2. analog
  3. 175062-463

Help.... I'm scared to 'upgrade'!

Help…. I’m scared to ‘upgrade’!

I’m an unrepentant audiophile. I love equipment; buttons, knobs, dials, beautiful design, meters. Of course, I’m enthralled by music. It’s a deeply enriching and important part of my life. This makes me the perfect mark for spending way too much money on gear. I know that, oh well. So I want to upgrade from my cheap phono-stage but I’m full of doubt and hesitation. Let me explain….

I have what I consider a pretty great system, the heart of which is an Accuphase E-470. My speakers are a pair of ATC HTS-40’s (same drivers and specs as the SCM 40’s), and a pair of JL Audio D-110’s. Streaming is through a Bluesound NODE and an RME ADI DAC 2 fs. Mostly that great digital front end is used for TV and podcasts. When I settle down to really listen to music it’s through my analog front-end. That’s what this post is about.

I’ve had four or five phono-stages over the years and in fact I just sold a very nice all-tube one for $4,200. It simply wasn’t as quiet as the AD-50 input board installed in my E-470. I want all of those ‘audiophiley’ qualities like a holographic soundstage, magical midrange etc., but those have to emerge from an extremely quiet background and with extra high resolution. That’s why I sold a Parasound JC 3+ years ago because of too much hiss. And it was easy to sell a Rega Aria because that thing was great at generating it’s OWN noise. Yes, I’m picky. The AD-50 in my Accuphase is nice but the allure of ‘the next level’ is always tugging.

Then I accidentally bought an iFi Zen Phono! I was helping my son-in-law with his first TT and found a great used one here on Audiogon. He lives far away and I wanted to install a nice cart I had and dial it in pretty close before sending it on to him. I recommended one of those based on ‘buzz’ and he ordered one immediately. I did too, thinking I’d send it along with his TT. Anyway, for less than $200 I decided to keep it for a nice back-up. The thing is, it sounds absolutely phenomenal in my system. It’s paired with an extremely customized and modded Rega deck with an Hana Umami Red. I also have a Luxman PD-171A with an Ortofon Cadenza Black. That combo generates some great sound too.

So here it is…. The iFi Zen Phono is just crazy good. I think it’s better than the JC+, the Rega Aria that I had, and even the Luxman EQ-500 that I recently let go. Has anyone upgraded from the Zen Phono and to what? My short list includes the Whest Audio PS.40RDT, the new Accuphase C-47 (which would mean selling as much gear from my stash as possible), or an FM Acoustics FM 122-MKII. What else should I consider? I’m very intrigued by the Thoress Parametric Phono Equalizer too. What scares me is that might spend 6 to 12 grand on a unit that barely outperforms the ‘lowly’ Zen Phono.

Thanks for Reading!
Cheers,
~Oran

128x128oranfoster
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,226 posts
 

@lewm , it appears to me that the unit is using XLRs for the power cord. It has RCAs for input and output.

I wish people would stop combining music loving and audiophilia. I know plenty of music lovers who are not audiophiles and actually vice versa. The are audiophiles that play crappy music just because it sounds good and will only buy recordings that sound good. I think it is safe to say that most audiophiles love music. Many of us start out as teenagers with limited funds and as we get older and have more expendable income evolve our systems. It becomes a life long endeavor. What is wrong with that? Some of us have more money and can spend more. SO WHAT! This does not mean they wind up with better systems. Anyone can spend money. The art is making a SOTA system on a budget or getting the most out of what you have to spend. This has nothing to do with the music. A real music lover will listen to a bad recording because it is a great performance.   

lewm
12,543 posts
 

Nope. The Zen does have a single output jack for balanced stereo. See the above posts ands see photos on the iFi website. It’s on the left at the rear. On the right you see the PS input. All specs say it is capable of a true balanced output.
Nice pun on SOTA. Those who don’t or won’t own a SOTA can also have atop drawer system. 

djspinner's avatar
djspinner
59 posts
 

I upgraded from the iFi Zen to the Darlington Labs MP-7 for a modest price increase and it really delivered, most notably in a tighter and deeper bass.  You're not going to have the gain settings flexibility that the Zen provides, but just get a quality SUT for your Hana Umami or the DL's active step up coming out shortly and you'll happy with the upgrade.

ghdprentice
6,464 posts
 

There are a number of great phono stages available that are incredible. I have stayed with Audio Research for over 35 years. The PH 8 or 9 are world class and I think incredibly cost effective. I now own a Audio Research Reference 3… an amazing phono stage. phono stages are so important. If I were you I would look at Audio Research, and Zesto. World class phono stages like these are not going to be disappointing or of any risk. You can confidently buy used.

oranfoster's avatar
oranfoster OP
127 posts
 

@djspinner I just spent some time at the website of Darlington Labs and am really impressed by what I've read. That one can choose NOT to get a unit without a blindingly bright blue LED would be much appreciated by me, for sure.

@ghdprentice Yes, for sure. I had a nice conversation with George Counnas at an audio show once and am an admirer of the brand. I always "click" on ads for anything Zesto. One of these days, maybe..... Same for Audio Research. 

More to discover