The Amazing $109.99 Fosi Audio Box X5 Phono Preamp

[@rich.e]

Fosi really seems to be all over the budget bargain market. Watched your TNG Spinner upgrade video recently so I was intrigued to see that you are using the Origin Live Strata mat. As a fellow Rega user, I’d be interested in your views or, better still, a video on the Strata and differences between the TNG, OL and stock Rega mats… I appreciate they’re only mats, but I’m here for it! Cheers.

[@davidtraube7921]

There are fun surprises in this price range to be sure. When I swapped out my Schiit Mani v1 for the Mani v2 it was really noticeable. One of those "it sounded like someone lifted a blanked off my speakers" moments. It does make me wonder if there are more "blankets" to remove but it's hard to know where they all reside and how "thick" they are.

[@D1N02]

I have some opamps lying around from my little tube stage experiments. Might be worth a shot. A better power supply might also help but that will like cost three times a much as the preamp itself.

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

I found this particularly interesting as I am considering that same AT MC cartridge myself and would need a MC phono amp to partner it and this would appear to be a good match if your findings are anything to go by. Not too expensive a combination for someone who just has MM at the moment but would like to give MC a try. Thank you.

[@peterlundskow4061]

I think you have a good balance between inexpensive & expensive. Your Linn turntable is surely near top of the line, I loved your videos about it & the upgrades! I have a friend who has owned a Linn since Grad school & I have always 'lusted' after it ;)! After you reviewed the Puffin along with other reviews I bought it & have been happy with it. I liked the software upgrades as well! I was a bit bummed when he came out with the Waxwing. I guess he couldn't make the App work with the Puffin? I have been thinking of maybe selling the Puffin & buy the new one. My experience with Fosi has been barely average. I bought one of their small stereo amps five years ago, used it for about two weeks & it 'blew up' smelling of ozone & I returned it. This past year I decided to try their new monoblocks because of all the positive reviews. It is sure better built than their old components but, I thought the sound was kind of thin & harsh at different times listening to them. I returned them as well. Since I was not crazy about it I decided it wasn't worth buying other OP amps to try. Thanks for the review, I may buy one for my second system turntable to try it out or maybe splurge & use the Puffin for my second system & add a Waxwing to my main one. I do have a question. So does the Fosi phono preamp use two swapable OP amps that one can replace with Sparko, etc.? Thanks again!

[@HomeCinemaEnthusiast]

Nice review 👍👍👍👍

[@oldschoolaudioenthusiast]

A really nice alternative for MM users only is the Pluto 2 Phono Preamp by U-Turn Audio. $0.99 cheaper at $109.00! I love my Pluto. Assembled in Woburn, MA.

[@MODAC]

Same price. Thanks.

[@martytoo]

How does this preamp compare to the Parks Audio Puffin? I ask because I read a review of the Puffin or perhaps the Waxwing that said it made the sound muddy or some similar complaint. Thanks for your review.

[@MODAC]

The Waxwing is now my primary preamp going into a nice Holo Audio DAC. Muddy? I don’t think so! You know you can tailor the sound of the Waxwing to your liking.

[@jp93309]

The back layout is goofy. Why is the ground post closer to the output rcas than to the input rcas? My turntable’s ground cable is attached to the rca so that wide gap wouldn’t work for me.

[@MODAC]

It’s a bit odd, but this distance is not that wide. I’m confident yours will likely work.

[@BreakSoFresh]

Considering this or a mani 2 what do you think?

[@MODAC]

I haven’t tried the Mani 2. This is cheaper and very impressive.

[@puahaha07]

I am trying to upgrade from my built-in phono amp of AT-120USBX (MM catridge) to either one of Fosi Box X5 or Ampapa A1. What would you recommend?

[@MODAC]

I've only tried the Fosi. It's good...There's a link in the video description box. Thanks

[@puahaha07]

@ thank you :)

[@peterlundskow4061]

So I was interested in looking for more info on the Kitsune. Couldn't find much other info except for the latest version on their site. It sells for half again as much as your's does! Also, couldn't find it used anywhere. Owns must love it. Did you review it?

[@MODAC]

Mine is a moving magnet prototype…Not for sale. I’m supposed to review it.

[@bpalpha]

Like the fact that it supports mm/mc carts. I wonder how much better the fosi sounds over the pre in my Denon receiver? 🤔 I'll keep this unit in mind. Schitt pre-amps support mc at this price point?

[@MODAC]

They do. This one is considerably cheaper.

[@roberthyde7102]

What phone cable did you use on this set up.

[@MODAC]

Blue Jeans LC-1

[@roberthyde7102]

Thanks you.

[@robertkeefer1552]

Better than the Schitt Mani?

[@MODAC]

I wish I still had mine to compare. I would say yes from memory. I haven’t tried the Mani 2, however.

[@mrboat580]

I'm glad I turned in my audiophile card so that I can enjoy products like Fosi and WiiM. Meanwhile the hi-enders are still constantly looking to upgrade so-called superior audio products that cost thousands. I tend to question such obsessive people's take on things like sound quality. ART DJ phono preamp works fine and has tone controls for even less $.

[@geoffreydebrito2653]

In order for a product to exceed the dictum "you get what you pay for" it must offer performance significantly above its price point. From this review, I for one am left with the impression that this product is good 'for the price'. But not beyond that pricing.

[@MODAC]

No, it not quite as good as my other preamps, but it’s likely great for most individuals who do not wish to spend $500+. Swapping out the op amp may push it to a higher level. I could easily live with it in a second system.

[@geoffreydebrito2653]

@@MODAC a quick search reveals the Fosi has a lot of competition; Emotiva PH1 MM/MC phono preamp@ $59.00 - Pro-Ject Phono Box MM@ $89.00 - Music Hall Mini MM/MC Phono preamplifier @ $99.00 - iFi ZEN Air MM/MC Phono preamp @ $99.00 And quite possibly the best of the bunch; Schiit Audio's Mani MM/MC Phono Preamp @ $149.00

[@danieli.9252]

I drive a 2007 Civic.

[@10sassafras]

Why do you “understand” that third party op amps improve performance? Aren’t they just another non-event looking for gullible buyers?

[@MODAC]

I’m just going by the numerous testimonials of individuals who have done it.

[@10sassafras]

@ That seems to have been the hifi way for many years. It always bothered me that opinions were passed around but never blind tested. Sooo many products have come and gone without any sensible underpinning that have captured the hearts and wallets of hifi folk.

[@Jeep_on_audio]

Sorry, but how do you know it does not make a difference? You have to be willfully ignorant to not discern the difference between opamps. That actually makes you the gullible believer.

[@10sassafras]

@@Jeep_on_audio @ Well, no. It makes me the sceptic. I haven’t seen any objective measurements that show an improvement in noise or distortion. I haven’t seen any credible unsighted, randomised listening tests either where listeners can identify the op amp they are hearing. It’s the same old hifi story… a sales opportunity opens up and there is a rush to share opinions and experiences in support of the product and all of it subjective. These days it is very easy to test the results… or should we just blindly buy doorstops and pointy feet for our electronic gear and maybe some speaker cable lifters and thousand dollar interconnects and jug cables? It’s not a new story.

[@ropeburn6684]

​@@10sassafras Infact I've seen objective measurements that heavily suggest the tiny technical differences are inaudible.