rauliruegas:
Let me chime in here and speak on my own behalf. I am probably going to regret this.
rauliruegas you wrote:
"That’s why I posted is a " tricky " design. It’s not a true SS design and certainly not a full bipolar one."
The iPhono is solid state end of story. There is not a valve device to be found in it. The iPhono does NOT differentiate from the RIAA curve (provided of the 6 available that is the one you have selected) so I don’t understand your posting of " they manipulated the signal to achieve a " signature ". They did not let it " goes " the design with out " touched " with out changed.".
If you are conflating the use of differing SS devices such as mosfet’s combined with bipolars or Jfets with "manipulating a signal" while still maintaining the RIAA curve I would humbly suggest you are in error.
Based on your argument, any and all devices, that are arranged in such a way as to present a certain set of characteristics, say the CCIR curve, would portend manipulation of that curve if they did not use one specific type of device throughout the circuit. Lets say that someone built a CCIR EQ circuit using all octals and then another person built a circuit with the exact same transfer function but using octals and 9 pin miniatures and lets throw in a jfet for the fun of it. If that EQ curve measures the same, they did NOT manipulate that signal. The Strain Gauge system (the older version more so than his latest efforts) could be said to manipulate the RIAA curve because if I am not mistaken is does not adhere to the RIAA curve (and I am NOT picking on that system, just highlighting a fact for demonstration purposes).
As an example my AMR PH 77 has a unique in-house designed curve for DMM records. That IS a manipulation of the RIAA curve. I believe your terminology is incorrect. If you are writing about signatures, then sure. Most manufacturers go for a certain signature, hence a "house-sound".
Unless you can produce a frequency plot or a circuit diagram that details a gross deviation from the RIAA specification within the iPhono 2 your words are at best reckless.
Now if someone doesn’t like the unit, so what. I don’t like most gear that the reviewers and many people rave about especially when it comes to dacs and phono stages.
I was shopping recently for my 4th phono stage and I compared the Pass Labs XP25, Sim Audio 810P, SPL Phonos and a few others in the same system. Based on magazine reviews and various sites and the psycho babble nuts who show up from time to time to tell us we only hear what we want to hear and that the most expensive units influence us, I should have chosen the Pass. I love Pass gear and at one time had the AWESOME Aleph 1.2 amps which by the way I should have kept, I still regret not hanging on to that amplifier, sigh. Ok, back to the point, the XP 25 was probably the one I liked least of all. I found it thin, sterile and detached from the music but it was airy. The best by FAR was the SPL Phonos and I bought it. Is it better than my iPhono 2 on a linear supply? Yes it is. It is the first phono stage other than my PH 77 that I have preferred to the iPhono 2 but it is noisier than the iPhono 2. The noise is not an issue unless you really have to go high into gain or volume which in my case I do not. The Sim was about $9K, Pass was $10.6K and the SPL is $2.5K. The point is that the iPhono 2 is a serious piece of gear and while it has vanquished many very expensive phono stages, I did find one (albeit 5 times the cost) that I prefer.
All of the above because you (Raul) wrote in another post "There is no way that tubes can compete with a good SS design if what we want is to be truer to the recording. ". I can tell you as the owner of a fully sorted R2R deck with R2R Safety Master of Jacintha "Here’’s to Ben" and "Jacintha is her Name" and the 45’s of both albums including the newly released 1 Plate Master limited edition of "Jacintha’s Here’s to Ben" my SP10 MK3 Kuzma/Anna/PH77 sounds closer to the R2R than any other phono stage I have heard. This tube vs SS nonsense needs to stop.
I have said for years the better my gear gets i.e. the better the individual pieces are the more they sound alike REGARDLESS of the underlying topology. This should make sense to anyone who understands what we are going after.
My Graaf Modena OTL sounds very very much like my Acoustic Reality Thaumaturges. If you a listen to live unamplified music or visit the Opera, etc. and your goal is an attempt at the recreation of that live sound AND if you go after gear that REALLY sounds truer to life and not what some on-the-take reviewer says is the best this month you should notice that more and more of your gear sounds very very similar regardless of its design.
|
If, I sounded preachy that was not my intent and apologize. Just busy and wanted to get that all out there while I had a few moments to pull away from the computer :) It is after all about listening to great music on great systems. |
Dear @audiofun : Perhaps you are not aware what was or what is the iPhono manufacturer touted: Class A TubeState that is touted here: https://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/micro-iphono2/ Well this is what you can read in the manufacturer site on that Class A Tube State meaning:
Class A, TubeState® The micro iCAN uses a discrete circuit that deliberately models the way tubes amplify audio. The TubeState creates a warm, spacious and natural sound, without the noise and distortion most tube circuits produce. This TubeState® circuit is exclusive to iFi, and it dishes out quite a large dollop of sonic improvement, over and above other mains powered Class A headphone amplifiers. """
All the iFI use that TubeState circuit.
"""
uses a discrete circuit that deliberately models the way tubes amplify audio. """
that for a non-technical an expert engineering ( I'm talking of me. ) like you has a name: manipulation.
Btw, I never posted it was not a SS design.
"""
This tube vs SS nonsense... """
No sense? where are your facts where belongs your true foundations on that statement. Because not once but several times I posted irrefutable facts some of them scientific facts that are against your no sense statement.
Never mind, be happy with what you have, this is the more important issue.
Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS, R.
|
rauliruegas: you wrote: Btw, I never posted it was not a SS design. you listed the very link (a few messages back in this thread) to one of your previous posts: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/review-iphono-2/post?postid=1415693#1415693where you wrote: "It’s not a true SS design and certainly not a full bipolar one. No single Ifi product is." TubeState is a trademarked name designed to indicate a unique cricuit. Again, going after a signature sound is not what you described. You wrote: " They did not let it " goes " the design with out " touched " with out changed." I responded by mentioning that the RIAA curve was not touched. Please please show me a circuit ANY circuit SS or tubed or hybrid where the electrons go through it "untouched". I want to see that circuit. What circuit are you using for your litmus test that has absolutely NO signature in order to compare and determine that the iFi is in your words "manipulating" the signal. This circuit adds no EQ’ing other than the RIAA curve (or one of the other 5 curves). You are conflating a marketing term to denote a circuit which a designer identified as sounding "musical, or pleasant" with manipulaton akin to noise shaping in some dacs. When Krell produced the Cast Transmission system which some thought sounded better than voltage amplification, did they manipulate the signal. No, same levels, no added EQ’ing but current amplification can sound differecnt than voltage amplification in the same way that components can measure the same and sound completely different. |
Audiofun
I've had my iphono2 since yesterday and have run it for about four hours. I'm very surprised at how good it sounds being so new. But the thing runs very hot, almost to hot to touch. I dont understand why.
I have a Pyramid coming and the small fuse I ordered from Tweek Geek is being held until I confirm if I need the small or large 6.3 slow blow fuse.
Someday you may regret posting that you are a degreed electronics engineer. :-)
I'll appreciate your help.
Regards,
Doug Olsen
|
dougolsen:
The unit does run hot. It'll be fine, heat is a necessary evil of class A. I leave mine on 24/7 and I've been doing so for over a year, no issues at all :)
The fuse is of the larger variety 6x32mm.
and yes, I think I already regret it 😏 |
Just to follow up on this thread, after reading all these reviews i also picked up an Iphono2 for my system as a temp until I can find a used tube phono stage that has the settings I'm looking for. that said I'm totally blown away at the performance of this little phono stage, for the money I agree its one of the better phono stages out there (needs to be left plugged in for 200-400 hours to sound its best like others stated). I really like the amount of loading/gain settings there are it really helped me focus in on the optimum loading for my VDH MC10 cart. I always thought 100ohms was the sweet spot but after playing with the loading setting with a few audiophile friends I've come to feel closer to 1000ohms is better over all with better defined bass and musicality. I'm so impressed I've not bothered to look for a replacement and now am spending the money on other upgrades. I have a Tube SET integrated so I don't feel I need the itube buffer stage but for the money I may pick one up to play with it. |
audiofun
Thanks very much. I'll get the 6x32mm fuse.
Happy to know heat is not an issue.
Regards,
Doug
|
@pryso
chakster, does your JLTi include the optional outboard power supply?
I bought an early one (black box) from Oz. At that time they were matched with a wall wart, which they said was all that was needed. A local friend built a fully regulated power supply for mine which improved performance noticeably, particularly with bass production and overall dynamics. About that time, JLTi began offering their own outboard PS as an option. That’s why I ask.
I use wall wart version, but now they are offering the upgrade, so anyone can ship the item back to them to upgrade it to mark 5 I was thinking to ask Joe about this upgrade, but i have prior things at the moment. |
dougolsen and glennewdick:
its going to to keep getting better up to about 700hrs but that is actually with a signal run through it. Simply being plugged into the socket wil help to some degree. I bought an inexspensiv FM tuner on this site specifically to break devices in and especially phonostages as it can take a long time just playing records, especially if you listen to multiple sources as I do.
Make ups some dummy loads with about 33k ohms and get yourself an attenuated reverse RIAA cable or box. Hagermann makes a burn in box phono stages, another option is a CD specifically enigineered to break in phonostages.
|
audiofun
You read my mind. I was about to ask if burn in would be helped by leaving the iphono2 on full time.
I have a reverse RIAA burn in device coming. Picked up off that famous auction site. It's made in China ... effectiveness and durability are a great unknown.
|
If you guys are not actually listening to your records on your device before and durign burn-in process then how you can make sure there is an improvement? Would you like to make a recording before and after 700 hrs of burn-in to prove it for yourself at least? |
I was considering to stretch my budget a little and get the ifi - vs. Schiit Mani with aftermarket LPS, but these long burn-in requirements turned me off a bit. Doing the math, even if I listened to records two hours every night, it could take a full year for this preamp to sound as it should. Never heard any gear requiring this much break in time. Is this a common thing for phono preamps in general or unique to this particular item?
|
Kalali:
it will sound good out of the box, better at 100 hours. I gave you the amount of time where I noticed no more gains. I would listen to the unit but during working hours, I would burn it in or during times I was away from home. I break a lot of things in using that method.
This is just my observations in my system. |
@kalali Never heard any gear requiring this much break in time. Is this a common thing for phono preamps in general or unique to this particular item? Do you believe in miracles? It’s a common thing for a believers to burn-in everythings with special devices, while normal people just listen to the music, if there is an improvement you will hear it in the process. But to prove it there must be recordings (made before and after), if there is a big difference it will be noticable on recording made with this device. I’ve never heard/seen anyone did so. You can not remember how the phono stage sounded 100-700hrs ago. Our brain can not hold this imformation for such a long time to compare it with new information received later on. When we get used to certain things we like it on another level, but it does not mean that the sound quality is improved much after 100-700 hrs. Sometimes it’s our mood and some other factors, but not a true comparison of sound. If every device change the nature of sound that much in burn in process, then i would ONLY buy used devices according to this logic they are the best sounding! |
Thanks. I didn't mean to open up the debate about whether or not burn in makes a difference. Some do some don't. It was the perceived duration that just struck me as odd. I can assure you I would not remember how something sounded a year or so ago unless I put it away and pick it up a year later and the change is very dramatic and in my face. Not if I use it along the way. Just as an aside, I do agree some break in time helps the passive components like capacitors to open up. But that's like 20-40 hours. |
chakster:"Do you believe in miracles? It’s a common thing for a believers to burn-in everythings with special devices, while normal people just listen to the music
I’ve never heard/seen anyone did so.
"
It sounds like you believe in miracles and faith-based phony "science" how could you not have read the very many thoughtful posts submitted here by those who have indeed firsthand observed such differences in the Music Reproduction Systems.
|
clearthink:
Do yourself a favor and ignore certain noise that is on this thread. This "noise" seems to have an agenda against iFi and infects this thread I created to share my experiences with an exceptional device at a down to earth price.
I think it is "shill" side-band noise :)
kalali:
No problem at all. I actually make many many recordings of devices at 24/96 when I am comparing items especially when it comes to cartridges on my turntables where the down time would be far too long to make a serious judgement/decision. |
@audiofun just a common sense my friend, i'm not a seller or manufacturer of the phono stages and i already stated that i did tried the iPhono2. You may pray for every device you are buying, and you're on another expensive phono stage right now as i can see. But buyin 3-5 phono stages is not for everyone and that's why i just tried to say the iPhono is not an exceptional device. To throw away $700 may be "down to the earth price" as you call it, but for many people it is not so cheap and luckily we have good manufacturers who are also trying to keep down the price for quality products as the opposite to those who sells $10 000 phono stage dusted by $700 iPhono2.
It was fine for MC, but not for the very low output MC. This stage is not designed well even for MM cartridges, it's pretty obvious (no way to change load resistange for MM) and the overall sound is too bright compared to some other well designed phono stages. You're just ignoring reasonably priced phono stages available on the market from a well knows designers, and ONLY comparing your iPhono to some very expensive ones (which doesn't makes them better, right?). I assume you're using MC cartridges.
Surely you can ignore everyone who criticize the iPhono (for defective power supplies, for the bright sound, for the lack of the proper settings for MM. For the stupid tone controls with incorrect additional RIAA curves, supposed to be the right ones for Decca, Colombia, but they are not the right ones and never used by those respected lables...). You can call it "an agenda against iFi", but this is bul***it.
The most simplified phono stages are the best ones and they shouldn't cost much, the iPhono is not that simple.
It's fine when low priced unit surpass the overpriced units, but the Chinese Made iPhono (what a st**id name btw) is not an expentional phono stage people can buy for reasonable price. The hype was caused by Fremer's review, but you're ignoring the fact that any used phono stage is much cheaper than new. Not every audiophile is ready to spend $100 000+ on the system.
I was sceptical about it iPhono after i've come across some negative feedbacks online, but at least i tried it in my system to make sure. A friend gave me his brand new iPhono2. I'm honest and i have pointed out the weak parts of the iPhono, i was not impressed like you, but it is my opinion and my system. My principle is not to make a mistakes as i can't buy new phono stage every month, my budget is limited. At least it was good for MC cartridge.
Everyone is free to ignore my opinion.
|
@clearthink It sounds like you believe in miracles and faith-based phony "science" how could you not have read the very many thoughtful posts submitted here by those who have indeed firsthand observed such differences in the Music Reproduction Systems. Are you talking about phono stages here? I have a few of them purchased new and didn’t noticed any big/huge difference after years of using them, despite the fact that i like them from the first hour. But i’m curious about it and that’s why i would prefer to check some facts, not a faulty memories, the fact is the recording made with "new" device and later made with same "used" device. I’m not a fan of this digital comparison, but that’s the only way to make sure what is the difference and how big is the difference? Why we can’t find tests like that for one component ??? It would be very interesting. |
|
@kalali I can assure you I would not remember how something sounded a year or so ago unless I put it away and pick it up a year later and the change is very dramatic and in my face. Not if I use it along the way.Just as an aside, I do agree some break in time helps the passive components like capacitors to open up. But that's like 20-40 hours. Exactly, but this is a difference between component "A" and component "B". When it comes to component "A" in january and same component "A" in december it's not that easy, could be an illusion. That's the point to document it, simply record it. |
Dear @chakster / @audiofun : I know you in this phono stage regards and I can say you have not any agenda vs iFI productos as OP could think.
audiofun have really in deep " seed "/stycky on AMR/iFI products, this is something that makes no common sense for me if we take the very " high pedigree " he has as a music lover, audiophile and experienced engineering.
Obviously that each one of us have different target in our home audio system/room overall set-up, that mine is to stay truer to the recording.
From this point of view/target neither ( PH-77/iPhono2/SPL. ) can acomplish that target.
The more expensive PH77 and other that be an hybrid active device, that per sé precludes the target achievement, fail in a " shame " way ( for a 10K+ price tag. ) to meet the main PS characteristic ( other than gain. ) that’s to has an inverse RIAA eq. curve with at least no more than 0.1db deviation from 20hz to 20khz ( any decent low price PS does it. ).
This megabuck unit comes with specs that says it has a way high swing of 0.6dbs ! ! and its little SS brother a high 0.4dbs. Btw, the PH77 measured even worst than that manufacturer spec. Incredible for say the least and that was only for the standard RIAA but those gentlemans tooks its time ( marketing. ) to design its units with other over 20 curve alternatives even one that they " invented " because it never existed: the DMM !, go figure.
The AMR unit and the iPhono2 both are designed and marketed to a price point and with the 77 things goes beyond price point because the design has not the caliber of those over 10K+ price tag.
If I remember and even that for very good reasons I don’t support tubes one hybrid unit that I have respect for its designer comes with a RIAA swing of only 0.14db. My unit measures swing is 0.02db and I know that some people do not like to speak about specs but it’s really important to know where we are stand up.
OP, I know that that is what you like, it’s what fulfill your needs. Good for you.
Btw, that iFI TubeState trade mark is a signal manipulation it does not matters what you or otehr gentlemans can think, for me is a manipulation: iFI says in that way in its site as you can read in the link I posted.
No, my unit design has not SIGNATURE and was not designed looking for some kind of sound as you could think.
Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
|
@audiofun """
uses a discrete circuit that deliberately models the way tubes amplify audio. The TubeState creates a warm, spacious and...."""
THAT DELIBERATELY MODELS THE WAY TUBES..... again: DELIBERATELY and you said it was not a signal manipulation?
How is that?. |
audiofun
Puzzling iphono2! I swapped cartridges a couple times changing settings as required for gain & load. On the third attempt, no sound and I could not find the reason. Finally turned off the iphono2 for 30 minutes to cool down then restarted and had sound. I don't get it.
Also, it ran hot all day into the evening when my extended listening session ended. I checked early this AM and the darn thing was barely warm and still is. I don't get this either.
I reported the hot issue with iFi and the tech support guy said to return it. I'm not doing that yet because I want to observe what happens over the next couple days. Besides I already have about 20 hours use and it sounds pretty amazing.
Are these two issues mentioned, normal behavior or do you believe I have a problematic unit? I'll appreciate your advice.
Regards,
Doug Olsen
|
Raul:
Man your going to burst a blood vessel.
Wrong again, the PH77 was $12k and with my Bendix and MU 6900 tubes more like $14k. I'm going to listen to my shame of a phono stage :) get some help
dougolsen:
i have not not seen that behavior. I'd take them up on the offer if you see this behavior again. |
dougolsen:
just a thought. I've never made configurtion changes with the unit powered up. Not saying you did, but if you did I don't know how the stage would behave. |
audiofun
Thanks for the response. I'm returning the unit because of the suspect issues.
I have a new one coming Wednesday from Amazon. :-)
|
Dougolsen:
I don't blame you. |
@dougolsen This is exactly what i’ve been worried about, this phono stage was made in China. But you will not get the right answer here from the OP, i hope you can find more helpful info on another forum: http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/heads-up-ifi-phono-2.627504/page-7 The question is what would you do with this "magic iPhono" when the warranty expired? There is a guy who returned 2 items to get 3rd one with the same problem, he gave up after all. The stories are all over internet forums. I'm sorry to hear you're on the same iFi boat. |
dougolsen:
When you get your unit back and all is good, you may eventually want to try a Sbooster
BOTW P&P ECO
for a nice increase in performance. I aslo have the Sbooster Ultra attachment which connects to the split-current module. I have found the ultra attachment (an additional in-line noise filter) to cause the sound to become dulled or too polite. I actually don't use my ultra attachment. I would suggest changing the fuse inside the Sbooster to something a little better than the glass fuse it ships with. I have an AMR Mk2 fuse. |
audiofun:
I have a Pyramid PS26KX Power Supply 6-15 VDC 22A coming Wednesday. Unfortunately I think I ordered the incorrect AMR fuses which are 15A 6.3 slow blow from Tweek Geek.
Being electronically "challenged" do I need the 20A fuses for the Pyramid instead of the 15A that just arrived? Thanks, Doug |
dougolsen:
It is a 6A fuse, sorry about the delay getting back to you, slammed busy. |
audiofun:
No need to apologize, I'm grateful to receive the information when it is convenient for you. Thanks, I'll order the 6A fuse.
Doug
|
audiofun:
I'm so easily confused with this electronic stuff. I have the right fuses afterall and sorry to have bothered you. Pyramid power supply and new iphono2 arrived. I'll be busy this evening. :-)
|
audiofun:
I'm sorry to bother you again but I am over my head. How the h**l do I connect the iphono2 to the Pyramid power supply. I believe I have an extra wall wart around with the right size male end that can plug into the iphono2. I can cut off the wall wart, strip the two wires and if I can tell which is positive and negative I can hook it up to the Pyramid. I just need to know if I'm on the right track here. BTW the iphono2 has been running for about 45 minutes and is quite cool. I'm optimistic about this one and will only change dip switches after turning off the iphono2 just to be on the safe side. Thx, Doug Olsen
|
dougolsen:
You are on the right track. Cut off the cable from the old supply (I know I don't have to say this but better safe than sorry) with the wall-wart unplugged. You a DMM (digital multimeter) or a continuity test with probesl to determine which wire of the barrel connector is hot. The outer barrel will be your return (ground) and the center of the barrel connector (stick the probe into the opening of the barrel connector) is your hot. The hot will go to the red binding post of the power supply. |
Dear @audiofun : I have to admire you because your in this thread touted pedigreé that you posted somewhere.
Certainly I'm not wrong as you said but problem is that you don't read very well my posts ( 10K+.).
As you said it's a " shame of phono stage " : For that price ate least we have to look for the only reason a phono stage has that name and this is because the inverse RIAA eq and here at any price we have to look at least for an accurate inverse RIAA eq. curve in both channels ( mirrored ones. ).
You " shame of phono " ( your words. ) failed on both targets mentioned but thaose are not the only desired but not acomplished targets in a high price " shame of phono ".
we have to wait that the unit comes with an external power supply ( I understand the 77 has not. Maybe I'm wrong, please confirm about. ), that be a balanced fully diferential design, with a truly low output impedance ( that unit in fundamental bass range measures the very high 3Kohms ! . No excuse about. ), that both channels measures the same and go on and on..........
Exist no audio " giant killers " as many of us could think ( iPhono 2 or Denon 103. ) what exist is very low audio/music knowledge and skills levels.
Each one system is a and reflect those audio/music true levels. I already said it: money is important but audio music/knowledge levels is way more important.
Your touted pedigree was not confirmed through this thread and through your system where you have 6 different performance levels ( not matched. ) in your amp six channels and where you are satisfied with the performance level the Anna shows through the iphono2.
All that does not means that AMR/iFI products are good because are not only reflects your true audio/music knowledge levels and that your money level is way higher than that audio/music ........a confirmation of this is that you spended additional 2K Bendix in that true shame of phono.
Yes your targets are way different to mine that's to stay truer/nearer to the recording. That's you and your privileges.
We all have to learn day by day, I always try to do it and your thread helps me about.
Regards and enjoy the music not distortions,
R.
|
Raul:
Please understand that unless you are writing for the benefit of others or just to hear your fingers clack the kbd, you should stop addressing anything to my attention. I promise as God lives I did not read your last post. I just saw your name and wrote this in response. I am not interested in anything you have to write and therefore will not read any of your rantings.
I am in this for the fun and enjoyment of my system, not to read the ravings of someone I don’t know. I could not care less about your thoughts as they relate to audio or anything else.
Sorry if my message is curt but I wanted to be clear and concise. |
Clear and concise. Was my answer to your " wrong again ". Btw, of course is for benefit of some body that wants to know what to do or what not to do At the end only an opinion and nothing more.
R. |
audiofun:
No questions, just a report and thank you.
The replacement iphono2 is breaking in and is only a slightly warm. I leave it on 24 hrs.
I cobbled up wiring with bananas on one end to connect to the Pyramid. The barrel connector is on the other end and plugged into the iphono2.
Pyramid fan is disabled and the AMR fuse is in place. It runs warm on the top, that's it.
The first thing I noticed is the iphono2 top end brightness is tamed and the sound is very smooth. It has just four hours on it.
Thank you so much for your advice. I appreciate that you were willing to help this neophyte. Doug
|
dougolsen:
No problem. The modicum of brightness that I attribute to the iPhono 2 is due solely and entirely to the SMPS. Anyone who has read my posts knows I am not a fan of SMPS's as I have never heard a SMPS perform at the level of a competently designed LPS.
My my system is resolving and sensitive enough that I can hear the deleterious effects of a SMPS simply by plugging one in near the vicinity of my rig.
Glad to hear the unit is performing and sound good, it will continue to get better as it burns in. |
Since my last postings I have moved on from the iPhono2.
I have to say I had no problems with it, It never ran more than warm.If it does there’s definitely a problem. No hum issues etc. I also had the SBooster PS. At the time of purchase My Heed Quasar crapped out, also I got the Iphono2 on Fremer’s recommendation. Did not know it was made in China either. I also had an iTube2 here, was not impressed with it, too much manipulation for my taste. I have had many, like 12 different Phono Pre’s here really way too many Phono's over the years.
Phono’s seem to be the easiest price wise to manipulate your system.For the cost the SBooster was minimal in sound differences.My .02 worth. You need to buy what’s best for your system and pocket. It always does not work out , just look at the used sales.
|
Started to play an LP yesterday morning and experienced unlistenable distortion from the iphono2. Unplugged it for a few minutes, plugged it back in and the music was fine. I'm not optimistic that this is a one time glitch that continued break in will clear up. But it has worked well and for several hours since early yesterday.
I've read that others heard distortion from their iphono2 as well among other issues. This is my second unit, the first ran too hot to touch and was returned. I've reported the issue to AMR and await their comments. If they recommend returning it I will not be ordering a third iphono2.
This is disappointing because I feel the iphono2 is a very very good sounding and versatile phono preamp.
|
I was hoping the comments regarding issues were nothing
to be overly concerned with but it seems on another forum
within the last few day's a rash of problems including
outright shutdown have come to light.
And customers are pissed.
|
totem395:
Can you post the forum referenced? |
Dear @dougolsen : In this same thread @chakster posted this link: http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/heads-up-ifi-phono-2.627504/page-7he has more information on that bs iPhono2. You have to remember that it's designed to a price point marketing strategy and that's what you receives for that. No giant killer but a bs of phono stage. It can't be in different way it does not matters what the op thinks about. R. |
rauliruegas:
Occasionally a product built at a certain price point will far exceed its marketed value in terms of quality and performance. Stereo cartridges are an example. The reverse is also true, a product built at a very high price point may not perform as well as a much less expensive product.
Marketing is marketing and "buyer beware" of the marketing hype we face constantly.
This crap happens all the time in audio and in part explains why the used market is huge. And of course there is the personal taste matter that drives many to buy and to sell a piece of gear produced at a given price point. Hearing it may turn out to be unsatisfactory.
I believe the iphono2 is not BS and it impresses me with the overall quality of sound and presentation. I won't list the many adjectives that describe it but will say I believe it is worth more than its current price.
I realize you have a tremendous knowledge base for audio equipment and music. But have you listened to the iphono2? I don't recall reading that you have so I conclude that your opinion is based on the little phono preamps price point. Don't you agree that price is not sufficient enough to form such a strong opinion?
As I have said, if my second iphono2 dies then that will be the end of it for me and I will look at other options. But as it stands now, the thing sounds very very good in my system.
Regards,
Doug
|
I'm not sure how Fremer or anyone else can recommend the iPhono2, or any iFi products. In one of his blind tests, I blindly ranked the iPhono as one of the worst of the group. Bright, lean, poor transistor radio type of sound. Raul has it right, this is Chinese junk. |
Dear Doug, i've been trying iPhono2 and in my opinion it's too bright, the bass can't compete with the more expensive phono stages. But as i said i'm a big fan of MM cartridges. With LOMC cartridges iPhono impressed me more, but still not as good to buy it for myself. After reading many comments i quickly realized it can be problematic, nothing is perfect, but little bugs can be fixed. In case with MADE IN CHINA iPhono2 the bugs can not be fixed even after 3rd return from the customers. This is BS! This product must be avoided. Actually the whole philosophy behind the iFi is so stupid in my opinion, people ended up with so many devices in the signal pass, tons of switches and so on and on, everything boxed like the Apple iPhone (WTF?). I can't remember the price of this terrible unit, but for $774 USD (including shipping) anyone can buy JLTi phono stage made in Australia by Joe Rassmussen, he was a partner of Allen Wright (a co-designer of the JLTi when it was made in Switzerland). They are respected people in audiophiles world. I just bought JLTi and i just don't get that hype about iPhono, do yourself a favour, check the JLTi if you're looking for reasonably priced and great sounding phono stage. I'm sure there are many more phono stages available, but i have not tried them. I can only speaks for JLTi because they are in the same price range with that terrible Chinese iPhono. Here is more about JLTi: "
The name denotes that this is a Solid State device using something that is called Diamond Transistor Theory, rarely used on High-End Audio products. The most simple and linear audio voltage amplification device is a Vacuum Triode which consists of three electrodes only. They are the Grid (input), Cathode (grounding) and Anode (output). On the other hand, the Solid State Transistor is a current device but is nowhere near as linear as the Triode. It consists of Base (input), Emitter (grounding) and Collector (output). The idea behind a Diamond Transistor is actually a composite circuit that emulates the near perfect and linear Transistor as a current device with the same three electrodes in the circuit then becomes the equivalent of the Base, Emitter and Collector followed by a Unity Gain Buffer. " As the oppisite to Raul, i use tube amps with vintage Telefunken, Sylvania tubes at the moment. BUT i don't use tube phono stages! The most "tube sounding" phono stage in my arsenal is WLM Phonata (Made in Austria) with specific MOS-FET transistors. But this phono stage is much more expensive. |
