# U-Turn Pluto 2 vs iFi Zen Phono 3: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the U-Turn Pluto 2 (U-Turn Audio) and iFi Zen Phono 3 (iFi Audio) among phono preamps.

## Side by side

| Spec | U-Turn Pluto 2 | iFi Zen Phono 3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $129 | not published |
| Brand | U-Turn Audio | iFi Audio |
| Cartridge support | MM only | MM and MC, with 4 selectable modes: MM, MC High, MC Low, MC V-Low |
| Gain (dB) | 40 | 36-72 dB total range across the 4 gain modes |
| Snr (dB) | 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 | 100 | 100/200 pF selectable across MM and MC modes |
| Subsonic filter | Active subsonic filter | Intelligent adaptive subsonic filter, filters record warp without attenuating bass or adding group delay |
| Thd percent | <0.005% (A-weighted) | as low as 0.0027% (MM mode, -91dB) |
| Output level | — | Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs, level varies by gain mode |

## Key differences

- Cartridge support: U-Turn Pluto 2 MM only vs iFi Zen Phono 3 MM and MC, with 4 selectable modes: MM, MC High, MC Low, MC V-Low
- Gain (dB): U-Turn Pluto 2 40 vs iFi Zen Phono 3 36-72 dB total range across the 4 gain modes
- Snr (dB): U-Turn Pluto 2 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: U-Turn Pluto 2 ±0.3 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) vs iFi Zen Phono 3 ±0.15 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
- Input capacitance pf: U-Turn Pluto 2 100 vs iFi Zen Phono 3 100/200 pF selectable across MM and MC modes
- Subsonic filter: U-Turn Pluto 2 Active subsonic filter vs iFi Zen Phono 3 Intelligent adaptive subsonic filter, filters record warp without attenuating bass or adding group delay
- Thd percent: U-Turn Pluto 2 <0.005% (A-weighted) vs iFi Zen Phono 3 as low as 0.0027% (MM mode, -91dB)

## Sources

- U-Turn Pluto 2: https://uturnaudio.com/products/pluto-phono-preamp (uturnaudio.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/u-turn-pluto-2-vs-ifi-zen-phono-3/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, U-Turn Pluto 2 ($129) vs iFi Zen Phono 3 (not published) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/phono-preamps/u-turn-pluto-2-vs-ifi-zen-phono-3/
License: CC BY 4.0.