The battle of budget: iFi Zen V. Cambridge CP1 Phono Stage

I’ve been playing the single ended Cambridge CP1 phono stage, an excellent $200 investment recommended by The Audio Room when I purchased my Rega P1 turntable.

This feature is comparing the CP1 to a similarly priced iFi Zen phono which came highly audiophile recommended. #IYKYK

A phono stage is required to add line level gain to the very low level current of a moving magnet or moving coil cartridge. Line level is then accepted into an integrated amplifier or a preamplifier. Aside, a preamp could be the most important element in a HiFi system, it’s well documented.

I’m using a mid-resolution recording to make comparisons. Music doesn’t always have be high-fidelity like MoFi or whatever... It’s important to make comparisons to the music you love and listen to regularly. You can easily lose passion when your system is too tailored, ultra def or recording specific all the time.

A much higher resolution LP would be ATUM, read more here.

The CP1 is great. The iFi is slightly better in balanced and single end mode. There is just a bit more resolution. In HiFi people will change there whole system for “a bit” of improvement, so it’s no discredit to the CP1 or massive credit to the iFi - it just is.

The Zen balanced output is better; maybe it’s the cable, maybe not.

I’m also using a mid-fi turntable and cartridge to make this comparison. The SE cables of the P1 output are relatively lo-fi compared to the $99 iFi 4.4 to XLR cable. There is always room for improvement; however, I’m extremely happy with this system right now. And that is audiophile bliss - when you know your weakest links but still enjoy your system and music, as is.

Another variable is the iFi iPower2 switching mode power supply. Comparing it to the ZeroZone linear power supply with Canare 1709 low voltage HiFi power cable I don’t hear a difference, but does that mean there is no difference? It’s simply not the weakest link of the system.

Maintaining audio hygiene is another variable to creating the bliss; watch this video by Hans Beekhuyzen about it. The way you see your system greatly impacts how you hear it; yeah, psychoacoustic effects.

I’m not only listening in the sweet spot, but rather working around while listening; this is another important perspective on gear review and how you like sound. I’m not a fan of hanging out in the sweet spot for too long, dispersion is important. I will sacrifice sweet spot perfection for dispersion, although refining your sweet spot will vastly improve upon dispersion .

If you’re in the market for a budget phono stage, the iFi Zen is the one to purchase.

If you’re in the market for a $90,000 phono stage, read here.