I don't know why this is a "frequently returned item." Perhaps because most turntables come with built-in pre-amps now, thus people are buying this and realizing it's unneeded? In any case, the size is wonderful; the features all well thought out, and, hey, it's got tubes that light up! I just wish I could boost the output of my record player and get the tubes to light up even more.The instructions don't sound like they've been written by a native English speakers, but they tell you all you need to know. Most pertinently, you've got two inputs: an RCA pair on the back for a turntable signal that goes through the phono preamp, and a stereo mini plug input for devices that don't need it. The mini-plug input takes priority, so unplug it to use the phono amp input.I'm not exactly sure what that second plug is for, because if your other devices aren't record players, they don't need this device at all. Wouldn't you just plug them into your main amplifier? Maybe it's just an extra input, in case your FOSI amplifier inputs are all used up? Or for some reason you have powered speakers and can thus skip a FOSI amplifier, and use only this FOSI phono preamp device alone?The only thing I didn't understand in the instructions was the designation for "MM" turntables. This, apparently, refers to the type of cartridge your player has. Unless you've got an expensive audiophile turntable, your cartridge is surely MM style and this FOSI amplifier will work. Again, I don't know why people are returning this. It works just great for me. Perhaps people don't understand the concept?

Top Produkt, für den Preis wirklich ein Schnäpchen. Hat meinen Project Phono ersetzt und ich würde sagen klingt besser..

To start, let’s just be clear, it is not an “audiophile” caliber phone preamp, nor is it really a tube preamp. It uses tubes as a buffer imparting a little tube “warmth” to the signal. That said, it sounds REALLY good!!! I have my AT-LP120x turntable running through it. The internal preamp in my TT was giving me fits with a ground loop issue. I would get a hum at times when my hand would get close to the tonearm, and when that would happen, if I played a record the left channel would play softer than the right channel. I’d remove the headshell and get the hum to stop, but it would always eventually come back. I isolated it to the internal preamp after trying all the usual suspects…location, cables, ground, outlet, etc. So I opted for an external preamp. I didn’t want to spend a fortune on one, and was happy with the sound I already had, but why not improve the sound quality some in the process? This fits the bill, sounds great, and fixed the problem. It also looks pretty cool in a dimly lit listening room. Mine also came with the 5654w tubes that many upgrade to already installed, so they have changed it evidently.

Incredible sound versus the pre amp in my existing amplifiers inbuilt phono.Really enjoying the balanced sound stage.Have bought another set of tubes for comparison purposes but the stock set up is very nice. Best audio equipment for the money I’ve ever bought

not as attractive as some of Fosi's other products but works very well ... - i use mine with my SL1210 turntable and it does the job of a preamp perfectly well

I was using an ART Pre DJ preamp foe a few years and just bought this for fun as the fosi preamp has had some great reviews. Great build quality though the tubes need a bit of care and effort to place them properly. This preamp has been a revelation in all senses. Played some of the best sounding LPs in my collection, Alan Parson iRobot MFSL and few other steely dan albums. The low end has improved significantly, great mid range and normal highs. Might try out new tubes at some point but totally satisfied currently.

Produto atende perfeitamente. Indicado para um set de entrada. top

Let's jump right to the most glaring bit of misinformation floating around the reviews here. Several reviewers here are stating this pre-amp is for moving magnet type phono cartridges only. NOW I can't speak for ALL "moving coil" carts, but my, Denon DL 103, moving coil, has no apparent (audible) issues with this amp. None. Sounds perfect. I've been transferring my Vinyl to bits and my disk recorder (records like a tape deck but to a CD) was getting really low levels. I could correct this after the fact with SW with no quality issues, but it was awkward. This amp was just the boost I needed. (no gain control on the recorder) SO the selectable output level switch is nice. I'm ok at the lowest, better at the middle, and just a showing a flicker of red on the highest. This was first time I'd ever seen level-leds show any red. Bottom line, Great little amp for the $. Works with any modern, quality cartridge/turntable.You'll notice the instructions don't say jack about "only moving magnet", but the input is labeled "MM". perhaps that's where the confusion sprang from. Fosi may have done that simply because moving magnet are typically less expensive and hence are likely to be what most people will have. The other thing the instructions don't say what input on your main amp/receiver to plug the output from the fosi into. It's just says "connect to your amp" for the record it's Line In or Aux, NOT phono. I plugged mine direct into the line in on my recorder and returned to the amp from the recorder.Lastly Packing. Several guys groused loudly about packing. Mine too was shipped in plain thin, bubble wrap-type bag. But that's fine the way the tubes are packed inside the Fosi box, you could drop the box from 5 feet(ish) over and over and not damage anything but the outside of the box.Final tip. Installing the tubes. They go in pretty tight. So once your sure you're lined up correctly don't be afraid to lean into it a bit.UPDATE MM V MC cartridge compatibility. To be clear, at first listen, THIS particular amp, SEEMS to be fine with at least one particular MC cartg, my Denon DL-103 MC-type cart. No distortion, no hum. Output level perfect, (best on the middle gain setting of 3). But after applying a more critical "ear" I'm not convinced I'm getting all of the clarity and or fullness this legendary DL-103 is famous for. NOW there are a couple possible explanations for this that don't involve this "amp v MC cartridge compatibility" issue. Age of the cartridge being first. While it's well under the life-span limit in hours played, it IS 10 years old. Also, I have never checked, let alone adjusted, the turntable vs tone-arm for level, so there's every reason to assume this (aka "VTA") setting is not optimum. I was shocked to learn how big a SOUND difference this, the angle of the stylus to the groove (VTA) can make. (follow up on that to come) What I can say for now is that the combination of this MC cart and this amp 'sounds' correct, if not "super'. and after playing it last night for about 6 or 7 hours it doesn't appear that either the amp nor the cart is being damaged by the other. If you're wondering if your MC cart will be similarly content with this amp, be advised the "Recommended Load Resistance" on my Denon DL-103 is "100 ohm or more, (except when a transformer is provided)" I believe transformer is what some MC type carts refer to a pre-amp as. The manual for the Fosi X2 doesn't give any ohm rating, load/capacitance, resistance rating number of any kind, input or output. Bottom line this could be a viable "budget option" amp for at least some, MC type carts. Since "proper" MC pre-amp/transformers, start about double what this one costs and run as much as 4 or 5 times more expensive.

*** MAKE SURE YOU BUY THE RIGHT CABLES TO USE YOUR TURNTABLE WHEN YOU ORDER THIS ***Bought this to replace a very large and VERY heavy old stereo unit that I used to drive speakers for my turntable. I really like it! It has a smooth and even sound quality and is very easy to use.The included tubes warmed up quickly and I like that it has multiple gain settings to boost to the right amount, though I would honestly have preferred a smooth turning dial.I am not a fan of the inputs/outputs. It has one 3.5mm jack on the front that is Input only, a red/white input on the back and a red white output. I had to jerry rig some spare cables together to connect my turntable as it only has one output in the form of red/white cables and the speakers I have only have input as red/white cables. So that is a bit of a design oversight but not a major one.Other than that, the design is very sleek and simple and it's pretty idiot-proof. I am a fan of this purchase.So far it has been very good and I will update later if there are issues with it.