Can this cheap Chinese preamp make my vinyl sound better? FOSI Box X2 review

I bought a $60 Fosi Audio Box X2 tube preamp. My expectations were low. Does it perform?

#vinyl #turntable #gear

Interested in sending an item to be considered for the mail time segment? Here is my address:

Frank Landry
PO BOX 99900 RE 899 513
RPO GARDEN CITY
WINNIPEG MB R2V 5A2
Canada

======================================================
ABOUT Channel33rpm: Your channel for #vinyl, gear and more, where I try to put the fun back in record collecting.

ABOUT ME: My goal is to inspire you to grow your music collection, improve your listening experience, discover new music and support artists (and have fun while doing it).
=====================================================

MUSIC CREDITS:
======================================================
Videos shot live on location near Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

[jackstraxrecords]

I’ve had the Fosi for about a year now and it’s awesome. Couldn’t recommend it more.

[SkyNoris]

I own this preamp after a while of listening to it. Ended up throwing in a pair of Voskhod 6J1P-EV tubes. I was very surprised at the substantial difference it made. Everything just a bit more natural. Bass really cleaned up but still had a nice but realistic punch to it.

[AverageJoeVinyl]

This is the exact preamp I have, and I love it. A+ value for the money. I have some vinyl playthroughs on my channel using this preamp, and it sounds great.

[unstablenetwork]

Part of my system with the Fluance RT85. Rolling the tubes help fine tune the sound. Sounds great, warm with detail. Really enhances the vinyl sound.

[andyclay]

I’ve used that phono preamp for about a year now. Previously was using the internal preamp on my Onkyo tx-nr636. I can’t tell much of a difference. For $60, I like it. And it looks good.

[ignatiusb.samson]

I've had one for about a year. I was using a Pro-ject Debut turntable. Now I'm using a U-Turn. Both have sounded very good. No complaints or criticisms at all.

[rustfiber]

i know im late to this video but i love these cheap units i got a garage build using these. also so happy im apart of this channel family can wait to see you hit that 50k. loving it man

[grahambiggs]

That was very interesting Frank. I have a built in pre amp in the Onkyo amplifier but have never thought of trying a seperate pre amp as I quite like my current sound.. You have now got me thinking !!

[jrockthecasbah]

Nicely done home-theater room. Thanks for sharing.

[leatherfacex]

I bought the Fosi tube preamp earlier this year as my main preamp and it’s been great!! I have it hooked up to my Fluance RT85, playing through Edifier 1280DBs with an external subwoofer. I have to say, for a cheaper setup, it has quite a punch and a nice soundstage. I been looking into other preamps because upgrading is fun, but I really like the sound I’m getting with the Fosi. I def recommend it to anyone looking for an affordable preamp. Sounds great and looks cool. Great video, Frank!! Love the channel. Cheers!!

[debbieverret]

New subscriber here, enjoy all your conversations. I really enjoy the vinyl dens you preview from around the world, it certainly gives great ideas for making or creating changes in your own place! Thanks.

[TBNTX]

I have one of these. Different tubes absolutely made a difference.

[catonthehowlingmoonrecords]

Swapping the tubes out for new old stock GE5654's worked wonders on my setup. Great little thing.

[Mr._Mints]

Due to space limitations, I have my music and home theater all in one, so I’m currently using a phono preamp through a Denon 5.1 amp. I was having trouble finding new preamps that had good reviews at the price I was willing to spend, so I went vintage - a Realistic 42-2101A. It’s a simple little box, but I’ve been very happy with it, and it only cost me $25!

[brunohebert]

This is a great little phono preamp. I own one for over 2 years now and I'm quite happy with it.
It's sadly a little different nowadays, but when I bought I also got the Riverstone matching tubes set with it. I think I paid $16 for the set. Now, I think the set is close to $30. Not crazy expensive but for a $60 preamp paying more than half its value in tubes would be overkill to me.
Though, those Riverstone tubes improve the sound. More refined I'd say.
Now, my Fosi will probably go to a secondary system (when I make one) because I upgraded my receiver to a McIntosh MAC4100 and the built-in phono preamp is great so that or just use it as backup. I might try to do the A/B test too just for fun.

[klepp]

Just put in the GE 5654 and what a huge improvement. Stock tubes like I said were grainy. This little Fosi easily beats my NAD pf 2e for musicality. Glad I swapped tubes as was ready to return it. So my rig is Fosi TB10D with Fosi X2 phono pre.

[TheVinylSalute]

I bought one of these units earlier this year and I was blown away by it. I run my Thorens TD 165 into it, and those run into my Marantz 2226b. Fantastic pairings. Fantastic sound.

[moonytheloony]

I used to own that Fosi Phono Tube preamp, in fact, I upgraded the tubes and noticed an improvement. That thing can punch above its weight.

This video really got me thinking about the multitude of choices a person can face when getting into the audio hobby...

Regarding Frank's thoughts on AV receivers ability to produce quality 2-channel stereo audio; I think it may depend on how much money that you can spend among other particulars.

I don't know the exact model of AV receiver Frank owns, but from the picture, it appears to be a Yamaha receiver from their general purpose lineup instead of their Adventage line.

If I'm correct, those Yamaha receivers can punch above their weight regarding home theater. They're great receivers for the money.

From my own personal experience, I've owned the Yamaha RX-A1080 (from their "Adventage" lineup) Marantz SR6013 and the
Sony STR-ZA3100ES AV receivers. All of them produced excellent stereo and multi-channel stereo sound from records, CD's & streaming sources, in my opinion. Keep in mind that this group of receivers ranged between $1, 100-$1, 700 US Dollars brand new, which may not be considered very entry-level friendly.

That's only part of it.

The other part, I think, is the manufacturer. I find that Marantz, Denon and the new Onkyo AV receivers are generally reviewed as very capable dual purpose AV receivers, where Yamaha can often have a more mixed-bag of opinions that favor outstanding home theater, but not as glowing toward the music playback, and of course, listening is still a very subjective concept.

What I always tell people who are looking for audio equipment is to firstly decide which end of the spectrum is most important? Stereo or Home Theater?....and go from there but be aware of what the choice will mean.

I tell people who are far more TV/film orientated to get a high quality soundbar with a sub. It will more than get the job done and take up very little space. Sonos & Bose are fantastic choices to consider along with their general ease of use, though they both offer good musicality for what they do.
They're not the only brands out there to consider but certainly have very enthusiastic reviews most of the time.

Stereo...now that's a different rabbit hole that can involve a lot of components, and then of course, two speakers with a possible need for a subwoofer.

And that leads to the need of more space and a little or a lot of shelves. It can be done effectively on the cheap, but can very easily eclipse a high quality soundbar system before you know it, regarding cost.

My best advice on that one is to start off by getting the best speakers you can afford first, then look at integrated amps, players, afterwards. But that's just me.

[darrellcook]

Been using one for quite a while....it's quite good for the price provided you have a good amplifier as well....don't forget a good turntable too!

[jimb]

Good video Frank!
I like to see you do more videos on equipment as well as music. I have an external preamp ( sorry I don't recall it's name) that I bought for my NAD 316BEE amp. But the NAD crapped out on me so I bought a Yamaha AS301 amp that I'm very happy with. It has a built-in phono preamp that I'm happy with. But I kept my external preamp for possible future use.