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Schiit Audio
Schiit Mani 2
$149
Best Phono Preamps · head-to-head
Schiit Mani 2 vs iFi Zen Phono 3
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Schiit Mani 2 is cheaper at $149. 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 | Schiit Mani 2 | iFi Zen Phono 3 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $149 | — |
| Brand | Schiit 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) | 33/42/48/60 dB across four Input(L/H) x Output(L/H) combinations; 42 dB is the default MM setting | 36-72 dB total range across the 4 gain modes |
| Snr (dB) | 87-108 dB, varies inversely with selected gain setting | MM: 91 dB(A); MC High: 81 dB(A); MC Low: 89.6 dB(A); MC V-Low: 78.6 dB(A) |
| Riaa accuracy | ±0.2 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) | ±0.15 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) |
| Input capacitance pf | 47/100/150/200 pF selectable, with 47k/200/47/38 ohm resistive loading options | 100/200 pF selectable across MM and MC modes |
| Subsonic filter | Switchable passive low-frequency filter, 6 dB/octave or 12 dB/octave at 15 Hz | Intelligent adaptive subsonic filter, filters record warp without attenuating bass or adding group delay |
| Thd percent | 0.0003%-0.0015% depending on selected gain setting | as low as 0.0027% (MM mode, -91dB) |
| Output level | 75 ohm output impedance; level varies with gain setting | Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs, level varies by gain mode |
Sources — Schiit Mani 2: schiit.com (verified 2026-08-12). iFi Zen Phono 3: ifi-audio.com (verified 2026-08-12).
What's the difference between the Schiit Mani 2 and iFi Zen Phono 3?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (8 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Cartridge support: Schiit Mani 2 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): Schiit Mani 2 33/42/48/60 dB across four Input(L/H) x Output(L/H) combinations; 42 dB is the default MM setting vs iFi Zen Phono 3 36-72 dB total range across the 4 gain modes
- Snr (dB): Schiit Mani 2 87-108 dB, varies inversely with selected gain setting 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: Schiit Mani 2 ±0.2 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) vs iFi Zen Phono 3 ±0.15 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
- Input capacitance pf: Schiit Mani 2 47/100/150/200 pF selectable, with 47k/200/47/38 ohm resistive loading options vs iFi Zen Phono 3 100/200 pF selectable across MM and MC modes
- Subsonic filter: Schiit Mani 2 Switchable passive low-frequency filter, 6 dB/octave or 12 dB/octave at 15 Hz vs iFi Zen Phono 3 Intelligent adaptive subsonic filter, filters record warp without attenuating bass or adding group delay
- Thd percent: Schiit Mani 2 0.0003%-0.0015% depending on selected gain setting vs iFi Zen Phono 3 as low as 0.0027% (MM mode, -91dB)
- Output level: Schiit Mani 2 75 ohm output impedance; level varies with gain setting vs iFi Zen Phono 3 Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs, level varies by gain mode