The ifi Zen Phono Hits the Perfect Spot

 

The ifi Zen Phono is a phono stage described as "detailed and clean," not to mention "high-end" at a relatively modest price.

I paired it with the Denon DL-103 cartridge, a classic conical moving-coil (MC) with a design dating back to the 1960's. The DL-103 is described as warmish, with a rich midrange, dynamic but perhaps lacking extension at the frequency extremes.

The ifi Zen Phono and the DL-103 complement each other. 

The VPI Scout, a belt-driven turntable with the unipivot JMW-9 arm, lives up to the task of bringing out the dynamics and control from the above combination.

The output from the Zen Phono goes to a Cambridge CXA60, which is used as a pre-amp. A Conrad Johnson MV55 power amplifier injects the right amount of tube warmth to the playback. 

A pair of LSA2 floorstanders rounds up the system for a full range toe-tapping experience.

I also tried the ifi Phono with a MM cart, but it shines best with low output MCs like the DL-103. The other description for the Zen Phono that comes to mind is "silent." 

It has found the perfect spot in my system.