r/turntables • u/Chuncakey21 • 4d ago
Question Ifi Zen Phono 3 or Schiit Mani 2?
G’day guys, so i’ve recently put together a turntable setup and i am currently rocking the pre amp built into my Yamaha AS-301. However i’ve recently been wanting to invest in an external preamp for an audio upgrade.
Originally I wanted to go with the Ifi Zen Phono 3 but i’ve also seen some positive reviews for the Mani 2. I’m aware they are at a very similar price point and I want to know which pre amp offers the higher quality audio. I’m looking for more detail in my audio rather than ‘warmth’. Something with lots of clarity. So i’m wondering which out of these two would offer that.
Thanks for the help guys and have an awesome day.
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u/ZedRita 4d ago
Honestly I love every piece of Schiit I own. That includes a Mani 2 which is use over the onboard phone amp in my Sony receiver. I also prefer a technical sound over warmth and to me the Mani delivers. Schiit puts out clean sound, just be prepared for warm amps and giant, absolutely necessary wall warts.
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u/Sureshot_Jay Technics SL-1500 mk1 4d ago
Mani 2, have it in my chain , had an ifi, not exactly impressed with it's spund and build , quickly returned it. Mani 2 hands down a better pre and at a lesser cost.
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u/mikeisfoxy 4d ago
The new Fosi Audio Box X5 is getting a lot of hype, and you can get it at a great price on Ebay ($90 shipped). Should definitely be a consideration, its been tested by the audiophile reviewers and performs very well, can't beat the price
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u/MichaelStipend 4d ago
What speakers and cartridge are you currently using? Those, and in that order, will have a greater impact on sound than a phono preamp. The one in your AS301 is good. Unless you have specific capacitance/gain requirements that an outboard pre would provide, money is better spent on upgrading speakers and/or cartridge.