# Musical Fidelity V90-LPS vs iFi Zen Phono 3: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Musical Fidelity V90-LPS (Musical Fidelity) and iFi Zen Phono 3 (iFi Audio) among phono preamps.

## Side by side

| Spec | Musical Fidelity V90-LPS | iFi Zen Phono 3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | not published | not published |
| Brand | Musical Fidelity | iFi Audio |
| Cartridge support | MM and MC, switchable inputs | MM and MC, with 4 selectable modes: MM, MC High, MC Low, MC V-Low |
| Gain (dB) | — | 36-72 dB total range across the 4 gain modes |
| Snr (dB) | MM: >80 dB(A); MC: >70 dB(A) | MM: 91 dB(A); MC High: 81 dB(A); MC Low: 89.6 dB(A); MC V-Low: 78.6 dB(A) |
| Riaa accuracy | ±0.25 dB | ±0.15 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) |
| Input capacitance pf | 100 | 100/200 pF selectable across MM and MC modes |
| Subsonic filter | — | Intelligent adaptive subsonic filter, filters record warp without attenuating bass or adding group delay |
| Thd percent | 0.01% (MM/MC) @ 1kHz, 300mV out | as low as 0.0027% (MM mode, -91dB) |
| Output level | 300 mV (reference level for stated specs) | Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs, level varies by gain mode |

## Key differences

- Cartridge support: Musical Fidelity V90-LPS MM and MC, switchable inputs vs iFi Zen Phono 3 MM and MC, with 4 selectable modes: MM, MC High, MC Low, MC V-Low
- Snr (dB): Musical Fidelity V90-LPS MM: >80 dB(A); MC: >70 dB(A) 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: Musical Fidelity V90-LPS ±0.25 dB vs iFi Zen Phono 3 ±0.15 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
- Input capacitance pf: Musical Fidelity V90-LPS 100 vs iFi Zen Phono 3 100/200 pF selectable across MM and MC modes
- Thd percent: Musical Fidelity V90-LPS 0.01% (MM/MC) @ 1kHz, 300mV out vs iFi Zen Phono 3 as low as 0.0027% (MM mode, -91dB)
- Output level: Musical Fidelity V90-LPS 300 mV (reference level for stated specs) vs iFi Zen Phono 3 Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs, level varies by gain mode

## Sources

- Musical Fidelity V90-LPS: https://musicalfidelity.com/product/v90-lps/ (musicalfidelity.com, verified 2026-08-12)
- iFi Zen Phono 3: https://ifi-audio.com/products/zen-phono/ (ifi-audio.com, verified 2026-08-12)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/phono-preamps/musical-fidelity-v90-lps-vs-ifi-zen-phono-3/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Musical Fidelity V90-LPS (not published) vs iFi Zen Phono 3 (not published) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/phono-preamps/musical-fidelity-v90-lps-vs-ifi-zen-phono-3/
License: CC BY 4.0.