View Full Version : ifi micro iphono
Warning - Achtung - Pas op : rave review ahead
I recently ran a thread as I was unhappy with my phonostage - a ProJect Tube Box II : http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=21671
To the members who replied; thank you very much. I got to trial Graham Slee's top model. It was out of my price range but I decided to get it anyway - instant coffee, blended scotch etc - oh the sacrifices we have to make! But the Graham Slee definitely did the trick.
While I was saving up, something came up. The ifi micro iphono.
[Just as aside, when you google iphono Google asks you 'did you mean iphone?' :steam: FFS! An apple product? I would rather be tied on a slab in a dungeon with Vlad the Impaler using me to prove his thesis that the Marquis de Sade was but an amateur.]
The ifi iphono is exactly half the price of the Graham Slee. I did what research I could and ... pulled the trigger. Straight out of the box it bested the ProJect Tube Box. I've had it a few days now, and it is improving. It seems to me similar in tone to the Graham Slee [the 'Revelation']. Sound quality wise I have a mild preference for the iphono. The kicker is this: It costs exactly half the price of the Graham Slee Revelation (in New Zealand Dollars).
I have to say I am fairly new to vinyl - 18 months, +- 80 LPs, experience with Phono Stages limited to the above and a couple of 'Amplifier Integrated' phono stages. All the same I am one happy camper. Anyone looking for a Stage must check this out.
I think I remember raving about the IFI on another thread. Its a really good value phonostage
hifi_dave
03-02-2013, 11:33
http://http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t406/hifi_dave/007-2.jpg
Like this..
I think I remember raving about the IFI on another thread. Its a really good value phonostage
Didn't spot that thread :doh:
Ammonite Audio
04-02-2013, 11:36
Dave, do you sell the iPhono? Looking at the comprehensive loading and equalisation options, I'd be very interested in trying one out.
http://http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t406/hifi_dave/007-2.jpg
Like this..
hifi_dave
04-02-2013, 15:31
I do.
It's got more loading and EQ options than you can shake a stick at. Actually, I've just left mine on the default settings and enjoyed it as it is.
Ammonite Audio
04-02-2013, 16:07
How do you feel about its performance, against others at its price point, or indeed way above? In other words, is it something of a giant-killer phono amp?
I can chip in.....the iFi is better than the Ray Samuels Nighthawk, mainly in the treble, otherwise they are quite close in sound - though iFi has many more facilities. The Nighthawk is thought of as a giant killer, the the giant killer is bettered by the iFi phono coming in at half its price.
hifi_dave
04-02-2013, 16:25
It's very good indeed - clean, clear, free of nasties and very quiet. I've heard a lot worse at far greater cost and you also have all those loading options to play with.
What dave isn't saying is that if you don't need the loading options nor the MC input, the usual suspects under and above are also *really* good if not as nice looking (you know the makers I mean, although the cheaper one hasn't ever been mentioned due to the palava about their £500 integrated ;))
Ammonite Audio
10-02-2013, 17:16
I bought an iPhono at the AudioJumble today. Initial impressions are very positive, but it does need to bed in for a while. It is very small indeed.
I bought an iPhono at the AudioJumble today. Initial impressions are very positive, but it does need to bed in for a while. It is very small indeed.
I'll be interested in your thoughts vs the Veron. The iFi bears comparison to my valve / LCR phono stage though they are somewhat different, suiting different setups.
The good thing about it is you can hide it round the back of your rack which leaves room for other items, the other 3 items in the range are exceptionally good too, especially the headphone amp.
Others have said the same too :)
Spectral Morn
10-02-2013, 20:56
I have one here to review for Adventures in High Fidelity Audio but I have a pile of other stuff to do before it :doh: I just finished the iDAC and iUSB Power from the same range and they are very good indeed for modest money. I suspect the iPhono will also be very good.
Regards Neil
Did not really rate the DAC with USB power supply Not as good as the JK32 DAC in my system Guess horses for courses
Spectral Morn
10-02-2013, 21:23
Did not really rate the DAC with USB power supply Not as good as the JK32 DAC in my system Guess horses for courses
Was it run in John? If not try again but I haven't tried a JK32 so can't comment about that - could be a system synergy miss match. Did you try the IUSB with the JK32? I would be surprised if it didn't improve it a smidge or more.
Regards Neil
The JK uses battery power so the iUSB isn't useful on this occasion. I'm sure iFi would say mains is better!
Yes agree think the power supply would make a huge difference with mains power
Ammonite Audio
11-02-2013, 19:36
I'll be interested in your thoughts vs the Veron. The iFi bears comparison to my valve / LCR phono stage though they are somewhat different, suiting different setups.
I'll make sure it's had a good few hundred hours before making that comparison! So far, it sounds rather good, if a little unbalanced, which is to be expected with something that's not yet run in properly. I have attached a Paul Hynes SR3 PSU to the iPhono, resulting in an obvious lift in sound quality compared to the stock switching wall-wart PSU.
It's been interesting fiddling with the loading settings, to find out what suits the Benz Wood SL best. Benz state 100 Ohms to 47k Ohms, which is not much help, but it seems happiest with 330 Ohms. I'd be interested to know what others think is the best loading for the Benz.
If a bloomin' phono stage needs hundreds of hours before it sounds decent, I'd worry about its terrible design using shitty under-specced components! Naim running in (or out) over prolonged periods I can take :eek:, since their amps drifted all over the place in the past, with devastating consequences after a few years powered 24/7, but a phono stage should be clean and stable right from the off, and if you don't like the sound, well there's always summat else to try......
Just my view like... and the iPhono was reviewed and used over a prolonged period in Sterephile with comments on it's bright and rather "fresh" sonics...
Dave, I think your reaction re burn-in is uncalled for. Then again it's not a Rega or Croft is it, I'm sure they sound 100% as the components are soldered in place.
I'm far from an exponent of burn-in but even a skeptic such as myself admits that with some components it does take place. I find opamps need a very few hours to be sure they are sounding as they will long term. Polyprop capacitors are usually ok with 10 to 50 hours. If teflon caps are fitted then we really can be talking 100s of hours, what can sound unbalanced when new most certainly can change.
I've had an iPhono here for a couple of months. I would not call it bright, I would however agree that it is fresh sounding. Partner it with a fresh sounding cartridge (ie my London Reference) and you'll find it a little too much. Partner the iPhono with a cartridge that is a solid mid-range performer and you'll be rewarded with a more open mid-range than is typical. Also bass is very good indeed but a lot depends on the deck and cartridge. The top-end is not bright and I find it better that the Nighthawk, which is reckoned by many to be able to compete with £2,000 phonostages.
This is about synergy, a phonostage is an incredibly important component and it needs to paired with a deck and cartridge using one's ears.
Spectral Morn
12-02-2013, 14:52
If a bloomin' phono stage needs hundreds of hours before it sounds decent, I'd worry about its terrible design using shitty under-specced components! Naim running in (or out) over prolonged periods I can take :eek:, since their amps drifted all over the place in the past, with devastating consequences after a few years powered 24/7, but a phono stage should be clean and stable right from the off, and if you don't like the sound, well there's always summat else to try......
Just my view like... and the iPhono was reviewed and used over a prolonged period in Sterephile with comments on it's bright and rather "fresh" sonics...
I would like to echo Clive's comment.
Dave you can't say the above 'I'd worry about its terrible design using shitty under-specced components!' Firstly you haven't heard the iFi Phono stage or lived with one, nor do you know what components are used in it. Over my time involved in hifi as a civilian and being involved in the industry I have heard numerous examples of run in and prolonged run in and these items were in no way what you describe.
It is a well know aspect of AMR designs that they need prolonged run in, up to 500 hours on their CD players and DACs and I have first hand experience of this. The iFi products are mostly designed by the same designer and a few others - so I am not surprised if this is the case. I have owned a CD77, reviewed a CD777 and own a DP777 all required hundreds of hours of run in. I didn't find the iDAC needed an excessive amount of run in however.
So may I politely suggest you stop making such wild comments against stuff you know nothing about. You have a habit of getting bs in your bonnet about certain things and people and trundling out the same old prejudices. If you have no direct experience of a product best say nothing imho.
Regards Neil
The distributor suggested simply leaving it on for a few days. After 3 days - say 72 hours - and about 10 hours of playing, it came on song.
Dave, I think your reaction re burn-in is uncalled for. Then again it's not a Rega or Croft is it, I'm sure they sound 100% as the components are soldered in place.
I'm far from an exponent of burn-in but even a skeptic such as myself admits that with some components it does take place. I find opamps need a very few hours to be sure they are sounding as they will long term. Polyprop capacitors are usually ok with 10 to 50 hours. If teflon caps are fitted then we really can be talking 100s of hours, what can sound unbalanced when new most certainly can change.
I've had an iPhono here for a couple of months. I would not call it bright, I would however agree that it is fresh sounding. Partner it with a fresh sounding cartridge (ie my London Reference) and you'll find it a little too much. Partner the iPhono with a cartridge that is a solid mid-range performer and you'll be rewarded with a more open mid-range than is typical. Also bass is very good indeed but a lot depends on the deck and cartridge. The top-end is not bright and I find it better that the Nighthawk, which is reckoned by many to be able to compete with £2,000 phonostages.
This is about synergy, a phonostage is an incredibly important component and it needs to paired with a deck and cartridge using one's ears.
Absolutely agree, but does the iPhono really need all this time to sort itself out? That's all I was suggesting - and I wasn't thinking of Rega or Croft in this instance (there's a HUGE HiFi world out there :)). It's just that, for me anyway, so many other things can change over this sort of time when listening to records - styli, cantilever suspensions reacting to temp and humidity changes etc etc, that's all.
Apologies if I came over a bit harsh - internet temperament and not being able to express more eloquently I suspect on my part :)
It is a well know aspect of AMR designs that they need prolonged run in, up to 500 hours on their CD players and DACs and I have first hand experience of this. The iFi products are mostly designed by the same designer and a few others - so I am not surprised if this is the case. I have owned a CD77, reviewed a CD777 and own a DP777 all required hundreds of hours of run in. I didn't find the iDAC needed an excessive amount of run in however.
So may I politely suggest you stop making such wild comments against stuff you know nothing about. You have a habit of getting bs in your bonnet about certain things and people and trundling out the same old prejudices. If you have no direct experience of a product best say nothing imho.
Regards Neil
Then they haven't been designed properly IMO if they all need many hundreds of hours of use. daft in this day and age. I certainly can't wait stupid times for a tetchy product to start to perform as intended, since after spending many hundreds of hard-earned quid I EXPECT it to perform as optimal IMMEDIATELY. If you're willing to fanny about making allowances for this over MONTHS rather than hours, then that's up to you.
Not prejudice at all, but it's crap like this Neil that has aided the demise of this industry we all knew and loved and made it a laughing stock. I shall next week be able to play with an iPhono and shall expect hifi dave to have had it permanently plugged in 24/7 at least in the meantime so it has a good few hours thermal noise to play with if little else - we do have lives away from audio electronics :)
Not expecting anyone to agree with me, but I feel I have the right to express an opinion and change it as necessary, even if it's the wrong one :) :ner:
Absolutely agree, but does the iPhono really need all this time to sort itself out?
The point is that many products do need time to burn-in (sort itself out). Not just the iPhono. Usually it's to do with capacitors, as I mentioned if it uses any with Teflon there can be a long burn-in process, possibly more likely would be silver mica in the RIAA eq section, these are way worse than Teflon in terms of time needed. Maybe it doesn't need that long though - 72 hours seemed ok for Andrei. I can't comment on the one I have as it was run for many hours before I got it.
As for the "fresh" sound, I should add that this isn't it being forward or tilted in its response curve (subjectively), it's more about it being very open in the mid-range.
Just my view like... and the iPhono was reviewed and used over a prolonged period in Sterephile with comments on it's bright and rather "fresh" sonics...
Dave, can you point me at the Stereophile review? I don't believe they've reviewed the iPhono.
hifi_dave
13-02-2013, 13:33
Dave, can you point me at the Stereophile review? I don't believe they've reviewed the iPhono.
Mikey, on Analog Planet did a write-up.
Mikey, on Analog Planet did a write-up.
Yes, I know that one: http://www.analogplanet.com/content/whats-8500-cartridge-doing-place-399-ifi-iphono-phono-preamplifier
I am using one and would say bright is not correct, of course reviews have to be taken in context of what the system used is. It sound good in my system Garrard 401, Canor amp, Snell speakers.
I am using one and would say bright is not correct, of course reviews have to be taken in context of what the system used is. It sound good in my system Garrard 401, Canor amp, Snell speakers.
I see Dave's confusion as Fremer did the Analog Planet review.
The main conclusion in this review was:
Overall, the iPhono is an incredible value that offers a level of set-up flexibility unusual at any price and sonic performance that was several notches higher than my most optimistic hopes for the sound.
At $399, the iPhono has little competition, though a few of the inexpensive MM only units I've heard can sound a bit sweeter, but less rhythmically assured. The iPhono is easy to recommend as long as you don't have overly unrealistic expectations. Bring your unrealistic ones though because the iPhono will probably exceed them!
Not quite how Dave portrayed it....
I see Dave's confusion as Fremer did the Analog Planet review.
The main conclusion in this review was:
Overall, the iPhono is an incredible value that offers a level of set-up flexibility unusual at any price and sonic performance that was several notches higher than my most optimistic hopes for the sound.
At $399, the iPhono has little competition, though a few of the inexpensive MM only units I've heard can sound a bit sweeter, but less rhythmically assured. The iPhono is easy to recommend as long as you don't have overly unrealistic expectations. Bring your unrealistic ones though because the iPhono will probably exceed them!
Not quite how Dave portrayed it....
just sums it up exactly
I didn't just get this from the Fremer review either, which I thought rather "flowery" as subjective reviews can be...
To balance, I should add that a trusted-ears friend of mine with decades experience in a separate side of professional audio-recording rates the Abbingdon stuff incredibly highly and has bought (I think) an iPhono. It was his enthusiasm that got Dave and myself interested in the first place. The only really negative comments have been from both about intermittant channels on the mm inputs, which may have been addressed in replacement samples for all I know. I like the idea of the loading options, since older MM types especially could be quite sensitive to this. That's why I'm keen to hear it, along with its abilities with fixed coil cartridges as a hopefully excellent alternative to now expensive SUT's...
hifi_dave
13-02-2013, 16:09
Personally, I have had no MM intermittent problems with the iPhonos I have had here. Fat finger trouble is all.
There is indeed, a plethora of loading and EQ options plus inputs for MM and MC cartridges. If, like me, you hate entering an empty car park because there are too many choices to make, you will set it to 'default' and enjoy it as it is.
Spectral Morn
13-02-2013, 16:36
Then they haven't been designed properly IMO if they all need many hundreds of hours of use. daft in this day and age. I certainly can't wait stupid times for a tetchy product to start to perform as intended, since after spending many hundreds of hard-earned quid I EXPECT it to perform as optimal IMMEDIATELY. If you're willing to fanny about making allowances for this over MONTHS rather than hours, then that's up to you.
Not prejudice at all, but it's crap like this Neil that has aided the demise of this industry we all knew and loved and made it a laughing stock. I shall next week be able to play with an iPhono and shall expect hifi dave to have had it permanently plugged in 24/7 at least in the meantime so it has a good few hours thermal noise to play with if little else - we do have lives away from audio electronics :)
Not expecting anyone to agree with me, but I feel I have the right to express an opinion and change it as necessary, even if it's the wrong one :) :ner:
Sorry Dave but how dare you once again make massive generalisations.
Your own Marantz based CD player took a week to optimise its performance, did you never hear that? And this after run in, switch it off and bang you are back to needing to leave it on. Your ignorance of AMR products shows here as what DAC does the CD77 use? And the CD777? I get very annoyed and frustrated when folks pontificate and bad mouth stuff they know nothing about.
I have heard this phenomenon my whole audio life (I have always protected my ears) to varying degrees and no one has ever been able to explain why this should be the case and your slanderous claims re crap designs and component use (frankly iFi Audio/AMR should consider taking you to court for that)is simply not the case. Not everything requires (again not sure why that is the case) this but some items do and I have years of hearing this and it is not environmental or based on other components used such as you allude to, or the placebo effect/expectation bias BS that some trundle out.
Do I like this situation? No but I accept it as a reality because I and many many others have heard it. Frankly in my opinion if you don't take this into account you and others will never have heard new kit in its best light ever!!!
I am personally sick and tired of these sorts of comments sweeping generalisation, ill founded, ignorant and in your case bad mouthing products (that you have no direct/personal experience of) that require run in and use - to do so. I am afraid HiFi Dave leaving it powered up is not enough as it will have needed use to run it in.
Yes Dave you are prejudiced in your views and I am not the only person who has observed that, and that includes your hobby horses that you trundle out all the time.
hifi_dave
13-02-2013, 17:00
I am afraid HiFi Dave leaving it powered up is not enough as it will have needed use to run it in.
What's that expression about 'Granny' and 'sucking eggs'. I have been running in and warming up Hi-Fi equipment since the mid 60's, so I do know a little of the subject..:rolleyes:
The iPhono is well run in and well warmed up previous to any demos. It's what I do with all the kit I have on demo. The iPhono has been run in with a variety of LP's from Led Zep, through Muddy Waters to Dylan. No classical though.
Spectral Morn
13-02-2013, 17:13
What's that expression about 'Granny' and 'sucking eggs'. I have been running in and warming up Hi-Fi equipment since the mid 60's, so I do know a little of the subject..:rolleyes:
The iPhono is well run in and well warmed up previous to any demos. It's what I do with all the kit I have on demo. The iPhono has been run in with a variety of LP's from Led Zep, through Muddy Waters to Dylan. No classical though.
I was repeating what Dave said not that you would not know how to run gear in.
Dave (R), I don't want you to be in this pickle, really I don't - it's never a good feeling. I feel there's been inconsistency with what you've been saying, first of all damning the iPhono with faint praise and then saying it's bright but then saying you look forward to hearing it. All this stuff about burn-in and failures which Dave (W) for one hasn't seen. Maybe we all need to give it a rest now. When you get to hear the iPhono you may like it or not, but I have confidence that it's a good phono stage and amazing for the price but like every piece of hi-fi it won't be for everyone.
Ammonite Audio
13-02-2013, 18:27
Personally, I have had no MM intermittent problems with the iPhonos I have had here. Fat finger trouble is all.
There is indeed, a plethora of loading and EQ options plus inputs for MM and MC cartridges. If, like me, you hate entering an empty car park because there are too many choices to make, you will set it to 'default' and enjoy it as it is.
Spectacles and a sharpened fingernail are almost required to set the little switches underneath the iPhono. The combination of swiches for setting MM or MC options are a bit confusing, and AMR did warn me to make sure that the switches were set correctly, otherwise it doesn't work properly.
I don't agree about setting it to 'default'. Why buy something this flexible if you can't be bothered to find the optimum setting for your particular cartridge, particularly for MCs? The differences between different loadings for my Benz are not at all subtle; and given the wrong loading, a casual listener would be forgiven for thinking that the cartridge is not much good.
hifi_dave
14-02-2013, 11:25
You do need to set the switches correctly as I found when my vanity of not putting on my specs, had me playing it with neither MM or MC set. With specs on it is pretty straightforward.
They do supply a neat little plastic 'screwdriver' to assist with setting the switches.
Dave (R), I don't want you to be in this pickle, really I don't - it's never a good feeling. I feel there's been inconsistency with what you've been saying, first of all damning the iPhono with faint praise and then saying it's bright but then saying you look forward to hearing it. All this stuff about burn-in and failures which Dave (W) for one hasn't seen. Maybe we all need to give it a rest now. When you get to hear the iPhono you may like it or not, but I have confidence that it's a good phono stage and amazing for the price but like every piece of hi-fi it won't be for everyone.
If my two "hobby horses (manufacturers?)" wish to complain, they know where I am and can either contact me directly via phone or email in the case of one, or send a message via Dave W in the case of another.
I do dare to express my opinion Neil, which can and does change and I repeat, I really don't think it's on for a £350 product to behave like this, assuming it really does at all. I suspect it's more in reality a tiny TINY difference that we audio hobbyists magnify out of all recognition into something really important and it really is this sort of stuff which puts sensible people off buying into out specialised industry.
As for intermittant channels, I haven't made it up as one other found exactly the same on first use - I do have the emails to prove it - stop fibbing Dave ;) Glad it was due to large diameter fingers instead of a genuine fault though :) Maybe a collection of coctail sticks to tweak these switches may be a good idea?
I'm interested in this device because of the loading options which few others have anywhere near this price. I have no idea how much of the price goes into providing this though.
I was repeating what Dave said not that you would not know how to run gear in.
I never said any such thing Neil. Dave isn't in the habit of leaving things on 24/7 as I used to when selling Naim for example although after a spectacular failure on a pair of Epos ES14's when an Intek plonked DC into them when left unattended, I tended to rethink this position and I was asking him to make sure this unit had the requisite hours under its belt so Alex_UK and I could hear it fairly against known references, that's all.
IIt is a well know aspect of AMR designs that they need prolonged run in, up to 500 hours on their CD players and DACs and I have first hand experience of this. The iFi products are mostly designed by the same designer and a few others - so I am not surprised if this is the case. I have owned a CD77, reviewed a CD777 and own a DP777 all required hundreds of hours of run in. I didn't find the iDAC needed an excessive amount of run in however.
So if I bought an AMR CD player it would take me about 25 weeks of normal listening to 'burn it in' so that it sounded its best? That is ridiculous. Have to say I am very sceptical about this burn in thing. Maybe it applies to a couple of hours use from brand new but longer than that it is far more probable that we are simply growing accustomed to a slightly different sound.
So if I bought an AMR CD player it would take me about 25 weeks of normal listening to 'burn it in' so that it sounded its best? That is ridiculous. Have to say I am very sceptical about this burn in thing. Maybe it applies to a couple of hours use from brand new but longer than that it is far more probable that we are simply growing accustomed to a slightly different sound.
It's a bit of both IMHO... I do firmly believe that *a lot* of burn-in is your ears adjusting to a new sound, but at the same time, things like Black Gate caps burn-in or LFD gear sounding a bit bright when cold, and with a definite burn-in period, are true to these ears.
So if I bought an AMR CD player it would take me about 25 weeks of normal listening to 'burn it in' so that it sounded its best? That is ridiculous. Have to say I am very sceptical about this burn in thing. Maybe it applies to a couple of hours use from brand new but longer than that it is far more probable that we are simply growing accustomed to a slightly different sound.
You may have heard of Douglas Self. He's a conservative designer in many way, not at all given to swallowing foo.
In the link below there's a very short mention of what he's found with capacitors in terms of measurable distortion. Some capacitors do IME take ages to burn-in if they are only seeing low signal level, such are those in a passive RIAA position and is they are polyprop, telfon or silver mica in particular. Tantalums in Naim gear have been guilty as charged too. Sometimes just leaving the gear on does most of the burn-in, it depends on the circuit. This really is not news.......just as with main cables I'm pissed that it happens but it does.
http://www.linearaudio.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=213:self-improvement-for-capacitors&catid=71:self-douglas&Itemid=95
Dave you're not doing yourself any favours here.
I really don't think it's on for a £350 product to behave like this, assuming it really does at all.
You say it's bad for the product to behave this way but it may not behave this way. So why the f*ck say anything unless it's intended to cast doubt over the reputation of a brand you don't normally favour....as in the answer is Rega or Croft, now what's the question?
As for intermittant channels, I haven't made it up as one other found exactly the same on first use - I do have the emails to prove it - stop fibbing Dave ;) Glad it was due to large diameter fingers instead of a genuine fault though :)
Fibbing = lying....is this the accusation, wink or otherwise?
Spectral Morn
14-02-2013, 15:31
Dave you're not doing yourself any favours here.
You say it's bad for the product to behave this way but it may not behave this way. So why the f*ck say anything unless it's intended to cast doubt over the reputation of a brand you don't normally favour....as in the answer is Rega or Croft, now what's the question?
Fibbing = lying....is this the accusation, wink or otherwise?
Not good Dave R, not good at all :(
My comments were in response to yours, and the slanderous language you feel entitled to bandy about without a care in the world and totally groundless comments as well and at no stage did I suggest that the iPhono requires 500 hours of run in/use though it might - I would not be surprised if it did - as other AMR designs do require that (CD77, CD777, DP777) but like YOU I have yet to listen to or use the iPhono I have sitting here, hence the reason I have said nothing about sound quality as I am as of yet unable to do so. I really do get sick of know all gurus pontificating about stuff they have no direct experience of and I will call that out and challenge it. My issue here is not your disbelief of run in or that it is a pain but the language you used to slander a brand and products you have no experience of, that is my issue.
Someone with a degree of intelligence and common sense would have apologised but no, you continue to dig and an even deeper hole for yourself. Keep it up and you will be seeing Mike New for breakfast soon.
The ifi i-phono is very good, in fact all 4 items in the range are exceptionally good for the money, I have them all in use so I know what to expect when I take them to bristol next week, they will sell well I am sure.
Beechwoods
14-02-2013, 16:51
Neil, Dave DSJR. I expect your ding-dong to end now.
A number of ungentlemanly things have been said here. One more off-topic post and I will lock the thread pending discussion with the rest of the team.
Thank you.
Ammonite Audio
14-02-2013, 17:09
Neil, Dave DSJR. I expect your ding-dong to end now.
A number of ungentlemanly things have been said here. One more off-topic post and I will lock the thread pending discussion with the rest of the team.
Thank you.
As the iPhono user who noted that it would take a while for it to be at its best, before I reached any conclusions about its performance, I have to support Neil and Clive here. The forum should not encourage amateur and unsupported speculation about commercial products which could damage those products in the marketplace.
As for 'ungentlemanly', I'm not sure what you mean here. Yes, the topic has drifted a little, but certain things have to be said.
Beechwoods
14-02-2013, 20:19
Hugo, let's get back to talking about the iPhono. I do not want to get dragged into an argument about why I posted earlier. If discussion doesn't get back to the iPhono it would be a shame, as I was quite enjoying the perspectives offered; being in the market for a new phonostage myself at the moment.
The OP said it was good, the 2nd poster said it was good, I say it's good, what else needs to be said other than go and buy one? :)
Never seen this level of adjustment on anything let alone a mini phono stage.....
http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt309/themainsman/iFi%20audio/iphono_zps9079b3e7.jpg
Ammonite Audio
04-03-2013, 17:55
Having listened via the iPhono for a while, today I replaced the Paul Hynes Veron Concert valve phono amp and Ortofon ST-80SE SUT. I had really hoped that the little iPhono would be a budget giant-killer, replacing three boxes with just one; and it is very good indeed, particularly bearing in mind its modest price. But, it does not compare with the Veron, whose Telefunken tubes alone cost a good proportion of the iPhono's price. Perhaps this is no great surprise.
The iPhono really does sound good, but it's very much a solid state sound, if that makes sense. It is not harsh or grating at all, but does not share the lyrical and liquid sound of the Veron/ST-80SE combination.
It was worth a punt!
That doesn't surprise me Hugo. Paul's Veron looks really good, it's a shame he's not doing it anymore - or he wasn't last time I spoke with him. This was due to some power supply parts not being available any more. It's a phono I really wanted to try.
Paul Hynes
05-03-2013, 19:09
Hello Clive,
As it happens the power supply parts are now available again so the Veron Concert phono stage is available again. If you still want to try one I will drop one into the build schedule for you.
Regards
Paul
Ammonite Audio
05-03-2013, 19:10
Hello Clive,
As it happens the power supply parts are now available again so the Veron Concert phono stage is available again. If you still want to try one I will drop one into the build schedule for you.
Regards
Paul
Clive, you are welcome to borrow my Veron if you wish, but I would need it back!
Hello Clive,
As it happens the power supply parts are now available again so the Veron Concert phono stage is available again. If you still want to try one I will drop one into the build schedule for you.
Regards
Paul
Hi Paul,
It's great news that it's on stream again. Please do add one to your build schedule. I'll contact you by email when I return from a trip to Brighton where my daughter has a design degree interview. I don't have my laptop with me so I don't have your email address with me.
Clive
Clive, you are welcome to borrow my Veron if you wish, but I would need it back!
That's a kind offer Hugo, I wouldn't want to deprive you of it if at all possible.
Ressurecting this to see if opinions on the little iPhono have changed in a year. How many of you still have one, and if you've sold it on, why? Any added comments on sound, usability or reliability? I've seen a little skepticism about the servicability of the dip switches if they have to be used often.
Ressurecting this to see if opinions on the little iPhono have changed in a year. How many of you still have one, and if you've sold it on, why? Any added comments on sound, usability or reliability? I've seen a little skepticism about the servicability of the dip switches if they have to be used often.
Jay
I was OP. Have upgraded but I still recommend the ifi! It cost me in the order of 5X the price to get a significant improvement. It really was a snug treat with a Denon DL110. Over a period of about a year I swapped cartridges, say, 12 times (I'm guessing once a month) and did not notice any issues with the dip switches. I have not yet sold the ifi - I really should but I am dreaming of a 2nd TT!
Thanks Andrei. I have three TTs to get up and running, so was looking for decent, but not too expensive phono stage options, and when I saw this, with it's loading and non-RIAA curve options (I have a bunch of pre-RIAA monos) I thought it'd be ideal at half the price of a Slee Revelation.
topmetom
04-05-2014, 20:03
Ive been recommended this for my benz micro silver, any thoughts? I stupidly bought a heed questar..doh totally wrong
mike1210
10-05-2014, 10:56
This thread got me thinking. ifi takes 9v DC input.
How would it sound powered by this if it worked?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/15000mAh-Portable-External-Camcorder-adapters/dp/B00H8L2MIW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399719276&sr=8-1&keywords=anker+9v
Ammonite Audio
10-05-2014, 15:54
Ive been recommended this for my benz micro silver, any thoughts? I stupidly bought a heed questar..doh totally wrong
I had the iPhono for a while and found it to be very good indeed with MM catridges, but rather dull with MC (Benz Wood SL and Ortofon Kontrapunkt B), even after trying every loading option. YMMV, of course.
This thread got me thinking. ifi takes 9v DC input.
How would it sound powered by this if it worked?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/15000mAh-Portable-External-Camcorder-adapters/dp/B00H8L2MIW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399719276&sr=8-1&keywords=anker+9v
Are you going to try Mike?
mike1210
10-05-2014, 21:55
Are you going to try Mike?
Sorry, I don't have one myself but I do use an Anker battery with my Bushmaster MK2 on Stan's advise, which has made a huge difference to the sound.
I had the iPhono for a while and found it to be very good indeed with MM catridges, but rather dull with MC (Benz Wood SL and Ortofon Kontrapunkt B), even after trying every loading option. YMMV, of course.
Found to be good with the much-maligned DL103 though. I suspect it may not be up to higher end MCs? I'll have to try it out with some of my better carts.
Sorry, I don't have one myself but I do use an Anker battery with my Bushmaster MK2 on Stan's advise, which has made a huge difference to the sound.
Thanks Mike.....worth a punt at £43.....can always use it to charge my phone at Festivals.
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