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.

This works great, especially considering the price point. It sounds much better than the built in pre-amp inside my turntable, the difference is noticeable. I use it set at 42db. It sounds very warm. 39 db is similar in volume but not quite as warm sounding. I would definitely recommend this as an entry level phono pre-amp if you want a warmer sounding than your turntable’s built in.

Amazing little amp. It looks beautiful. Provides incredibly strong signal to my speaker. I connected this little tube amp to my Audio Technica SL-1200MK5 turntable. The original output from the turntable was too low, but after adding this amp, it’s crazy loud now. Even at the lowest setting, I have to adjust my speaker to be at like 5-10% for comfortable volumes. So it definitely works! It LOOKS amazing, when warmed up, the blue lights and the soft warm orange glow of the amp looks so good. It’s small and fits right on my shelf. It comes with a GROUND screw, thank goodness for good design. My turntable has a ground pin and I didn't have a reliable place to connect it too, but glad this little unit had a place for it. The really helps eliminate any additional noise and the tube amps really help warm up the sound. Tube amps provide odd order harmonics which help make your vinyls sound richer and warmer; coming off from a digital amp, I can definitely tell the difference. Had to be a little careful when installing the tube amps, but glad we can replace them over time as needed.

Great little phono stage; it does the job. A slight bit of noise, but nothing too concerning. Volume increase at each db level with no noticeable distortion, even at 45 dB. Easy setup and control. I needed it to push the distance to the receiver 25fr away with no issues.

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.

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.

I’ve only had the Fosi Phono Box X2 for a couple of days but I love it. I’m running a Fluance RT82 through the Fosi to my home theater speaker system. It’s perfect and provides a nice, rich tone to the turntable. The tube sound is music to my ears. Setup was very easy, everything is in the box and the instructions are clear.

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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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not as attractive as some of Fosi's other products but works very well ... - i use mine with my SL1210 turntable and it does the job of a preamp perfectly well

Toller Vorverstärker für Plattenspieler mit hübschem Retro-Chic. KLANG Ich selber habe einen AT LP70XBT, also einen ziemlich neuen Audio Technica Plattenspieler. Der hat zwar einen internen Phono-Preamp, weswegen man theoretisch keinen externen braucht, der Klang ist mit dem Fosi aber doch etwas schöner. Zwar nicht viel, aber ich mag es ein wenig lieber. Ich finde der Klang ist dank dem Fosi insgesamt minimal dichter und im Frequenzspektrum besser verteilt. Der Mix klingt ausgeglichener. Davon abgesehen wirkt es auch sauberer und detaillierter, also man hört ein wenig mehr raus. Man sollte aber nicht mit einem riesigen Sprung gegenüber einem soliden internen Preamp rechnen. Die Veränderung ist relativ subtil, er versaut somit aber auch schonmal nicht den guten Grundklang der Musik und des Plattenspielers. Zudem ist er natürlich gut zu gebrauchen, sofern man keine aktiven Boxen hat, also sowieso einen Verstärker mit Lautstärkeregler benötigt. FUNKTIONEN & ANSCHLUSS Der Preamp war in ein paar Minuten in Betrieb. Einfach am Plattenspieler von "line" auf "phono" schalten, Kabel vom Spieler in den Preamp und davon wiederum in die Boxen. Dank Erdungsklemme brummt auch nichts. Verbunden habe ich alle Ein- und Ausgänge mit einfachen Cinch-Kabeln. Zuletzt sind noch die mitgelieferten Vakuumröhren einzubauen. Die steckt man oben einfach rein. Diese rasten nicht ein oder klicken oder sowas, aber man kann sie problemlos in den Steckplatz führen. Sie erfüllen auch tatsächlich eine Funktion und sind nicht bloß Deko. Ohne die Röhren funktioniert der Fosi nicht. Man kann sie auch gegen andere Röhren austauschen und bekommt dann eine andere Klangcharakteristik. Realistisch gesehen ist es ein Hybrid-Amp. Er funktioniert also teilweise durch Röhre und hat natürlich nicht ausschließlich die Röhren im Signalweg. Am Fosi selbst ist vorne ein Schalter, der das Teil entweder ausschaltet oder 39, 42 und 45 dB Verstärkung anbietet. Mit steigender Verstärkung wird es natürlich einen Tick lauter, gefühlt auch "dichter" im Sinne der Sättigung. Das ist für mich aber schon schwer zu beurteilen, da die Sättigung mit der Lautstärkeerhöhung einhergeht. Wie gesagt - es bleibt subtil. Zusätzlich ist vorn ein Miniklinken-Eingang. Den finde ich ganz nützlich, da ich ihn beispielsweise für den TV nutzen kann, wenn ich einen Film mit externen Lautsprechern gucken will. Funktioniert jedenfalls auch gut. Insgesamt macht man mit diesem günstigen Vorverstärker echt nichts falsch. Er klingt hübsch, sieht auch so aus und macht sich neben einem Plattenspieler richtig gut für ein bisschen "audiophiles Feeling". Mehr zahlen kann man immer, aber wer etwas wirklich klar Besseres will, muss auch klar wesentlich mehr dafür auf den Tisch legen. Wer nicht äußerst tief in dieses Hobby einsteigen und Unsummen investieren will, ist hier genau richtig. Ich bin mit dem Gerät absolut zufrieden!