Low Cost Phono Pre-Amp

BinKY188_5
BinKY188_5 Posts: 142
in 2 Channel Audio
I am looking for a low priced (under $100) phono preamp and found a Fosi Audio Box X2. Is this a decent preamp?
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,903
    No idea about the Fosi. Probably OK but I'd be concerned about build quality, lifespan, and support if anything goes wrong. Buy from an established and legitimate dealer in your own region (US?) "for best results".
    For bargain-priced, new production phono preamps, I'd recommend looking at the ART DJ II or the somewhat more expensive ART Precision Phono Pre, FWIW.
    https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DeeJayPre--art-dj-pre-ii-phono-preamplifier
    https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PhonoPrePS--art-precision-phono-pre-phono-preamp
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,441
    edited September 18
    It seems to have a decent reputation, but you need to ask yourself if you want tubes in the mix. The tubes will likely add a bit to the noise floor compared to something like a Schiit Mani 2, but at the same time, it will allow you to tweak the sound with different quality tubes.
    Don't be afraid to buy used. Also, consider whether you need the capability of greater gain for an MC cartridge or not. Extra gain usually comes at the cost of noise. There are many great phono-preamps that are fixed gain at 20-30dB.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,903
    edited September 18
    Understanding full well that the site and its tactics are kind of polarizing :blush:
    I'll offer some quantitative performance reviews from ASR of a few at least broadly similar phono preamps to the Fosi and the ART models above.
    https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/fosi-box-x1-ultracheap-phono-stage-review.62976/
    https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/fosi-audio-box-x5-phono-preamp-review.59982/
    https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/art-usb-phono-plus-review.46939/
    https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-u-turn-pluto-and-art-djpre-ii-phono-preamps.3457/

    Note that the Fosi BOX X2 may or may not actually use those two tubes for anything -- the actual phono preamp EQ and amplification is probably taken care of by op amps. I'd be kinda leery of it, FWIW.
    https://fosiaudio.com/products/fosi-audio-phono-preamp-for-turntable-preamplifier-mm-phonograph-preamplifier-with-gain-gear-mini-stereo-audio-hi-fi-pre-amplifier-for-record-player-with-dc-12v-power-box-x2?_pos=1&_sid=d7497e79a&_ss=r
    lhfveeeel31h.png
    30oj09jbpk41.png
    Yes, based on the mfgr. website, the tubes are mostly for looks. They may be used as buffers (cathode followers), but the heavy lifting in the amp, as strongly implied by that first bullet point above, is done with IC op amps.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 10,091
    edited September 18
    I always liked the Parasound Z-phono. Not the usb version, nothing wrong with the usb version but you shouldn’t need the usb option and it adds to the price, so I would recommend the regular z-phono. I would get a used one. A used one may be a tad over a hundy but you should be able to get one for a buck and a quarter and they are really good bang for the buck. I’ve tried a bunch of under-hundred phono pre’s and was underwhelmed to say the least. The z-phono punches way above its price point
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tratliff
    tratliff Posts: 1,762
    dromunds wrote: »
    I always liked the Parasound Z-phono. Not the usb version, nothing wrong with the usb version but you shouldn’t need the usb option and it adds to the price, so I would recommend the regular z-phono. I would get a used one. A used one may be a tad over a hundy but you should be able to get one for a buck and a quarter and they are really good bang for the buck. I’ve tried a bunch of under-hundred phono pre’s and was underwhelmed to say the least. The z-phono punches way above its price point

    Funny you mention the zPhono. I just sold the zPhono USB I had this week. Only got $125 for it and although it was second hand it was never taken out of the box except for pictures.
    2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Norma Revo DAC-2, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon, WAY power cables for all other sources.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 10,091
    Yeah, your z-phono would have been a great choice for the OP, probably the USB would have been unnecessary for him, but that would’ve been a great price for the OP (essentially the USB function for free), especially given that it was only taken out of the box for photos. Maybe another forum member has one that would be available for sale.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BinKY188_5
    BinKY188_5 Posts: 142
    Yes, that would have been good for me. I did not see that until it showed up sold. I wasn't looking for when when it originally went up for sale. You snooze, you lose. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,932
    I'll make you a good deal on one of these.
    https://www.underwoodhifi.com/products/lsa-phono-stages
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,682
    marvda1 wrote: »
    I'll make you a good deal on one of these.
    https://www.underwoodhifi.com/products/lsa-phono-stages

    Marvin is like the guy in the dark alley in a trench coat asking if you wanna buy a watch…..

    Just his stuff isn’t fake and is good quality….. so you get hooked on his deals…. Like he planned

    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,932
    https://tonepublications2.com/project/the-lsa-5-phono-stage/
    Nice review.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • smartie_panta
    smartie_panta Posts: 209
    @BinKY188_5 , I'd take @marvda1 up on his offer. As @EndersShadow mentions, Marvin knows his stuff and has access to the goods!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,932
    What did you end up buying?
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,932
    @ BinKY188_5
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter