iFi iPhono 3 – First Look
All Images Credit: iFi.
After your turntable system you need to focus on the cartridges phono amplifier. Why? It’s the front end to the information amplification system. If the arm, cartridge and phono amplifier don’t provide a pristine electronic replica of what was on that vinyl then nothing you do later will improve what came off the vinyl. This is where the iPhono 3 Black Label comes to your rescue.
This amazing, little, phono amplifier has been designed around some exceptional technological theories and components. Providing a superb range of features for both MM and MC cartridges together with excellent noise figures, gains and loading features. My only real issue is that the MC loading has no values between 330ohm and 1000ohm.
Features and Technologies
A great deal of effort has gone into producing a radically upgraded phono amplifier that uses new techniques, technologies and high end audiophile components to create a solid-state phono amplifier with exceptional performance.
Techniques and components:
- Using iFi’s Class A TubeState® technology design know-how, distortions that are typical of solid state circuitry have been radically reduced without introducing unwanted tube-like distortion and noise.
- This design continues their use of Direct Drive Servoless® creating direct coupling from input to output and doing away with capacitors in the signal path. It does this by using a proprietary technique called DC-Infinity that effectively creates an almost infinite DC open loop gain that when closed cancels all offset voltages to deliver a direct-coupled input to output with 0V DC offset.
- It comes with six equalization curves to better match the vinyl that you are playing, RIAA, eRIAA, IEC, eRIAA + IEC, Columbia and Decca. These curves being matched within +-0.2dB of the ideal.
- High grade audiophile components are used throughout: Nichion audio-grade capacitors, Panasonic OSCON/ECPU capacitors, MELF resistors, TDK C0G capacitors…to mention just a few.
For more detailed technical insights click here.
So how is this audiophile phono amp powered? It comes with a new high performance switched mode power supply (SMPS), the iPower X.
iPower X Switched Mode Power Supply
I have to say that I am NOT a fan of switched mode power supplies (actually I hate them!). Almost every one I have ever used has given me some problems. Especially if used at low signal levels. So I was more than surprised to find this new $800.00 phono amp using a switched mode power supply and that this upgraded AUDIOPHILE power supply ($100.00) was also switched mode.
The iPhono 3 uses a new high end low noise switched mode supply that is claimed to provide and additional 40dB (<100x) of power supply noise reduction. It is available in 5V, 9V, 12V and 15V configurations with interchangeable plugs to suit your country. As it is also sold separately, here is your opportunity to upgrade your old noisy Wall Wart SMPS’s.
This supply uses a range of new techniques and high grade components to virtually eliminate all switched mode noise and hopefully RF radiation. Claiming that its power supply line level noise is less than 1 microvolt.
Its design is based upon iFi’s improved Active Noise Cancellation II®. It is said to actively cancel out all incoming noise by generating an equal and opposite signal that cancels line noise similar to how noise cancelling earphones work. This technique in conjunction with passive filtering is said to measurably improve low, mid and high frequency noise. Let us also hope that any RF radiation from the SMPS is also extremley low.
iFi Technical Specifications
iPhono3:
- Frequency Response – 10Hz-100KHz (+-0.3dB), 20Hz-20KHz (+-0.2dB))
- Dynamic Range – MM (36dB:>108dB (A-weighted), MC(60dB:>106dB (A-weighted))
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio – MM (36dB): > 85dB (A-weighted re. 5mV), MC (60dB): > 85dB (A-weighted re. 0.5mV)
- Overload Margin – MM (36dB): > 26dB (re. 5mV, @ 1% THD), MC (60dB): > 22dB (re 0.5mV, @ 1% THD)
- Crosstalk – <-71dB (1KHz)
- Maximum undistorted output – 7V (Load >= 600 Ohm, THD <=1%)
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)- <0.005% (MM 36dB 1V out 600R Load)
- Output Impedance – <100Ω
- Input Voltage – AC 100 – 240V, 50/60Hz
- Power Consumption – < 5W. Use with iPower X (15v) do NOT use any other power supply.
- Dimensions – 6.2″x2.3″x1.1″/ 158 x 58 x 28 mm
- Weight – 0.58 lbs / 265 g
iPower X:
- Input – 100-240VAC (50-60Hz/1.5A)- (UK/US/EU/AU interchangeable pins. Sold separately)
- Output – 5V/3.0A, 9V/2.5A, 12V/2.0A, 15V/1.5A
- Output Plug – 3.5×1.35mm; 4.0×1.7mm; 4.8×1.7mm; 5.5×2.1 mm; 5.5×2.5mm Reverse Polarity Plug (White)
- Noise Floor – ~1uV
- Dimensions – 95 (L) 5O (W) 43 (H) mm
- Weight – 195g (0.43 lbs)
- Warranty period – 12 months
Pricing:
- iFi Phono 3 Black Label with iPower X SMPS – $900.00
- iFi iPower X – $100.00. Country plug adapters extra.
See the iPhono 3 product page here.
See the iPower X product page here.
