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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
@ 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).
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!
I have listened to this video before. I still like Amp B better that said I am not dropping $7000 on an amp. It is not that my credit card will not allow me to do it rather I object on principal alone. Since this is me listening again a few weeks latter I have to say I enjoyed both of them. There where things I liked about both of the amp choices. I can allow myself to purchase two of the ZA3's though! I could get two of the Fosi ZA3's and 4 opamps and have a fantastic sounding amp for a fraction of the price which is win win in my book!
I ve listened to all this and bought a FOSI v3 STEREO to check it out - and my Marantz PM8003 is much better, just a different class. so i was glad i sold the FOSI to another enthusiast quickly
@@samadhi-channel Yeah, that's what the reality is. Doesn't even need as good an amp like that. They are good for the low end budget world. Entry level systems. It's amazing that people can get this good experience already at this price range, but the nut jobs trying to pretend this remotely even enters the mid fi segment needs to take a chill pill..
No it’s not a different class! The Fosi V3 Stereo for EUR 120,- is simply better. What you have heared is the Class D Impedance Dependency! Your speaker need an amp with pfft. Or has Marantz payed you?
@@Hitsujiomeguruboken Yes it's a different class. I own the V3 stereo and mono's. Compared to even low end integrated amps like Rotel, Yamaha, Cambridge to mention a few they come up short. I have upgraded connectors, PSU and op am rolled. Best result Burson V7 in my opinion. The major difference is low end dynamics, mid range natural voices and a top end with more air. The reality of it is that the Fosi gear is low end stuff and performs like it. They are good for cheap low end stuff, but they do not compare vs better stuff. I can mention a couple of tangent powerampster2 in mono will deliver more power and definitely matches the fosi V3 mono for just 450$. 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 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.
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?
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?
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.
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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?
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 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.
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.
Fozi was better IMO. And not just by a little. Clearly a winner of the two. Agree, crazy for the $. I own ZA and V3s and modded both to get the max performance out of them and they’re my fav cheap revelation amps 👍🏻
I have tested a number of amplifiers, both on the bench and listening. In building a clone NAP250 I found it was a very overrated circuit. It does not measure well and needs more bias to completely get rid of crossover distortion. The HF also rolls off way to early. Not really a good amplifier to compare with any other product.
I have agd amps with the qualios and bought these to try. The agds are better with the mola mola dac by a mile. I bought the lav dac and with it the chi fi amps actually sound better. I think a lot of this is synergy.
In my case Advance Acoustic MAA-405 beats ZA3 by quiet a lot with Audiovector m3 signature and Piega P4XL. But probably I'll switch to claas D with the next generation or 2, because of 150W iddle power consumption
@wegardfjeld3789 and which class D amp is that? Checking ZA3 again right now on Piegas and what I wrote is correct. There is clarity in the music but I like it less... I had the same expirience with Arcam SA30
@@zbyslaw50000 Well at 450$ 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 ✌️
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.
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 😮
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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!
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?
I'm sorry but although I am an owner of V3 monos, which are excellent bang for your buck, I feel that the Naim is better sounding, but so it should be at that price. I think they are close and at the price the Fosi amps are the sensible choice unless you've just robbed a bank. Maybe with a change of op amps and a cleaner power supply in the Fosis they would be closer still.
I upgraded my Fosi za3 with sparkos on the rca inputs. I use it in stereo. If I want to use the xlr with the sparkos, would I need to add a sparkos on the xlr opamp position or how would I set that up because I only have 2 sparkos
@@michaelwright1602 they why should I do that if it’s making it worse? What do you mean exactly ? I now have to sparkos running over the rca. Sound splendid. If I want another Fosi, would I still need to install opamps on the rca slots?
A czy w polskich warunkach da się złożyć fajny, tani zestaw 70/30% muzyka/film z Tidal conect, który będzie można podłączyć do pracy z Komputerem i TV a do tego obsłuży słuchawki bezprzewodowe podczas pracy z komputerem ? A wszystko w budżecie około 5 tys zł. Obecnie zastanawiam się nad rozwiązaniami aktywnymi i pasywnymi. Pierwsze to np Wiim AMP + kolumny podstawkowe np Pylon Audio Ruby Monitor - chociaż obawiam się, że nie zmieszczę się w budżecie. W tym zestawieniu całość do pracy z komputerem podłączyłbym pod mojego DAC/AMPa (który z czasem jest do wymiany) Druga opcja to aktywny zestaw Argon Audio Forte A4 MK2 + Argon Audio Malmö SUB 10 i tutaj dokładamy Wiim Mini i ponownie DAC/AMP z czasem do wymiany np na FiiO K11 R2R. W tym zestawie dokupiłbym jeszcze transmiter dwukierunkowy Bluetooth do obsługi słuchawek bezprzewodowych podczas pracy z komputerem. Gdzieś w trakcie szukania w oczy wpadł mi wzmacniacz z DACiem i obsługą bezprzewodową słuchawek Arylic B50. Do niego wystarczyłoby dokupić Wiim Mini :) Pytanie jak ugryźć taki temat taniego audio do wszystkiego ?
Na pewno nie wiim amp, jego idea nie ma sensu już szczególnie gdy sam chcesz zmieniać później dac. Do wiim ampa nawet dac nie podłączysz. Zamiast tego inny wiim plus aiyima 07 max za ok 300zł i rzeczony fiio r2r najlepiej z zasilaniem ifi. Słuchawki bt raczej odpadają do pracy z uwagi na latencję. Do muzyki tak, do pracy z kompem nie.
@@trekkis Dlaczego nie podłączę? Wiim Amp ma optyka przecież. A słuchawki bezprzewodowe do pracy również teraz używam, opóźnienia są mało istotne i w pracy raczej nie przeszkadzają, nie tworze muzyki i nie pracuje z dźwiękiem.
Amp ma tylko opt in do podłączenia transportu który potem jest przetwarzany wewnętrznym, słabym dac. Opt in nie służy do połączenia dac, do tego potrzebna jest wersja out, a tego nie ma, co jest zasadniczym błędem projektu (drugim irytującym jest brak coax in). Nie da się skorzystać z zewnętrznego dac - co przekreśla sens całej idei. Wiim ultra jest królem rynku, ale wiim amp to pomyłka u podstaw. Na pc często ogląda się różne video, prowadzi się konferencje i tak dalej. Bt nie jest tu optymalnym rozwiązaniem. Dobre transmitery kosztują i przy ograniczonym budżecie szkoda marnować zasoby akurat na to.
@@trekkis OK. Bardzo dobre dla mnie info i wiedza :) A co mógłbyś zaproponować tak żeby rzeczywiście można było pracować z komputerem i telewizorem, czy rozwiązaniem mógłby być np Arylic B50 i np Wiim Mini jako streamer ? Czy zupełnie inaczej. Zależy mi na HDMI ARC i fajnej jakości po USB-PC z komputera. Muza pójdzie przede wszystkim z Tidal conect.
Acrylic ma u zasady ten sam problem co wiim amp - dac zintegrowany ze wzmacniaczem co u podstaw nie ma sensu na dłuższą metę. Tzn, budżetowo na start ok, ale z założeniem w przyszłości wymiany całości na co innego. Ze świetnym wiimem ultra jako preamp (z Arc) jest problem z pc bo nie obsługuje wejścia pc, no i trochę klops przy takich wymaganiach. W takim wypadku może sprawdzić sie jako dac z Arc nowy fosi dac zd3, z Arc pod tv plus usb input pod pc, a do tego wiim mini (po optyku) i aiyima a7 max. Lub wyżej/drożej ale do pary i przez balans fosi za3. Tylko taka konfiguracja nie ma bas managementu, co przyszłościowo jest słabym ogniwem. Dobrego systemu audio rozwojowo bez suba nie ma, szczególnie pod tv. Dlatego ja osobiście choć to straszne kombinowanie już jest, ale pc wolał bym podłączyć do wiima ultra przez Toppinga E30 II po analogu (choć z wiima i tak potem sygnał szedł by na fiio), kombinowanie przez dodatkowy element żeby tam wcisnąć pc, ale za to byłby bass management na przyszłość. Albo odpuścić całkiem rozwój z subem w przyszłości i wtedy jak wyżej. Btw, żeby dźwięk z pc miał sens to tam trzeba pamiętać o exclusive Mode, zamiast kiepskiego toru audio Windowsa.
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! 👍
Before to know the final result was going to write: Hey man!!! You are offending my audiophile ear, the Naim is the A , I can recognice this juicy kind of Naim sound…..
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'm just running in a Aiyima 07 Max 48V - so instantly impressive that I've ordered a second one. same tech as the Fosi. with the savings I am planning a speaker upgrade from my current smallish elacs. no way that I can afford Naim type money.
IMHO, A (the Fosi) sounded better. However, you're only showing it with the Qualio ID O/B's which I've checked and have a reported sensitivity of 89 Db. It'd be interesting to hear them with less sensitive speakers and also in comparison with other, mid-range, class D amps around 3-5 times the price. Thinking about it, if such midrange amps sounded as good, they're liable to be better built and easier to repair, especially if they're made in the West. They're also more likely to have inbuilt power supplies and hence be tidier. I mean, in my country (the UK) one can get an entry level Class D Nord power amp for around £350 which may end up being a better long-term option providing it sounds as good.
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.
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! :)
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.
Just before you are going to reveal the solution: I like amp B better with every song. Better foundation, better musical flow. - - - Oh, it's the Naim NAP 250. Better, but not better for that price difference...
i'm gonna have to differ with you on that one !.. i do like the NAIM more , but not enough to justify spending 7 or 8K for it where i can have a closer sound quality for 300 Dollars FOSI ?!. it's is AMAZING what this little thing can do... it is INDEED a lot of Amp for the $$$. as always. another GREAT Demo. thank you . on a separate note. you have to stop talking good things about the Fosi 😁 ,especially that you're going to introduce your own Amp to the Market in the very near future!!. how are you going to convince us otherwise that the QUALIO Amp will compete with lots of other great equipment out there.. and BTW. is the QUALIO Amp also integrated ?. and will it come with a DAC & Streamer built in ????. thank you again for all you do for us.
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 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.
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
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 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.
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.
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....
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 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 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.
I liked the NAIM better. More open, less constrained.
I really like your speakers. And your good sense with monoblocks
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.
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.
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
Are you selling the speakers,or where can go to check prices?Tks.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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!
I have listened to this video before. I still like Amp B better that said I am not dropping $7000 on an amp. It is not that my credit card will not allow me to do it rather I object on principal alone. Since this is me listening again a few weeks latter I have to say I enjoyed both of them. There where things I liked about both of the amp choices. I can allow myself to purchase two of the ZA3's though! I could get two of the Fosi ZA3's and 4 opamps and have a fantastic sounding amp for a fraction of the price which is win win in my book!
I ve listened to all this and bought a FOSI v3 STEREO to check it out - and my Marantz PM8003 is much better, just a different class. so i was glad i sold the FOSI to another enthusiast quickly
@@samadhi-channel Yeah, that's what the reality is. Doesn't even need as good an amp like that. They are good for the low end budget world. Entry level systems. It's amazing that people can get this good experience already at this price range, but the nut jobs trying to pretend this remotely even enters the mid fi segment needs to take a chill pill..
Well these are ZA3, totally different amps
No it’s not a different class! The Fosi V3 Stereo for EUR 120,- is simply better.
What you have heared is the Class D Impedance Dependency! Your speaker need an amp with pfft. Or has Marantz payed you?
@@Hitsujiomeguruboken Yes it's a different class. I own the V3 stereo and mono's. Compared to even low end integrated amps like Rotel, Yamaha, Cambridge to mention a few they come up short. I have upgraded connectors, PSU and op am rolled. Best result Burson V7 in my opinion. The major difference is low end dynamics, mid range natural voices and a top end with more air. The reality of it is that the Fosi gear is low end stuff and performs like it. They are good for cheap low end stuff, but they do not compare vs better stuff. I can mention a couple of tangent powerampster2 in mono will deliver more power and definitely matches the fosi V3 mono for just 450$. 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 ))
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.
I have these kitted with SparkosLabs SS3602 in the balanced input. Then we have Burson V7V's in the outputs.... Even better!
When will your opamp and amplifier be available?
Agree 100% I knew A sounded better and of course had to be the ZA3 thanks much for the test.
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.
I preferred B, but it was so close! Unbelievable how close this is!
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
Hi perfect comparison ! what speaker cables did you use?
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?
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.
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?
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.
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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?
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.
have you try vertical bi amping with those?
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.
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.
Fozi was better IMO. And not just by a little. Clearly a winner of the two. Agree, crazy for the $. I own ZA and V3s and modded both to get the max performance out of them and they’re my fav cheap revelation amps 👍🏻
I have tested a number of amplifiers, both on the bench and listening. In building a clone NAP250 I found it was a very overrated circuit. It does not measure well and needs more bias to completely get rid of crossover distortion. The HF also rolls off way to early. Not really a good amplifier to compare with any other product.
I have agd amps with the qualios and bought these to try. The agds are better with the mola mola dac by a mile.
I bought the lav dac and with it the chi fi amps actually sound better. I think a lot of this is synergy.
A sounds clearer, but cello with them is less real than with B, usually biggest differences are found with acoustic solo instruments
In my case Advance Acoustic MAA-405 beats ZA3 by quiet a lot with Audiovector m3 signature and Piega P4XL. But probably I'll switch to claas D with the next generation or 2, because of 150W iddle power consumption
@@zbyslaw50000 There is way better class D around. Price range isn't much higher after you op amp rolled, swapped connectors and PSU ++.
@wegardfjeld3789 and which class D amp is that?
Checking ZA3 again right now on Piegas and what I wrote is correct. There is clarity in the music but I like it less... I had the same expirience with Arcam SA30
@@zbyslaw50000 Well at 450$ 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 ✌️
Awesome
Thank You ❤
Did not watch until the reveal but Amp A by a huge margin!
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.
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 😮
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.
For the Fosi Monos what power configuration did you use? One brick or two?
I have went dayton al dome mid if I mount 2in facing reaward hook lpad and out of phase with front effect?
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.
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,
Do you prefer the Fozi V3 Monos or the ZA3 in mono configuration for the Qualio IQ ?
I think the ZA3, he comes back to it every time
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?
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.
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?
have you tried the chi fi amps with the cube audio drivers ?
👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎯🥇
You have touch a GOD of the HIGH END HIFI OLIMPO!
GOOD DAVID......
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.
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.
Do you think the Michi X5 series 2 would pair well with the Qualio speakers?
Where can I get a t-shirt like that?
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!
Can you please test the Marantz Model 10?
For me at list ...the same sounding from both amps.
Great high quolity music samples ..as always
Please re do this test when you get your turntable 😊
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
They kind of sound similar to my current amp and speaker combo :)
Is it better than the Aiyima A07 MAX?
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.
Minor difference, A gives more at HF, not all like it. Yeap i have refwrense headphone setup with equalised responce
I'm sorry but although I am an owner of V3 monos, which are excellent bang for your buck, I feel that the Naim is better sounding, but so it should be at that price. I think they are close and at the price the Fosi amps are the sensible choice unless you've just robbed a bank. Maybe with a change of op amps and a cleaner power supply in the Fosis they would be closer still.
FOSI Za3
Wow. I guessed right. But I seem to have a dissenting opinion on which is better. :)
I upgraded my Fosi za3 with sparkos on the rca inputs. I use it in stereo. If I want to use the xlr with the sparkos, would I need to add a sparkos on the xlr opamp position or how would I set that up because I only have 2 sparkos
Would using the xlr now negate my sparkos? Or does it still run through the rca opamps
@@tjeerdkruidhof5808 Install the Sparkos on the XLR side, you only need one for each amp. I found they muddied up the sound, but that is just me.
@@michaelwright1602 they why should I do that if it’s making it worse? What do you mean exactly ? I now have to sparkos running over the rca. Sound splendid. If I want another Fosi, would I still need to install opamps on the rca slots?
A czy w polskich warunkach da się złożyć fajny, tani zestaw 70/30% muzyka/film z Tidal conect, który będzie można podłączyć do pracy z Komputerem i TV a do tego obsłuży słuchawki bezprzewodowe podczas pracy z komputerem ? A wszystko w budżecie około 5 tys zł. Obecnie zastanawiam się nad rozwiązaniami aktywnymi i pasywnymi. Pierwsze to np Wiim AMP + kolumny podstawkowe np Pylon Audio Ruby Monitor - chociaż obawiam się, że nie zmieszczę się w budżecie. W tym zestawieniu całość do pracy z komputerem podłączyłbym pod mojego DAC/AMPa (który z czasem jest do wymiany) Druga opcja to aktywny zestaw Argon Audio Forte A4 MK2 + Argon Audio Malmö SUB 10 i tutaj dokładamy Wiim Mini i ponownie DAC/AMP z czasem do wymiany np na FiiO K11 R2R. W tym zestawie dokupiłbym jeszcze transmiter dwukierunkowy Bluetooth do obsługi słuchawek bezprzewodowych podczas pracy z komputerem. Gdzieś w trakcie szukania w oczy wpadł mi wzmacniacz z DACiem i obsługą bezprzewodową słuchawek Arylic B50. Do niego wystarczyłoby dokupić Wiim Mini :) Pytanie jak ugryźć taki temat taniego audio do wszystkiego ?
Na pewno nie wiim amp, jego idea nie ma sensu już szczególnie gdy sam chcesz zmieniać później dac. Do wiim ampa nawet dac nie podłączysz. Zamiast tego inny wiim plus aiyima 07 max za ok 300zł i rzeczony fiio r2r najlepiej z zasilaniem ifi. Słuchawki bt raczej odpadają do pracy z uwagi na latencję. Do muzyki tak, do pracy z kompem nie.
@@trekkis Dlaczego nie podłączę? Wiim Amp ma optyka przecież. A słuchawki bezprzewodowe do pracy również teraz używam, opóźnienia są mało istotne i w pracy raczej nie przeszkadzają, nie tworze muzyki i nie pracuje z dźwiękiem.
Amp ma tylko opt in do podłączenia transportu który potem jest przetwarzany wewnętrznym, słabym dac. Opt in nie służy do połączenia dac, do tego potrzebna jest wersja out, a tego nie ma, co jest zasadniczym błędem projektu (drugim irytującym jest brak coax in). Nie da się skorzystać z zewnętrznego dac - co przekreśla sens całej idei. Wiim ultra jest królem rynku, ale wiim amp to pomyłka u podstaw.
Na pc często ogląda się różne video, prowadzi się konferencje i tak dalej. Bt nie jest tu optymalnym rozwiązaniem. Dobre transmitery kosztują i przy ograniczonym budżecie szkoda marnować zasoby akurat na to.
@@trekkis OK. Bardzo dobre dla mnie info i wiedza :) A co mógłbyś zaproponować tak żeby rzeczywiście można było pracować z komputerem i telewizorem, czy rozwiązaniem mógłby być np Arylic B50 i np Wiim Mini jako streamer ? Czy zupełnie inaczej. Zależy mi na HDMI ARC i fajnej jakości po USB-PC z komputera. Muza pójdzie przede wszystkim z Tidal conect.
Acrylic ma u zasady ten sam problem co wiim amp - dac zintegrowany ze wzmacniaczem co u podstaw nie ma sensu na dłuższą metę. Tzn, budżetowo na start ok, ale z założeniem w przyszłości wymiany całości na co innego.
Ze świetnym wiimem ultra jako preamp (z Arc) jest problem z pc bo nie obsługuje wejścia pc, no i trochę klops przy takich wymaganiach.
W takim wypadku może sprawdzić sie jako dac z Arc nowy fosi dac zd3, z Arc pod tv plus usb input pod pc, a do tego wiim mini (po optyku) i aiyima a7 max. Lub wyżej/drożej ale do pary i przez balans fosi za3. Tylko taka konfiguracja nie ma bas managementu, co przyszłościowo jest słabym ogniwem. Dobrego systemu audio rozwojowo bez suba nie ma, szczególnie pod tv. Dlatego ja osobiście choć to straszne kombinowanie już jest, ale pc wolał bym podłączyć do wiima ultra przez Toppinga E30 II po analogu (choć z wiima i tak potem sygnał szedł by na fiio), kombinowanie przez dodatkowy element żeby tam wcisnąć pc, ale za to byłby bass management na przyszłość. Albo odpuścić całkiem rozwój z subem w przyszłości i wtedy jak wyżej.
Btw, żeby dźwięk z pc miał sens to tam trzeba pamiętać o exclusive Mode, zamiast kiepskiego toru audio Windowsa.
Gdzie te Fosi można kupić ,jakieś polecane źródło mogę prosić
Allegro. M. In q21 i wiele innych.
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! 👍
I agree that amp A was better. No question.
Before to know the final result was going to write: Hey man!!! You are offending my audiophile ear, the Naim is the A , I can recognice this juicy kind of Naim sound…..
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'm just running in a Aiyima 07 Max 48V - so instantly impressive that I've ordered a second one. same tech as the Fosi. with the savings I am planning a speaker upgrade from my current smallish elacs. no way that I can afford Naim type money.
IMHO, A (the Fosi) sounded better. However, you're only showing it with the Qualio ID O/B's which I've checked and have a reported sensitivity of 89 Db. It'd be interesting to hear them with less sensitive speakers and also in comparison with other, mid-range, class D amps around 3-5 times the price.
Thinking about it, if such midrange amps sounded as good, they're liable to be better built and easier to repair, especially if they're made in the West. They're also more likely to have inbuilt power supplies and hence be tidier. I mean, in my country (the UK) one can get an entry level Class D Nord power amp for around £350 which may end up being a better long-term option providing it sounds as good.
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.
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! :)
A - is much better. Difference is obvious. But aiyima 07 max is three times cheaper, so...
Za3 -Jaką mocą dysponuje w trybie mono/8ohm?? Zmierzoną mocą, a nie katalogową.
def B, no doubt...
Amp A Fosi 100%!!!
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.
Just before you are going to reveal the solution: I like amp B better with every song. Better foundation, better musical flow. - - - Oh, it's the Naim NAP 250. Better, but not better for that price difference...
I've tried em not quite as good as buying used gear for same or less money. Or even freebies.
I hope other reviewers do the same blind test instead of just talking like salesmen.
for me - A
B 👍
i'm gonna have to differ with you on that one !.. i do like the NAIM more , but not enough to justify spending 7 or 8K for it where i can have a closer sound quality for 300 Dollars FOSI ?!. it's is AMAZING what this little thing can do... it is INDEED a lot of Amp for the $$$. as always. another GREAT Demo. thank you .
on a separate note. you have to stop talking good things about the Fosi 😁 ,especially that you're going to introduce your own Amp to the Market in the very near future!!. how are you going to convince us otherwise that the QUALIO Amp will compete with lots of other great equipment out there.. and BTW. is the QUALIO Amp also integrated ?. and will it come with a DAC & Streamer built in ????. thank you again for all you do for us.