iFi Audio - iPhono3 BL

Artnr: IDS0109938
Tarneaeg: 4-10 tööpäeva.

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iFi iPhono3 Black Label
The iPhono3 is packed with the latest generation of surface-mounted components. By eliminating multiple joins between parts and lead-out and reducing the size, parasitic behaviour across the board has been drastically reduced over classic leaded parts.

At AMR/iFi we have always loved the sound of tubes and have produced Tube Equipment under the AMR brand name in the ultra-high end arena. However, tubes run hot and take up a fair bit of space. Solid-state can be designed as a small and affordable circuit, as well as it can run cool. To enhance the audiophile experience, the iPhono3 employs a simple Class A buffer circuit. The Class A buffer minimises the loading of the amplifier circuit AND at the same time reliably biases the output stage of the integrated circuit amplifier into single-ended Class A (it normally operates in Class AB). Incidentally, all other stages in integrated circuit amplifiers operate in Class A. This is why biasing the output stage into single-ended Class A and adding the Class A Buffer is so effective to improving sound quality.

Tube-state does not mean to add a lot of synthetic harmonics, but to emulate core features of tube circuits in solid-state. The result is a sound that combines the best features of the tube sound (lack of grain, edginess and naturalness of sound) with the best of modern solid state (low distortion, low noise).

For the iPhono3 there is a third-generation upgraded circuit which has at the heart OV4627S J-FET, OPA1644AIPWop-amps & hand-matched PNP bipolar transistor Class A Tube-state Buffer. By virtue of the J-FET component it has a very high input impedance approaching the ‘zero loading’ a tube grid provides ever more closely, while the increased drive ability allows the iPhono3 to drive 1V into 600 Ohm loads with 0.0007% THD (-104dB), dominated by low order harmonics, just like it is the case with exceptional tube circuits. If driving less demanding loads the THD reduces to 0.0003% (-110dB) with no high order components whatsoever.

On top of lowering THD, OPA1644AIPW op-amp will also provide faster transient and broaden the spectrum of the dynamic range.

EQ Curves

Descending from the AMR PH-77, the iPHONO3 has impressive DNA. A key aspect is the ability to perfectly ‘correct’ the recording as LPs even from different pressing plants can have different a different equalization.

The choice is there for the customer to choose ‘by ear’. Or alternatively, leave it on RIAA permanently too.

Audiophile-Grade
iPhono3 features for the first time, audiophile-grade Nichicon 470uF/6.3v/UFW0J471MED capacitor, providing lower ESR, faster speed, and deeper bass. Complemented with the new FMMT618A transistors it has power increased from 350mW to 625mW. Lower noise and distortion even further.

Transistors
Computer matched pair complementary planar high gain bi-polar input transistors means 6dB lower output noise. The planar transistor is constructed by an etching and diffusion technique in which the junction is never exposed during processing, and the junctions reach the surface on one plane; characterized by very low leakage current, high gain and very low noise. These transistors being matched pairs, is labour intensive and expensive.

Capacitors
Packed throughout with TKD Japan made C0G type capacitors. Capacitors owning the C0G specification have lower thermal drift and distortion than Polystyrene capacitors. The iPHONO3 uses them for the actual equalisation AND power supply

Burr-Brown Soundplus
 
All-new hand-matched Burr-Brown Soundplus J-FET type operational amplifier. The Burr Brown is complemented by Panasonic Japan-made ECPU Film Capacitors designed for audiophile applications with vanishingly low distortion of (<0.0007%!), infusing the iPhono3 Black Label with dynamic range performance that is second-to-none.
Direct Drive Servoless
 
Direct Drive Servoless is an important element of the audiophile experience, which is not visible in measurements, but is quite audible. Unlike a standard phono stage design, the iPhono3 Black Label continues the special design tradition of being direct coupled (i.e. no coupling capacitor) from cartridge to output and it does so without requiring a conventional DC servo. Below is what a standard phono stage looks like:
 
iPower X
 
The iPhono3 Black Label demands the ultimate power supply. That means the newly launched iPower X. Just like the rest of the power supply range, it has an exceptional noise floor of DC infinity
 
Any noise and distortion of the DC-Infinity circuit happens at the same signal level as the output signal and is by design, 100 times less than the noise and distortion of the actual amplifier circuit. Noise and distortion it effectively disappears.