Most phono preamps at $99 offer either MM cartridge support or basic MC support — rarely both, and rarely with a subsonic filter included. The iFi Zen Air Phono does all three. Specifically, at $99 it combines MM and MC cartridge compatibility, iFi’s subsonic filter, and a low-noise circuit derived from the more expensive Zen Phono series into the most complete entry-level phono preamp currently available at this price. It earned its place as the entry MM/MC pick in the best phono preamps under $250 roundup for exactly that reason. This review goes beyond the spec sheet — covering who the Zen Air Phono is actually built for, what the subsonic filter does in practice, where the fixed MC loading becomes a real limitation, and how it compares to the alternatives at this price.
Quick Answer: The iFi Zen Air Phono is the correct entry phono preamp for any listener who owns or plans to own an MC cartridge, or who wants iFi’s subsonic filter at the lowest possible price. At $99 with MM and MC support, three switchable gain levels, and a genuine subsonic filter, it delivers more practical functionality than any competitor at this price. Fixed MC loading is the only limitation — listeners who need adjustable impedance matching for a specific MC cartridge should step up to the iFi Zen Phono 3.
