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Schiit Audio
Schiit Mani 2
$149Cheaper
Best Phono Preamps · head-to-head
Schiit Mani 2 vs Parasound Zphono
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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Parasound
Parasound Zphono
$200
Which is better: the Schiit Mani 2 or Parasound Zphono?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Schiit Mani 2 is the cheaper at $149.
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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 | Parasound Zphono |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $149 | $200 Parasound direct/list price |
| Brand | Schiit Audio | Parasound |
| Released | — | — |
| Cartridge support | MM and MC | MM and MC, switchable gain |
| Gain (dB) | 33/42/48/60 dB across four Input(L/H) x Output(L/H) combinations; 42 dB is the default MM setting | MM: 46 dB; MC: 61 dB @ 1 kHz |
| Snr (dB) | 87-108 dB, varies inversely with selected gain setting | MM: 84 dB; MC: 58 dB |
| Riaa accuracy | ±0.2 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) | ±0.25 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) |
| Input capacitance pf | 47/100/150/200 pF selectable, with 47k/200/47/38 ohm resistive loading options | 150 |
| Subsonic filter | Switchable passive low-frequency filter, 6 dB/octave or 12 dB/octave at 15 Hz | — |
| Thd percent | 0.0003%-0.0015% depending on selected gain setting | — |
| Output level | 75 ohm output impedance; level varies with gain setting | 1.1 V |
Sources — Schiit Mani 2: schiit.com (verified 2026-08-12). Parasound Zphono: parasound.com (verified 2026-08-12).
What's the difference between the Schiit Mani 2 and Parasound Zphono?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Cartridge support: Schiit Mani 2 MM and MC vs Parasound Zphono MM and MC, switchable gain
- 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 Parasound Zphono MM: 46 dB; MC: 61 dB @ 1 kHz
- Snr (dB): Schiit Mani 2 87-108 dB, varies inversely with selected gain setting vs Parasound Zphono MM: 84 dB; MC: 58 dB
- Riaa accuracy: Schiit Mani 2 ±0.2 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) vs Parasound Zphono ±0.25 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 Parasound Zphono 150
- Output level: Schiit Mani 2 75 ohm output impedance; level varies with gain setting vs Parasound Zphono 1.1 V