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Cambridge Audio
Cambridge Audio Alva Duo
$399
Best Phono Preamps · head-to-head
Cambridge Audio Alva Duo vs iFi Zen Phono 3
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Cambridge Audio Alva Duo is cheaper at $399. Every spec and price links to its source.
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iFi Audio
iFi Zen Phono 3
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Cambridge Audio Alva Duo | iFi Zen Phono 3 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $399 Cambridge Audio USA direct price | — |
| Brand | Cambridge Audio | iFi Audio |
| Released | — | — |
| Cartridge support | MM and MC | MM and MC, with 4 selectable modes: MM, MC High, MC Low, MC V-Low |
| Gain (dB) | MM: 39 dB; MC: 60 dB @ 1 kHz | 36-72 dB total range across the 4 gain modes |
| Snr (dB) | MM: >90 dB; MC: >70 dB (grounded inputs, 20Hz-20kHz, ref 1V output) | MM: 91 dB(A); MC High: 81 dB(A); MC Low: 89.6 dB(A); MC V-Low: 78.6 dB(A) |
| Riaa accuracy | ±0.3 dB (30 Hz - 20 kHz) | ±0.15 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) |
| Input capacitance pf | 100 | 100/200 pF selectable across MM and MC modes |
| Subsonic filter | Yes | Intelligent adaptive subsonic filter, filters record warp without attenuating bass or adding group delay |
| Thd percent | MM: <0.0025%; MC: <0.20% (1kHz, 20Hz-20kHz bandwidth, THD+N) | as low as 0.0027% (MM mode, -91dB) |
| Output level | 300 mV nominal | Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs, level varies by gain mode |
Sources — Cambridge Audio Alva Duo: cambridgeaudio.com (verified 2026-08-12). iFi Zen Phono 3: ifi-audio.com (verified 2026-08-12).
What's the difference between the Cambridge Audio Alva Duo and iFi Zen Phono 3?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (8 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Cartridge support: Cambridge Audio Alva Duo MM and MC vs iFi Zen Phono 3 MM and MC, with 4 selectable modes: MM, MC High, MC Low, MC V-Low
- Gain (dB): Cambridge Audio Alva Duo MM: 39 dB; MC: 60 dB @ 1 kHz vs iFi Zen Phono 3 36-72 dB total range across the 4 gain modes
- Snr (dB): Cambridge Audio Alva Duo MM: >90 dB; MC: >70 dB (grounded inputs, 20Hz-20kHz, ref 1V output) vs iFi Zen Phono 3 MM: 91 dB(A); MC High: 81 dB(A); MC Low: 89.6 dB(A); MC V-Low: 78.6 dB(A)
- Riaa accuracy: Cambridge Audio Alva Duo ±0.3 dB (30 Hz - 20 kHz) vs iFi Zen Phono 3 ±0.15 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
- Input capacitance pf: Cambridge Audio Alva Duo 100 vs iFi Zen Phono 3 100/200 pF selectable across MM and MC modes
- Subsonic filter: Cambridge Audio Alva Duo true vs iFi Zen Phono 3 Intelligent adaptive subsonic filter, filters record warp without attenuating bass or adding group delay
- Thd percent: Cambridge Audio Alva Duo MM: <0.0025%; MC: <0.20% (1kHz, 20Hz-20kHz bandwidth, THD+N) vs iFi Zen Phono 3 as low as 0.0027% (MM mode, -91dB)
- Output level: Cambridge Audio Alva Duo 300 mV nominal vs iFi Zen Phono 3 Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs, level varies by gain mode