

MM cartridges usually require lower gain and MC cartridge require higher gain.

For example the MM Shure M97xE has an output voltage of 4mV which will require the lowest gain setting (36dB) and the MC Denon DL-103R has an output voltage of 0.25mV which will require the highest. (72dB)

To find the cartridge output you will need to look in the technical specifications. This will determine the level of gain required.

Select your EQ Curve

For the correct playback of each and every record, the correct EQ curve should be used. To select between RIAA / DECCA / COLUMBIA use the toggle switch on the rear of the unit.

At the beginning, there used to be many different kinds of EQ curves. In 1954, Record labels in the USA that belonged to the RIAA Industry Association agreed to use a single EQ curve for all records. Over the following years the RIAA EQ curve was slowly adopted all over the world.

To select a specific RIIA curve you will need to toggle the dipswitches on the underside of the iPhono.

RIAA – IEC:
Subsonic filter for warped records.

RIAA – eRIIA:
Enhanced RIAA EQ curve with an extended high frequency response.

RIAA – eRIAA+ IEC:
Enhanced RIAA EQ curve with an extended high frequency response for warped records.

Are you looking to setup your iFi iPhono?

The iFi iPhono calculator helps you easily calibrate your phono stage to a particular cartridge to get the best sound possible, cutting out all of the guessing work for you.

You will need the following information which can be found in your cartridge’s technical specification:

  • Cartridge type (Moving magnet or Moving coil)
  • Cartridge load (Ω or pF)
  • Cartridge output (mV)

Notes:

  • These calculator labels supersede the silk print on the underside of the chassis only for iPhono and iPhono 2.
  • IEC: Subsonic filter.
  • eRIAA adds 3.18uS (50kHz) compensation to the standard RIAA equalisation.

Reset

MM LOAD 100 > 500 (pF)

100pF

OFF

100pF

OFF

200pF

OFF

MC

OFF

MC

OFF

200pF

OFF

100pF

OFF

100pF:

OFF

MC LOAD 22Ω > 47kΩ

33

OFF

100

OFF

330

OFF

1k

OFF

1k

OFF

330

OFF

100

OFF

33

OFF

RIAA EQ Curve

MM

OFF

+12dB

OFF

eRIAA

OFF

IEC

OFF

IEC

OFF

eRIAA

OFF

+12dB

OFF

MM

OFF