Does the Zen have higher gain (over the others) going out to your system? Many confuse "louder" with better. I'm not saying this is the case....but in blind tests, 99.9% people will choose the slightly louder component. I would find it hard to believe that the ZEN sounds better than the Parasound. I'm not saying what you are hearing is not real, its just the JC 3+ is an ENDGAME unit for many with really high dollar systems.
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
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- 50 posts total
@sgreg1 : You are one of the few voices of sanity on this site full of moneyphiles! Too many believe that spending more and more results in somehow "better" sound. They are all too ready to listen to the subjective views of the golden ears crowd. |
I think what separates some from the others here is quite simple. My journey is now and alway has been about the music. All to often people get sidetracked and the music takes a back seat to their new love “system”. Trouble is that system is an affair you can never satisfy or make happy. She is a very demanding one that is never content and always checking out the new contender. Music is a loyal partner that can always change and keep satisfying year in and year out. Yes their is a price point that can add or detract from the joy of music and if someone can and wants to spend $700,000 on their system or $50,000 on a dac it is not my place to criticize. IMO everyone needs to first love music and do what they feel is right to nurture that love. If the first love is “system” you will never truly love music as “system” will always want you to doubt her from only reading a review or a post. Trust your ears and love the music! |
Yes, we all (almost) love music here. We also all (almost) love gear too. One need not degrade the other - they can boost each other if done right. There are plenty of audio groups out there with the goal posts set towards "whomever spends the LEAST on their turntable / cables / speakers / amp / system WINS", and their expensive gear bashing tropes are incredibly repetitive and boring (like a toddler so so smug that he learned the F word). THIS is not one of those groups, which I am thankful for. |
The oft used “all about the music” serves music lovers and gear heads alike. Using the phrase to support individual thresholds for spending more or spending less has little utility on audio forums. Some might love the sound on a carefully curated $500K system. Some might tap their foot while listening to a favorite song played on a 1977 Ford Pinto AM radio. The great thing about audio is the infinite variety of choices, combinations and price points for a lifetime of listening enjoyment… |
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