Two years back I wrote an article about the benefits of using an external phono preamp compared to a built-in turntable preamp. On this article, I will compare three phono preamps – the Audio-Technica AT-PEQ30, the Douk Audio T4 Pro, and the Fosi Audio Box X5.
Everyone knows Audio-Technica, a Japan company which started their business with making phono cartridges in 1962, though they are not known for their phono preamps. Douk Audio was founded around 2014 by Nobsound founders Cyber and Michael Lau, and Fosi Audio founded in 2017 by Ryan Huang. Their paths crossed when they released identical products, Fosi Audio Box X2 and Douk Audio T3 Pro, both based on an OEM design “Phono P4” that was printed on the PCB. While the T4 Pro is the immediate successor model to the T3 Pro, Fosi Audio has evolved several generations since the X2 and the Box X5 design does not look anything like the predecessors, appearing more polished, rounded, clean. As I shared during my review of the K7 DAC Headphones Amp, Fosi Audio has expanded to International markets and has been very effective in their strategy reach out to the audio community with engaging interactions on various online platforms.
A quick visual comparison of the PCB between the T3 Pro and T4 Pro reveals an entirely different design, which I assume that the T4 Pro is an original design by Douk Audio (but please leave me a comment if I am wrong). The T4 Pro has a volume knob to control the amplification of the output volume, which is rather useful to get the optimal recording level for my vinyl to digital transfer. The T4 Pro also supports AUX input and headphone output, which turns it into a headphone amplifier.
The Fosi Audio only has a single on-off button in front, but the rear has knobs and switches to select between MM and MC cartridges, and the gain switch with four settings from 38dB to 66dB. For my AT-VM95 cartridge, the 38dB gain level is sufficient.
By sheer coincidence, the Fosi Audio Box X5 sound quality fits right in between the AT-PEQ30 and the T4 Pro and offers the best of both worlds. The PEQ30 offers the most neutral sound: clean unexaggerated bass, generous midrange, and a treble that rolls off around the 20kHz. The T4 Pro offers a more extended treble sound while the lower frequencies are suppressed, resulting in a generally more articulated brighter sound where the groove noise is more prominent to my ears.
The Fosi Audio Box X5 brings out the treble, improving on the PEQ30 sound to make it more airy, yet it does not go overboard like the T4 Pro. The midrange is similar to the T4 Pro, giving a cleaner, albeit less warm sound, while subtly emphasising a bit more bass. My listening judgement is corroborated with the frequency analysis graphs generated above.
Ultimately, which phono preamp works for you depends on the cartridge quality and your speaker profile. I personally enjoy the uncanny details I can get with the T4 Pro, but it can be too over-the-top if your cartridge is already offering treble details, like the microline stylus. The PEQ30 is the neutral preamp that brings out the qualities of the Audio-Technica cartridges. The Fosi Audio Box X5 is more like the PEQ30 with a nudge at the treble to give a positive impression of a more clear-sounding preamp, which I think will delight turntable owners who use elliptical stylus, just to bring up a little more detail at the top-end without over-colouring like the T4 Pro.
So, among the three phono preamps reviewed here, I would choose the Box X5 as it is very compact, looks clean, has the flexibility to change the gain levels, and it is cheaper than the PEQ30.
Order the Box X5 at the official website – Fosi Audio Box X5 Phono Preamp for Turntable or at Amazon (non-Affiliate link).
