After watching some of your previous videos on the ZA3, I bought 2 and upgraded the op amps. I’ve never had amp/ integrated that cost less than 6k over the last 6 years. These mini amps are now in my main system. Simple incredible.
If you compare these things to 6 k amps and pretend they come remotely close you need to get new batteries to your hearing aid... Seriously cut the crap already... I can name low end integrated that cleans them out both in power, dept, soundstage, width, midrange and top end. Except that they are good cheap solution
@@wegardfjeld3789 Why be so nasty? Audio is subjective and if he prefers these in his set up, in his room with his ears who the hell are you to tell him he is wrong?
@chrisharris1522 I'm a owner of Fosi V3 and the new mono's. I've swapped op amps, connectors and PSU to optimize them to another level. I've been a hifi audiophile for 40+ years. I've owned gear from bottom to above his mentioned price range. I run setups for desktop, nearfield, home, weekend house and cabin... When people continue to say bs.... like he did.. This ain't close to under 2 k amps. Hell I got class D mono amps for 450$ outplaying them both in sound and power without needing all the upgrades. Btw that makes them cheaper... All mentioned here and way more than I care to waste time on says I know this gear and more... I repeat what I said. Stop the BS this isn't anywhere near that level of performance sound wise. Fosi is budget friendly nice performing gear. There is massive limitations to those performances and they are beaten way before the 1k$ is introduced. This is also something that also shows up in measurements btw... Now the question is who the F are you ....
I was inspired by your video to try the ZA3s having always had Linn amps in the past. Your speakers must be sensitive, because with Neats, I've bit by bit added to it and ended up running 4 mono ZA3s with 4 Vivid7 op amps (from your op amp shoot out video) and upgraded the psus to 4 Aiyima 48v 10a which work great. More expensive, but still 2/3rds cheaper than Linn amps new (roughly). The end result is musical, good weight, well controlled bass and powerful vocals. Better than the Linn it replaces (av5125 running 500w from 4 channels , 1 per driver) and I am really pleased with it. Thanks for your informative videos!
Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE Amazing Op Amps - virtualhifi.com/products/supersonic-v1-op-amp For stunning revolutionary 3-way speakers visit - qualioaudio.com Join this channel to get access to 32-bit uncompressed sound quality & 4k video : th-cam.com/channels/ZQMcQrIW9fCSCLuRNnD3Ww.htmljoin
Bridging the za3 doesn’t just turn off one channel, it runs both in parallel. You don’t get more power but it drives lower impedance more easily. You can basically drive a 2 ohm load if you want and you need a lower impedance to see the benefits of more power since you don’t get more voltage with parallel operation. It’s call PBTL. The tpa3255 is actually a 4 channel chip and the stereo amp is already bridged. Going mono makes it parallel bridge mode. Everything else you said applies as well with dedicated power supply benefits. Thanks so much for your video efforts, you do an excellent job.
So this means that it can drive my kef q150 right? Im using a cambridge axr100 and at loud volumes 90db peaks, it sounded bad. Will dual mono za3 can drive the kefs at loud volumes?(90db peaks at 1.5 meteres away)
@ it certainly has the power to do it. Just make sure you have a signal with enough voltage going to the amp. You need a 2V output on your DAC to get loud with these things because they don’t have tons of gain. Usually 26db of gain.
@@ryanchappell5962 thanks for confirming it. Im having thoughts on dual mono za3 and rsl ia255.1 since a high pass could help. Btw i tried the aiyima a70 and it failed to drive the kefs q150, going 80db+ the music falls apart.
@ you might also want to consider a traditional home theater amp. I like them a lot and they give you bass management and room correction. If you are buying two za3s you are in that price range. Bass management and room correction and dynamic eq (more bass at lower volumes) have a much bigger impact on sound than a better SNR and stuff like that. You can even add a slow moving silent fan blowing upwards just sitting on top with some rubber bumpers for some serious thermal management.
Op amp rolling guidance from Fosi is to just roll the right Channel for mono? I'm running mine with all the chips removed except the right. Are you sure the left is still involved? that would mean rolling op amps for both left and right even on mono?
I had the very same impression! But, knowing the price, the space, the power consumption, the choice is quiickly made since I'm not a millionaire. Both excellent sounding amps!
@@Jackkamerunnote that In real life the difference could be bigger. I swapped my ZA3s for a class AB pre and power amp and the difference is night and day.
I have high repsect on your honesty. As an hifi lover who have struggled over the past 40+ years for great sound, the level of achievement that had achieved through my little Aiyima Class D amp way way exceeded my wildest imagination. Yet, many audiophile friedns are still very skeptical about it. In their mind, how can a cheapo toy like amp can sound so good! Sad when one uses eyes to evaluate an equipment.... I always wanted to upgrade to a "proper" amp since the Aiyima that I had was initially thought as a filler before I have found my next amp. But somehow, I was able to resist the temption time and time again and not fazed at all. Wondering if some latest Class D with latest Ganfet can improve significantly at all. Still looking for my next step up replacement to my little amp but is now not as anxious since my little wonderful amp has not shied away whenever I make any upgrade on my other equipment at all!
Interesting video. Using one of my best pair of headphones, I feel I preferred amp B every single time. But not sure I could have detected the amp change without watching the screen. I know that TH-cam is not the best way to do some listening tests but still, it feels like the difference was smaller than expected... Thanks for doing this.
I resisted the class D amps until space constraints due to moving into a much smaller house made it really make sense. I have tried a lot of them including the Fosi Za3 and I now have a couple of Aiyima A08 Pro's which are fantastic but if I don't need a ton of power the older infinion based A8 from Aiyima really sounds sweeter and I think I paid less than $40 LoL I've been an audio geek since 74 and have owned pretty much every well known amplifier from McIntosh to krell and I'm not going to say the Aiyima gear is in their league but holy crap an amp that cost the same as an order from dominos pizza and sounds this good is just stupid LoL
@@turbomustang84 thx for sharing a realistic pov and where the true value in these products lies. Next time if you look for good quality sounding class D amps with a low price look up ZeroZone. They look and sound better.
I run a pair of these in mono to power a pair of Maggie LRS+, they work fantastically. I like them better than my Class A/B amps. And they are CHEAP! They do not even break a sweat with the Maggies, rock solid and sound incredibly good. Much better than the Crown amp I tried, and there are many folks that swear by Crown and Maggies. I will keep the ZA3's.
I use mine with the original LRSs. I use one ZA3 for the Maggies, and another ZA3 for open baffle subs, using an Minidsp SHD as a crossover. It sounds better using the balanced connectors.
Sorry NAIM better of me, and having tried two ZA3's in mono I preferred my Exposure 2010 and my new NVA setup is a major step up in every way. I will however keep them to run with my desktop PC.
@@r423fplip Mine is first hand practical listening. I have these Qualio speakers and the Exposure is more musical with better drive and control. My brother has NAIM and he will tell you, in the right system they are very enjoyable. He has listened to 100K systems that can not match them for toe taping musicality. Then again what do me and him know we have only been into hifi for 30 old years.
running this one with wharfedale diamond III speakers (for nostalgia) and it's superb. have new op amps in a drawer for months but i love the sound just as it is - great amp.
I preferred A except in maybe two musical pieces. Simply incredible. I started my HiFi career with a Nad 3020, maybe it's time to go cheap again. More money towards better speakers. Thank you for this video!
I have listened to this video before. I still like Amp B better that said I am not dropping $7000 on an amp. It is not that my credit card will not allow me to do it rather I object on principal alone. Since this is me listening again a few weeks latter I have to say I enjoyed both of them. There where things I liked about both of the amp choices. I can allow myself to purchase two of the ZA3's though! I could get two of the Fosi ZA3's and 4 opamps and have a fantastic sounding amp for a fraction of the price which is win win in my book!
Thank you for so much effort and passion 🙏. I preferred amp b sound and it became clearer when I closed my eyes (dedicating more cognitive bandwidth to sound). Amp B had more noticeable detail in the mids to me. With open eyes it was harder to tell differences as much.
I was absolutley shure that A - has more long tales, sweetness, different obertones and more sound stage, more airness i like it way more and it WAS FOSI in the End !!! oh my f....g GOD !!! Thank you so much for your story and video battle ! ))) From Ukraine ! City Hero - Kharkiv !
I connected 500watt dual 18 sub with 70hz hipass f-mod . A 5532 pre amplifier the class d reminded me of tube amp and duo 2 in open baffle. The sweetest ever. Home concert diy , 50 year designer here.
Amp A definitely sounded muddier and Amp B so so sweet. But you get a great deal with the Fosi Z3. Splurge when you can. I have Burson Audio monoblocks that are much better but then 10 to 15 times the price.
The difference is interestingly not too much in the overall presentation.. but it's in the quietness between note, and the richness in the tone colors from mid to bottom.
I ve listened to all this and bought a FOSI v3 STEREO to check it out - and my Marantz PM8003 is much better, just a different class. so i was glad i sold the FOSI to another enthusiast quickly
@@samadhi-channel Yeah, that's what the reality is. Doesn't even need as good an amp like that. They are good for the low end budget world. Entry level systems. It's amazing that people can get this good experience already at this price range, but the nut jobs trying to pretend this remotely even enters the mid fi segment needs to take a chill pill..
No it’s not a different class! The Fosi V3 Stereo for EUR 120,- is simply better. What you have heared is the Class D Impedance Dependency! Your speaker need an amp with pfft. Or has Marantz payed you?
@@Hitsujiomeguruboken Yes it's a different class. I own the V3 stereo and mono's. Compared to even low end integrated amps like Rotel, Yamaha, Cambridge to mention a few they come up short. I have upgraded connectors, PSU and op am rolled. Best result Burson V7 in my opinion. The major difference is low end dynamics, mid range natural voices and a top end with more air. The reality of it is that the Fosi gear is low end stuff and performs like it. They are good for cheap low end stuff, but they do not compare vs better stuff. I can mention a couple of tangent powerampster2 in mono will deliver more power and definitely matches the fosi V3 mono for just 450$. They are even cheaper after fixing all shortcomings the Fosi amps have.. There is a difference between fantasy and reality. That's what the overhypers of the Fosi amps need to face soon. They are good low end amps. Nothing wrong with that....
The closest comparison yet. I think A has a little more energy and texture in the mids while B has a little more bass definition. Not sure which I prefer and I don't think I would hear it without the text changing.
Fozi was better IMO. And not just by a little. Clearly a winner of the two. Agree, crazy for the $. I own ZA and V3s and modded both to get the max performance out of them and they’re my fav cheap revelation amps 👍🏻
To an extent, impedance matching comes into play here. With a lower efficiency power hungry setup, you’ll typically need an amp with more capacitance reserve and beefy/quiet power supply. Or things will start sounding stressed and distorted when wanting to crank it a bit. Your amazing Qualios are probably an especially good match with the fosi’s (and so much more as well). But with reasonably (or at least semi) efficient speakers and a decent pre there is no reason that this new generation of chip amps can’t embarrass a lot of expensive amps out there. And the designs on these should just keep improving!
That is really interesting! All samples I like A amp more: more freedom in lows, more air in highs, voice is also more convinsing. Not dramaticaly, but possible to catch even with my cheap Koss UR40 plugged directly to PC
Quality of videos, sound and content - the highest level. Thank you for all the materials from Fosi. So far my budget ( and first) system looked as follows: Audiolab 6000A, Audiolab 6000N, Audio Pro Link 1, used Focal Chorus 726. The sound of the set was satisfactory, but only with quiet music. Faster and stronger songs or music genres definitely had audible deficiencies in dynamics and detail. I now know that the speakers lacked power. For testing, I bought a Fosi Audio ZA3 amplifier and connected it to the Audiolab as a stereo power amplifier. Shock! The character of the sound remained unchanged, and the dynamics, treble and bass range jumped up unimaginably. The Fosi Audio ZA3 has an amazing price/quality ratio. I will definitely buy a second ZA3 amplifier and connect both in dual mono mode. Thanks again and I recommend the ZA3 with full confidence. Pozdrawiam i dziękuję! :)
The idea was to show the amps. If you put them on smaller speakers then it's much harder to make out the differences. Most bookshelfs wouldn't need a dual mono setup. The Za3 in stereo would be plenty of power to push even the most demanding of bookshelf speakers.
It’s funny because as owner of two za3s since months, I recognised them on every song. Because the za3s sound big, very punchy and open. But I will tell you something, to me they sound a bit hollow in the midrange, and when we hear the Naim it is now back and I like that. I miss that from my previous class AB amp. Yes the Fosi’s have bigger soundstage, better separation, huge punch, maybe even more detail. But man I have a problem with this sound, I feel like they are like a bit digital, artificial maybe is a better word. Now let me be clear in terms of performance they are just silly and Im sure then can compete with high end stuff, and that’s just insane! But to me the timbre is specific to them and that is something you now only when you live with them.
EQ then. They are just flat. So they play the source true to the original. Class AB and Tubes introduce warmness because they aren't flat. It's weird that people don't like EQ so much, but they like "warm" amps. I'm not into that 150-300hz boost that most AB and Tube amps have personally.
@@wtcamer for instance if I try to correct by eq my fosis it is going to change things but it will always sound different than my previous AB. Because they are completely different when it comes to soundstage and punch for instance.
@ I don’t think you understood the question. But it doesn’t matter I already have the V3. I just put sparkos into the DAC. I think they will be too much for the V3… the ZA3 needs livening up… And by the way , the reputation is that the sparkos 2590 is considerably better than the ss3602 if your device can fit them… (the Fosi pieces can’t).
I OWN a Fosi Audio za3 and I love it but saying Marantz is mainstream and not any good is really not fair. Marantz has build great amps. PM80 is a legendary amp. I also like their new class D amp.
You need 2 fosi Za3 in mono and change the opamps on Right channel and XLR opamp...pull out 2 opamps from the sub and 1 on the Left channel them you will be surprised...One Fosi ZA3 will not compete with Marantz
I heard exactly what you heard. There was clearly a difference. If I had to live with one it would probably be the Fosi. I wonder if an opamp swap would keep that clarity and still put a TOUCH more meat on the bones like the Naim has? Naim was just a touch to dark for me. Knowing how detailed your speakers are I bet the Fosi would sit well in many systems.
Yes, but the only small improvement you can get is with SPARKOS. And these Op Amps costs € 100,- each. Every other Op Amp switch brings you simply nothing. The 3255 Texas Instruments are close to perfect.
Do you prefer these over the V3 monos? Also I thought you were coming out with your own op amp for these. Did that ever happen? I think maybe you stacked two cheaper op amps and liked better than Sparkos.
You are the only one that includes actual music for our reference which is very much appreciated as compared to other vloggers/reviewers. Question is, don’t you get any warnings from TH-cam for coywright infringement? Other reviewers keep saying that TH-cam does not allow it so I kind of question their credibility compared to yours.
I learned about amps years ago. When I was wating for my amp to be delivered I listened to a cheap amp until it came in. When I hooked up my new amp it wasn't any better then my 20 years old cheap amp Since then I say go for the best spekers you can afford because you will live with them for decades. Amps come and go but finding the speakers early will save $$ in the long run. ZA3 is bang for the buck. Speakers are like wives. They come and stay and if they go it will be expensive,
I think you like them so much because they sound impressive! And that’s what you like and that’s what your looking for! But the fosi sound is a taste and you have to like it. Otherwise congrats again for these speakers because they are very attractive.
i have a ZA3, hooked up to emotiva XT3 speakers playing from a WIIM mini streamer. it's excellent. I have a V3 too, the ZA3 fills the low end way better than the V3, i honestly don't need a subwoofer with this setup.
Co do testu to ledwo słychać różnicę, może trochę w wyższych rejestrach na korzyść Naim, natomiast jeżeli ktoś lubi podbić trochę bass, bo ma np monitory które tego wymagają, to co byś polecił jako przedwzmacniacz w dobrych pieniądzach i jakości?
That’s right. More organic more natural. As I said in my comment higher, I have them for months and I’m a bit sick that they sound a bit artificial to me. When you hear the Naim it is more natural, it is more right, to me.
Hey! Nice to see Your next video. I know that You had Your own room during Warsaw Audio Video Event and just saw that You used Naim amp. Why have You decided not to use those fosi audio amps? I am also a fan of them and using this setup in my main system. Hah You just answered my question in the video thanks! 😅 Just imagine You are playing with them on the next show from the hidden place and on the shelf is something much more expensive but not connected ;) Cheers!
I slightly prefer the more analogue like, smoother sound of B, but the difference is small. Interestingly, I have the ZA3 with Sparkos OP amps and it can't compete against my Pathos Classic One with my main speakers. But I like it with my desktop speakers.
I imagine the question is (and only relevant if you had neither to begin with) is one worth 5 times the other if you had neither. If you had £1100 would you spend all of it on the amp or 200 on the amp and the other 900 on other parts? I think that is a very interesting question myself.
Listening through my Sony headphones I preferred amp A. More detail. Sure listening on my Nenuphar Mini’s might yield different results, and yes over time they could sound more fatiguing but would need some time to tell. That being said the fact that the performance is even within mention of the Naim is stunning. I am looking for a cooler running amp to use in the warmer months in AZ and these might be the solution. Now, when are you going to design an open baffle speaker using the F8 or F10 Neo drivers 😮
NAIM is better for me. It has some fluidity and coherence in the midrange region. Fosi is a bit dry in comparision. Is that advantage worth a price difference, everyone should decide for himself. D class sound quality is very close to A-AB class amps in many areas, but still don't sound that natural, as A-AB class.
Thanks for the demo.. Glad i am a "poor" guy, so i had to buy the ZA3 :D Its funny how Hifi make people blind AND deaf. - There are people paying 10k or even more USD on things like Power Cables. It make no sense at all. When i search for the order of importance for good audio, people most of the time get the most important things wrong. Most list Speakers as the most important, then Source, then amp, then cables .. .. or something close to this, totally missing the ROOM, the room is more important then the speakers!, and when we talk about Hifi gear that cost 10k+, using 2k on the room, and 8k on the rest is almost always a better option. Not many Hifi people talk about the room, or example your ears, maybe they need cleaning? Also, what is Music really ? It is ment to mess with your feelings, make you feel happy, sad, excited and so on, if you all the time is in Hifi analyzing mode, is always looking for things that isnt right, looking for what can be improved, you almost 100% lose the point with the music in the first place, because the feelings the music was supposed to create, is mainly overwritten by you looking for what can be improved. you will never be satisfied, you will never really enjoy music if you are in Hifi analyzing mode constantly.
Thank you for taking the time and trouble to make this video. Just one question...is it critical to the sound quality to have a dac/streamer with pre amp built in, or can you get the same results from a direct dac connection (with XLR) and control the volume from the Fozi's?
All the people saying they prefer amp B I bet if there was no text on the screen showing A and B they wouldn't be able to tell when amp B even started playing. Don't look at the screen and try to write down the times that amp B started and stopped being used. I bet my entire system you're nowhere near right.
I agree! I wanted to hear a difference and it was 1% different at most! No way could I tell when amps were switched without the text! Listening through Sennheiser HD600's.
@billybunter3753 You're one of few honest people in this audio game. Others like to claim they can hear things yet they'll never prove it to anyone, but they'll keep making those claims that their ears are special. Some find it hard to admit that they're just like everyone else it seems. I'd love to see a sound clip without the Text showing A or B. Just to see how many people say they heard two different amplifiers. I bet nobody notices.
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 The most important part of any system is the speakers because they make the biggest difference for me anyway. It's very hard to pick differences in solid state amps, unless one is absolute rubbish. Same with CD players. I'm not saying there is ZERO difference but IMHO it's hard to pick in a blind test. Let's not get into cables! 😂
@billybunter3753 Totally agree. I have had discussions with people who claim they can hear the difference between the feet under their DAC. 😆 People make such outrageous claims. 🙄
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 Yeah this hobby can be so full of people whom talk rubbish! I have to say, comparing these Qualio speakers to other speakers over TH-cam, and I know it's only over TH-cam, but they have come to be a favorite of mine. When I'm more financial in a couple of years, I just might have to get a pair! The bass sounds really nice, and the top end is very detailed, which is something I appreciate as I get older. And I also appreciate the mans honesty about amps! 👍
Apart from the excellent Za3 with a very hight quality/price ratio, with your Qualio did you appreciate more Naim NAP 250 or the recent Norma Revo 140 that you tried?
Without checking the answer... A has more density and tonality and a bit more slam, B is more detailed and controlled. I prefer some aspects of A and some aspects of B, but really they are very close. I'd guess A is Naim and B is Fosi.
I bought the V3 monos, and just installed the Muses02 op amps yesterday. They sound great on jazz and rock. One thing-I have a lot of (probably) poorly-recorded non-mainstream classical music, as I’ve gotten more revealing equipment, the loudest passages on a lot of this kind of music have terrible distortion… is this something that’s just covered up with class AB amplification? Or is it something that maybe delta-sigma DACs and class D amplification accentuates? Maybe just these recordings have to deal with too much dynamic range and the loud passages are distorted on the masters?
As always great samples ! I really like the concept and sound profile of your speakers , I’m a potential buyer and want to invest in hiend speakers rather than amp dac etc. What’s your thoughts about the marantz model m1 amp? It’s a class d amp , and a streamer . Maybe you test it and let as know about the combo. Thanking you in advance.
I have agd amps with the qualios and bought these to try. The agds are better with the mola mola dac by a mile. I bought the lav dac and with it the chi fi amps actually sound better. I think a lot of this is synergy.
My 10 cents. Please read. :) I see a lot of mention of how the Naim sounds more warm/has more bass/more rich/etc. The Naim is a Class A amplifier. It is analog and therefore has it's own "flavor". Flavor is another word for "Not a flat response". Anolog guys typically are anti-EQ. I get why. When your source sounds one way and your amp sounds another and your speakers sound another the combination sounds a specific way. Digital amps tend to test almost completely flat. In other words you get what you put in. So it's just source and speakers. The amp just kinda gets out of the way for the most part. The flavor added with digital is very minor. So your not adding a 4th flavor by adding EQ and muddying the water. Lets use color as an example. Lets say your ideal color would be Bluish Green to represent a warm tonal balance. Green would be flat, Yellow would be bright, and blue would be Bassy. Your anolog input is green and your amp is blue so we have the right color, but then your speakers... well maybe they are a little bright so yellow and we are back where we started or they are bassy and blue and now we are too bassy and closer to blue than we wanted to be. I can see why in a setup like this EQ would be bad. You have so many flavors going on everywhere and everything is modifying the sound already so it doesn't take much to end up with a brown mess. With digital you get a flat in and a flat out and then your speakers sound like your speakers would sound playing the source. If you don't like it USE EQ. You have a clean unconfused and un-muddied chain of unflavored devices. Your EQ changes will sound like they are supposed to.
In my case Advance Acoustic MAA-405 beats ZA3 by quiet a lot with Audiovector m3 signature and Piega P4XL. But probably I'll switch to claas D with the next generation or 2, because of 150W iddle power consumption
@wegardfjeld3789 and which class D amp is that? Checking ZA3 again right now on Piegas and what I wrote is correct. There is clarity in the music but I like it less... I had the same expirience with Arcam SA30
@@zbyslaw50000 Well at 450$ a pair you can get tangent powerampster2 and run them in mono. The latter is important because it does improve their sound massively. They put out 200w at 8 ohms and their precense, dynamics and overall musicality is better. Up the game a little and you get great Hypex amps or modules. Next stage purify and high level Hypex. After that if you are serious gan fet is really getting great now. Starcrimson is a really good product
@@wegardfjeld3789 thanks, I am gonna look for them in aftermarket. No need to rush as my Advance Acoustic is a beast, but I like changing with profit ✌️
I have the QUALIO IQ speakers and recently bought two ZA3 and upgraded the OPamps to Sparkos. There is no question that ZA3 with Sparkos sounds better (more energetic, layered and clean, with textured bass and wide soundstage) than all the mid-fi amplifiers I have at the moment (NAIM, Marantz, Aragon, Denon, Nuforce, Luxman etc). I am using RCA outputs because I did not have another pair of Sparkos to upgrade the XLR. At moment I am searching for some higher-end power amp to try and compare the za3s and will let you know. The only thing - the FOSI ZA3 seems to be super sensitive to the preamplifier you use with them. I have used several and each time it was night and day change to the sound.. Also impedance matching is a thing here. What can I say about the Qualio IQ speaker? They are an experience and musical journey. I think I am starting to develop my "audiophile skills" only because I bought these speakers. They forced me to appreciate and learn and the rewards are spectacular.
I have tested a number of amplifiers, both on the bench and listening. In building a clone NAP250 I found it was a very overrated circuit. It does not measure well and needs more bias to completely get rid of crossover distortion. The HF also rolls off way to early. Not really a good amplifier to compare with any other product.
i can’t tell over headphones. I’ve owned 3 sets of these amps before (not z3). They sounded ok, but compared to my other amps, thin, tinny, and no layered soundstage. not sure if something changed from v3 to z3. but in my room they were just ok.
After watching some of your previous videos on the ZA3, I bought 2 and upgraded the op amps. I’ve never had amp/ integrated that cost less than 6k over the last 6 years. These mini amps are now in my main system. Simple incredible.
Which op amps did you use and how would you say they improved/changed the sound?
If you compare these things to 6 k amps and pretend they come remotely close you need to get new batteries to your hearing aid... Seriously cut the crap already...
I can name low end integrated that cleans them out both in power, dept, soundstage, width, midrange and top end. Except that they are good cheap solution
@@wegardfjeld3789 Why be so nasty? Audio is subjective and if he prefers these in his set up, in his room with his ears who the hell are you to tell him he is wrong?
@chrisharris1522 I'm a owner of Fosi V3 and the new mono's. I've swapped op amps, connectors and PSU to optimize them to another level. I've been a hifi audiophile for 40+ years. I've owned gear from bottom to above his mentioned price range. I run setups for desktop, nearfield, home, weekend house and cabin... When people continue to say bs.... like he did.. This ain't close to under 2 k amps. Hell I got class D mono amps for 450$ outplaying them both in sound and power without needing all the upgrades. Btw that makes them cheaper... All mentioned here and way more than I care to waste time on says I know this gear and more... I repeat what I said. Stop the BS this isn't anywhere near that level of performance sound wise. Fosi is budget friendly nice performing gear. There is massive limitations to those performances and they are beaten way before the 1k$ is introduced. This is also something that also shows up in measurements btw...
Now the question is who the F are you ....
@@wegardfjeld3789 I repeat why so nasty? and I use my real name so that answers your question
I was inspired by your video to try the ZA3s having always had Linn amps in the past. Your speakers must be sensitive, because with Neats, I've bit by bit added to it and ended up running 4 mono ZA3s with 4 Vivid7 op amps (from your op amp shoot out video) and upgraded the psus to 4 Aiyima 48v 10a which work great. More expensive, but still 2/3rds cheaper than Linn amps new (roughly). The end result is musical, good weight, well controlled bass and powerful vocals. Better than the Linn it replaces (av5125 running 500w from 4 channels , 1 per driver) and I am really pleased with it. Thanks for your informative videos!
Please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE
Amazing Op Amps - virtualhifi.com/products/supersonic-v1-op-amp
For stunning revolutionary 3-way speakers visit - qualioaudio.com
Join this channel to get access to 32-bit uncompressed sound quality & 4k video :
th-cam.com/channels/ZQMcQrIW9fCSCLuRNnD3Ww.htmljoin
Class D monoblocks. Yes please. Got Fosi. So happy with the sound. Reference class now with a great day, great speakers, and large listening room.
Bridging the za3 doesn’t just turn off one channel, it runs both in parallel. You don’t get more power but it drives lower impedance more easily. You can basically drive a 2 ohm load if you want and you need a lower impedance to see the benefits of more power since you don’t get more voltage with parallel operation. It’s call PBTL. The tpa3255 is actually a 4 channel chip and the stereo amp is already bridged. Going mono makes it parallel bridge mode. Everything else you said applies as well with dedicated power supply benefits.
Thanks so much for your video efforts, you do an excellent job.
So this means that it can drive my kef q150 right? Im using a cambridge axr100 and at loud volumes 90db peaks, it sounded bad. Will dual mono za3 can drive the kefs at loud volumes?(90db peaks at 1.5 meteres away)
@ it certainly has the power to do it. Just make sure you have a signal with enough voltage going to the amp. You need a 2V output on your DAC to get loud with these things because they don’t have tons of gain. Usually 26db of gain.
@@ryanchappell5962 thanks for confirming it. Im having thoughts on dual mono za3 and rsl ia255.1 since a high pass could help. Btw i tried the aiyima a70 and it failed to drive the kefs q150, going 80db+ the music falls apart.
@ you might also want to consider a traditional home theater amp. I like them a lot and they give you bass management and room correction. If you are buying two za3s you are in that price range.
Bass management and room correction and dynamic eq (more bass at lower volumes) have a much bigger impact on sound than a better SNR and stuff like that. You can even add a slow moving silent fan blowing upwards just sitting on top with some rubber bumpers for some serious thermal management.
Op amp rolling guidance from Fosi is to just roll the right Channel for mono? I'm running mine with all the chips removed except the right. Are you sure the left is still involved? that would mean rolling op amps for both left and right even on mono?
For me there is not much difference, but version B is a little better. (for my taste) Thanks for your time and dedication. Greetings from Argentina
I agree, but in real life differences must be bigger
@@Nefty_ I agree
I had the very same impression! But, knowing the price, the space, the power consumption, the choice is quiickly made since I'm not a millionaire. Both excellent sounding amps!
@@Jackkamerunnote that In real life the difference could be bigger. I swapped my ZA3s for a class AB pre and power amp and the difference is night and day.
@@Nefty_ sorry, do you means the ZA3s are better?
Congratulations on the Success of your Speakers... and a Great Comparison
I have high repsect on your honesty. As an hifi lover who have struggled over the past 40+ years for great sound, the level of achievement that had achieved through my little Aiyima Class D amp way way exceeded my wildest imagination. Yet, many audiophile friedns are still very skeptical about it. In their mind, how can a cheapo toy like amp can sound so good! Sad when one uses eyes to evaluate an equipment....
I always wanted to upgrade to a "proper" amp since the Aiyima that I had was initially thought as a filler before I have found my next amp. But somehow, I was able to resist the temption time and time again and not fazed at all. Wondering if some latest Class D with latest Ganfet can improve significantly at all.
Still looking for my next step up replacement to my little amp but is now not as anxious since my little wonderful amp has not shied away whenever I make any upgrade on my other equipment at all!
Which Aiyima model are you referring to?
I had aiyima a07 and okay with what it can do. Priced accordingly.
@@thelowprofile9767 I'm using Aiyima's A8pro now . Bought their A7max thought it would be an improvement but I much referred A08pro....
I had 3 Mini GaN 5 amps die. They sounded great until they stopped working. I got screwed
@ Darn, are these three amps serving one stem that all die at once, or different units serving different system at different times?
Interesting video. Using one of my best pair of headphones, I feel I preferred amp B every single time. But not sure I could have detected the amp change without watching the screen. I know that TH-cam is not the best way to do some listening tests but still, it feels like the difference was smaller than expected... Thanks for doing this.
I resisted the class D amps until space constraints due to moving into a much smaller house made it really make sense.
I have tried a lot of them including the Fosi Za3 and I now have a couple of Aiyima A08 Pro's which are fantastic but if I don't need a ton of power the older infinion based A8 from Aiyima really sounds sweeter and I think I paid less than $40 LoL
I've been an audio geek since 74 and have owned pretty much every well known amplifier from McIntosh to krell and I'm not going to say the Aiyima gear is in their league but holy crap an amp that cost the same as an order from dominos pizza and sounds this good is just stupid LoL
It is difficult to imagine the sound quality out of these silly little Class D amps. What a great time to be alive in regards to audio gear.
@@turbomustang84 thx for sharing a realistic pov and where the true value in these products lies. Next time if you look for good quality sounding class D amps with a low price look up ZeroZone. They look and sound better.
I run a pair of these in mono to power a pair of Maggie LRS+, they work fantastically. I like them better than my Class A/B amps. And they are CHEAP! They do not even break a sweat with the Maggies, rock solid and sound incredibly good. Much better than the Crown amp I tried, and there are many folks that swear by Crown and Maggies. I will keep the ZA3's.
Did you upgrade the stock OpAmps?
@@kzy-ngakyaw I did, went with the Sparkos, but I found them a bit congested in regards to the sound. I put the originals back in.
@@michaelwright1602 So you prefer the stock OpAmp?
I use mine with the original LRSs. I use one ZA3 for the Maggies, and another ZA3 for open baffle subs, using an Minidsp SHD as a crossover. It sounds better using the balanced connectors.
B sounded better, but its so close that A is a no brainer win
I prefer c and d.
I have to admit that in my headphones running through a Rockville Tube Head that B sounded better.
Sorry NAIM better of me, and having tried two ZA3's in mono I preferred my Exposure 2010 and my new NVA setup is a major step up in every way. I will however keep them to run with my desktop PC.
Exposure 2010 is way down the league, when performance matters. NAIM, very overrated.
@@r423fplip Mine is first hand practical listening. I have these Qualio speakers and the Exposure is more musical with better drive and control. My brother has NAIM and he will tell you, in the right system they are very enjoyable. He has listened to 100K systems that can not match them for toe taping musicality. Then again what do me and him know we have only been into hifi for 30 old years.
👍
I liked the NAIM better. More open, less constrained.
running this one with wharfedale diamond III speakers (for nostalgia) and it's superb. have new op amps in a drawer for months but i love the sound just as it is - great amp.
I preferred A except in maybe two musical pieces. Simply incredible. I started my HiFi career with a Nad 3020, maybe it's time to go cheap again. More money towards better speakers. Thank you for this video!
I have listened to this video before. I still like Amp B better that said I am not dropping $7000 on an amp. It is not that my credit card will not allow me to do it rather I object on principal alone. Since this is me listening again a few weeks latter I have to say I enjoyed both of them. There where things I liked about both of the amp choices. I can allow myself to purchase two of the ZA3's though! I could get two of the Fosi ZA3's and 4 opamps and have a fantastic sounding amp for a fraction of the price which is win win in my book!
Thank you for so much effort and passion 🙏. I preferred amp b sound and it became clearer when I closed my eyes (dedicating more cognitive bandwidth to sound). Amp B had more noticeable detail in the mids to me. With open eyes it was harder to tell differences as much.
I was absolutley shure that A - has more long tales, sweetness, different obertones and more sound stage, more airness i like it way more and it WAS FOSI in the End !!! oh my f....g GOD !!! Thank you so much for your story and video battle ! ))) From Ukraine ! City Hero - Kharkiv !
I connected 500watt dual 18 sub with 70hz hipass f-mod . A 5532 pre amplifier the class d reminded me of tube amp and duo 2 in open baffle. The sweetest ever. Home concert diy , 50 year designer here.
Amp A definitely sounded muddier and Amp B so so sweet. But you get a great deal with the Fosi Z3. Splurge when you can. I have Burson Audio monoblocks that are much better but then 10 to 15 times the price.
The difference is interestingly not too much in the overall presentation.. but it's in the quietness between note, and the richness in the tone colors from mid to bottom.
I really like your speakers. And your good sense with monoblocks
I ve listened to all this and bought a FOSI v3 STEREO to check it out - and my Marantz PM8003 is much better, just a different class. so i was glad i sold the FOSI to another enthusiast quickly
@@samadhi-channel Yeah, that's what the reality is. Doesn't even need as good an amp like that. They are good for the low end budget world. Entry level systems. It's amazing that people can get this good experience already at this price range, but the nut jobs trying to pretend this remotely even enters the mid fi segment needs to take a chill pill..
Well these are ZA3, totally different amps
No it’s not a different class! The Fosi V3 Stereo for EUR 120,- is simply better.
What you have heared is the Class D Impedance Dependency! Your speaker need an amp with pfft. Or has Marantz payed you?
@@Hitsujiomeguruboken Yes it's a different class. I own the V3 stereo and mono's. Compared to even low end integrated amps like Rotel, Yamaha, Cambridge to mention a few they come up short. I have upgraded connectors, PSU and op am rolled. Best result Burson V7 in my opinion. The major difference is low end dynamics, mid range natural voices and a top end with more air. The reality of it is that the Fosi gear is low end stuff and performs like it. They are good for cheap low end stuff, but they do not compare vs better stuff. I can mention a couple of tangent powerampster2 in mono will deliver more power and definitely matches the fosi V3 mono for just 450$. They are even cheaper after fixing all shortcomings the Fosi amps have..
There is a difference between fantasy and reality. That's what the overhypers of the Fosi amps need to face soon.
They are good low end amps. Nothing wrong with that....
@@wegardfjeld3789 thats right. anyway im waiting to see next generations ))
I knew those are good. Should you turn the knob to the end or just to 70%?
The closest comparison yet. I think A has a little more energy and texture in the mids while B has a little more bass definition. Not sure which I prefer and I don't think I would hear it without the text changing.
Fozi was better IMO. And not just by a little. Clearly a winner of the two. Agree, crazy for the $. I own ZA and V3s and modded both to get the max performance out of them and they’re my fav cheap revelation amps 👍🏻
To an extent,
impedance matching comes into play here. With a lower efficiency power hungry setup, you’ll typically need an amp with more capacitance reserve and beefy/quiet power supply. Or things will start sounding stressed and distorted when wanting to crank it a bit. Your amazing Qualios are probably an especially good match with the fosi’s (and so much more as well).
But with reasonably (or at least semi) efficient speakers and a decent pre there is no reason that this new generation of chip amps can’t embarrass a lot of expensive amps out there.
And the designs on these should just keep improving!
Agree 100% I knew A sounded better and of course had to be the ZA3 thanks much for the test.
That is really interesting! All samples I like A amp more: more freedom in lows, more air in highs, voice is also more convinsing. Not dramaticaly, but possible to catch even with my cheap Koss UR40 plugged directly to PC
Quality of videos, sound and content - the highest level. Thank you for all the materials from Fosi. So far my budget ( and first) system looked as follows: Audiolab 6000A, Audiolab 6000N, Audio Pro Link 1, used Focal Chorus 726. The sound of the set was satisfactory, but only with quiet music. Faster and stronger songs or music genres definitely had audible deficiencies in dynamics and detail. I now know that the speakers lacked power. For testing, I bought a Fosi Audio ZA3 amplifier and connected it to the Audiolab as a stereo power amplifier. Shock! The character of the sound remained unchanged, and the dynamics, treble and bass range jumped up unimaginably. The Fosi Audio ZA3 has an amazing price/quality ratio. I will definitely buy a second ZA3 amplifier and connect both in dual mono mode. Thanks again and I recommend the ZA3 with full confidence.
Pozdrawiam i dziękuję! :)
Thanks for the demo. Very informative. I wish you did the same with cheaper speakers though, like some of the bookshelf ones you tested before.
The idea was to show the amps. If you put them on smaller speakers then it's much harder to make out the differences. Most bookshelfs wouldn't need a dual mono setup. The Za3 in stereo would be plenty of power to push even the most demanding of bookshelf speakers.
👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎯🥇
You have touch a GOD of the HIGH END HIFI OLIMPO!
GOOD DAVID......
I prefere Amp A. I don’t know which is which. But if Amp A is the Naim, then I would not spent € 7.000,- because the differences are rather small.
It’s funny because as owner of two za3s since months, I recognised them on every song. Because the za3s sound big, very punchy and open. But I will tell you something, to me they sound a bit hollow in the midrange, and when we hear the Naim it is now back and I like that. I miss that from my previous class AB amp. Yes the Fosi’s have bigger soundstage, better separation, huge punch, maybe even more detail. But man I have a problem with this sound, I feel like they are like a bit digital, artificial maybe is a better word. Now let me be clear in terms of performance they are just silly and Im sure then can compete with high end stuff, and that’s just insane! But to me the timbre is specific to them and that is something you now only when you live with them.
EQ then. They are just flat. So they play the source true to the original. Class AB and Tubes introduce warmness because they aren't flat. It's weird that people don't like EQ so much, but they like "warm" amps. I'm not into that 150-300hz boost that most AB and Tube amps have personally.
@@wtcameryou will not agree but the answer is because sound is much more than frequency response.
@@wtcamer for instance if I try to correct by eq my fosis it is going to change things but it will always sound different than my previous AB. Because they are completely different when it comes to soundstage and punch for instance.
So do you ultimately prefer the ZA3 dual mono with sparkos, or the V3 monos with Muses02?
Sparkos for sure. Andrew does a good job. I just had an email convo with him today
@ I don’t think you understood the question. But it doesn’t matter I already have the V3. I just put sparkos into the DAC. I think they will be too much for the V3… the ZA3 needs livening up…
And by the way , the reputation is that the sparkos 2590 is considerably better than the ss3602 if your device can fit them… (the Fosi pieces can’t).
I OWN a Fosi Audio za3 and I love it but saying Marantz is mainstream and not any good is really not fair. Marantz has build great amps. PM80 is a legendary amp. I also like their new class D amp.
You need 2 fosi Za3 in mono and change the opamps on Right channel and XLR opamp...pull out 2 opamps from the sub and 1 on the Left channel them you will be surprised...One Fosi ZA3 will not compete with Marantz
Did not watch until the reveal but Amp A by a huge margin!
Thought B had much more dynamic range off the bat from here, but A sounded very good, not much different during a lot of the changes.
I heard exactly what you heard. There was clearly a difference. If I had to live with one it would probably be the Fosi. I wonder if an opamp swap would keep that clarity and still put a TOUCH more meat on the bones like the Naim has? Naim was just a touch to dark for me. Knowing how detailed your speakers are I bet the Fosi would sit well in many systems.
Yes, but the only small improvement you can get is with SPARKOS. And these Op Amps costs € 100,- each. Every other Op Amp switch brings you simply nothing. The 3255 Texas Instruments are close to perfect.
Great job¡¡ Congratulations¡
Fosi does have a seemingly smoother, more open top-end, but Naim does have bit thicker, more textured lower-midrange to upper-bass to my ears.
Looking at getting the Za3's. One question, though... How do I hook up a subwoofer in the dual mono setup?
I preferred B, but it was so close! Unbelievable how close this is!
Do you prefer these over the V3 monos? Also I thought you were coming out with your own op amp for these. Did that ever happen? I think maybe you stacked two cheaper op amps and liked better than Sparkos.
You are the only one that includes actual music for our reference which is very much appreciated as compared to other vloggers/reviewers. Question is, don’t you get any warnings from TH-cam for coywright infringement? Other reviewers keep saying that TH-cam does not allow it so I kind of question their credibility compared to yours.
Awesome
Thank You ❤
I learned about amps years ago. When I was wating for my amp to be delivered I listened to a cheap amp until it came in. When I hooked up my new amp it wasn't any better then my 20 years old cheap amp Since then I say go for the best spekers you can afford because you will live with them for decades. Amps come and go but finding the speakers early will save $$ in the long run. ZA3 is bang for the buck. Speakers are like wives. They come and stay and if they go it will be expensive,
Couldn't hear a difference. So the Fosi won because of the price 😊 very helful vid, seldom on TH-cam that you can actually listen to the music.
I think you like them so much because they sound impressive! And that’s what you like and that’s what your looking for! But the fosi sound is a taste and you have to like it. Otherwise congrats again for these speakers because they are very attractive.
i have a ZA3, hooked up to emotiva XT3 speakers playing from a WIIM mini streamer. it's excellent. I have a V3 too, the ZA3 fills the low end way better than the V3, i honestly don't need a subwoofer with this setup.
I agree that amp A was better. No question.
I have these kitted with SparkosLabs SS3602 in the balanced input. Then we have Burson V7V's in the outputs.... Even better!
Co do testu to ledwo słychać różnicę, może trochę w wyższych rejestrach na korzyść Naim, natomiast jeżeli ktoś lubi podbić trochę bass, bo ma np monitory które tego wymagają, to co byś polecił jako przedwzmacniacz w dobrych pieniądzach i jakości?
Preferred the Naim with every track. Notably better bass & more organic overall.
Thx 4 posting🍻
That’s right. More organic more natural. As I said in my comment higher, I have them for months and I’m a bit sick that they sound a bit artificial to me. When you hear the Naim it is more natural, it is more right, to me.
Placebo effect, due to brand.
Hey! Nice to see Your next video. I know that You had Your own room during Warsaw Audio Video Event and just saw that You used Naim amp. Why have You decided not to use those fosi audio amps? I am also a fan of them and using this setup in my main system. Hah You just answered my question in the video thanks! 😅 Just imagine You are playing with them on the next show from the hidden place and on the shelf is something much more expensive but not connected ;) Cheers!
I slightly prefer the more analogue like, smoother sound of B, but the difference is small.
Interestingly, I have the ZA3 with Sparkos OP amps and it can't compete against my Pathos Classic One with my main speakers. But I like it with my desktop speakers.
I imagine the question is (and only relevant if you had neither to begin with) is one worth 5 times the other if you had neither. If you had £1100 would you spend all of it on the amp or 200 on the amp and the other 900 on other parts? I think that is a very interesting question myself.
Listening through my Sony headphones I preferred amp A. More detail. Sure listening on my Nenuphar Mini’s might yield different results, and yes over time they could sound more fatiguing but would need some time to tell. That being said the fact that the performance is even within mention of the Naim is stunning. I am looking for a cooler running amp to use in the warmer months in AZ and these might be the solution.
Now, when are you going to design an open baffle speaker using the F8 or F10 Neo drivers 😮
Are you selling the speakers,or where can go to check prices?Tks.
NAIM is better for me. It has some fluidity and coherence in the midrange region. Fosi is a bit dry in comparision. Is that advantage worth a price difference, everyone should decide for himself. D class sound quality is very close to A-AB class amps in many areas, but still don't sound that natural, as A-AB class.
Hi perfect comparison ! what speaker cables did you use?
B has more body and natural timbre. A has a tweaked high end resulting in a thin light presentation.
When will your opamp and amplifier be available?
Thanks for the demo.. Glad i am a "poor" guy, so i had to buy the ZA3 :D
Its funny how Hifi make people blind AND deaf. - There are people paying 10k or even more USD on things like Power Cables. It make no sense at all.
When i search for the order of importance for good audio, people most of the time get the most important things wrong. Most list Speakers as the most important, then Source, then amp, then cables .. .. or something close to this, totally missing the ROOM, the room is more important then the speakers!, and when we talk about Hifi gear that cost 10k+, using 2k on the room, and 8k on the rest is almost always a better option. Not many Hifi people talk about the room, or example your ears, maybe they need cleaning?
Also, what is Music really ? It is ment to mess with your feelings, make you feel happy, sad, excited and so on, if you all the time is in Hifi analyzing mode, is always looking for things that isnt right, looking for what can be improved, you almost 100% lose the point with the music in the first place, because the feelings the music was supposed to create, is mainly overwritten by you looking for what can be improved. you will never be satisfied, you will never really enjoy music if you are in Hifi analyzing mode constantly.
For me at list ...the same sounding from both amps.
Great high quolity music samples ..as always
Actually A sounds better than B. Very funny! 🎉
So it doesn't bridge the 2 amps together?
They kind of sound similar to my current amp and speaker combo :)
When can we expect opamps from you? I just got a set from Fosi which I bought after your tests. Muse 02 sounds great already
A sounds clearer, but cello with them is less real than with B, usually biggest differences are found with acoustic solo instruments
Thank you for taking the time and trouble to make this video. Just one question...is it critical to the sound quality to have a dac/streamer with pre amp built in, or can you get the same results from a direct dac connection (with XLR) and control the volume from the Fozi's?
A pre amp will always be better than just a dac with volume control
All the people saying they prefer amp B
I bet if there was no text on the screen showing A and B they wouldn't be able to tell when amp B even started playing.
Don't look at the screen and try to write down the times that amp B started and stopped being used.
I bet my entire system you're nowhere near right.
I agree! I wanted to hear a difference and it was 1% different at most! No way could I tell when amps were switched without the text! Listening through Sennheiser HD600's.
@billybunter3753
You're one of few honest people in this audio game.
Others like to claim they can hear things yet they'll never prove it to anyone, but they'll keep making those claims that their ears are special.
Some find it hard to admit that they're just like everyone else it seems.
I'd love to see a sound clip without the Text showing A or B. Just to see how many people say they heard two different amplifiers.
I bet nobody notices.
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 The most important part of any system is the speakers because they make the biggest difference for me anyway. It's very hard to pick differences in solid state amps, unless one is absolute rubbish. Same with CD players. I'm not saying there is ZERO difference but IMHO it's hard to pick in a blind test. Let's not get into cables! 😂
@billybunter3753
Totally agree.
I have had discussions with people who claim they can hear the difference between the feet under their DAC. 😆
People make such outrageous claims. 🙄
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 Yeah this hobby can be so full of people whom talk rubbish! I have to say, comparing these Qualio speakers to other speakers over TH-cam, and I know it's only over TH-cam, but they have come to be a favorite of mine. When I'm more financial in a couple of years, I just might have to get a pair! The bass sounds really nice, and the top end is very detailed, which is something I appreciate as I get older. And I also appreciate the mans honesty about amps! 👍
Apart from the excellent Za3 with a very hight quality/price ratio, with your Qualio did you appreciate more Naim NAP 250 or the recent Norma Revo 140 that you tried?
How would You compare the Fosis in mono configuration to the AUDIOPHONICS HPA-S400ET?
Thank You for Your insightful videos. All the best!
Without checking the answer... A has more density and tonality and a bit more slam, B is more detailed and controlled. I prefer some aspects of A and some aspects of B, but really they are very close. I'd guess A is Naim and B is Fosi.
I bought the V3 monos, and just installed the Muses02 op amps yesterday. They sound great on jazz and rock. One thing-I have a lot of (probably) poorly-recorded non-mainstream classical music, as I’ve gotten more revealing equipment, the loudest passages on a lot of this kind of music have terrible distortion… is this something that’s just covered up with class AB amplification? Or is it something that maybe delta-sigma DACs and class D amplification accentuates? Maybe just these recordings have to deal with too much dynamic range and the loud passages are distorted on the masters?
have you try vertical bi amping with those?
As always great samples !
I really like the concept and sound profile of your speakers , I’m a potential buyer and want to invest in hiend speakers rather than amp dac etc. What’s your thoughts about the marantz model m1 amp? It’s a class d amp , and a streamer . Maybe you test it and let as know about the combo. Thanking you in advance.
Please re do this test when you get your turntable 😊
I have agd amps with the qualios and bought these to try. The agds are better with the mola mola dac by a mile.
I bought the lav dac and with it the chi fi amps actually sound better. I think a lot of this is synergy.
My 10 cents. Please read. :) I see a lot of mention of how the Naim sounds more warm/has more bass/more rich/etc. The Naim is a Class A amplifier. It is analog and therefore has it's own "flavor". Flavor is another word for "Not a flat response". Anolog guys typically are anti-EQ. I get why. When your source sounds one way and your amp sounds another and your speakers sound another the combination sounds a specific way. Digital amps tend to test almost completely flat. In other words you get what you put in. So it's just source and speakers. The amp just kinda gets out of the way for the most part. The flavor added with digital is very minor. So your not adding a 4th flavor by adding EQ and muddying the water.
Lets use color as an example. Lets say your ideal color would be Bluish Green to represent a warm tonal balance. Green would be flat, Yellow would be bright, and blue would be Bassy. Your anolog input is green and your amp is blue so we have the right color, but then your speakers... well maybe they are a little bright so yellow and we are back where we started or they are bassy and blue and now we are too bassy and closer to blue than we wanted to be. I can see why in a setup like this EQ would be bad. You have so many flavors going on everywhere and everything is modifying the sound already so it doesn't take much to end up with a brown mess.
With digital you get a flat in and a flat out and then your speakers sound like your speakers would sound playing the source. If you don't like it USE EQ. You have a clean unconfused and un-muddied chain of unflavored devices. Your EQ changes will sound like they are supposed to.
Naim is class AB, not class A.
In my case Advance Acoustic MAA-405 beats ZA3 by quiet a lot with Audiovector m3 signature and Piega P4XL. But probably I'll switch to claas D with the next generation or 2, because of 150W iddle power consumption
@@zbyslaw50000 There is way better class D around. Price range isn't much higher after you op amp rolled, swapped connectors and PSU ++.
@wegardfjeld3789 and which class D amp is that?
Checking ZA3 again right now on Piegas and what I wrote is correct. There is clarity in the music but I like it less... I had the same expirience with Arcam SA30
@@zbyslaw50000 Well at 450$ a pair you can get tangent powerampster2 and run them in mono. The latter is important because it does improve their sound massively. They put out 200w at 8 ohms and their precense, dynamics and overall musicality is better. Up the game a little and you get great Hypex amps or modules. Next stage purify and high level Hypex. After that if you are serious gan fet is really getting great now. Starcrimson is a really good product
@@zbyslaw50000 Issue with the tangent is that in mono they dislike under 8ohm loads. Typical bridge mono issue
@@wegardfjeld3789 thanks, I am gonna look for them in aftermarket. No need to rush as my Advance Acoustic is a beast, but I like changing with profit ✌️
Could you please suggest a system build around this amp in a mono version? What kind of a budget DAC and speakers would work well with it?
I have the QUALIO IQ speakers and recently bought two ZA3 and upgraded the OPamps to Sparkos. There is no question that ZA3 with Sparkos sounds better (more energetic, layered and clean, with textured bass and wide soundstage) than all the mid-fi amplifiers I have at the moment (NAIM, Marantz, Aragon, Denon, Nuforce, Luxman etc). I am using RCA outputs because I did not have another pair of Sparkos to upgrade the XLR. At moment I am searching for some higher-end power amp to try and compare the za3s and will let you know. The only thing - the FOSI ZA3 seems to be super sensitive to the preamplifier you use with them. I have used several and each time it was night and day change to the sound.. Also impedance matching is a thing here. What can I say about the Qualio IQ speaker? They are an experience and musical journey. I think I am starting to develop my "audiophile skills" only because I bought these speakers. They forced me to appreciate and learn and the rewards are spectacular.
I have tested a number of amplifiers, both on the bench and listening. In building a clone NAP250 I found it was a very overrated circuit. It does not measure well and needs more bias to completely get rid of crossover distortion. The HF also rolls off way to early. Not really a good amplifier to compare with any other product.
def B, no doubt...
FOSI Za3
Is there one of your op-amps that you recommend for the FOSI ZA3? and ZD3?
I would need two of these op-amps for each FOSI ZA3? and FOSI ZD3?
Wow. I guessed right. But I seem to have a dissenting opinion on which is better. :)
The fosi amp is tested using stock opamp?
i can’t tell over headphones. I’ve owned 3 sets of these amps before (not z3). They sounded ok, but compared to my other amps, thin, tinny, and no layered soundstage. not sure if something changed from v3 to z3. but in my room they were just ok.
Amp A Fosi 100%!!!
For the Fosi Monos what power configuration did you use? One brick or two?
Minor difference, A gives more at HF, not all like it. Yeap i have refwrense headphone setup with equalised responce
Will subwoofer out work properly when in mono mode? Would I connect it to the right or left monoblock?
I believe they play both channels out of the sub output, so either amp will work for a single sub.
Is it better than the Aiyima A07 MAX?
Do you think the Michi X5 series 2 would pair well with the Qualio speakers?
have you tried the chi fi amps with the cube audio drivers ?
Can you please test the Marantz Model 10?
Where can I get a t-shirt like that?