Fosi Audio Box X5 Phono Preamp Review

[_thelaughingman]

Anybody else having issues with this unit putting out garbled noise when set to MM and connected to an Audio Technica LP-60 which is set to line out mode? I've tried setting the gain to the lowest setting and still cannot get the noise to go away.

 

[Heinrich]

Anybody else having issues with this unit putting out garbled noise when set to MM and connected to an Audio Technica LP120 which is set to line out mode? I've tried setting the gain to the lowest setting and still cannot get the noise to go away.

Technica LP120 is meant to be USB output. It seems to be a problem with handling the features of that device.

 

[_thelaughingman]

Technica LP120 is meant to be USB output. It seems to be a problem with handling the features of that device.

I apologize for my typo, it's an LP-60 which only does line out or phono and has no ground post. I'll correct the original post.

 

[Heinrich]

I apologize for my typo, it's an LP-60 which only does line out or phono and has no ground post. I'll correct the original post.

Again, according to quick google research ( I know that is silly) it's an USB device. You purchased an RIAA pre for that at the initial cost on top?

 

[Laika2]

Anybody else having issues with this unit putting out garbled noise when set to MM and connected to an Audio Technica LP-60 which is set to line out mode? I've tried setting the gain to the lowest setting and still cannot get the noise to go away.

I think you want to set it to PHONO for a external preamp. If I am right LINE uses the decks internal preamp, so I think you are going from one internal preamp to a external pre amp. LINE sounds like it engaged the AT 60 preamp. https://www.audio-technica.com/en-eu/support/how-to-set-up-an-at-lp120xusb-turntable.

 

[Laika2]

Correction for new info but the info sounds the same, you must go all Rca in the hookup, no usb.



On a Technics LP60 turntable, "Line" means the internal phono preamp is activated, sending out a signal at a standard line level, suitable for connecting directly to any standard auxiliary input on an amplifier or powered speakers; while "Phono" means the internal preamp is bypassed, requiring a dedicated phono input on your amplifier to properly amplify the weaker turntable signal.

On grounding the 60

https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=120722

 

[Heinrich]

Correction for new info but the info sounds the same, you must go all Rca in the hookup, no usb.

How would

AT-LP60-USB

AT-LP60-USB LP-to-Digital Recording System Turntable, with USB - USB output—connects directly to your computer, Mac- and PC-compatible Audacity software digitizes your LPs and Fully automati ...

www.audio-technica.com

match the X5? I mean in all criteria? With all the critique, what is the match? Is it that some personell tries to plain roast the X5?

 

[_thelaughingman]

Interestingly enough the LP-60 I have does not have USB output just an audio out which is a stereo 3.5mm output with a line/phono toggle. Previously I had it hooked to a phono preamp via the audio out which is a 3.5mm to RCA cable, tried the same setup with the X5 and I get absolutely nothing but noise. I can use the phono toggle to connect the 3.5mm to RCA cable directly to my amplifier and get audio but not via a preamp anymore.

 

[Laika2]

How would

AT-LP60-USB

AT-LP60-USB LP-to-Digital Recording System Turntable, with USB - USB output—connects directly to your computer, Mac- and PC-compatible Audacity software digitizes your LPs and Fully automati ...

www.audio-technica.com

match the X5? I mean in all criteria? With all the critique, what is the match? Is it that some personell tries to plain roast the X5?

NOT sure what you are asking but to me the labels are backward.

Audio Solutions Question of The Week: How Do I Set Up the AT-LP60X Turntable? | Audio-Technica

Audio Solutions Question of The Week: How Do I Set Up the AT-LP60X Turntable? Learn how to properly set up the AT-LP60X turntable in this step-by-step tutorial from Audio-Technica's Audio Solutions team.

www.audio-technica.com

Connection setup

Connect the power adapter cable to the turntable and plug the adapter into a convenient AC outlet.

Connect the analog audio cable’s 3.5 mm plug into the “Analog Out” port on the back center of the turntable. Then plug the RCA end (red and white plugs) into your desired playback device (commonly a stereo receiver or powered speakers).

If connecting to inputs on a stereo receiver specifically labeled “PHONO,” move the switch on the rear of the turntable to PHONO. This bypasses the turntable’s internal RIAA magnetic phono preamp, which isn’t needed since the stereo receiver’s PHONO input has the same RIAA magnetic phono preamp. If the switch is set to “Line” you may hear considerable amounts of distortion.

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-u...e-week-how-do-i-set-up-the-at-lp60x-turntable

 

[Laika2]

Interestingly enough the LP-60 I have does not have USB output just an audio out which is a stereo 3.5mm output with a line/phono toggle. Previously I had it hooked to a phono preamp via the audio out which is a 3.5mm to RCA cable, tried the same setup with the X5 and I get absolutely nothing but noise. I can use the phono toggle to connect the 3.5mm to RCA cable directly to my amplifier and get audio but not via a preamp anymore.

That's odd, read the link from AT on the 60 above. My thoughts, RCA cables are backward or wired WRONG. (Must go into a line leval on your receiver, not phono. Turntable set to phono, Double check R As I guess. Try a different RCAs in case of bad cables. I expect you have already done such. Only other thing I can think of is the phono option in the 60 is faulty. If the link in the other post from AT is correct the 60 has the setting for a pre amp.

Audio Solutions Question of The Week: How Do I Set Up the AT-LP60X Turntable? | Audio-Technica

Audio Solutions Question of The Week: How Do I Set Up the AT-LP60X Turntable? Learn how to properly set up the AT-LP60X turntable in this step-by-step tutorial from Audio-Technica's Audio Solutions team.

www.audio-technica.com

Connect the analog audio cable’s 3.5 mm plug into the “Analog Out” port on the back center of the turntable. Then plug the RCA end (red and white plugs) into your desired playback device (commonly a stereo receiver or powered speakers).

If connecting to inputs on a stereo receiver specifically labeled “PHONO,” move the switch on the rear of the turntable to PHONO. This bypasses the turntable’s internal RIAA magnetic phono preamp

PS You might try checking the MM/M on the X5 and even if right switch it to wrong and back to right to make sure it's engaged. No idea what a MM sounds like with MC equalization but I would not be shocked if it causes noise.

 

[Laika2]

Interestingly enough the LP-60 I have does not have USB output just an audio out which is a stereo 3.5mm output with a line/phono toggle. Previously I had it hooked to a phono preamp via the audio out which is a 3.5mm to RCA cable, tried the same setup with the X5 and I get absolutely nothing but noise. I can use the phono toggle to connect the 3.5mm to RCA cable directly to my amplifier and get audio but not via a preamp anymore.

Did you ever get it working or was the unit bad?

 

[_thelaughingman]

I could never get it to work. I finally got frustrated and gave up on it, the LP-60 is now connected directly to my amplifier via RCA to phono on the amp. I have returned the unit to Amazon where i bought it.

 

[renaudrenaud]

The At60 is certainly the most hated turntable, and here is one more reason.


There is some phono preamp inside.

And spec are first class

 

[_thelaughingman]

I’m going to upgrade to a new turntable in the newest future from the oft disliked LP-60 I have. Haven’t got it to work the way I like it in past two years.

 

[morillon]

The At60 is certainly the most hated turntable, and here is one more reason.


There is some phono preamp inside.

View attachment 425822

And spec are first class

View attachment 425823

and his wf& is not acceptable.... ridiculous...

 

[EarlessOldMan]

I bought this phono preamp. I also have a Cambridge Duo. I haven't yet used this on a moving coil cartridge, but it sounds great with moving magnet cartridges.

 

[EJ3]

Wow... I'm surprised there are still a few who use a turntable?
It takes me back to the Stone Age when we also needed a record cleaner, a place to store albums and had to get rid of albums as they warped. Custom digital playlists whether local or streaming have become my favorite music delivery. No more being locked into playing all tracks on an album or wasting money looking for that favorite phono cartridge. Cheers!

My club is by the front door, My wife's club is by the spare bedroom door (the "safe" room).
Back in the 70's day, the tracks on good albums told a story, so missing a track was like not reading a chapter in a book.
Warping is easily fixed: put an album between 2 sheets of glass that are slightly larger than the album, lay the now sandwiched glass in the early sun for a little while, flip it & lay it there for 1/2 a little while, bring it inside to cool to room temperature.
Wha'La the warps have been minimized. Depending on where you are in this world (and the time of the year) YMMV.

 

[EJ3]

MC carts begin from $250 and for $500-700 you get a good one, pretty much the same as MM so why not. But ok, so called serious vinyl people perhaps don't take a look at Fosi.

Some one sent me one, so I'll play with it. From what I can see, it seems good'nuff.
I'll know more later (several weeks from now, when I actually get to use it).

 

[cfwotzka]

MC carts begin from $250 and for $500-700 you get a good one, pretty much the same as MM so why not. But ok, so called serious vinyl people perhaps don't take a look at Fosi.

I believe they will regret if they ignore the BOX X5.
This forum is the place where you start to understand that price does not equal quality. For so many years I was wrongly oriented spending a fortune. I think I'm on the right path now thank's ASR the experts here and the genius companies offering outstanding quality for almost nothing, willing to receive and accept critical end-user feedback helping to better their products. Isn't this ideal?

 

[mike70]

I believe they will regret if they ignore the BOX X5.
This forum is the place where you start to understand that price does not equal quality. For so many years I was wrongly oriented spending a fortune. I think I'm on the right path now thank's ASR the experts here and the genius companies offering outstanding quality for almost nothing, willing to receive and accept critical end-user feedback helping to better their products. Isn't this ideal?

In this forum we learn that "serious people* will be more towards to the product real performance than to the price tag.

Then you take an informed decision based on data, not with marketing flyers, dealer talks, mainstream subjective opinions, etc.