Those are both transistor amps using OP Amps on circuit boards to amplify them. The Fosi tubes are just "Buffers" to create a warmer image. The key to tube installation is to set the tube correctly in the tube socket making certain each tube pin is aligned then using 2 fingers firmly press straight down on the top of the tube. The nice thing about the Fosi is you can easily upgrade it's tubes along with it's OP Amps for an even better sound.
Hey, just wanted to let you know that tubes don't mind being carried around or the occasional bump. They're pretty tough all things considered. They used to make small portable tube radios for bicycles and cars had tube radios as well and they operated perfectly fine on the bumpy old roads. Granted a lot of the car radios did use Loktal tubes, so named because they sort of locked into their sockets so they wouldn't vibrate loose on those bumpy roads. Loktal was the brand name given to them by Philco who invented them. The little bicycle radios just had miniature tubes though like that preamp and most radios from the 1950's to the end of the tube era used. You can usually tell by the tubes what decade a radio was from. During the 20's they all pretty much used Globe tubes, shaped like a light bulb with 4 pins on the bottom. In the 30's most radios used Octal tubes (Some known as "shoulder tubes" as the top of the glass looked sort of like a neck with a wide shoulder), so named because most had 8 pins and a center hub with a keyway that only fit the tube socket one way so you always plugged them in right. The 1940's saw the most use with the Loctal style tubes and the 50's & 60's were mostly the miniature 7 and 9 pin tubes. Now, they was a bit of overlap from one decade to the next as say a 1939 radio might have octal and loktal tubes, or how a 1930 radio might have globe and octal tubes, etc. In the early 30's to keep interference between tubes down they would use metal tube shields that fit over some of the glass tubes. By the mid to late 30's they began using metal tubes and just did away with the tube shields altogether. Sorry I ramble on so much. Take care, Gary.
Vacuum tubes were never characterized to run on 12 V, they were designed for a B+ of 50 V or more. If the pre-amp uses a step up switcher it can introduce switching noise, not a great design!
I have to admit I was listening through my phone speakers but in the bass “solo” the Fosi had a better punch to the bass notes. They definitely stood out more than the solid state. Of course people question whether or not it’s a true tube amp but for the price and sound quality…does it really matter? I get it but if you’re on a budget…why not?
This is not a true tube amp, it's a hybrid. Those tubes are just no gain buffers, the op amp chip does the amplifying. A tube can't really do much more with only 12 Volts at the plate. The tubes supplied with this unit typically run at 100 to 150 Volts.
I'm enjoying your post. However, I hadnt often heard music sound described as "warm" so I looked it up and found that you have used the term incorrectly. Warm sound refers to lower, bass frequencies being featured, while 'cold' sound features the higher frequencies....I prefer the latter, by the way....
I have been using a ART dj pre for some years, I got excited about the positive reviews and decided to get this phono amp fosi x4, I can honestly say that the difference is night and day between the two, the ART is miles ahead in terms of all aspects in sound quality. Very dissapointed
@Dale Cooper Basically the art sounds more dynamic and more revealing with much better trebble. The Fosi in comparison tends to hide some details. Also the ART has much more gain capability which makes it very flexible choice. Now though I have had the fosi for about 3 months I can say that in some genres of music I prefer it as it kinda smooths vocals. Really evident when I play Marvin Gaye albums. In the last few weeks I have concluded in the following pairings: 1. Art DJ Pre with Nagaoka MP110 2. Fosi Audio X4 with Ortofon 2 M blue
It partially looks between a Wave radio and a spaceship. LOL The tubes are smaller than what traditional stereo and hi-fi units would take back in the day.
Love that CD player ! The preamps sound close, and I understand that the preamp is actually a hybrid design and has both tubes and at least one integrated circuit inside. Curious as to what the tube type is. You definitely need more than just one tube for each channel to also have a headphone amp. Hopefully the tubes are actually in the phono preamp part. Last, why did you choose either a mono record or somehow in your process the sound became mono. It’s definitely not stereo on your direct feed from either preamp. Thanks!
Ich habe mir diesen Sommer einen HighEnd Stereo Röhrenreceiver, Magnat MR 780, geholt! Er klingt definitiv besser und wärmer als der Sony Receiver, den ich bis dahin hatte! Während der Sony ein Kunststoffgehäuse und -bedienelemente hat, ist der Magnat in Vollmetall! Sowohl Gehäuse als auch Bedienelemente sind aus Aluminium!
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 83 วันนี้!! คู่เอก "พันฤทธิ์ vs ซุปเปอร์บอล วันของโอม MBK"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1b4pkKHa_Fk/mqdefault.jpg)
Those are both transistor amps using OP Amps on circuit boards to amplify them. The Fosi tubes are just "Buffers" to create a warmer image. The key to tube installation is to set the tube correctly in the tube socket making certain each tube pin is aligned then using 2 fingers firmly press straight down on the top of the tube. The nice thing about the Fosi is you can easily upgrade it's tubes along with it's OP Amps for an even better sound.
The tube amp sounded like it had better high end. The cymbals sounded more clear and present. Made a lot more difference than I thought it would.
I've had my eye on the Fosi for a while. Glad you reviewed it, I'll probably pick one up now. Thanks!
Wonder if you can hook up that cd player to a newer vehicle via bluetooth.
Nice comparison between the 2 pre amps, I noticed you had the Bass and Treble on the Fosi at 3 oclock so quite a bit of gain on both.
Hey, just wanted to let you know that tubes don't mind being carried around or the occasional bump. They're pretty tough all things considered. They used to make small portable tube radios for bicycles and cars had tube radios as well and they operated perfectly fine on the bumpy old roads. Granted a lot of the car radios did use Loktal tubes, so named because they sort of locked into their sockets so they wouldn't vibrate loose on those bumpy roads. Loktal was the brand name given to them by Philco who invented them. The little bicycle radios just had miniature tubes though like that preamp and most radios from the 1950's to the end of the tube era used.
You can usually tell by the tubes what decade a radio was from. During the 20's they all pretty much used Globe tubes, shaped like a light bulb with 4 pins on the bottom. In the 30's most radios used Octal tubes (Some known as "shoulder tubes" as the top of the glass looked sort of like a neck with a wide shoulder), so named because most had 8 pins and a center hub with a keyway that only fit the tube socket one way so you always plugged them in right. The 1940's saw the most use with the Loctal style tubes and the 50's & 60's were mostly the miniature 7 and 9 pin tubes. Now, they was a bit of overlap from one decade to the next as say a 1939 radio might have octal and loktal tubes, or how a 1930 radio might have globe and octal tubes, etc. In the early 30's to keep interference between tubes down they would use metal tube shields that fit over some of the glass tubes. By the mid to late 30's they began using metal tubes and just did away with the tube shields altogether. Sorry I ramble on so much. Take care, Gary.
The tube amp did sound warmer and more lively! Old town was nice with all the lights!
Does the tone controles on the tube preamp only affects the headphones output or does it also affects the line output?
line output too
@@rosebud946313 i guess that's why the tube preamp sounded "warmer"
Vacuum tubes were never characterized to run on 12 V, they were designed for a B+ of 50 V or more. If the pre-amp uses a step up switcher it can introduce switching noise, not a great design!
I have to admit I was listening through my phone speakers but in the bass “solo” the Fosi had a better punch to the bass notes. They definitely stood out more than the solid state. Of course people question whether or not it’s a true tube amp but for the price and sound quality…does it really matter? I get it but if you’re on a budget…why not?
Listening on my studio monitors I thought the same, good ear.
Exactly👍
This is not a true tube amp, it's a hybrid. Those tubes are just no gain buffers, the op amp chip does the amplifying. A tube can't really do much more with only 12 Volts at the plate. The tubes supplied with this unit typically run at 100 to 150 Volts.
And for purists you need a valve rectifier - EZ80- smoothed by a triple 32uF can capacitor.....
I think you should have set the bass and trebble at the defeat position, otherwise “color” is added to the music😊
nice turntable. i have the same one. what cartridge do you have on it?
I'm enjoying your post. However, I hadnt often heard music sound described as "warm" so I looked it up and found that you have used the term incorrectly. Warm sound refers to lower, bass frequencies being featured, while 'cold' sound features the higher frequencies....I prefer the latter, by the way....
I have been using a ART dj pre for some years, I got excited about the positive reviews and decided to get this phono amp fosi x4, I can honestly say that the difference is night and day between the two, the ART is miles ahead in terms of all aspects in sound quality. Very dissapointed
@Dale Cooper Basically the art sounds more dynamic and more revealing with much better trebble. The Fosi in comparison tends to hide some details. Also the ART has much more gain capability which makes it very flexible choice.
Now though I have had the fosi for about 3 months I can say that in some genres of music I prefer it as it kinda smooths vocals. Really evident when I play Marvin Gaye albums.
In the last few weeks I have concluded in the following pairings:
1. Art DJ Pre with Nagaoka MP110
2. Fosi Audio X4 with Ortofon 2 M blue
schiit mani Like this
It partially looks between a Wave radio and a spaceship. LOL
The tubes are smaller than what traditional stereo and hi-fi units would take back in the day.
The 5654 pentode is similar to the USSR 6Ж1П, which was used in radios, usually as a preamp tube.
Love that CD player !
The preamps sound close, and I understand that the preamp is actually a hybrid design and has both tubes and at least one integrated circuit inside. Curious as to what the tube type is.
You definitely need more than just one tube for each channel to also have a headphone amp. Hopefully the tubes are actually in the phono preamp part.
Last, why did you choose either a mono record or somehow in your process the sound became mono. It’s definitely not stereo on your direct feed from either preamp. Thanks!
5:52 "Laserlight shining in your face isn't a good thing" 🤣💀
I was checking out the Fosi Audio as a starting point for tube preamps. guess I'll look at Schitt Audio, PS Audio, or McIntosh
Thank you for these reviews!
Fosi has detail but no dept, solid state more airy and dept as come to my ear.
Pre amp to amplier? Is that your settings
I bought Fosi Audio bluetooth tube preamp P1 (discontinued product) last year. Sound amazing.
Thanks. It sounds to me like the Fosi has better clarity.
I have both of the pink panther soundtrack on vinyl now I have mono and stereo versions!! Btw great videos!!
I sent that email to you. Thanks once again.
Ich habe mir diesen Sommer einen HighEnd Stereo Röhrenreceiver, Magnat MR 780, geholt! Er klingt definitiv besser und wärmer als der Sony Receiver, den ich bis dahin hatte! Während der Sony ein Kunststoffgehäuse und -bedienelemente hat, ist der Magnat in Vollmetall! Sowohl Gehäuse als auch Bedienelemente sind aus Aluminium!
So awesome,darn missed out. Tube sounds better.
Is it still possible to get entered into your giveaway?
Had to return my fosi....they sent me a bad unit and I ended up going with a name brand unit instead.
I dont think there is any difference, maybe it is just for show. I am not sure if I can say any difference, I guess people make it up.
The difference is easier to hear when not compressed through recording, rendering, and youtube.
My friend can you tell me what the series op amp inside that tube preamp??
Dang I forgot to look!
@@Recordology that item not with you again? 😭 I want to buy it too, but i need reference for op amp series. 😅
Might have convinced me to ditch my solid preamp
I didn't like the sound of the solid state at all. The tube sounds much better, more depth to the sound and more engaging.
Looks like a digital scale to me.
Tubes require 50 hrs or more to break in and get to their optimal sound.
No, the tubes will not blow up by touching!😂😂😂😂
The Fosi Stock is meh. The Fosi modified is :)
Modified how? Different tubes?
@@jmacdermott8871 yes and upgrade the chip inside.
were you able to get rid of the hum from it?
Hello Record-ology