For the mass production of this advanced phono stage iFi uses premium MIL-spec components that are selected for its sound properties. This is, especially in this price range, very rare. Also features a balanced 4.4 mm Pentaconn connector. With an optional Pentaconn to XLR adapter you can establish a balanced connection between your turntable and your premium hi-fi amplifier. This feature enables a fully balanced amplification with all typical benefits such as a lower noise threshold, a higher channel separation and less EMI/RFI interference.

Sometimes subsonic filters are necessary when playing warped vinyl albums. However, most common subsonic filters may give you the sense that something is off while playing your albums, as if the bass is reduced and the timing is affected in a weird way. This effect is often caused by undesired phase shifts in the upper frequency range. Unlike the subsonic filters featured in many phono stages, the 'intelligent’ subsonic filter developed by iFi cuts the inaudible low frequencies without creating such phase shifts in the audible sound spectrum. This phase-correct subsonic filter is, especially in this price range, a rare feature.

The ZEN Phono is equipped with an external hum and noise free power supply. By using this power supply and smart filtering developed by iFi, this phono stage does not suffer of annoying 50Hz hum or the relatively high noise levels. The ZEN Phono delivers a significantly better performance than many built-in phono stages and even an up to 20dBV better Equivalent Input Noise (EIN) compared to some high-end class-A phono stages.