The ZEN Phono by iFi features a fully balanced circuit with an ultra-low noise level, which according to iFi representatives, is "unprecedented for such a low price". Designed by the technical team at iFi led by Thorsten Loesch, with support from renowned audio electronics engineer John Curl.

The ZEN Phono is built with discrete balanced circuitry in a dual-mono design. It incorporates multi-layer ceramic capacitors from TDK C0G and Murata, as well as Panasonic ECPU film polyphenylene sulfide components.

By using OVA2637 operational amplifiers, a distortion level of 0.0001% is achieved. The system operates with a dedicated switch-mode power supply at an intermediate frequency of 1.2 MHz, delivering clean ±12V DC power.

A convenient feature of this new product is the ability to adjust gain from 36 dB to 72 dB, implemented in four steps. The gain selector switch is located on the rear panel of the device.

Included in the package:

• Phono preamp;
• Power supply;
• Documentation.