I got my IFI Zen Air Phono yesterday and I played records for 4 hours straight for the first time since I was a kid. The Air has me loving vinyl again and probably sounds better than my CD player with DAC. All is right in the world again!
Thanks for doing these videos. It was cool to see and hear your comparisons. I like my current preamp but I hope this will help others. It is hard to make a buying decision when everything gets good reviews. Like the moukey it's rare to have someone say it's shit. Good job
I was gifted a Pyle PP999 and after looking up modifications for it found that there are 2 47kohm cartridge loading resistors in parallel resulting in a low 23.5kohm resistive load on the cartridge. Removing r2 and r5 (47k) will correct the load to 47k which is what nearly all MM cartridges require. I also swapped the 220pF cartridge loading caps with 40pF (ceramic caps, nothing exotic) and am using a 12 volt battery for power. Sounds better now with Audio Technica cartridges requiring 100-200pF total capacitance load.
Loved the comparison videos. I have been wanting to get a pre-amp. and the videos really helped. thanks.. No i just have to wait to see if i won one before i buy one..LOL
Why did you not compare the Schiit phono preamp. I think it's $150, maybe thats out of your review cost parameters. I'm sure the iFi is very good, I've considered getting it versus the Schiit Mani . I wish I had the funds to do both probably could order from Amazon and send back the one I don't like. Free advice from the Cheap Audioman.
Honestly, I ran out of the amount I was willing to spend (since I was basically giving them away in the end) so I chose volume over quality. I still need yo get one… I keep hearing how good they are.
I got my IFI Zen Air Phono yesterday and I played records for 4 hours straight for the first time since I was a kid. The Air has me loving vinyl again and probably sounds better than my CD player with DAC. All is right in the world again!
Great video bud. Keep'em up! Learned alot, I appreciate the review!
Thanks for doing these videos. It was cool to see and hear your comparisons. I like my current preamp but I hope this will help others. It is hard to make a buying decision when everything gets good reviews. Like the moukey it's rare to have someone say it's shit. Good job
I was gifted a Pyle PP999 and after looking up modifications for it found that there are 2 47kohm cartridge loading resistors in parallel resulting in a low 23.5kohm resistive load on the cartridge. Removing r2 and r5 (47k) will correct the load to 47k which is what nearly all MM cartridges require. I also swapped the 220pF cartridge loading caps with 40pF (ceramic caps, nothing exotic) and am using a 12 volt battery for power. Sounds better now with Audio Technica cartridges requiring 100-200pF total capacitance load.
Loved the comparison videos. I have been wanting to get a pre-amp. and the videos really helped. thanks.. No i just have to wait to see if i won one before i buy one..LOL
Only a week or so to go! Not too many folks have entered… we’ll see how it goes! It’s been fun reading your comments!
Why did you not compare the Schiit phono preamp. I think it's $150, maybe thats out of your review cost parameters. I'm sure the iFi is very good, I've considered getting it versus the Schiit Mani . I wish I had the funds to do both probably could order from Amazon and send back the one I don't like. Free advice from the Cheap Audioman.
Honestly, I ran out of the amount I was willing to spend (since I was basically giving them away in the end) so I chose volume over quality. I still need yo get one… I keep hearing how good they are.
I still don't really think the ART DJ PRE II can be beat for overall balance and even punchy tonality.