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Parasound
Parasound Zphono
$200
Best Phono Preamps · head-to-head
Parasound Zphono vs iFi Zen Phono 3
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Parasound Zphono is cheaper at $200. 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 | Parasound Zphono | iFi Zen Phono 3 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $200 Parasound direct/list price | — |
| Brand | Parasound | iFi Audio |
| Released | — | — |
| Cartridge support | MM and MC, switchable gain | MM and MC, with 4 selectable modes: MM, MC High, MC Low, MC V-Low |
| Gain (dB) | MM: 46 dB; MC: 61 dB @ 1 kHz | 36-72 dB total range across the 4 gain modes |
| Snr (dB) | MM: 84 dB; MC: 58 dB | 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 (20 Hz - 20 kHz) | ±0.15 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) |
| Input capacitance pf | 150 | 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 | — | as low as 0.0027% (MM mode, -91dB) |
| Output level | 1.1 V | Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs, level varies by gain mode |
Sources — Parasound Zphono: parasound.com (verified 2026-08-12). iFi Zen Phono 3: ifi-audio.com (verified 2026-08-12).
What's the difference between the Parasound Zphono and iFi Zen Phono 3?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Cartridge support: Parasound Zphono MM and MC, switchable gain vs iFi Zen Phono 3 MM and MC, with 4 selectable modes: MM, MC High, MC Low, MC V-Low
- Gain (dB): Parasound Zphono MM: 46 dB; MC: 61 dB @ 1 kHz vs iFi Zen Phono 3 36-72 dB total range across the 4 gain modes
- Snr (dB): Parasound Zphono MM: 84 dB; MC: 58 dB 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: Parasound Zphono ±0.25 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) vs iFi Zen Phono 3 ±0.15 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
- Input capacitance pf: Parasound Zphono 150 vs iFi Zen Phono 3 100/200 pF selectable across MM and MC modes
- Output level: Parasound Zphono 1.1 V vs iFi Zen Phono 3 Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs, level varies by gain mode