Hi everyone!
I recently had the opportunity to test the new Fosi Audio Box X5 and wanted to share my experience. Just a quick heads-up: this isn’t a technical lab review, but rather my personal impressions after testing it for a few days in my current setup.
The unboxing experience is minimal and straightforward. Inside the classic Fosi Audio packaging, you'll find the phono preamp and the power supply. The unit itself feels impressively solid, crafted entirely from satin black aluminum. It’s compact, with a clean design that fits aesthetically into almost any system. I particularly like the contrast provided by the orange LED and power button—a detail that has now become Fosi Audio’s signature.
On the back, alongside the RCA connections and the grounding post, you’ll find the features that make it stand out from entry-level models: the MM/MC cartridge selector and the gain switch.
If I had one minor complaint, I would have preferred the grounding post to be positioned closer to the input connectors for tidier cable management, but overall, the setup remains clean once everything is plugged in.
For this test, I used my Pioneer PL-12D with an AT-VM95E cartridge, the Fosi Audio V3 as the amplifier (which shares the same aesthetic as the Box X5—they look very satisfying stacked together), and Wharfedale Delta 30.2 speakers.
I was able to do a direct comparison with my old Fosi Audio Box X1, and the difference was evident from the very first listen. The first thing you notice is a greater sense of "airiness": the sound no longer feels "congested." Instead, it benefits from significantly better instrument separation, which helps create a wider and more defined soundstag
The bass response has also taken a leap forward, appearing more controlled and articulate with tighter, more precise lows. Another standout aspect of the X5 is its silence: the noise floor has been drastically reduced, providing a level of clarity that allows the finer details of the records to emerge. For the time being, I chose to keep the stock NE5532 OP-AMPs to evaluate the product in its "out-of-the-box" state.
Ultimately, the Box X5 proves to be a solid investment for anyone looking to move beyond the limitations of an integrated or budget-tier phono stage. Its true strength lies not just in its immediate sound quality, but in its incredible flexibility. The MM/MC selector and adjustable gain levels make it a "future-proof" product, capable of adapting to future cartridge upgrades.
Furthermore, the ability to customize the sound signature through op-amp rolling adds that extra layer of fun for those who love to experiment. In short, it’s a phono preamp that can grow alongside your passion, offering "tailor-made" control over your sound.
I recently had the opportunity to test the new Fosi Audio Box X5 and wanted to share my experience. Just a quick heads-up: this isn’t a technical lab review, but rather my personal impressions after testing it for a few days in my current setup.
The unboxing experience is minimal and straightforward. Inside the classic Fosi Audio packaging, you'll find the phono preamp and the power supply. The unit itself feels impressively solid, crafted entirely from satin black aluminum. It’s compact, with a clean design that fits aesthetically into almost any system. I particularly like the contrast provided by the orange LED and power button—a detail that has now become Fosi Audio’s signature.
On the back, alongside the RCA connections and the grounding post, you’ll find the features that make it stand out from entry-level models: the MM/MC cartridge selector and the gain switch.
If I had one minor complaint, I would have preferred the grounding post to be positioned closer to the input connectors for tidier cable management, but overall, the setup remains clean once everything is plugged in.
For this test, I used my Pioneer PL-12D with an AT-VM95E cartridge, the Fosi Audio V3 as the amplifier (which shares the same aesthetic as the Box X5—they look very satisfying stacked together), and Wharfedale Delta 30.2 speakers.
I was able to do a direct comparison with my old Fosi Audio Box X1, and the difference was evident from the very first listen. The first thing you notice is a greater sense of "airiness": the sound no longer feels "congested." Instead, it benefits from significantly better instrument separation, which helps create a wider and more defined soundstag
The bass response has also taken a leap forward, appearing more controlled and articulate with tighter, more precise lows. Another standout aspect of the X5 is its silence: the noise floor has been drastically reduced, providing a level of clarity that allows the finer details of the records to emerge. For the time being, I chose to keep the stock NE5532 OP-AMPs to evaluate the product in its "out-of-the-box" state.
Ultimately, the Box X5 proves to be a solid investment for anyone looking to move beyond the limitations of an integrated or budget-tier phono stage. Its true strength lies not just in its immediate sound quality, but in its incredible flexibility. The MM/MC selector and adjustable gain levels make it a "future-proof" product, capable of adapting to future cartridge upgrades.
Furthermore, the ability to customize the sound signature through op-amp rolling adds that extra layer of fun for those who love to experiment. In short, it’s a phono preamp that can grow alongside your passion, offering "tailor-made" control over your sound.
