Pro-Ject Audio Systems
Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B
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Best Phono Preamps · head-to-head
Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B vs iFi Zen Phono 3
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B is cheaper at —. 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 | Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B | iFi Zen Phono 3 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | — | — |
| Brand | Pro-Ject Audio Systems | 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) | 40/45/60/65 dB, plus an additional +6 dB available via the balanced XLR outputs | 36-72 dB total range across the 4 gain modes |
| Snr (dB) | MM: 103/110 dB(A); MC: 85/90 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 | <0.3 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) | ±0.15 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) |
| Input capacitance pf | 50/150/300/400 pF selectable | 100/200 pF selectable across MM and MC modes |
| Subsonic filter | 20 Hz, 18 dB/octave rolloff | Intelligent adaptive subsonic filter, filters record warp without attenuating bass or adding group delay |
| Thd percent | MM: <0.001% @1kHz, <0.008% 20Hz-20kHz; MC: <0.005% @1kHz, <0.01% 20Hz-20kHz | as low as 0.0027% (MM mode, -91dB) |
| Output level | Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs | Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs, level varies by gain mode |
Sources — Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B: project-audio.com (verified 2026-08-12). iFi Zen Phono 3: ifi-audio.com (verified 2026-08-12).
What's the difference between the Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B and iFi Zen Phono 3?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (8 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Cartridge support: Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B 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): Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B 40/45/60/65 dB, plus an additional +6 dB available via the balanced XLR outputs vs iFi Zen Phono 3 36-72 dB total range across the 4 gain modes
- Snr (dB): Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B MM: 103/110 dB(A); MC: 85/90 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: Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B <0.3 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) vs iFi Zen Phono 3 ±0.15 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
- Input capacitance pf: Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B 50/150/300/400 pF selectable vs iFi Zen Phono 3 100/200 pF selectable across MM and MC modes
- Subsonic filter: Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B 20 Hz, 18 dB/octave rolloff vs iFi Zen Phono 3 Intelligent adaptive subsonic filter, filters record warp without attenuating bass or adding group delay
- Thd percent: Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B MM: <0.001% @1kHz, <0.008% 20Hz-20kHz; MC: <0.005% @1kHz, <0.01% 20Hz-20kHz vs iFi Zen Phono 3 as low as 0.0027% (MM mode, -91dB)
- Output level: Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs vs iFi Zen Phono 3 Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs, level varies by gain mode