FOSI BOX X1 Ultracheap Phono Stage Review

[Curupira]

I dont understand, you like the frequency response?

No, it should be a flat line. As it is now it amplifies the higher frequencies and lowers the low end, making the overall sound more bright and thin.

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

If you want it to be neutral and high-fidelity, you need to fix the RIAA implementation and have a flat FR like in the Box X5:

Fosi Audio Box X5 Phono Preamp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio Box X5 stereo Phono stage. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $109.99. Company manages to bring a touch of class in a category that is universally utilitarian with those rounded corners and orange power button. Flexibility...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Or, as said above, own up to the brighter tonality and advertise it on the box. The rest seems to be optimal, specially for a $36 device.

 

[Carl-Fosi Audio]

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:
View attachment 460618

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

Thanks, we will do our best.

 

[leebergtally]

I have friends in their 70's who had to upgrade their AV receiver that had a phono input stage. With no reasonable options today I recommended the Box X1 as an inexpensive solution for their new JVC receiver. I can't imaging them playing may LP's but it's there if they want it and it was cheap. A good example of a appropriate application for the Box X1

 

[DSJR]

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.

Can I chuck my oar in here -

Just use the thing with the likes of a vintage Sumiko Pearl, or cheaper Oyster models or any related vintage model (there's quite a few using much the same mechanicals since the 70s). They have a bass-up/top down balance as standard (come to think of it, many Grado's do, especially the better tipped ones), so the end result will be as flat as 'vinyl' needs to be. Obviously the likes of an AT 'EN' or above (or any modern Ortofon perhaps) may scream a little

 

[Ratterbass]

The frequency response looks like they took the RIAA filter for recording and applied it to the preamp instead of the inverse filter for reproduction. The response needs to be mirrored at the x-axis to fit RIAA response. Although RIAA states 20dB cut/boost and not 5dB if my memory serves me right. So there's quite a bit wrong with this in any case.