Box X2 Phono Preamp, Mini Stereo Audio Hi-Fi Preamplifier with Gain Gear, Pre-Amplifier for MM Turntable Phonograph and Record Player, with DC 12V Power Supply

Let's jump right to the most glaring bit of misinformation floating around the reviews here. Several reviewers here are stating this pre-amp is for moving magnet type phono cartridges only. NOW I can't speak for ALL "moving coil" carts, but my, Denon DL 103, moving coil, has no apparent (audible) issues with this amp. None. Sounds perfect. I've been transferring my Vinyl to bits and my disk recorder (records like a tape deck but to a CD) was getting really low levels. I could correct this after the fact with SW with no quality issues, but it was awkward. This amp was just the boost I needed. (no gain control on the recorder) SO the selectable output level switch is nice. I'm ok at the lowest, better at the middle, and just a showing a flicker of red on the highest. This was first time I'd ever seen level-leds show any red. Bottom line, Great little amp for the $. Works with any modern, quality cartridge/turntable. You'll notice the instructions don't say jack about "only moving magnet", but the input is labeled "MM". perhaps that's where the confusion sprang from. Fosi may have done that simply because moving magnet are typically less expensive and hence are likely to be what most people will have. The other thing the instructions don't say what input on your main amp/receiver to plug the output from the fosi into. It's just says "connect to your amp" for the record it's Line In or Aux, NOT phono. I plugged mine direct into the line in on my recorder and returned to the amp from the recorder. Lastly Packing. Several guys groused loudly about packing. Mine too was shipped in plain thin, bubble wrap-type bag. But that's fine the way the tubes are packed inside the Fosi box, you could drop the box from 5 feet(ish) over and over and not damage anything but the outside of the box. Final tip. Installing the tubes. They go in pretty tight. So once your sure you're lined up correctly don't be afraid to lean into it a bit. UPDATE MM V MC cartridge compatibility. To be clear, at first listen, THIS particular amp, SEEMS to be fine with at least one particular MC cartg, my Denon DL-103 MC-type cart. No distortion, no hum. Output level perfect, (best on the middle gain setting of 3). But after applying a more critical "ear" I'm not convinced I'm getting all of the clarity and or fullness this legendary DL-103 is famous for. NOW there are a couple possible explanations for this that don't involve this "amp v MC cartridge compatibility" issue. Age of the cartridge being first. While it's well under the life-span limit in hours played, it IS 10 years old. Also, I have never checked, let alone adjusted, the turntable vs tone-arm for level, so there's every reason to assume this (aka "VTA") setting is not optimum. I was shocked to learn how big a SOUND difference this, the angle of the stylus to the groove (VTA) can make. (follow up on that to come) What I can say for now is that the combination of this MC cart and this amp 'sounds' correct, if not "super'. and after playing it last night for about 6 or 7 hours it doesn't appear that either the amp nor the cart is being damaged by the other. If you're wondering if your MC cart will be similarly content with this amp, be advised the "Recommended Load Resistance" on my Denon DL-103 is "100 ohm or more, (except when a transformer is provided)" I believe transformer is what some MC type carts refer to a pre-amp as. The manual for the Fosi X2 doesn't give any ohm rating, load/capacitance, resistance rating number of any kind, input or output. Bottom line this could be a viable "budget option" amp for at least some, MC type carts. Since "proper" MC pre-amp/transformers, start about double what this one costs and run as much as 4 or 5 times more expensive.

Very impressive pre-amp that worked right out of the box, but not without a scarey moment or two. A pre-amp was necessitated as my Audio-Technica table does not have one and my Pioneer SX-10AE receiver lacks a Phono Input, only two Line inputs. To eliminate the 'scarey moments' ensure the selector switch on back of the turntable is in the Phono position after adding the pre-amp or horrible distortion will be the result. And, I believe, the vacuum tubes need to be "broken-in" by running for a short while under load. My 1st LP sounded horrible. I considered returning it or the pre-amp! But, the 2nd and 3rd LPs sounded great. I put the 1st LP back on and it too became great. This demonstrated to me that the new tubes needed a little exercise to perform correctly. Many people describe the sound from from tube type pre-amps as being warm and with other positive descriptions. I'm not sophisticated enough to know what they mean. All I can say is that the sound out of my system is absolutely wonderful. The volume control is a step-switch I woukd have prefered a smooth control without the steps, but this is effective too. I highly recommend the Fosi pre-amp. It's available at a small cost for big, pleasing sound.

Unit works incredibly well as a partner to my late 80s Sony PS-LX520. Easy to set up and adjust the gain with the selectable knob. It does color the sound a bit more than the pre-amp built into my stereo receiver, but it also sounds fuller than the built-in ever did so I can accept that compromise. The tubes do get a little warm, and hot to the touch, but it's still within operational range specs for them so I don't think that's an issue so much as a 'don't leave within reach of small children' kind of note. If you're looking for a reasonably priced phono pre-amp that gives you the benefits of tube amplification, this is a great choice.

Solid preamp that has enhanced my listening experience

This sounds great! I decided to upgrade from the Rolls pre-amp I was using and what a difference! I paired it with my Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB and switched out my stylus from AT-VM95C to a AT-VM95E and I’m amazed how much better it sounds. The high end and mid-range are detailed and the lows are punchy but without being harsh. Nice and warm, like a hug from Grandma. I’m currently using it the 42db setting and it’s sitting very balanced with my set up. Seams kind of hard to beat for $70 but I’m still new to the audio file game but sounds great to my ears. If you’re on the fence about getting it, just do it.

It's not one of those cheap Chinese preamps from AliExpress, though it may bear some superficial resemblance. It has actually good components with good layout inside. It has very good sound and very little noise and hum (not audible at all when the volume is set so that the surface noise of a clean, nee record is audible loudly). Much better than the built-in preamp of Pioneer PLX-500, and similar Hanpin products. It's not 100% flat, but in a good way and subtly, it makes the music sound better. The details are much clearer and the soundstage is way better than with the built-in preamp. I grounded mine to the ground pin (not the L or N pins!) of the wall outlet because my turntable does not have a ground connector, and grounding the preamp to the chassis of the amplifier or to the shell of the USB port on the turntable made the hum worse. This is the configuration that has no audible hum for me. But it's whatever works best in your case - it may be amp chassis, it may be the TT ground, or it may be no extra ground. The blue LEDs under the tubes - why they always do it, I have no idea. But at least in this case it is actually dimmer than the tube glow and looks pretty good - it comes out a lot brighter on the camera than in real life. The power cord is a bit short (about 1m, maybe less), so that could require an extension cord or a power strip.

I have never written a review on Amazon, or anywhere else that I can remember. But his product seems special. I read the reviews and thought “no way, this can’t be that good”. But I was also looking at a so-called affordable audiophile preamp that cost literally 10 times as much as the Fosi, so it couldn’t hurt to try the little guy. I’m so glad I did. Straight out of the box it put the in-built preamp on my Klipsch The Sixes to shame, it opened up the speakers in a very nice way. And this is before any tube burn in and literally from a cold start. The sound is balanced and inviting. Absolutely perfect for pleasurable listening, I can’t find any harsh edges anywhere. For the price, I was expecting a much muddier sound, but the clarity is surprising. I like clarity, especially on vocals, so this is a plus for me. I’m writing this at the end of a 3-hour listening session, that’s gotta count for something. This little preamp is so good that it made me specifically search for other Fosi gear, I’m about to purchase one of their DACs to test out. You see, products like these bring me hope in the world of Hifi, where every little magic box seems to cost a years’ salary. Good to know one can actually find decent quality at prices that encourage people to experiment, rather than buying something and having to force oneself to like it because the financial commitment is so large. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out on this brand. We’ll done Fosi!

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This Preamplifier is amazingly good for the price and compares favourably when compared to my €1,500 Preamplifier. Appears too good to be true for the price, but it delivers clean smooth musical sound with zero gain noise.

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Sehr guter Pre-Amp. Klingt überdurchschnittlich gut. Angenehmes Klangbild.