FOSI BOX X1 Ultracheap Phono Stage Review

[torgeirs]

My guess is that the filter components has to big tolerans. Some pieces may be spot on, others way off. But looks like a lot of bass, trebble controls will fix it inside a dB

 

[(Concentric(Driver))]

Oh dear, based on generally good reputation FOSI enjoys here I just purchased one of these for my new (to me) TT setup (Technics SL-Q2) which I am streaming to my powered loudspeakers via Arylic S10+ to wiim mini which has my PEQ filters loaded onto it. I have to say, I'm pleased with the sound (very similar to streaming apart from the odd pop and crackle, frankly). Can someone please help me understand whether my filters will/could counter the frequency response error stated in the review or whether I should just bite the bullet and stump up for a box X5 or similar? With thanks.

 

[JeremyFife]

Oh dear, based on generally good reputation FOSI enjoys here I just purchased one of these for my new (to me) TT setup (Technics SL-Q2) which I am streaming to my powered loudspeakers via Arylic S10+ to wiim mini which has my PEQ filters loaded onto it. I have to say, I'm pleased with the sound (very similar to streaming apart from the odd pop and crackle, frankly). Can someone please help me understand whether my filters will/could counter the frequency response error stated in the review or whether I should just bite the bullet and stump up for a box X5 or similar? With thanks.

Hi,
You are enjoying the sound, and that's what matters - keep that in mind.

If you let your WiiM's automated room correction have a go then that will attempt to correct for room anomalies (all rooms have them, below around 400Hz) but it will also take the affect of your Fosi into account too. That's worth trying, rather than trying to isolate the Fosi and possibly creating new problems.

 

[Ropeburn]

Hi,
You are enjoying the sound, and that's what matters - keep that in mind.

If you let your WiiM's automated room correction have a go then that will attempt to correct for room anomalies (all rooms have them, below around 400Hz) but it will also take the affect of your Fosi into account too. That's worth trying, rather than trying to isolate the Fosi and possibly creating new problems.

How would that work? That function doesn't "know" an external preamp's response, and therefore can't correct for it.

 

[JeremyFife]

How would that work? That function doesn't "know" an external preamp's response, and therefore can't correct for it.

I was going to say that didn't matter ... then I realised that you can't play the measurement sweep through the Fosi! DOH!

 

[torgeirs]

Well you kind of can if you correct the input too the riia with a riia curve for cutting the LPs. Inverse RIAA.
On the digital stimulus signal
That is output soundcard to input RIIA

 

[davmol]

Just checked and this box has a whopping 1,500 reviews on Amazon, averaging 4.4! Must be quite popular due to its cost and looks.

The Amazon review count is probably combined between the X1 and X2, with the latter being their popular little tube phono stage. Regardless the X1 seems to get good scores.

Maybe the ultra cost conscious buyers of the X1 are listening through "genuine" AliExpress Beats headphones, thus receiving a perfectly balanced bass response

 

[amirm]

Can someone please help me understand whether my filters will/could counter the frequency response error stated in the review or whether I should just bite the bullet and stump up for a box X5 or similar? With thanks.

You can fix this response with EQ. But given the small price difference, if you can upgrade to the X5, it would save you hassle as otherwise, you have to EQ based on each source.

 

[Northa40]

So my thoughts. I purchased this for my daughters stereo that is midfi. The Kenwood KD2055 is ok but they are using a sound bar with an AV receiver. The sound bar cant reproduce much below 80 or 100Hz on a good day and the old Kenwood isn't the quietest so amplifying low frequency noise would just make things worse. The point here is that rolling off below 50Hz on lowfi systems can be a good thing, why amplify noise?

 

[watchnerd]

Thanks Amir. The gain + SINAD is OK, but the equalisation isn't, that would be a cheap fix. Here's the updated phono table:

View attachment 451757

Can you share the link?

 

[Sernyl]

This thing is $36 folks, the cost of a lunch, and two cups of coffee in a day at work.

It's absolutely unreasonable and absurd to expect anything more than what you are getting. Hence golfing panther for me.

In fact, I failed to understand which market segment this product is aimed for. It's not for any serious vinyl customers, I doubt anyone would have a garage vinyl system, younger customers with less disposable income will probably get a turn table with a build in phono stage. Who is this aimed for?

@ Amir,
It would be more interesting to test some of these built-in phono stages.
I only compared the one included in my LP-5X with a 20 years old home-built kit . Guess what ?

 

[Joe Smith]

It's a shame - Fosi's main line items are generally excellent values. This, like most of the available under $50 phono preamps, just doesn't measure up. The Box X5 definitely looks like a good product. I am still happy with my legacy receiver phono amps and the Pluto from U-Turn. Also have one of the original Art DJ pre's around, it's decent too.

This reminds me of the specs and issues of my first little standalone p pre from Rolls...the little red box one. Pretty bad.

 

[WisEd]

Let's be honest. What did anyone expect for 30 odd dollars for an analog component? It's simply a box to allow you for the bare minimum cost to hook up a record player to a music system. Lest we forget for those 36 bucks, Fosi and the dealer expect a modicum of profit! It cost about the price of a single record (Ok record and a half )

 

[Carl-Fosi Audio]

Thanks for the review Amir, if we need to give it an upgrade, how should we do?

 

[Carl-Fosi Audio]

Thanks Amir. The gain + SINAD is OK, but the equalisation isn't, that would be a cheap fix. Here's the updated phono table:

View attachment 451757

So you mean the frequency response should be fixed?

 

[Carl-Fosi Audio]

Thanks for the test Amir.

That FOSI BOX X1 may be ultracheep but with.. some 5.2 dB of error from 20 to 20 kHz it doesn't even pass the level of what is considered Hifi.

Do it again and do it right Fosi.

Edit:
I now see the comments after my post about it being an old product. According to the comments, BOX X1 was created before Fosi focused on measurements (for sensible FR for example). For that reason, I'm giving my criticism a pass.

How shall we upgrade the Box X1 if we want to keep the price?

 

[Carl-Fosi Audio]

This is what I expect to see when I see golden eared people talking about bright source equipment. Alas, I've only seen this type of behavior in very cheap implementations, like this one, or on poorly designed "summit"-fi gear like the Pagoda DAC

I dont understand, you like the frequency response?

 

[Carl-Fosi Audio]

This is what I expect to see when I see golden eared people talking about bright source equipment. Alas, I've only seen this type of behavior in very cheap implementations, like this one, or on poorly designed "summit"-fi gear like the Pagoda DAC

I dont understand, you like the frequency response?

 

[welwynnick]

Everyone here agrees the RIAA equalisation is unacceptable.
That needs to be fixed, even if it pushes the price up.
My educated guess is that it won't change your costs much.
If you do that, I think Amir would probably be able to recommend the BOX X1, and it would become very competitive indeed.
It's your product and it's your choice.
My opinion doesn't matter, as I will probably buy a BOX X5 instead.

 

[DanielT]

How shall we upgrade the Box X1 if we want to keep the price?

I agree with what @welwynnick says in the post above. In addition, please clarify what you mean when you say that FOSI BOX X1 has a standard RIAA frequency response:

Fosi Audio BOX X1 MM Turntable Phono Preamp

Experience superior audio with our MM Phono Preamplifier - converts phono signals, low noise, 3.5mm headphone output. Enhance your sound system!

fosiaudio.com

It's up to you Fosi. If you want to sell Box X1 with the frequency response it has now ok fine, but then I think you should clarify which FR it has, so potential buyers know what they're getting.

We know you can if you want to. In most cases you make excellent affordable products, like this one for example:

Fosi Audio P4 Preamplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio P4 budget RCA preamp. It was sent to me by the company and as of this writing, is on sale for US $80. The look is attractive enough for the class. A momentary switch turns on the unit and cycles through inputs, with a reassuring...

audiosciencereview.com