Description
Many vinyl beginners have no idea that most of the "soft hiss" and "flat" sound from records is not a problem with the record or the stylus, but a weak built-in phono equalizer in the player or amplifier. The iFi Zen Air Phono 2 is exactly the inexpensive but seriously engineered device that solves this problem in one move: plug it in, turn it on, and hear how vinyl really sounds.
The signal from the turntable needle is extremely weak and is also recorded with a distorted frequency response: when cutting a record, the bass is intentionally muted and the treble is raised so that the track physically fits into the groove. The phono equalizer performs two functions at once - it amplifies this tiny signal to the level of the line input and applies reverse RIAA equalization, returning the recording to its natural tonal balance. Without this step, records sound thin, quiet and "wrong". Zen Air Phono 2 is the second, improved version of the already time-tested budget iFi phono equalizer, and it does this job noticeably better than the built-in electronics of entry-level players and amplifiers.
The main figure that iFi is proud of is RIAA equalization with an accuracy of ±0.15 dB in the range of 20 Hz–20 kHz. In practice, this means that the tonal balance of the recording remains as close as possible to what the engineers heard at the console during recording: no "dips" in the bass or "sharpening" in the treble, characteristic of cheaper phono equalizers with a less accurate RIAA curve.
Zen Air Phono 2 is equipped with a high-current power supply, structurally isolated from the amplifier stage - this is what gives an extremely low level of self-noise (equivalent input noise -151 dBV). Combined with a symmetrical channel topology, which is close to balanced circuits in terms of operation and provides lower signal cross-penetration between channels, as well as proprietary OV series operational amplifiers, this is a rarity for devices of this price level. The result is a truly "black" background, on which the quietest details of the recording are not lost in the noise.
The phono equalizer supports both main cartridge types — moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) — with a gain switch of 40dB for MM and 64dB for MC. This eliminates the typical confusion for beginners with cartridge and amplifier stage compatibility: simply select the desired mode with the switch on the rear panel.
On the front panel are switches for the power supply and the built-in subsonic filter, which removes low-frequency "rock" from grooved records, without affecting the real bass of the composition and without violating the phase integrity of the signal — unlike the coarse subsonic filters of the old type. On the rear panel are stereo RCA input and output, a ground terminal to eliminate unwanted hum, and power via USB (USB-DC cable included).
An ideal first upgrade for those whose player or amplifier has a built-in, but mediocre phono equalizer — especially if there is an option to turn off this built-in stage. A compact, affordable and surprisingly serious device for its class that unlocks the true potential of even an inexpensive vinyl track.
