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Old 02-09-2017, 09:16 PM
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G8YU G8YU is offline
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Default iFi iPhono2 in the stereo (soon)

This is my first purchase from Ivan.
I thought I'd start a thread to report on the iPhono2. It will be taking over Phono-Pre Amp duties from a NAD 7100 that has been serving as a Phono-Pre Amp and AM/FM tuner.
The turntable and and cartridge that will feed the iPhono2 are a Rega P2 with multiple upgrades (or necessary replacements, a story for another day) and a Dynavector 10x5 with Soundsmith level 2 upgrade. Amplification is provided by an Arcam A80 and P80 and the wonderful sound waves are courtesy of a pair of Mirage M7si.
Trying to contain my excitement waiting for delivery. I assume it will be a while though since I just ordered it a couple days ago.
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Old 02-09-2017, 09:27 PM
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Galen... Congrats!
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Old 02-09-2017, 09:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by G8YU View Post
This is my first purchase from Ivan.
I thought I'd start a thread to report on the iPhono2. It will be taking over Phono-Pre Amp duties from a NAD 7100 that has been serving as a Phono-Pre Amp and AM/FM tuner.
The turntable and and cartridge that will feed the iPhono2 are a Rega P2 with multiple upgrades (or necessary replacements, a story for another day) and a Dynavector 10x5 with Soundsmith level 2 upgrade. Amplification is provided by an Arcam A80 and P80 and the wonderful sound waves are courtesy of a pair of Mirage M7si.
Trying to contain my excitement waiting for delivery. I assume it will be a while though since I just ordered it a couple days ago.
Galen.......The Analog Planet review was good. Michael Fremer liked it. I'll be watch for your review.


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Old 04-05-2018, 06:49 PM
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G8YU G8YU is offline
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It's difficult to believe that I've had the iFi iPhono2 over a year. Last year I installed it, and took some first impression notes. Then I rarely had a chance to listen to any albums for the rest of the year. Finally, in January and February I had opportunities to listen to some albums, evaluate the iPhono2 and compare it to the phono stage I had been using.

I was looking for a replacement for the built-in mm/mc phono stage of the NAD 7100 because it seemed that the various upgrades involving the Rega P2 and Dynavector 10x5 had begun to reveal the limits or deficiencies of the phono stage. Unless there is a cart alignment problem causing it (which a Rega RB250 doesn't offer much adjustment anyway); I was beginning to notice some compression, grain and glare in some albums. I began looking for a phono stage that should satisfy me for many years; and, after coming close to buying other models, I stretched my budget to purchase the iPhono2. I'm mostly a "buy the right one once" kind of person where main components are concerned.

First, and perhaps most important, there was no hum, adverse noise or problems of any sort after installing the iPhono2. I set the gain, equalization and loading according to advice in the iFi Instructions, Setup guide and Dynavector 10x5 spec form.

Perhaps I was expecting too much from this phono stage upgrade. Reviews that I read about the Phono2, as well as those about it's predecessor, had me primed to expect improvements in sound quality akin to a cloudy day suddenly turning sunny. I'm afraid that, in my audio system, the level of sound quality improvement brought by the iPhono2 is rather slight; but not insignificant. I don't expect it will change much more with use as reviews state there are only subtle improvements with break-in; and it should be done breaking-in by now.

I began to wonder if I had set the gain, loading and equaliztion correctly. I tried other gain settings; but went back to the recommended MM High setting. I tried the RIAA vs eRIAA and couldn't choose a favorite; so I left it set to eRIAA. Then I started changing the various capacitance and resistance settings and; even at extreme settings, I couldn't hear much of a difference at all. I then returned the settings to what was recommended for a Dynavector 10x5, and gave up looking for that "Eureka!" moment.

It may seem like I'm disappointed with this purchase, but I'm not. As I wrote near the beginning, perhaps most important is that there were no issues installing or using the iPhono2. The second important thing could be that I can't really find any faults in the sound quality; which is as big a complement to the iPhono2 as if I were to write on and on about various sound quality improvements. Of course, the sound quality of the iPhono2 could be disected, analyzed and compared to other phono stages to find in what categories they might sound a little better, worse or different. That's not the kind of evaluation I can write though; because I'm not an expert and only have the old integrated amp stage to compare it to.

What I can write is that the coarseness, grain and glare of the 7100 phono stage seems to be gone with the iPhono2. When I closely compared the phono stages by switching cables back and forth I thought the 7100 had fuller bass; but it was actually just more woolly and undefined. Differences in the midrange are a bit harder to describe. I think the 7100 is a bit more midrange forward (kind of flat and in my face) while the iPhono2 has kind of a deeper clarity that I can listen into. Both have present highs, but I suppose the iPhono2 sounds a bit more clean and clear. That minimal comparison breakdown misses what's important to me though. Applying the type of evaluation that asks if I can enjoy my music without any deficiencies in sound quality detracting from my immersion in listening is where the iPhono2 excels. It sounds natural and musical. I'm now enjoying listening to album after album (when I have the time).

In conclusion, don't associate the iPhono2's diminutive size and affordability with low quality. I would guess that the iPhono2 would be as listenable and appropriate for a mid-priced audio system as it is in an entry level system. The iPhono2 is the kind of thing you might forget about after you've installed it. It will silently sit, tucked away in a shelf corner, doing it's job proficiently and transparently (at least in the 'undetectable' sense of the word). Allowing you to enjoy your album collection, and perhaps make you want to add to it.
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