Power specifications should always identify what measurement method they are using: RMS (root mean square) Power or Peak Power. Otherwise it is useless. Like telling someone something is 3.2 long. What? Inches? Feet? Meters? Using Peak Power as a rating is a deceptive way to inflate perceptions. RMS is the legit honest mathematical way to state power ratings.
Wattage was quoted, so not quite like saying 3.2 long and leaving inches off. I get your point though, but it is more akin to saying a car has 400 hp and you might ask wheel horsepower or engine crank horsepower. The Amazon info does state MAX power, which most folks looking at an audiophile level amp as they claim know 300 is the max number.
Added this to a pair of old JM Lab Focal Micro Utopia speakers that I had lying around the office. Now the Focals in their day cost around $10k. Fosi V3 with a 48v power supply drove them musically without a problem. Mixing a $100 product to drive a $10k pair of speakers is crazy, but it shows how far Class D amps have come.
i got a v3 and placed my sparkos chips in it from an a07. mine is paired with schiit syn, dual polk psw-10s and es20s and a polk cs10 center. i have to agree with the description...a little less bass than the a07 but the soundstage is noticeably more revealing. i use a small 9 band eq to add more to the bottom . fantastic sounding little amplifier. gives me some immersive sound that i just didn't quite get with the a07. i am using a 36v 6a power supply.
Receivde and audited the V3 today. Compared with my Akitika GT108 power amp, which is a stellar performer. The Fosi V3 sounds every bit as good. Really surprised how good it sounds. BTW, speakers are Cornwall III's, CD is Emotiva ERC 4, and cartridge is a Nakaoka MP-200 on a Carbon EVO, so it's a compelling (to me ) performance.
Just ordered one of these from their site. Its 20% off for black friday, and unlike amazon, their website gives you the option to upgrade to the 48v 5a power supply, and it came out to $88 including tax and shipping with the sale!
If you need a dac that can output to multiple amps(11:53 if I'm understanding you correctly), Topping D30Pro can output from the XLR and RCA at the same time. So one could just level match the two amps and have an identical signal pretty much(both outputs are totally clean of course).
Well, the Fosi V3 is here, listening to it right now. WiiM Pro via digital coax to a PS Audio Stellar Gaincell DAC/Preamp, XLR to RCA out to the Fosi, which is powering the Zu Audio DW6 Supremes. The Zu's are 95 dB at 12 Ohm... The little V3 sounded anemic to my ear, and then I used a pair of XLR to RCA adapters and plugged those in to my PS Audio Gaincell DAC/Preamp and she improved in overall SQ. I then broke out the Douk Audio line level booster, $45 on Amazon. Katie bar the door! What have I done? What just happened? I am now blown away at what this little amp is doing... The voicing, the instrument separation, everything is easily placed, no compression at all. And the best part, no Class D sound! Normally a Class D amplifier will have my eyes bleeding, not this Fosi, it is very class A/B sounding. This should not be happening! Yes, pair this up with that Douk line level booster and get ready to hear music in a way that I never expected. I would say this little box is a true Giant killer.
I can attest to FOSI audio's quality. I've bought several brands of these little Chinese amps. All stopped working from 1 day to 1 year. Yet, my FOSI units continue to function properly and sound great. I made my own power supplies to bump up the power. I made a analog wireless speaker setup for my rear surrounds that has zero latency, and use the FOSI stuffed under the couch going on 6 years now. It doesn't complain and works perfectly. All my desktop computers have a FOSI with an external DAC via USB. They sound awesome.
Unless something sounds like playing music better then 20pro vacuum upgraded tubes stop wasting money. I tested way to much and 99% inlcuded V3 fosi sound like music having abstinecies. Yes I can match Randy's setup and no you shouldn't have to at 100$. Others said something about this and I'm just saying it again. Chfi is expensive compared to doing it right
I just got the SMSL SU-1 DAC today and hooked it up to my new Fosi V3 with the 48 volt power supply. USB connection to my PC and optical connection to my TV. Speakers are the Andrew Jones designed Pioneer tower speakers, 2nd gen. It sounds wonderful! I even like how it sounds at lower volume when I listen to music, use the PC or watch TV late at night. Bought the SMSL SU-1 from Apos and the amp and 48 volt power supply from Amazon. Pioneer speakers I bought new, years ago and in keeping with the Cheapaudioman ideals I got them on close-out for $60 apiece.
Just got one. I am not disappointed. Powering Polk SDA SRS 2.3 (75 watts min) and it plays quite loud with no distortion that I can hear. What a value!
Sounds like an amazing amp, but please add a suggested speaker pairing in your reviews, or at least mention what speakers you used. Thank you as always for your time and effort to share this with us all. Take care, brother.
Q acoustics concept 20 go really well with d amps. Like someone said the evo 4.2 go amazingly well but a bit steep in price to amplifier . My Spendors go fab too .
@@shaunyweaver1144 I was thinking some might think the speakers recommended might be on the pricey side and while they are not cheap they will allow this little class d amp push every detail through. It’s also not just Fosi Audio that have taken the 3255 chip a little further with better grade circuitry, caps and resistors there are some excellent examples available online around the £170 mark that easily provide enough sound quality to justify a £400-£700 pair of speakers.
Thanks to Randy, I bought the amp on Amazon to try out and swapped in the Sparkos ss3602 opamps. You'll need the risers for that or the stems of the opamp won't reach. I compared it to my VTV Purifi Amp with Sparkos 2590 Opamps and I gotta say, I'm impressed. They sound very very similar but the VTV has a tone more headroom. Tonality, it's hard to tell apart and at first listen, my cousin who's not an audiophile, said "sounds the same to me". Only after harder listen can I say that the VTV has better dynamics, better instrument separate, and better bass weight but it's subtle for music up to 70-80dB. Perhaps pushing it to 90dB, you can hear that more powerful amps will sound more effortless but below 80dB (which is what I listen to for 95% of the time) it's really hard to tell the difference. I'm saying the Fosi Audio is around 95% of the Purifi. It has just as much detail and clarity and does sound holographic. It's not flat like the Aiyima A07, which I returned. It's so good I'm waiting on a 48v 5a power supply. Qobuz -> Wiim Pro -> Topping D70s -> Fosi Audio (VTV Purifi) -> Dynaudio Focus 260 (4 ohms)
I received my V3 about 2 weeks ago... So I brought it to work, I'm working at a audio gear showroom. I was able to try it with rather costly and revealing Wilson Benesch P2.0 and also Discovery 3.0 speakers! 😂 The little V3 aquitted itself very very well indeed. Oh the front end was an awesome Jadis turntable with a Goldenberg cartridge priced over $5k, and the ridiculous CH Precision P1 phonostage!!! 😂
Hey Randy. I have purchased both fosi and douk products and ended up staying with douk. i would sincerely recommend you to test some more douk products, their prices seem to be more fair.
I have one of these on order and also have a Topping PA5 and Aiyima a07. My Topping is very nice but I don't use it all the time because of reliability fears (when I purchased the PA5, I had read up on the TPA3251 and felt the 38v psu was too high, as the chip can only use 38v maximum voltage so I changed it out to a 32v 5a. It runs cooler than stock. ). The Aiyima A07 runs much cooler in the summer, so that's what I am using now. Thanks very much for your review! It was great!
The amp has good bones. Not made with generic caps and resistors. Folks, thats a BIG deal, especially at that price. It's about like a $750 class D audio (brand) 2 channel amp. I didn't see anywhere HOW it was tested at 300wpc, I suspect only at 1khz, not 20hz-20khz both channels driven. I digress, if it can drive as hard as the numbers suggest, it could handle some tough speakers. My ongoing reluctance with class D, is the treble. I get nothing but rolled off and vague treble from class D so far. If you are a casual listener, or moderately critical- this amp looks like a giant killer. . crown .
Bought a V3 on the recommendation of this channel. I was not prepared for how good it is. Running Bluesound 2i through it. Switching thru a Douk Audio switching box (with VU meters!) out to a pair of Dynaudio Special 40s. All the volume I need. Livelier up top but the Special 40s really benefited from it. This is the 3rd piece of hardware I’ve bought on Randy’s recommendation. Now Im starting to think about a pre-amp for it; open to suggestions.
just got the amp hooked it up . This is one of the best amps i have ever heard. The power rating is only part of the story . This amp has a lot of spaciness. & sound stage, and clarity. The bonus id it is not burned in yet so it is only going to get better. I have the Aiyima A07 and this fosi sounds better.
Just got mine and thanks for the promo code Randy. Immediately am noticing that slightly better separation of instruments over the A07. This thing was just turned on less than 30 minutes ago. Listening to Lorreena Mckennits band offshoot band Secret Sky's latest album Opium. Caroline's voice is just floating and so well defined. Yeah the A07 as amazing as i thought and still think it is, wasn't pulling this off. Looking forward to listening to much more tonight. Sounding GREAT! Guess things may get better eh with a few hours on the capacitors. Cool! Thumbs up here!
addendum - the v3 is good for the money. quiet, able to get high volumes, clean sounding. but to me all the chi-fi stuff i had for some nagging reason to me sounded too, two dimensional and like a flat-noise-wall in space. so i gave up on it and gambled with two monoblocked schiit gjallarhorns (i like the small form factor and have limited stacking space), worried about the lower power compared to the v3. the schiit stuff does everything better...i know, more cost but for me MUCH more listenable....much more dimension, separation and they bring out detail that the chi-fi just placed in a 2-D sound plane so to speak.
$97.99 after your coupon code with a 48V5A power supply. Yeah, sure, why not? I don't really need another amp but am curious to hear how it compares to my old Topping PA 3 which has faithfully been on desk duty driving my Micca RB42's for years. Thanks Randy. Keep bringing the entertaining and informative content.
Thanks for good video - I agree with your overview - i have a pair of v3's into b&w 684 S1 one for tweeters one for bass/mid - very detailed, good soundstage but can be a bit brash at times. source si Allo Boss DAC on raspberry Pi3 using IFI psu - budget clarity for flac files.
@@youtubeforever209Having no signal path modulation in the amplifier itself results in the lowest possible SNR and THD for any given amplifier topology. That’s why diehard audiophiles argue that having tone controls ruins an amplifier. A mono block, meaning only 1 channel per amplifier, means that you can drive a single speaker with the full rated power of the power supply unit. So a monoblock power amp with no volume or tone controls is theoretically the best way to get the cleanest and most efficient amplification of a single channel. I would argue that a pot for volume isn’t adding distortion or raising the noise floor, however being able to bridge the channels into a monoblock with these high value mini amps would absolutely be worth it. You already need a DAC, so you get one with a preamp function for volume control and you’d be getting very very high quality amplification for very little money.
Hi Randy and all, Got the V3 two weeks ago and it's pretty impressive though lacking a tad more base. Using my Wiim Pro with the internal DAC, the DAC is not great. Mow that both are run in, this constellation is actually very good. I also have the Geshelli J2S with AK 4499EX coming to me next week so I'm really looking forward to hooking it up. Oh yeah I'm using a Sterelith Monitor 252 audiophile stereo amplifier so I'm living with a single Stereo 2 channel pure bliss. Not many people have heard of Swiss Company Stereolith, but you guys don't know what you are missing.
It is a subjective choice for most people as to what a ‘bargain’ is these days…what some say is a ‘budget choice’ often leaves me thinking they are not in touch with the real world. The V3 is more than one amplifier, for example, the Yamaha AS201 is not. The V3 can be made to sound very similar to an muscular class A/B or a well detailed class A/B amplifier at the switch of two small components at very little cost. Switching the op amps can literally give 2 maybe 3 different sound signatures or in other words sound similar to an new Denon, Rotel or Cambridge Audio…and that’s a fact! I can pick out different op amp that will give me the sound of each one of those amplifiers and just pop them into the V3, now that’s a bargain! The op amps cost a few Pounds/Dollars, the amplifiers that they will sound like cost a few hundred and who is going to buy 3 of them at well over a £1000 or $1300 unless they are very rich? There is also desk space which the Yamaha will simply not allow. These days many, many people only use one input. I have had numerous big amps with many inputs and still found I only ever really used one and that is mainly for a dac over the last 10 years. Then the is the DAC itself that while many amps like the Yamaha have Bluetooth included they will never match the quality of an modern external dac. I had a Rotel A11 Tribute that has superior Bluetooth over the Yamaha and I still never used it and wasn’t better than the external DAC that I was also using. To be honest Bluetooth is awful, it always has been and still is. It was invented for telephone calls and not music. Then we have Airplay which far superior to Bluetooth and with something like the Wiim Mini plugged into a SMSL SU1 and an V3 you will have a far superior sound quality and optional digital inputs than the Yamaha and also cheaper if you shop clever! Something else to consider is the an external dac will be far superior to 99% of all current amplifiers on the market today up to £1500/$1800 and even more! The Yamaha is not a flexible as it is being shown here, it is for adding extra equipment (primarily analogue based) that is also going to cost you a lot more money and only has one choice of sound signature which is good if you like the sound of the Yamaha but you are stuck or having to return it if you don’t. Then there is maintenance, the V3 will be far easier to repair if something goes wrong. So is the Yamaha such a bargain and does it have the convenience that comes with the V3…you decide for yourself but for me I would prefer of the flexibility of the V3 in regards to sound quality, sound signature and power, the size in regards to space and maintenance. There is also the fact that you can have more flexibility when choosing speakers as you are not stuck with one stock sound as you would be with the Yamaha. You can tailor the Fosi Audio to probably any set of speakers in regards to sound and power! If you have hard to drive speakers then the bigger power supply will compensate for that as a smaller power supply will compensate for more efficient speakers…so you may save money there too…
@@stripecooke4254 The link will take you to the correct op amp. These are genuine opa1622 so don't worry about fakes, I have tested a pair bought and sent within the last 2 weeks and they are genuine, these will fit into the V3 perfectly and they are not that expensive either especially compared to the Muses 01 which is also a great choice but around 3 x the price and probably not vastly different in sound quality.
This design ensures that individuals who prefer not to adjust the volume on a second amplifier can maintain a consistent output level from the pre-out.
I appreciate your work Randy, especially when you lay out component characteristics and give examples of how well (or not) they might play together with other components, as you did here - VERY HELPFUL! I just watched your Topping pa5 review, and for the caveats you detail there and for the Fosi V3, I'm not inclined to buy either one, despite how good they may sound together. Cheap or arcane connectors and no tone control (even with the pair) means I'll keep looking.
@@fosiaudio The BT20A PRO is an amazing unit! I also have the TB10D running in my office set up and it sounds better and handles lower impedence speakers better, than my Marantz NR-1403, which is now a pre-amp with the TB10D powering my bookshelf speakers! Great amps!!!!
@@fosiaudioI would love to see you make a unit with much better quality speaker binding posts, NO BLUETOOTH, NO DAC, 2 RCA inputs, an input selector with on/off switch, and a full sized sub output. The VU meter from the MC101 would be great and tone controls. Make it $149 and it will do soo well.
I am the type of listener that always turns the Bass and Treble all the way up in any car. I must like dynamic audio. I have learned through failed experiments it is a failure to compare any 3255 amps when both don't offer the tone knobs. This has been between the A07 and the A08 pro and the A08 pro and the Douk H7. The perceptions I erroneously fell into: Sony SS-CS5 had more bass than the RP-600m and 160m. Sony was favored with the A08. Sony was better matched when I fixed my error, but I still think there is some detail in the Sony Bass that the Klipsch isn't matching. Caveat, I am not getting loud enough to challenge the Sony's limitations. Fading up a JBL Stage a170 with the SVS ultra bookshelf on top of it. I thought I was getting cancellations with the bass when adding the a170 to the already playing Ultra. It turned out that was mostly caused by using the Douk H7. When I repeated the same process with the a170 connected to the A08 pro. Addition of bass occurred as expected. I think I was hearing the JBL add flat but the tweeter was much more pronounced, thus it overall sounded like a subtraction of bass. Both of these were embarrassingly horrible comparisons. My take away from this is a new assertion that, for me, the tone controls are very important. I also have the updated Fosi TB10D. The sweet spot for me is high power, tone controls, and maybe the ease of swapping op-amps. I guess the more you buy in your exploration, the less you have to consider once you know what you prefer. Cordially, Addict in FOMO rehab.
I have two Fosi amps now, a bt30d that was running my Neumi bs 5s hooked up to my htpc, which I replaced with a bt20a pro because I needed more power to keep up with my sub. The bt30 is in my garage now. Both amps sound very good and I can highly recommend them to someone looking to get into the hobby on a budget, and honestly even for people who aren't on a budget, they're just really good.
It should follow la90's switches on the back also (volume bypass, and mono/stereo options). Your suggestion on the power supply makes (very much) sense. Go Fosi! This seems like an excellent pairing with warmer speakers. (Polk and Elac bs41 come to mind)
@@fosiaudio to use a deticated power amp for a hometheater avr with preouts. A lot people want separates, its the reason we buy these amps because we cant drop $500 dollars on a power amp made for home theater which is usually stereo at this price to performance. The bypassed volume knob makes it so we can just control the volume with our home theater systems without having to get up and redial the gain and having to match them across multiple speaker pairs (5.1.4/7.1.4). If there was a product with a quality and parts like v3 with bypass as well mono capability to further separate the amp crosstalk using the 3255 is necessary as its tried and true for performance, but I know many like me would be willing to pay 100 dollars each for monoblocks if the performance is there as with the v3.
Now I want one and I don't even need one. But I did think about hooking it up to my Fosi Audio HD3 portable dac/amp. I suppose I could use the Neutron Player app on my phone as an equalizer for the source. That would be fun!
They're excellent. However, if Fosi is taking suggestions, BALANCED INS (XLR), for use with studio monitors and professional audio interfaces. Only thing missing to open up a door to different monitoring possibilities.
Hi Randy, loving the channel. This amp looks awesome. Was going for a BT20A Pro but now wondering what Bluetooth adapter would work well with this V3 for a sweet bedroom / phone based system?
I lost 60/70% of my hearing but love music from classical to modern pop but I tried sound bars, a disaster no way to adjust! I want to buy Edifier P17 passive speakers, I read they have a nice sound and look nice as well, with that a Fosi amplifier to adjust the sound to my hearing. What would be the better choice for a Fosi amplifier? I have my PC and laptop hooked up to Fosi working excellent for my hearing issue. The P17 and amp be hooked up to my TV, an LG 44'' older type but has a very nice picture with all sorts of hook ups, very versatile. I want to know what would be the right choice or canoices for a amplifier for around $100/150 ??? An 81-year-old senior. PS I love your show lots of good stuff!!!!!!
One of your wishes is granted!! The Fosi Audio site lists two options for the Power Supply, one of which is 48v/5A. I ordered one that is now two states away from delivery with UPS. Please push them for a 48v/10A as you mentioned!
Ever since this sponsoring crap this channel is more shill than anything it seems. Cut it out, Randy; the Mandalorian is telling you "this is NOT the way".
Indeed. It has never been more affordable to appreciate high quality music. We are seeing a revolution in affordable audio components mostly ( but not exclusively ) fuelled by Chinese manufacturers.
Btw, the Topping PA5 is balanced input only, with an explicit mention in the manual to not use adaptors, so please can you compare using a dac featuring both rca and balanced outputs (such as the Topping E50), thanks
I have the BT20A Pro and just received my V3. I've got it wired up to a pair of Kef 104ab reference speakers from the 70's, which are only 85db sensitivity. The BT20APro sounded good, but the V3 sounds so much clearer. The bass is a tad lacking but the Wiim's EQ takes care of that. Pretty stoked the V3 can make these old Kefs sing again, and for the price they're asking its a no brainer. Highly recommended 👍
Sorry but no. Remove bass and it sounds clear???? Anyone recommending this have a sub filling bottom. Noo this sounds wrong. Like this you have changed audio with dac, cables ++. I did on buchs 400 MK2. Go for fosi pro upgraded tubes .. . Tested on XTZ beryllium was ok ish. Bass gone... Testet on focals fabers and a few others. Watt bs f off. BT 20 with tubes got more power. Fosi calling you out here
I have watched reviews on this amp . It seems some people have the belief they need 48v power supply. I am using the 32 v and it is great. But I am driving kef Q100s and it is plent loud.
Okay let my come at this at a different angle, put together a best bang for buck system to use the following components: Pair of BIC DV62si 8ohn bookshelf speakers, Def-Tech PowerField Super Cube II Subwoofer using LFE in only, Sony 51 disc CD player with optical out only, Pioneer PL7 TT. And the following listening room and needs: Don't need blow you head off sound, casual single listener in a 15'' x 20' room with 8' celling. Also need ability to stream BT LDAC/ATPX to the system and transmit BT to my B&W PX7 headphones. Finally, I do need tones controls at minimum. Thank you.
This seems like a pretty neat amp Randy. Thanks for informing us about these fascinating budget products. Also, congrats on the coming Fozi audio sponsorship. 🙂👍
I have a PA5 and loaned it to my friend who tried it on his inefficient 16 ohm LS35A speakers. He was very impressed. I’d like to know how they’d compare. Not sure if the PA5’s are still available.
Well I've ordered this one along with the 7 band GE let's see how it goes . The sound quality of these little amps is becoming insane . Quality parts also . Thanks for the review Randy .
I wish the volume knob adjusts the pre-out to my subwoofer as well. It's a pain in the ass having to adjust the gain on my subwoofer every time I adjust the volume on the V3.
Randy, when you wish to compare Amps, you could use the same Pre-amp level source with some kind of splitter. This could also open you up to testing with LP fed to an external phono amp, or CD player, or what ever 2 channel party feed you prefer.
Those Q Acoustic’s are looking sharp on that desktop! I definitely think I’m gonna go with those as my next desktop speaker, I have a black/white sort of theme in my game room where my PC is at and those would go perfect on it
Bought my Fosi T20 because I thought the tubes were cool. I still love it after a year. The thing the V3 is missing for me is the headphone out on the front. (and tone controls).
So should I sell my Aiyima A07 ( which I'm OK with) and get this? Is it that much of an upgrade? Or maybe wait and see if Aiyima ups their game? Where does it end?
A07 After four or five years of precipitation and accumulation, thousands of evaluations tell you that the quality is intuitive and visible, and everything will be proved by time
I really wish this thing had a dedicated power button. I would prefer not to put that much wear on the knob just turning it off and on, and I would prefer not having to change my sound level just because I'm turning it off and on.
hey Randy. I bought the V3 on your recommendation. which op amp chip would improve it? please do a segment about that. i got the 48v power supply. thanks B
Are you picking this or the Emotiva A2? I have the V3 with the Emotiva PT1 and it sounds good but wondering if it be worth the upgrade to the Emotiva or stick with the fosi v3?
Hi Randi. I was planning to get the AIYIMA A07 Pro as I would like 5.2 bluetooth connectivity But after watching this I'm heavily leaning to get one of these and adding a 1Mii bluetooth transmitter /receiver (ml301) I think this combo would be cheaper and have a higher quality amp. what do you think ? The plan is to power it from eather 1 or two Ryobi 18v batteries when camping to make an awesome camping bluetooth speaker system with a couple of small Bookshelf Speakers .
I don't need a new.. (or, new to me) ..stereo amplifier, but now I want one of these, as a 1'st foot into this 'type' of budget amp, as a spare stand-in for my main stereo amplifier (or even a replacement??) tho I'm sure it'll upgrade my computer desk-top speaker sound now fed from an old germanium transistor (that old!) stereo int' amp, 8'ish times the size of this lil' un. After a spec's re-check, i'm surprised to see how it doubles it's wattage output at all working voltages when speaker impedence is halved, even if half or two 3'rds of the given wattage numbers are the true actual very low T.H.Distortion figures of "clean" watts (
Please tell use the model of your basic older receiver, if it has the analog audio output, .simply use an RCA cable to connect the audio output of your receiver to the RCA input of the V3. From there, you can connect the speaker outputs of the V3 to your passive speakers.
Well I ordered one last night, but cancelled again this morning since I figured I don't have a use case for it already having a TB10D which is powerful enough and audiophile sound is not the use case for it as I like my vintage Sansui's too much, so no need to replace any of it.
@@D1N02 I absolutely love my Fosi Audio TB10D!!! I think it sounds better than the built in 50W per channel amplifier in my Marantz NR-1403. In fact, the Marantz shuts down with my 4-ohm speakers, and the amplifier section just stopped working a few months ago. I bought the TB10D for $60 on Amazon and am using the RCA pre-outs on the Marantz and now using the Marantz as a pre-amp and my office system sounds better than ever. And the Fosi never even gets warm. The V3 has much higher grade components so I am excited to see if there is an improvement.
The good news about these power ratings is they are roughly doubling from 8 ohm to 4 ohm. Which seems to indicate that it has good current capabilities. Edit: I agree that the small binding posts are the weak point. Maybe Fosi can build a version with a larger chassis that has 2-4 inputs, and a built in shielded power supply (linear even?) - and really clean up on their market share?
Respectfully the claims of being able to output 300W x2 for these series of TI TPA3255 Class D amplifiers are not false. (see Willston Audio Labs test of the Aiyima A07 5 months ago on TH-cam) I've also reached these power outputs with my own pair of A07s powered by a properly spec'd 600va SMPS, which I built. The TPA can output 17 amps of current before triggering its protection circuit, this is not Fosi or Aiyima's spec... but Texas Instruments (TI). (See TI's datasheet for the TPA3255). Lastly 48V 10a (480va) supply will never deliver 300Wx2 regardless of the amplifier's Class Type being either A, A/B or D. You need a minimum of 600VA power supply with the most efficient amplification class..that being Class D. With that said, if you want full power delivery capability with a 48V supply you need to be looking for one that can supply at least 13A of current not 10A.
I like these TI chips, but prefer the sound of the Infineon based amps like some SMSL and Loxjie. Not as much power but they run cooler and sound a bit closer to AB to me, especially with efficient speeakers.
I am wondering how it would compare to the BasX A2m Stereo Flex Amplifier from Emotiva which is currently $279? Also, if I got this for a 2.1 setup and paired it with a DAC (with a remote) can you discuss DAC's or ways to also bring in a record player analog signal? My Fosi DA-2120C has that all in one, but it seems rare to find a DAC, non integrated amp, with an analog input in addition to the digital inputs. Or, is the TA1($599 now!) from Emotiva just the end all be all for a complete 2.1 setup including record player, laptop (USB), CD player (optical). Currently running B1+ and a Jamo 8" sub which will probably get replaced in time with an 8" sealed sub from Emotiva or the smallest sealed sub from SVS. Don't need mega bass, just want quality bass.
I did not hear any comparison to the Aiyima A08 Pro. Would you recommend me replacing my Aiyima A08 Pro with this unit? Does it have the power of the Aiyima A08 Pro? I May however wait until the 48 volt power supply becomes available and more importantly a remote control.
They HAVE and have had for a long time a 48 5 as long as you order together with device or by its lonesome. So 48v5a with the v3 is $100-120 and b20a pro is 105-140 with fosi 48v5a
Are you going to review the arylic h50? I was thinking of getting one of these for my living room tv. I didn't think there is anything else in the price range with hdmi arc.
Saw the Douk Audio (I think) double VU meter hooked up, would be good if there was a (decent) spectrum analyser add on out there? (Can you tell I watch Techmoan's videos) :D Don't understand why Chi-fi manufacturers tend to only have one VU meter, when it's supposed to be one per channel. Good to see an amplifier *without* Bluetooth for a change!
Got mine yesterday. Sounds great with JBL 530. Waiting for the 48 power supply to come. Only problem was when I opened the Amazon pouch the box was open and the seal was broken which was a little weird
Have to say, 8 months later, even WITH the 48v supply, the Fosi V3 is VERY WIMPY sounding. Very much so. Clarity but not really as high powered sounding as advertised. In fact, I've found that the AIYAMA 07 has way much more "balls" than the Fosi, using the same 48v power supply, albeit a different sound signature. I'm sad I fell for Randy's hype, but at least I was only out $70. I give it a big "don't bother/buy" from me
Great review however I am still unsure what 48V 10Amp power supply to purchase in order to fully utilize the capabilities of the amp? Will you please supply the link to the 48Volt 10Amp power supply you recommend?
When you review an amp, could you give us an opinion on these small amps running thru vintage speakers? Also your opinion on running thru a phone connected with RCA Jack's. At least for me, that's about as simple a setup that someone might have. Is there speaker pop with the on/off - volume knob?
Would this pair well with a set of Wharfedale 12.1? The speakers are about 250$ in my country so I would like a budget setup. Someone said (for another wharfedale speaker set) that the Ayiama 07 pairs better
Dilemma. Want a clean, nice looking, desktop setup running vintage AR18's speakers. I currently have a Valab NOS DAC and Pioneer SA9900 to power them but it's massive! Should I ditch the pioneer and dispatch it for other duties and replace with the Fosi?
Hi there, thanks for the content. Can the V3 be bridge and used as a mono power amp to drive larger speakers? Really interested in these small class D’s.
It would be awesome if you would do a comparison review between Teac AP-505 and XTZ A2-300 or 400. Teac gets very little buzz in western countries, and I’m really corious about their products. They do a few cool dacs as well. Just saying 😊
Power specifications should always identify what measurement method they are using: RMS (root mean square) Power or Peak Power. Otherwise it is useless. Like telling someone something is 3.2 long. What? Inches? Feet? Meters?
Using Peak Power as a rating is a deceptive way to inflate perceptions. RMS is the legit honest mathematical way to state power ratings.
If it sounds ok measurements don’t really matter.😊
Good to know what you're getting though.
Wattage was quoted, so not quite like saying 3.2 long and leaving inches off. I get your point though, but it is more akin to saying a car has 400 hp and you might ask wheel horsepower or engine crank horsepower. The Amazon info does state MAX power, which most folks looking at an audiophile level amp as they claim know 300 is the max number.
You won't probably ever get the rated power anyway cause you will need a power supply that cost quite more than the whole amp it self...
The TI datasheet for TPA3255 is very transparent about it.
Added this to a pair of old JM Lab Focal Micro Utopia speakers that I had lying around the office. Now the Focals in their day cost around $10k. Fosi V3 with a 48v power supply drove them musically without a problem. Mixing a $100 product to drive a $10k pair of speakers is crazy, but it shows how far Class D amps have come.
I have a Fosi BT30D Pro driving a pair of LSA2 Statements, these were $6000 new. The system sounds wonderful.
i got a v3 and placed my sparkos chips in it from an a07. mine is paired with schiit syn, dual polk psw-10s and es20s and a polk cs10 center. i have to agree with the description...a little less bass than the a07 but the soundstage is noticeably more revealing. i use a small 9 band eq to add more to the bottom . fantastic sounding little amplifier. gives me some immersive sound that i just didn't quite get with the a07. i am using a 36v 6a power supply.
Receivde and audited the V3 today. Compared with my Akitika GT108 power amp, which is a stellar performer. The Fosi V3 sounds every bit as good. Really surprised how good it sounds. BTW, speakers are Cornwall III's, CD is Emotiva ERC 4, and cartridge is a Nakaoka MP-200 on a Carbon EVO, so it's a compelling (to me ) performance.
Just ordered one of these from their site. Its 20% off for black friday, and unlike amazon, their website gives you the option to upgrade to the 48v 5a power supply, and it came out to $88 including tax and shipping with the sale!
If you need a dac that can output to multiple amps(11:53 if I'm understanding you correctly), Topping D30Pro can output from the XLR and RCA at the same time. So one could just level match the two amps and have an identical signal pretty much(both outputs are totally clean of course).
Well, the Fosi V3 is here, listening to it right now. WiiM Pro via digital coax to a PS Audio Stellar Gaincell DAC/Preamp, XLR to RCA out to the Fosi, which is powering the Zu Audio DW6 Supremes. The Zu's are 95 dB at 12 Ohm... The little V3 sounded anemic to my ear, and then I used a pair of XLR to RCA adapters and plugged those in to my PS Audio Gaincell DAC/Preamp and she improved in overall SQ. I then broke out the Douk Audio line level booster, $45 on Amazon. Katie bar the door! What have I done? What just happened? I am now blown away at what this little amp is doing... The voicing, the instrument separation, everything is easily placed, no compression at all. And the best part, no Class D sound! Normally a Class D amplifier will have my eyes bleeding, not this Fosi, it is very class A/B sounding. This should not be happening! Yes, pair this up with that Douk line level booster and get ready to hear music in a way that I never expected. I would say this little box is a true Giant killer.
I can attest to FOSI audio's quality. I've bought several brands of these little Chinese amps. All stopped working from 1 day to 1 year. Yet, my FOSI units continue to function properly and sound great. I made my own power supplies to bump up the power. I made a analog wireless speaker setup for my rear surrounds that has zero latency, and use the FOSI stuffed under the couch going on 6 years now. It doesn't complain and works perfectly. All my desktop computers have a FOSI with an external DAC via USB. They sound awesome.
No you can't. BT20 tubes destroying V3 with upgraded tubes and the so called wattage from 48v is utter bullshit.
Unless something sounds like playing music better then 20pro vacuum upgraded tubes stop wasting money. I tested way to much and 99% inlcuded V3 fosi sound like music having abstinecies. Yes I can match Randy's setup and no you shouldn't have to at 100$. Others said something about this and I'm just saying it again. Chfi is expensive compared to doing it right
I just got the SMSL SU-1 DAC today and hooked it up to my new Fosi V3 with the 48 volt power supply. USB connection to my PC and optical connection to my TV. Speakers are the Andrew Jones designed Pioneer tower speakers, 2nd gen. It sounds wonderful! I even like how it sounds at lower volume when I listen to music, use the PC or watch TV late at night.
Bought the SMSL SU-1 from Apos and the amp and 48 volt power supply from Amazon. Pioneer speakers I bought new, years ago and in keeping with the Cheapaudioman ideals I got them on close-out for $60 apiece.
Just got one. I am not disappointed. Powering Polk SDA SRS 2.3 (75 watts min) and it plays quite loud with no distortion that I can hear. What a value!
Sounds like an amazing amp, but please add a suggested speaker pairing in your reviews, or at least mention what speakers you used. Thank you as always for your time and effort to share this with us all. Take care, brother.
Great suggestion
Monitor Audio Bronze 200.
Wharfedale Evo 4.2 perfekt fit. I run it with another TPA3255 Chipset board and it is just amazing
Q acoustics concept 20 go really well with d amps. Like someone said the evo 4.2 go amazingly well but a bit steep in price to amplifier . My Spendors go fab too .
@@shaunyweaver1144 I was thinking some might think the speakers recommended might be on the pricey side and while they are not cheap they will allow this little class d amp push every detail through. It’s also not just Fosi Audio that have taken the 3255 chip a little further with better grade circuitry, caps and resistors there are some excellent examples available online around the £170 mark that easily provide enough sound quality to justify a £400-£700 pair of speakers.
Thanks to Randy, I bought the amp on Amazon to try out and swapped in the Sparkos ss3602 opamps. You'll need the risers for that or the stems of the opamp won't reach.
I compared it to my VTV Purifi Amp with Sparkos 2590 Opamps and I gotta say, I'm impressed. They sound very very similar but the VTV has a tone more headroom. Tonality, it's hard to tell apart and at first listen, my cousin who's not an audiophile, said "sounds the same to me". Only after harder listen can I say that the VTV has better dynamics, better instrument separate, and better bass weight but it's subtle for music up to 70-80dB. Perhaps pushing it to 90dB, you can hear that more powerful amps will sound more effortless but below 80dB (which is what I listen to for 95% of the time) it's really hard to tell the difference. I'm saying the Fosi Audio is around 95% of the Purifi. It has just as much detail and clarity and does sound holographic. It's not flat like the Aiyima A07, which I returned. It's so good I'm waiting on a 48v 5a power supply.
Qobuz -> Wiim Pro -> Topping D70s -> Fosi Audio (VTV Purifi) -> Dynaudio Focus 260 (4 ohms)
Compare to a bad amp you will be happy. BT 20 tube with upgraded tubes eight now only one not soundsinf like thin soup
I received my V3 about 2 weeks ago... So I brought it to work, I'm working at a audio gear showroom. I was able to try it with rather costly and revealing Wilson Benesch P2.0 and also Discovery 3.0 speakers! 😂 The little V3 aquitted itself very very well indeed.
Oh the front end was an awesome Jadis turntable with a Goldenberg cartridge priced over $5k, and the ridiculous CH Precision P1 phonostage!!! 😂
Thanks for the review, ordered on through your Amazon link.
Thanks to your recommendation I bought the Fosi Audio TB100 and I am super happy. Thank you!
Hey Randy. I have purchased both fosi and douk products and ended up staying with douk. i would sincerely recommend you to test some more douk products, their prices seem to be more fair.
I have one of these on order and also have a Topping PA5 and Aiyima a07. My Topping is very nice but I don't use it all the time because of reliability fears (when I purchased the PA5, I had read up on the TPA3251 and felt the 38v psu was too high, as the chip can only use 38v maximum voltage so I changed it out to a 32v 5a. It runs cooler than stock. ). The Aiyima A07 runs much cooler in the summer, so that's what I am using now.
Thanks very much for your review! It was great!
Any thoughts after getting the v3? Thank you!
Living up to your channel name on this one for sure! Thanks for the detailed review.
The amp has good bones. Not made with generic caps and resistors. Folks, thats a BIG deal, especially at that price. It's about like a $750 class D audio (brand) 2 channel amp. I didn't see anywhere HOW it was tested at 300wpc, I suspect only at 1khz, not 20hz-20khz both channels driven. I digress, if it can drive as hard as the numbers suggest, it could handle some tough speakers. My ongoing reluctance with class D, is the treble. I get nothing but rolled off and vague treble from class D so far. If you are a casual listener, or moderately critical- this amp looks like a giant killer. . crown .
Bought a V3 on the recommendation of this channel. I was not prepared for how good it is. Running Bluesound 2i through it. Switching thru a Douk Audio switching box (with VU meters!) out to a pair of Dynaudio Special 40s. All the volume I need. Livelier up top but the Special 40s really benefited from it. This is the 3rd piece of hardware I’ve bought on Randy’s recommendation.
Now Im starting to think about a pre-amp for it; open to suggestions.
@@weirdfishes9961eq behringer mini fbq 800
just got the amp hooked it up . This is one of the best amps i have ever heard. The power rating is only part of the story . This amp has a lot of spaciness. & sound stage, and clarity. The bonus id it is not burned in yet so it is only going to get better. I have the Aiyima A07 and this fosi sounds better.
Just got mine and thanks for the promo code Randy. Immediately am noticing that slightly better separation of instruments over the A07. This thing was just turned on less than 30 minutes ago. Listening to Lorreena Mckennits band offshoot band Secret Sky's latest album Opium. Caroline's voice is just floating and so well defined. Yeah the A07 as amazing as i thought and still think it is, wasn't pulling this off. Looking forward to listening to much more tonight. Sounding GREAT! Guess things may get better eh with a few hours on the capacitors. Cool! Thumbs up here!
Ok.....couple of songs later and....this is just ridiculously better. Yeah....this sounds like a big boy amp. For this cash? Crazy!
true worth the 10k tag, best portables indeed
Got me mine. Sounds good and I like having the on / off as part of the volume knob.
I got those Koss headphones and they’re as good as you said. Maybe I’ll pick up one of these, too.🍊
Thanks, Randy.
One like for including other Amazon links
addendum - the v3 is good for the money. quiet, able to get high volumes, clean sounding. but to me all the chi-fi stuff i had for some nagging reason to me sounded too, two dimensional and like a flat-noise-wall in space. so i gave up on it and gambled with two monoblocked schiit gjallarhorns (i like the small form factor and have limited stacking space), worried about the lower power compared to the v3. the schiit stuff does everything better...i know, more cost but for me MUCH more listenable....much more dimension, separation and they bring out detail that the chi-fi just placed in a 2-D sound plane so to speak.
$97.99 after your coupon code with a 48V5A power supply. Yeah, sure, why not? I don't really need another amp but am curious to hear how it compares to my old Topping PA 3 which has faithfully been on desk duty driving my Micca RB42's for years. Thanks Randy. Keep bringing the entertaining and informative content.
How did you get the option for the 48 V 5A power supply
Yeah - keep us informed how it sounds! 👍👍
Thanks for good video - I agree with your overview - i have a pair of v3's into b&w 684 S1 one for tweeters one for bass/mid - very detailed, good soundstage but can be a bit brash at times. source si Allo Boss DAC on raspberry Pi3 using IFI psu - budget clarity for flac files.
They should do mono blocks with no volume control.
Yes, please!
Yes
Can someone explain what will be the advantage? Price?
@@youtubeforever209 The fewer components in the path the less noise/ distortion you get.
@@youtubeforever209Having no signal path modulation in the amplifier itself results in the lowest possible SNR and THD for any given amplifier topology. That’s why diehard audiophiles argue that having tone controls ruins an amplifier. A mono block, meaning only 1 channel per amplifier, means that you can drive a single speaker with the full rated power of the power supply unit. So a monoblock power amp with no volume or tone controls is theoretically the best way to get the cleanest and most efficient amplification of a single channel. I would argue that a pot for volume isn’t adding distortion or raising the noise floor, however being able to bridge the channels into a monoblock with these high value mini amps would absolutely be worth it. You already need a DAC, so you get one with a preamp function for volume control and you’d be getting very very high quality amplification for very little money.
Hi Randy and all, Got the V3 two weeks ago and it's pretty impressive though lacking a tad more base. Using my Wiim Pro with the internal DAC, the DAC is not great. Mow that both are run in, this constellation is actually very good. I also have the Geshelli J2S with AK 4499EX coming to me next week so I'm really looking forward to hooking it up. Oh yeah I'm using a Sterelith Monitor 252 audiophile stereo amplifier so I'm living with a single Stereo 2 channel pure bliss. Not many people have heard of Swiss Company Stereolith, but you guys don't know what you are missing.
Update after adding the DAC?
It is a subjective choice for most people as to what a ‘bargain’ is these days…what some say is a ‘budget choice’ often leaves me thinking they are not in touch with the real world. The V3 is more than one amplifier, for example, the Yamaha AS201 is not. The V3 can be made to sound very similar to an muscular class A/B or a well detailed class A/B amplifier at the switch of two small components at very little cost. Switching the op amps can literally give 2 maybe 3 different sound signatures or in other words sound similar to an new Denon, Rotel or Cambridge Audio…and that’s a fact! I can pick out different op amp that will give me the sound of each one of those amplifiers and just pop them into the V3, now that’s a bargain! The op amps cost a few Pounds/Dollars, the amplifiers that they will sound like cost a few hundred and who is going to buy 3 of them at well over a £1000 or $1300 unless they are very rich?
There is also desk space which the Yamaha will simply not allow. These days many, many people only use one input. I have had numerous big amps with many inputs and still found I only ever really used one and that is mainly for a dac over the last 10 years. Then the is the DAC itself that while many amps like the Yamaha have Bluetooth included they will never match the quality of an modern external dac. I had a Rotel A11 Tribute that has superior Bluetooth over the Yamaha and I still never used it and wasn’t better than the external DAC that I was also using. To be honest Bluetooth is awful, it always has been and still is. It was invented for telephone calls and not music. Then we have Airplay which far superior to Bluetooth and with something like the Wiim Mini plugged into a SMSL SU1 and an V3 you will have a far superior sound quality and optional digital inputs than the Yamaha and also cheaper if you shop clever! Something else to consider is the an external dac will be far superior to 99% of all current amplifiers on the market today up to £1500/$1800 and even more! The Yamaha is not a flexible as it is being shown here, it is for adding extra equipment (primarily analogue based) that is also going to cost you a lot more money and only has one choice of sound signature which is good if you like the sound of the Yamaha but you are stuck or having to return it if you don’t. Then there is maintenance, the V3 will be far easier to repair if something goes wrong. So is the Yamaha such a bargain and does it have the convenience that comes with the V3…you decide for yourself but for me I would prefer of the flexibility of the V3 in regards to sound quality, sound signature and power, the size in regards to space and maintenance. There is also the fact that you can have more flexibility when choosing speakers as you are not stuck with one stock sound as you would be with the Yamaha. You can tailor the Fosi Audio to probably any set of speakers in regards to sound and power! If you have hard to drive speakers then the bigger power supply will compensate for that as a smaller power supply will compensate for more efficient speakers…so you may save money there too…
if I want the same sound as a Denon what op amp do you surgest?
@@stripecooke4254 The link will take you to the correct op amp. These are genuine opa1622 so don't worry about fakes, I have tested a pair bought and sent within the last 2 weeks and they are genuine, these will fit into the V3 perfectly and they are not that expensive either especially compared to the Muses 01 which is also a great choice but around 3 x the price and probably not vastly different in sound quality.
You mentioned using the pre-out for a subwoofer, but that won't work very well because it's just a bypass. It is not adjusted by the volume knob.
This design ensures that individuals who prefer not to adjust the volume on a second amplifier can maintain a consistent output level from the pre-out.
@@fosiaudio I understand, but it contradicts what @cheapaudioman said in his video. It can't realistically be used for a subwoofer.
Can you show how to swap the op amps for Fosi V3?
I appreciate your work Randy, especially when you lay out component characteristics and give examples of how well (or not) they might play together with other components, as you did here - VERY HELPFUL!
I just watched your Topping pa5 review, and for the caveats you detail there and for the Fosi V3, I'm not inclined to buy either one, despite how good they may sound together. Cheap or arcane connectors and no tone control (even with the pair) means I'll keep looking.
Then you like fosi audio BT20A PRO which has tone control?
@@fosiaudio The BT20A PRO is an amazing unit! I also have the TB10D running in my office set up and it sounds better and handles lower impedence speakers better, than my Marantz NR-1403, which is now a pre-amp with the TB10D powering my bookshelf speakers! Great amps!!!!
@@ramondelgado6778 Thank you, and if you have any suggestions, you are welcome to let us know.
@@fosiaudioI would love to see you make a unit with much better quality speaker binding posts, NO BLUETOOTH, NO DAC, 2 RCA inputs, an input selector with on/off switch, and a full sized sub output. The VU meter from the MC101 would be great and tone controls. Make it $149 and it will do soo well.
@@ramondelgado6778 The speaker binding posts are too small?
So it is the MC101 without bluetooth and one more RCA?
Absolutely steller review! You never disappoint, thanks man!
Thanks!
No problem!
I am the type of listener that always turns the Bass and Treble all the way up in any car. I must like dynamic audio. I have learned through failed experiments it is a failure to compare any 3255 amps when both don't offer the tone knobs. This has been between the A07 and the A08 pro and the A08 pro and the Douk H7.
The perceptions I erroneously fell into: Sony SS-CS5 had more bass than the RP-600m and 160m. Sony was favored with the A08. Sony was better matched when I fixed my error, but I still think there is some detail in the Sony Bass that the Klipsch isn't matching. Caveat, I am not getting loud enough to challenge the Sony's limitations.
Fading up a JBL Stage a170 with the SVS ultra bookshelf on top of it. I thought I was getting cancellations with the bass when adding the a170 to the already playing Ultra. It turned out that was mostly caused by using the Douk H7. When I repeated the same process with the a170 connected to the A08 pro. Addition of bass occurred as expected.
I think I was hearing the JBL add flat but the tweeter was much more pronounced, thus it overall sounded like a subtraction of bass.
Both of these were embarrassingly horrible comparisons. My take away from this is a new assertion that, for me, the tone controls are very important.
I also have the updated Fosi TB10D.
The sweet spot for me is high power, tone controls, and maybe the ease of swapping op-amps. I guess the more you buy in your exploration, the less you have to consider once you know what you prefer.
Cordially,
Addict in FOMO rehab.
I have two Fosi amps now, a bt30d that was running my Neumi bs 5s hooked up to my htpc, which I replaced with a bt20a pro because I needed more power to keep up with my sub. The bt30 is in my garage now. Both amps sound very good and I can highly recommend them to someone looking to get into the hobby on a budget, and honestly even for people who aren't on a budget, they're just really good.
It should follow la90's switches on the back also (volume bypass, and mono/stereo options). Your suggestion on the power supply makes (very much) sense. Go Fosi! This seems like an excellent pairing with warmer speakers. (Polk and Elac bs41 come to mind)
Thank you for your valuable suggestions for further improvement. Could you please tell more why do you want to bypass the volume?
@@fosiaudio to use a deticated power amp for a hometheater avr with preouts. A lot people want separates, its the reason we buy these amps because we cant drop $500 dollars on a power amp made for home theater which is usually stereo at this price to performance. The bypassed volume knob makes it so we can just control the volume with our home theater systems without having to get up and redial the gain and having to match them across multiple speaker pairs (5.1.4/7.1.4). If there was a product with a quality and parts like v3 with bypass as well mono capability to further separate the amp crosstalk using the 3255 is necessary as its tried and true for performance, but I know many like me would be willing to pay 100 dollars each for monoblocks if the performance is there as with the v3.
@@MultiDragola Got it.
Now I want one and I don't even need one. But I did think about hooking it up to my Fosi Audio HD3 portable dac/amp. I suppose I could use the Neutron Player app on my phone as an equalizer for the source. That would be fun!
They're excellent. However, if Fosi is taking suggestions, BALANCED INS (XLR), for use with studio monitors and professional audio interfaces. Only thing missing to open up a door to different monitoring possibilities.
Williston tested this amp. 10a supply doesn't do any more than 5a, and pre out is wrong, it's line out.
Hi Randy, loving the channel. This amp looks awesome. Was going for a BT20A Pro but now wondering what Bluetooth adapter would work well with this V3 for a sweet bedroom / phone based system?
Or you could just go with the BT20A Pro model with the sweet orange volume knob. I have that one too, and it is really fantastic!
Wonder how this would compare to the Emotiva BasX A2 (160 Watt into 8 Ohms), when the right power supply is used?
I lost 60/70% of my hearing but love music from classical to modern pop but I tried sound bars, a disaster no way to adjust!
I want to buy Edifier P17 passive speakers, I read they have a nice sound and look nice as well, with that a Fosi amplifier to adjust the sound to my hearing. What would be the better choice for a Fosi amplifier? I have my PC and laptop hooked up to Fosi working excellent for my hearing issue.
The P17 and amp be hooked up to my TV, an LG 44'' older type but has a very nice picture with all sorts of hook ups, very versatile.
I want to know what would be the right choice or canoices for a amplifier for around $100/150 ???
An 81-year-old senior.
PS I love your show lots of good stuff!!!!!!
One of your wishes is granted!! The Fosi Audio site lists two options for the Power Supply, one of which is 48v/5A. I ordered one that is now two states away from delivery with UPS. Please push them for a 48v/10A as you mentioned!
Yes, we are trying to develop 48V 10A PSU.
🙏
How does this compare to the BT20A PRO? there's a 10 buck difference and the BT20A PRO has tone control and BT. Same chipset though.
Go easy bro. I already bought 3 Fosi amps. now im scratching my head thinking i MUST have this one . thanks alot ( ?)
Ever since this sponsoring crap this channel is more shill than anything it seems. Cut it out, Randy; the Mandalorian is telling you "this is NOT the way".
😄You definitely deserve it. These things are the tanks of the Amp world!
Awesome product and review. Keep up the good work. 🤘🏼🎸🤘🏼
Unbelievable 🤯,kids are so lucky today because they can build a system for cheap.
Don't you like it?
Indeed. It has never been more affordable to appreciate high quality music. We are seeing a revolution in affordable audio components mostly ( but not exclusively ) fuelled by Chinese manufacturers.
It’s also cool to build these for PC’s.
I don't think most kids are into audiophile
I would like a version without the volume control at all. I would then use it as a straight amplifier and attach my favorite preamp to it.
Yeah. Me too. If you could bridge it would be even better
Yes me too😊
Yes me too😊
Btw, the Topping PA5 is balanced input only, with an explicit mention in the manual to not use adaptors, so please can you compare using a dac featuring both rca and balanced outputs (such as the Topping E50), thanks
I have the BT20A Pro and just received my V3. I've got it wired up to a pair of Kef 104ab reference speakers from the 70's, which are only 85db sensitivity. The BT20APro sounded good, but the V3 sounds so much clearer. The bass is a tad lacking but the Wiim's EQ takes care of that. Pretty stoked the V3 can make these old Kefs sing again, and for the price they're asking its a no brainer. Highly recommended 👍
Sorry but no. Remove bass and it sounds clear???? Anyone recommending this have a sub filling bottom. Noo this sounds wrong. Like this you have changed audio with dac, cables ++. I did on buchs 400 MK2. Go for fosi pro upgraded tubes .. . Tested on XTZ beryllium was ok ish. Bass gone... Testet on focals fabers and a few others. Watt bs f off. BT 20 with tubes got more power. Fosi calling you out here
No. No no. There is nothing below 60hz. This sounds horrible and just no
No. This actually has no bass fundament. Who the f recommend this sh... Tested with 48V vs BT20 vacume upgraded tubes. Not vs my high end stuff
@@wegardfjeld3789 What on earth are you babbling on about? 😄 My apologies, I am not fluent in Gobbledygook
@@LoftyVisions fan boy or just never listened to proper sound equipment?
Thanks for the review and the discount code. Just bought one myself 😊
There is room for Sparkos Labs ss3302 or will be too close to the capacitors?
You may need to push away some caps.
I have watched reviews on this amp . It seems some people have the belief they need 48v power supply. I am using the 32 v and it is great. But I am driving kef Q100s and it is plent loud.
Okay let my come at this at a different angle, put together a best bang for buck system to use the following components: Pair of BIC DV62si 8ohn bookshelf speakers, Def-Tech PowerField Super Cube II Subwoofer using LFE in only, Sony 51 disc CD player with optical out only, Pioneer PL7 TT. And the following listening room and needs: Don't need blow you head off sound, casual single listener in a 15'' x 20' room with 8' celling. Also need ability to stream BT LDAC/ATPX to the system and transmit BT to my B&W PX7 headphones. Finally, I do need tones controls at minimum. Thank you.
This seems like a pretty neat amp Randy. Thanks for informing us about these fascinating budget products.
Also, congrats on the coming Fozi audio sponsorship. 🙂👍
I have a PA5 and loaned it to my friend who tried it on his inefficient 16 ohm LS35A speakers. He was very impressed. I’d like to know how they’d compare. Not sure if the PA5’s are still available.
Well I've ordered this one along with the 7 band GE let's see how it goes . The sound quality of these little amps is becoming insane . Quality parts also .
Thanks for the review Randy .
Can I ask what the 7 band GE is?
@@msdprojekt Douk Audio graphic equaliser Randy reviewed the 5 band
@@shaunyweaver1144 Oh nice I totally missed that, gonna go check it out, really need an EQ, cheers.
I wish the volume knob adjusts the pre-out to my subwoofer as well. It's a pain in the ass having to adjust the gain on my subwoofer every time I adjust the volume on the V3.
Randy, when you wish to compare Amps, you could use the same Pre-amp level source with some kind of splitter. This could also open you up to testing with LP fed to an external phono amp, or CD player, or what ever 2 channel party feed you prefer.
One note: Having tested some against a physical meter, SPL meter apps are awful.
Like +/- 10 dB error. It's insane.
Those Q Acoustic’s are looking sharp on that desktop! I definitely think I’m gonna go with those as my next desktop speaker, I have a black/white sort of theme in my game room where my PC is at and those would go perfect on it
Bought my Fosi T20 because I thought the tubes were cool. I still love it after a year. The thing the V3 is missing for me is the headphone out on the front. (and tone controls).
I’d love to hear more about how you are using and enjoying the Schiit Syn.
Sure. Fun product. Easy to use in my living room
So should I sell my Aiyima A07 ( which I'm OK with) and get this? Is it that much of an upgrade? Or maybe wait and see if Aiyima ups their game? Where does it end?
A07 After four or five years of precipitation and accumulation, thousands of evaluations tell you that the quality is intuitive and visible, and everything will be proved by time
It never ends….. a week from now he’ll be showing you the next best thing and what you just got today is 😵 before it even gets delivered
I really wish this thing had a dedicated power button. I would prefer not to put that much wear on the knob just turning it off and on, and I would prefer not having to change my sound level just because I'm turning it off and on.
hey Randy. I bought the V3 on your recommendation. which op amp chip would improve it? please do a segment about that. i got the 48v power supply. thanks B
Are you picking this or the Emotiva A2? I have the V3 with the Emotiva PT1 and it sounds good but wondering if it be worth the upgrade to the Emotiva or stick with the fosi v3?
Hi Randi.
I was planning to get the AIYIMA A07 Pro as I would like 5.2 bluetooth connectivity
But after watching this I'm heavily leaning to get one of these and adding a 1Mii bluetooth transmitter /receiver (ml301)
I think this combo would be cheaper and have a higher quality amp.
what do you think ?
The plan is to power it from eather 1 or two Ryobi 18v batteries when camping to make an awesome camping bluetooth speaker system with a couple of small Bookshelf Speakers .
Randy...beautifully done.
Question...I need 2 inputs. How do I use the V3 with 2 sources?
Thanx very much for your counsel.
How does it compare to emotiva basx a2m? Right now on sale under $300.
I don't need a new.. (or, new to me) ..stereo amplifier, but now I want one of these, as a 1'st foot into this 'type' of budget amp, as a spare stand-in for my main stereo amplifier (or even a replacement??) tho I'm sure it'll upgrade my computer desk-top speaker sound now fed from an old germanium transistor (that old!) stereo int' amp, 8'ish times the size of this lil' un. After a spec's re-check, i'm surprised to see how it doubles it's wattage output at all working voltages when speaker impedence is halved, even if half or two 3'rds of the given wattage numbers are the true actual very low T.H.Distortion figures of "clean" watts (
Mike on Audio already reviewed this amp and liked it a lot. Good to see that you also like it. Must be a good product then
I'd buy one if i knew how to hook it up/What to hook it up to. Can I hook it up to a basic older receiver?? I want to learn.
What brand and model receiver do you have? Does it have RCA pre-outs?
Please tell use the model of your basic older receiver, if it has the analog audio output, .simply use an RCA cable to connect the audio output of your receiver to the RCA input of the V3. From there, you can connect the speaker outputs of the V3 to your passive speakers.
Well I ordered one last night, but cancelled again this morning since I figured I don't have a use case for it already having a TB10D which is powerful enough and audiophile sound is not the use case for it as I like my vintage Sansui's too much, so no need to replace any of it.
😀Thanks anyway.
@@fosiaudio well I might still get one later on.
@@D1N02 I absolutely love my Fosi Audio TB10D!!! I think it sounds better than the built in 50W per channel amplifier in my Marantz NR-1403. In fact, the Marantz shuts down with my 4-ohm speakers, and the amplifier section just stopped working a few months ago. I bought the TB10D for $60 on Amazon and am using the RCA pre-outs on the Marantz and now using the Marantz as a pre-amp and my office system sounds better than ever. And the Fosi never even gets warm. The V3 has much higher grade components so I am excited to see if there is an improvement.
The good news about these power ratings is they are roughly doubling from 8 ohm to 4 ohm. Which seems to indicate that it has good current capabilities.
Edit: I agree that the small binding posts are the weak point. Maybe Fosi can build a version with a larger chassis that has 2-4 inputs, and a built in shielded power supply (linear even?) - and really clean up on their market share?
Respectfully the claims of being able to output 300W x2 for these series of TI TPA3255 Class D amplifiers are not false. (see Willston Audio Labs test of the Aiyima A07 5 months ago on TH-cam) I've also reached these power outputs with my own pair of A07s powered by a properly spec'd 600va SMPS, which I built. The TPA can output 17 amps of current before triggering its protection circuit, this is not Fosi or Aiyima's spec... but Texas Instruments (TI). (See TI's datasheet for the TPA3255). Lastly 48V 10a (480va) supply will never deliver 300Wx2 regardless of the amplifier's Class Type being either A, A/B or D. You need a minimum of 600VA power supply with the most efficient amplification class..that being Class D. With that said, if you want full power delivery capability with a 48V supply you need to be looking for one that can supply at least 13A of current not 10A.
... ladies and gentlemen, an audiophile has graced the comments section. Well done ✌️.
I like these TI chips, but prefer the sound of the Infineon based amps like some SMSL and Loxjie. Not as much power but they run cooler and sound a bit closer to AB to me, especially with efficient speeakers.
I am wondering how it would compare to the BasX A2m Stereo Flex Amplifier from Emotiva which is currently $279?
Also, if I got this for a 2.1 setup and paired it with a DAC (with a remote) can you discuss DAC's or ways to also bring in a record player analog signal? My Fosi DA-2120C has that all in one, but it seems rare to find a DAC, non integrated amp, with an analog input in addition to the digital inputs.
Or, is the TA1($599 now!) from Emotiva just the end all be all for a complete 2.1 setup including record player, laptop (USB), CD player (optical).
Currently running B1+ and a Jamo 8" sub which will probably get replaced in time with an 8" sealed sub from Emotiva or the smallest sealed sub from SVS. Don't need mega bass, just want quality bass.
I did not hear any comparison to the Aiyima A08 Pro. Would you recommend me replacing my Aiyima A08 Pro with this unit?
Does it have the power of the Aiyima A08 Pro?
I May however wait until the 48 volt power supply becomes available and more importantly a remote control.
Same power ratings. If you like what you have I’d stick with it
Love the video but where can I find 48 volt 10 amp power supply? I need a lot of power for the speakers I have built.
i 2nd the comment about C.A.M. getting fosi-douk-ayima to create some great inexpensive class d / 3255 mono blocks.
Thank you for your suggestion, could you pleasse tell me more details why do you want a mono block?
They HAVE and have had for a long time a 48 5 as long as you order together with device or by its lonesome. So 48v5a with the v3 is $100-120 and b20a pro is 105-140 with fosi 48v5a
Are you going to review the arylic h50? I was thinking of getting one of these for my living room tv. I didn't think there is anything else in the price range with hdmi arc.
Saw the Douk Audio (I think) double VU meter hooked up, would be good if there was a (decent) spectrum analyser add on out there? (Can you tell I watch Techmoan's videos) :D Don't understand why Chi-fi manufacturers tend to only have one VU meter, when it's supposed to be one per channel.
Good to see an amplifier *without* Bluetooth for a change!
Got mine yesterday. Sounds great with JBL 530. Waiting for the 48 power supply to come. Only problem was when I opened the Amazon pouch the box was open and the seal was broken which was a little weird
Have to say, 8 months later, even WITH the 48v supply, the Fosi V3 is VERY WIMPY sounding. Very much so. Clarity but not really as high powered sounding as advertised. In fact, I've found that the AIYAMA 07 has way much more "balls" than the Fosi, using the same 48v power supply, albeit a different sound signature. I'm sad I fell for Randy's hype, but at least I was only out $70. I give it a big "don't bother/buy" from me
Thanks!
Great review however I am still unsure what 48V 10Amp power supply to purchase in order to fully utilize the capabilities of the amp? Will you please supply the link to the 48Volt 10Amp power supply you recommend?
My Fosi V3 is in California on its way to the east coast, Randy!
When you review an amp, could you give us an opinion on these small amps running thru vintage speakers? Also your opinion on running thru a phone connected with RCA Jack's.
At least for me, that's about as simple a setup that someone might have.
Is there speaker pop with the on/off - volume knob?
Has anyone done a sonic comparison between the V3 and something like the Yamaha RS202?
Would this pair well with a set of Wharfedale 12.1? The speakers are about 250$ in my country so I would like a budget setup. Someone said (for another wharfedale speaker set) that the Ayiama 07 pairs better
Dilemma. Want a clean, nice looking, desktop setup running vintage AR18's speakers. I currently have a Valab NOS DAC and Pioneer SA9900 to power them but it's massive! Should I ditch the pioneer and dispatch it for other duties and replace with the Fosi?
Which model sounds like the Rotel A11 Tribute? The BT20 Pro or the V3?
I'm curious how it compares to the SMSL DA9
Hi there, thanks for the content. Can the V3 be bridge and used as a mono power amp to drive larger speakers? Really interested in these small class D’s.
It would be awesome if you would do a comparison review between Teac AP-505 and XTZ A2-300 or 400. Teac gets very little buzz in western countries, and I’m really corious about their products. They do a few cool dacs as well. Just saying 😊
I love that jam at the beginning with the wah guitar! What track is that?