You should now start a comparative assessment of all the very nice amps you bought from China, including a one-on-one comparison of this Class D amp and the pros and cons of assessing sound reproduction for different usages. That would be enlightening for all your viewers, including myself.
One user suggested that the Burson V7 series can fit by shaving their radiators down slightly. This user also addressed temperature issues by 1) raising the unit with add on feet to create airflow 2) increasing the airflow on the sides by eliminating the orange panels, and 3) added a heat sink to the top
Few things. I would strongly recommend 2 separate48V 10A power supplies. It makes quite a difference and it’s a worthy investment. Aiyima makes same spects PS for less if money is a concern ($60 so a lot cheaper). Two, Sparkos will fit with extra dim socket on it. It will lift OA enough to give it enough clearance. 3. Highish operational Temp is a concern. I’ve installed tinny fans that needed modification to fit in but non were quiet enough for real use in listening environment. I’ve my monos with modified chassis to accommodate Staccato op-amps. And that required drilling two 3/4” holes on top of the chassis in order for extenders to fit through. That and extra heartsick under the chassis, lowered the operating temp to where I feel comfortable with. Overall, great little amps. Bi-amped with ML Aerius i. However, it requires a lot of mods to get the very best of it. For average Joe, I would recommend sticking with ZA-3 which is a little easier to work with as far as a mods are concerned. Both must be used with balanced connection for best results. 👍🏻 Edit PS 2 x 48V 10A power supplies will give you over 300wpc in 2 ohms load. And improved dynamics + better separation (maybe lower floor noise as well)
I’m curious how you would rank the sound quality of these against the clones you have been reviewing. Many of us are looking forward to the various compilation reviews on preamps, amps and cables you have discussed doing. I was impressed by the original v3 stereo version my son bought. I thought it might be a little lacking in dynamics but overall is nicely balanced and amazing for the price. Glad to hear you are feeling better. Health is wealth!
@@RyuMasterEX I have put in Burson V7 Vivid pro in mine. I've changed binding posts and used a proper power supply. Even so it doesn't match up to better equipment. If you look at the price for the V3 after all these upgrades it's no longer a bargain deal and the performance just never does get to the level of that price. Some low price op amps like 828 or similar might be worth it, but in the end any added costs gives it more competitors. ZeroZone mono's sound better for the money if class D is what you need.
Nice review, Tom! I did consider getting these but in the end I got a D5Pro. These Fosi Audio Mono V3's are generally very well received. My plan was to get TWO 480W power bricks in the belief that this would help the sound quality. In the meantime I think perhaps the better route might be a better linear power supply, instead of the switching PSU and the required DC filter. The widely publicized upgrade for the Eversolo DMP A6 from switching PSU to linear PSU shows this can work wonders. All the best, Rob in Switzerland
I have the original V3's and saw a review from someone comparing it against the Douk Audio A100. I was able to obtain the A100 at an introductory price of $100 shipped. It can also be used in mono mode so with two of them can be used as mono-block amps. Since replacing the V3, the A100 has not left my system. The mids are to die for in comparison. Only thing slightly not as good is that V3 bass slam. It's still very good but not quite as good as the V3. Everything else makes it not even close in my system and why it is staying. Just a FYI.
Aside from better opamps I would definitely try a beefy linear power supply with it as I did with my stereo tpa3255 amp. I connected a DC voltage display so I can confirm it is giving 36V. In one Telarc chorale CD the track Sanctus has a climax so powerful the display showed 32V then returned to 36V. The only track that did that.
Back in the day the Telarc LP of the 1812 Overture caused all cartridges to literally leap out of the grooves with the cannon shots. It was known as The Torture Track.
@rontoolsie True! It was told of a dealer who had IRS giant Infinitys playing a Telarc torture track but forgot to turn down the volume. When the huge transient came the bass woofers simply came off and dangled!
Be careful, many reviewers had theirs burn down as the cooling is not sufficient enough. They should have just used a bigger box and made it 20-50 dollars more expensive.
Zerozones aren't that much more expensive and you get a dedicated power supply with them. Probably worth the price difference. I also wonder if the Fosi's would sound better with the Zerozone power supply.
I had this V3 mono and compared to my modified class AB power amp for weeks on my mid range driver of Maggie 3.6. No comparison, my class AB amp crush them, I also compared it to my modified Sure electronics class D kit amp that I got 5 years ago and it was toss up. The basic design seems ok, but my modification experience is telling me they could improve a lot by using better parts and design with not much more cost increases. Also this amp gets too hot on 4 ohm speakers, considering how hot they gets if you don’t use fan they will not last long.
I'm surprised you didn't compare it to it's brother the ZA3. Does it sound any different? Some first impression comparisons with some of the cheaper Chinese replica amps would also be helpful to know more the pros and cons of a class d amp vs the traditional class A or AB amps.
I have both. And both heavily modified. In stock form, monos have more impactful bass with 10A power supply and slightly extended top end. ZA 3 has an interesting midrange bloom which some might like better. Mono are also more linear with various speaker loads (2-8 ohms). ZA3 has a slight bump in higher frequency (1.5 - 2 db) with 8ohm speakers.
You should now start a comparative assessment of all the very nice amps you bought from China, including a one-on-one comparison of this Class D amp and the pros and cons of assessing sound reproduction for different usages. That would be enlightening for all your viewers, including myself.
One user suggested that the Burson V7 series can fit by shaving their radiators down slightly.
This user also addressed temperature issues by
1) raising the unit with add on feet to create airflow
2) increasing the airflow on the sides by eliminating the orange panels, and
3) added a heat sink to the top
10 x v3 monos in my car stereo.. and Sparkos SS3602 opamps!!!
Do you need another car battery ? Or can you start your car when you listen to listen ? Or what kind of car do you have ?
Few things.
I would strongly recommend 2 separate48V 10A power supplies. It makes quite a difference and it’s a worthy investment. Aiyima makes same spects PS for less if money is a concern ($60 so a lot cheaper).
Two, Sparkos will fit with extra dim socket on it. It will lift OA enough to give it enough clearance.
3. Highish operational Temp is a concern. I’ve installed tinny fans that needed modification to fit in but non were quiet enough for real use in listening environment.
I’ve my monos with modified chassis to accommodate Staccato op-amps. And that required drilling two 3/4” holes on top of the chassis in order for extenders to fit through. That and extra heartsick under the chassis, lowered the operating temp to where I feel comfortable with.
Overall, great little amps. Bi-amped with ML Aerius i. However, it requires a lot of mods to get the very best of it. For average Joe, I would recommend sticking with ZA-3 which is a little easier to work with as far as a mods are concerned.
Both must be used with balanced connection for best results.
👍🏻
Edit
PS
2 x 48V 10A power supplies will give you over 300wpc in 2 ohms load. And improved dynamics + better separation (maybe lower floor noise as well)
I’m curious how you would rank the sound quality of these against the clones you have been reviewing. Many of us are looking forward to the various compilation reviews on preamps, amps and cables you have discussed doing. I was impressed by the original v3 stereo version my son bought. I thought it might be a little lacking in dynamics but overall is nicely balanced and amazing for the price.
Glad to hear you are feeling better. Health is wealth!
Dartzeel clone is on another level. Comparisons been done.
Running these v3 monos right now against a class AB amp that cost 2x more. They sound great. They (or my ears) took a long time to break in.
@@rockroll9513 with upgraded op amps?
@@RyuMasterEX I have put in Burson V7 Vivid pro in mine. I've changed binding posts and used a proper power supply. Even so it doesn't match up to better equipment. If you look at the price for the V3 after all these upgrades it's no longer a bargain deal and the performance just never does get to the level of that price.
Some low price op amps like 828 or similar might be worth it, but in the end any added costs gives it more competitors.
ZeroZone mono's sound better for the money if class D is what you need.
Nice review, Tom! I did consider getting these but in the end I got a D5Pro. These Fosi Audio Mono V3's are generally very well received. My plan was to get TWO 480W power bricks in the belief that this would help the sound quality. In the meantime I think perhaps the better route might be a better linear power supply, instead of the switching PSU and the required DC filter. The widely publicized upgrade for the Eversolo DMP A6 from switching PSU to linear PSU shows this can work wonders. All the best, Rob in Switzerland
I have the original V3's and saw a review from someone comparing it against the Douk Audio A100. I was able to obtain the A100 at an introductory price of $100 shipped. It can also be used in mono mode so with two of them can be used as mono-block amps. Since replacing the V3, the A100 has not left my system. The mids are to die for in comparison. Only thing slightly not as good is that V3 bass slam. It's still very good but not quite as good as the V3. Everything else makes it not even close in my system and why it is staying. Just a FYI.
Another great review Tom, the 3eA7 or mono block version might be worth some investigation.
Aside from better opamps I would definitely try a beefy linear power supply with it as I did with my stereo tpa3255 amp.
I connected a DC voltage display so I can confirm it is giving 36V. In one Telarc chorale CD the track Sanctus has a climax so powerful the display showed 32V then returned to 36V. The only track that did that.
Back in the day the Telarc LP of the 1812 Overture caused all cartridges to literally leap out of the grooves with the cannon shots.
It was known as The Torture Track.
@rontoolsie True! It was told of a dealer who had IRS giant Infinitys playing a Telarc torture track but forgot to turn down the volume. When the huge transient came the bass woofers simply came off and dangled!
Be careful, many reviewers had theirs burn down as the cooling is not sufficient enough. They should have just used a bigger box and made it 20-50 dollars more expensive.
good stuff, thank you, i think maybe sparkos will be best
Shouldn't the thermal paste go edge to edge across the width of the v3 mono heatsink instead of just a blob in the middle?
Any sound diff vs your zero zone ? Same chip set. Thanks. 🙏
It looks like there is enough room to fit full sized speaker terminals to this amp.
It’s possible. I replaced them on my.
Zerozones aren't that much more expensive and you get a dedicated power supply with them. Probably worth the price difference. I also wonder if the Fosi's would sound better with the Zerozone power supply.
I had this V3 mono and compared to my modified class AB power amp for weeks on my mid range driver of Maggie 3.6. No comparison, my class AB amp crush them, I also compared it to my modified Sure electronics class D kit amp that I got 5 years ago and it was toss up. The basic design seems ok, but my modification experience is telling me they could improve a lot by using better parts and design with not much more cost increases. Also this amp gets too hot on 4 ohm speakers, considering how hot they gets if you don’t use fan they will not last long.
Just use banana plugs. They work fine. I gave up on bare wire and spades long ago.
Everyone says these need the burson v7 op amps
Please don't warm up it too much. It is very small for that:)
I'm surprised you didn't compare it to it's brother the ZA3. Does it sound any different? Some first impression comparisons with some of the cheaper Chinese replica amps would also be helpful to know more the pros and cons of a class d amp vs the traditional class A or AB amps.
Would interest me as well as a za3 owner paired with Nubert Nuline 102's. :)
I have both. And both heavily modified.
In stock form, monos have more impactful bass with 10A power supply and slightly extended top end. ZA 3 has an interesting midrange bloom which some might like better. Mono are also more linear with various speaker loads (2-8 ohms). ZA3 has a slight bump in higher frequency (1.5 - 2 db) with 8ohm speakers.