A nice review. I was curious how it compares to the Aiyima T3 Pro. I will not buy the Box x5, but I do have the T3 Pro. I hope you will spend a little more time with that one because you didnt even scratch the surface of what it can do. That one is the true 'giant killer' if only you upgrade the opamps and know how to use it. It is fully adequate for many MC cartridges under ~$700. If you upgrade all 4 opamps to SX52B (extra $60 totalling $140). You'll be blown away. Keep volume on max and turn up the gain to just enough. Best buy under $1000 for MM, there's no comparable unit for MC in that price range. In your review you paired the Denon DL103R 14Ω to a 100Ω load. That is really on the edge! I advise 10x internal R minimum. Also 0.25mV is really low. I have several phono preamps from Gold Note PH10, to Ear834, to Yaqin MS23, to Douk Audio T4plus (nice, adequate) to the Aiyima T3 Pro you saw here. I will not buy the box X5 though. I have lots of experience with my Jolida JD9 reworking the deciding opamp stages and RIAA circuit. I ditched the tube buffer altogether. Thats how I found out how overstressed opamps ruin the sound. Give them an easy job and they will be much happier, sound better and make you happy too! The Aiyima T3 Pro has way more potential. It's fully adjustable. And variable gain means less distortion and noise because the second pair of opamps don't have to work as hard. Genius! The volume is just for pairing it to a poweramp or equalizing your phono to other digital sources. I actually use it on my poweramps to shoehorn in just an extra input for a TT I'm working on 😁 I have tried several low cost phono preamps, just out of curiosity and for request from starting vinyl music lovers. Over the last 40 years it has been really hard for me to get a really capable phono amp I could afford to match the silver wire SUT I always held on to. I've been playing with MC cartridges ever since the introduction of the AT-OC9. Now I'm in a more comfortable position could afford the Gold Note Ph10. Still using the SUT because it sounds much better than straight into the MC input. I was really amazed how good the Aiyima T3 Pro with upgraded discrete opamps did in comparison. First: it was really quiet. Second: it sounded sweet and not 'electronic' Only downside: the 16V AC transformer can cause hum/vibrate. Put it away in a seperate socket.
I just donated my turntable so I don't do vinyl but I just enjoy the heck out of your reviews! What would be a nice touch is if one of these fun fi products had multiple RCA analog inputs. One is just not enough. How hard can that be!
great review....still thinking abiut returning to vinyl and this little preamps make it easier....and i spot with the corner of my eye a Fiiiiiiiiio streamer.
I haven't seen a BIC turntable in decades! That brings back the memories. I still have my BIC Beam Box tunable FM antenna. I loved that thing when I lived in SoCal but now I'm in a small town in Utah with crap stations. I still bring it out sometimes just to play with it but it goes right back in storage with nothing good to listen to. I don't know. Does anyone know if it still holds up to today's FM antennas? All I see are the cheap, and not so cheap, toys. I tried those over the years and wasn't impressed. (I managed a store somewhat like a Best Buy, but we sold a lot more gear up to expensive pro audio/video and film. Hasselblad, Nikon pro, Canon pro. Anyway I got to test out all kinds of gear on loan from the reps.)
Fosi and Aiyima seem to be getting the idea of a "system" approach and moving away from random products that only attract smaller/younger audiences. My 2025 wish list? 1) Simple basic power amps with gain controls and a strong focus on sound quality. The whole idea is to do one thing and do it well. Both stereo and monoblock designs. 2) Clipping and Protection indicators on ALL amplifiers where the chip supports it. I don't even want to guess how many "it keeps shutting off" calls I've had where the -idiot- owner is just turning things all the way up and overheating their gear. It's also surprising how often I have to repeat what I say to these people ... and yes, I believe these two facts are connected. 3) Pre-Amps with more universal inputs. From my experience I would suggest they stop embedding one of every kind of input and move to providing multiple dual mode RCA/XLR inputs (easily done using XLR combo jacks) to allow the end user to choose which adaptors to hook up. 4) A range of adaptors -- USB, Optical, HDMI ARC, etc -- little boxes with sound quality as the prime focus. The D2-Mini DAC is a great example of this idea, you just hook it up and place it behind your system, out of the way. 5) Of course a continued dialog with their customers. A whole bunch of other manufacturers could take a lesson from Aiyima and Fosi,
On point 2: I know of two RUclips 'reviewers' (Erin and Ron) guilty of that and then blaming the manufacturer on video. Very distasteful! I like the Fosi ZA3 and ZD3, I'm waiting for a ZP3 phono to match. 😁 One that has no elco coupling caps and all opamps socketed, and as you rightly mention: variable gain (like the Aiyima T3 Pro). Variable gain makes much more sense than just a volume knob.
@@Jeep_on_audio Yeah... both of them don't seem to get that you can't push an amplifier beyond it's limits for prolonged periods of time without consequences. They had to be pushing at least 150 watts for hours on end to get the result they got... and I wasn't afraid of saying so. Mind you the V3m does have a known overheating problem.... I like the Fosi stuff well enough ... but the power switch on the volume control is a total deal breaker. My work usually needs gear with separate power switches. Variable gain is something of a quandry... It works but it's not usual. I just went through a mod cycle on the A3001 monoblock which has gain control and quite frankly it's just confusing when doing service or mods.
I just keep gravitating to the vintage tables, maybe I will give something modern a spin at some point but these honestly don’t give me much reason to.
@@MattCoykendall1there are some Zu 1st gen Druids listed on facebook marketplace near me for $2k….Zu intrigues me but I don’t think the druids are anywhere near the DW idk 🤷♂️
I use the Fluance RT85 > ART DJpre ii phono (~$65) ….im extremely happy with it but don’t have anything other than the WiiM ultra phono to compare it to. The DJpre way better better than the WiiM. The ART came to market quite a few years ago before RUclips reviews were everything - might be worth a video…you can upgrade the stock 9v psu to 12v for more punch. I did and it sounds superb but I’m also curious what a higher end phono stage sounds like.
Oh well. I was hoping for a giant killer, but it seems like it's worth what's charged. I have that cartridge on a restored Dual 1229. Meh. But I'm running it through a Douk phono pre-amp, so it may be the latter rather than the former.
Get the Aiyima T3 Pro and upgrade all 4 opamps to SX52B (extra $60 totalling $140). You'll be blown away. Keep volume on max and turn up the gain to just enough. Best buy under $1000 for MM, there's no comparable unit for MC in that price range. I don't like the phrase giant killer but it is a total overachiever. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I have several phono preamps from Gold Note PH10, to Ear834, to Yaqin MS23, to Douk Audio T4plus (nice, adequate) to the Aiyima T3 Pro you saw here. I will not buy the box X5 though. I have lots of experience with my Jolida JD9 reworking the deciding opamp stages and RIAA circuit. I ditched the tube buffer altogether. The Aiyima T3 Pro has way more potential. It's fully adjustable. And variable gain means less distortion and noise because the second pair of opamps don't have to work as hard. The volume is just for pairing it to a poweramp or equalizing your phono to other digital sources. I actually use it on my poweramps to shoehorn in just an extra input for a TT I'm working on 😁
Btw, the Dual 1229 is a very nice TT. I have the 1219 and a 1209 and a barebones 1019. It is top of the line. Only the arm is rather light and the cabling is not up to modern day standards.
I had good experience with vintage turntables and cheap U-Turn Pluto 2 but Fosi should work just as good at similar price point. Another option would be a $150 Little Bear T11 tube phonostage. Very nice out of the box and with simple upgrades it is exceptional for the $.
A nice review. I was curious how it compares to the Aiyima T3 Pro. I will not buy the Box x5, but I do have the T3 Pro. I hope you will spend a little more time with that one because you didnt even scratch the surface of what it can do. That one is the true 'giant killer' if only you upgrade the opamps and know how to use it. It is fully adequate for many MC cartridges under ~$700.
If you upgrade all 4 opamps to SX52B (extra $60 totalling $140). You'll be blown away. Keep volume on max and turn up the gain to just enough. Best buy under $1000 for MM, there's no comparable unit for MC in that price range.
In your review you paired the Denon DL103R 14Ω to a 100Ω load. That is really on the edge! I advise 10x internal R minimum. Also 0.25mV is really low.
I have several phono preamps from Gold Note PH10, to Ear834, to Yaqin MS23, to Douk Audio T4plus (nice, adequate) to the Aiyima T3 Pro you saw here. I will not buy the box X5 though.
I have lots of experience with my Jolida JD9 reworking the deciding opamp stages and RIAA circuit. I ditched the tube buffer altogether. Thats how I found out how overstressed opamps ruin the sound. Give them an easy job and they will be much happier, sound better and make you happy too!
The Aiyima T3 Pro has way more potential. It's fully adjustable. And variable gain means less distortion and noise because the second pair of opamps don't have to work as hard. Genius!
The volume is just for pairing it to a poweramp or equalizing your phono to other digital sources. I actually use it on my poweramps to shoehorn in just an extra input for a TT I'm working on 😁
I have tried several low cost phono preamps, just out of curiosity and for request from starting vinyl music lovers.
Over the last 40 years it has been really hard for me to get a really capable phono amp I could afford to match the silver wire SUT I always held on to. I've been playing with MC cartridges ever since the introduction of the AT-OC9. Now I'm in a more comfortable position could afford the Gold Note Ph10. Still using the SUT because it sounds much better than straight into the MC input.
I was really amazed how good the Aiyima T3 Pro with upgraded discrete opamps did in comparison.
First: it was really quiet.
Second: it sounded sweet and not 'electronic'
Only downside: the 16V AC transformer can cause hum/vibrate. Put it away in a seperate socket.
I just donated my turntable so I don't do vinyl but I just enjoy the heck out of your reviews! What would be a nice touch is if one of these fun fi products had multiple RCA analog inputs. One is just not enough. How hard can that be!
Fosi seems surprisingly well designed. Very good value.
Nice review! I'd like to know how its sound compares to the similarly-priced, albeit differently featured, U-turn Pluto 2.
Wish I could help but I don’t have it in.
Good review my friend. Thank you.
Appreciate the watch!
@@MattCoykendall1 You got a view from Ed! Nice!
great review....still thinking abiut returning to vinyl and this little preamps make it easier....and i spot with the corner of my eye a Fiiiiiiiiio streamer.
I haven't seen a BIC turntable in decades! That brings back the memories. I still have my BIC Beam Box tunable FM antenna. I loved that thing when I lived in SoCal but now I'm in a small town in Utah with crap stations. I still bring it out sometimes just to play with it but it goes right back in storage with nothing good to listen to. I don't know. Does anyone know if it still holds up to today's FM antennas? All I see are the cheap, and not so cheap, toys. I tried those over the years and wasn't impressed. (I managed a store somewhat like a Best Buy, but we sold a lot more gear up to expensive pro audio/video and film. Hasselblad, Nikon pro, Canon pro. Anyway I got to test out all kinds of gear on loan from the reps.)
I think you’re correct, it’s a bit challenging to find much in the FM segment of the market.
Fosi and Aiyima seem to be getting the idea of a "system" approach and moving away from random products that only attract smaller/younger audiences.
My 2025 wish list?
1) Simple basic power amps with gain controls and a strong focus on sound quality. The whole idea is to do one thing and do it well. Both stereo and monoblock designs.
2) Clipping and Protection indicators on ALL amplifiers where the chip supports it. I don't even want to guess how many "it keeps shutting off" calls I've had where the -idiot- owner is just turning things all the way up and overheating their gear. It's also surprising how often I have to repeat what I say to these people ... and yes, I believe these two facts are connected.
3) Pre-Amps with more universal inputs. From my experience I would suggest they stop embedding one of every kind of input and move to providing multiple dual mode RCA/XLR inputs (easily done using XLR combo jacks) to allow the end user to choose which adaptors to hook up.
4) A range of adaptors -- USB, Optical, HDMI ARC, etc -- little boxes with sound quality as the prime focus. The D2-Mini DAC is a great example of this idea, you just hook it up and place it behind your system, out of the way.
5) Of course a continued dialog with their customers. A whole bunch of other manufacturers could take a lesson from Aiyima and Fosi,
Agreed I like the more dedicated approach rather than just seemingly randomly releases products.
On point 2: I know of two RUclips 'reviewers' (Erin and Ron) guilty of that and then blaming the manufacturer on video. Very distasteful!
I like the Fosi ZA3 and ZD3, I'm waiting for a ZP3 phono to match. 😁
One that has no elco coupling caps and all opamps socketed, and as you rightly mention: variable gain (like the Aiyima T3 Pro).
Variable gain makes much more sense than just a volume knob.
@@Jeep_on_audio
Yeah... both of them don't seem to get that you can't push an amplifier beyond it's limits for prolonged periods of time without consequences. They had to be pushing at least 150 watts for hours on end to get the result they got... and I wasn't afraid of saying so. Mind you the V3m does have a known overheating problem....
I like the Fosi stuff well enough ... but the power switch on the volume control is a total deal breaker. My work usually needs gear with separate power switches.
Variable gain is something of a quandry... It works but it's not usual. I just went through a mod cycle on the A3001 monoblock which has gain control and quite frankly it's just confusing when doing service or mods.
Nice turntable! Great video as always sir!
I just keep gravitating to the vintage tables, maybe I will give something modern a spin at some point but these honestly don’t give me much reason to.
@ yeah I still haven’t found a reason to replace my vintage Pioneer PL-560 with a modern player
Take a look at the Fluance turntables ... good quality at reasonable prices.
@@Douglas_Blake
Or U-Turn custom! I love that new magnesium 1 piece arm.
@@Jeep_on_audio
Also nice.
Another well done review. Question: what ‘budget’ CD players are available similar to the SMSL PL100?
Not many coming in at that price, moon drop has one but it’s a bit more. The cheapest option is to find a second hand Blue Ray player.
If you buy all these separate elements, is it still cheap audio?
How do you like those Zu DW6’s? Are you going to be doing a review on them? I’m interested in the DWX for my next speakers.
I like them a lot actually, I have been getting a feel for them for around 2 months. I should have a review out in the next 3 weeks.
@@MattCoykendall1there are some Zu 1st gen Druids listed on facebook marketplace near me for $2k….Zu intrigues me but I don’t think the druids are anywhere near the DW idk 🤷♂️
I use the Fluance RT85 > ART DJpre ii phono (~$65) ….im extremely happy with it but don’t have anything other than the WiiM ultra phono to compare it to. The DJpre way better better than the WiiM. The ART came to market quite a few years ago before RUclips reviews were everything - might be worth a video…you can upgrade the stock 9v psu to 12v for more punch. I did and it sounds superb but I’m also curious what a higher end phono stage sounds like.
Hmm i am after a pre for my ancient ariston q deck ,
The price is right
Thank you for an intelligent video
Oh well. I was hoping for a giant killer, but it seems like it's worth what's charged. I have that cartridge on a restored Dual 1229. Meh. But I'm running it through a Douk phono pre-amp, so it may be the latter rather than the former.
Not necessarily a giant killer but worth the price of admission.
Get the Aiyima T3 Pro and upgrade all 4 opamps to SX52B (extra $60 totalling $140). You'll be blown away. Keep volume on max and turn up the gain to just enough. Best buy under $1000 for MM, there's no comparable unit for MC in that price range.
I don't like the phrase giant killer but it is a total overachiever. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I have several phono preamps from Gold Note PH10, to Ear834, to Yaqin MS23, to Douk Audio T4plus (nice, adequate) to the Aiyima T3 Pro you saw here. I will not buy the box X5 though.
I have lots of experience with my Jolida JD9 reworking the deciding opamp stages and RIAA circuit. I ditched the tube buffer altogether.
The Aiyima T3 Pro has way more potential. It's fully adjustable. And variable gain means less distortion and noise because the second pair of opamps don't have to work as hard.
The volume is just for pairing it to a poweramp or equalizing your phono to other digital sources. I actually use it on my poweramps to shoehorn in just an extra input for a TT I'm working on 😁
Btw, the Dual 1229 is a very nice TT. I have the 1219 and a 1209 and a barebones 1019.
It is top of the line. Only the arm is rather light and the cabling is not up to modern day standards.
I like to see inside .
More affordable streaming transport around $100 USD with Ethernet port.
I think you're ready for a monocle, 😎but it will prolly be too distracting to your viewers... Anyhoo, good critique as always.
@MattCoykendall1 Excellent as usual. I have a vintage turntable coming in and I'm in the market for a phono preamp. Thanks for the great review! 🙃
I had good experience with vintage turntables and cheap U-Turn Pluto 2 but Fosi should work just as good at similar price point. Another option would be a $150 Little Bear T11 tube phonostage. Very nice out of the box and with simple upgrades it is exceptional for the $.