LISTEN TO THIS! Amazing! Fosi Preamp Box X5 & Headphone Amp DS2

[@Jeep_on_audio]

Nice try but I missed a lot of things. First: most built in phono preamps are real crap. Don't get your hopes up. Except for U-turn and Pro-ject. Second: a phono preamp that can really do MC justice at this pricelevel is a real feat! That is usually just a marketing gimmick. BUT i have a suspicion that this X5 can pull it off. Why? Because Aiyima did it too at even a lower price. That brings me to ... Third: you can upgrade 1 stereo opamp inside to raise the quality even further. 2 opamps are fixed, 1 is socketed. Fifth: MM usually needs 40dB of gain. 38dB with the AT3600 will be stretching it as it has only 2.5mV. Sixth: the MC only has a fixed impedance setting of 100 Ω, MM 47kΩ which is fine. The other three settings are only for medium to low output MC's but I recommend using the lowest setting that is loud enough to reduce hiss and distortion to a minimum. Less is better. Seventh: the wall wart is 16V AC that means it could hum or vibrate. Keep it out of the way. I was hoping for some information if it could stack up the the $80 Aiyima T3 Pro. If you swap opamps on that one its a real killer rivalling $1k models on MC. Im not exaggerating, I have one on my high end table with a really good nude MC cartridge. The Ortofon OM5 was my first cart and I still hate it. There are really good MC cartridges available today on AliExpress for around $200 with a wood body and hyper elliptical stylus and 0.4mV output at 8Ω. On a TT like the new U-turn with this phono (or the T3 pro) that would make total sense. You should really get a proper turntable or at least get a new $10 belt. It takes away from the value of your review.

[@ShivYoga-Shiva]

Between X5 and Aiyima T3 Pro, which one you prefer?? I own Audio Technica AT-LP60X and planning for a pre-amp. Please suggest.

[@jim010109]

So, if I may ask. What do you use for power? Vintage receiver? Modern receiver or integrated amp? Preamp/amp combo? I think the Vintage stuff is cool, but the prices are just crazy.

[@MattBird-j6t]

This is probably a stupid question.. would even a portable player such as your Revolution GO benefit from a pre amp? It does have a magnetic cartridge.

[@ralphalder14]

You’ll probably find that the gain settings on the back of the pre-amp are for MC only and don’t affect the gain when switched to MM. Also, I share your concerns with the positioning of the earth binding post. It should be on the same side as the inputs, not the outputs, and is too close to the power input. It even blocks the power input hole when the earth cable is attached, and could quite easily touch it if you’re not careful. Bad bit of design that!

[@D1N02]

A lot of phono preamps use AC instead of DC. I don't see why. Maybe it's cleaner. I know record players rely on AC frequency for rotation speed, but pre-amps don't turn tables.

[@stevenj2380]

For once I got something cheaper than you. But yours has a balanced 4.4 connection, which will be good for high-end IEM with hiRes files. I have now for use with new Beyerdynamic T5 (which are easy to drive) the even smaller Fiio KA11 Headphone amp DAC dongle. 3.5 mm jack out only. Sounds fine taking digital out from USB C on phone. Full size headphone will not often be connected to phone, tablet or laptop with the dongle though. My IEM are really for use with 'portable' chunky DAP.

[@puahaha07]

Hi! I am considering to connect my Audiotechnica 120XUSB turntable and active speakers with either one of Fosi Box X5 Pro or Ampapa A1. The internal phono amp lacks power and particularly mid-range voice area feels weak. Which one would you recommend?

[@Recordology]

Hmmm....probably the X5 by a slight margin.

[@puahaha07]

@ Thanks!

[@LeslieSmart-e4p]

Hi, Was the power adaptor actually 16v AC or was the socket labelled wrongly ?

[@Recordology]

It actually is 16 v 1000mA

[@Jeep_on_audio]

It's 16V AC according to the website too. That brick looks a lot like just a transformer. Just like I got with the Aiyima T3 Pro. Not very convenient.

[@grahamclutterbuck583]

Gain has no function with a mm cartridge.