Fosi Audio S3….serious streamer?

[yuting]

我想要一台配备 HDMI 和 XLR 接口的 Pro Plus，或者一台配备 AirPlay 和 XLR 接口的 Ultra，并且带触摸屏。看起来 S3 符合我的需求。

大多数单声道或双声道 TPA3255 PBTL 带 PFFB 放大器都配有 XLR 接口，而一些 Purifi/Hypex 放大器仅配有 XLR 接口。

thank you ,why you want a display ,how you use it ?

 

[perceptionist]

thank you ,why you want a display ,how you use it ?

Minus touch screen, means I don't want a touch screen. Already got S3 and happily using it.

 

[yuting]

就我所见，S3 的 DAC 和模拟电路部分比 Wiim Ultra 更胜一筹。
这款运算放大器的实现方式应该更好，而且它的电压摆幅比Ultra系列更高。它的总谐波失真加噪声（THD+N）和失真度更低，动态范围也更广。它还配备了XLR接口，如果有人需要的话……

如果我对 ASR 的规格和测量结果理解正确的话（使用 Fosi 的其他采用相同芯片组的 DAC 作为基准），那么 S3 的 SQ 上限比 Ultra HW 有更高的潜力。
所以如果 Fosi 能解决串流器部分的问题，那它就会比 Ultra 更好。

我想要的是能够对主输出进行高通滤波。否则，除非你的低音炮非常基础或者非常老旧，没有分频器控制，否则低音炮输出就完全没用了……我的低音炮有分频器控制，所以如果没有高通滤波，低音炮输出就相当于直接在RCA输出上接一个分线器……

感谢您对Fosi流媒体产品的关注。我们投入了大量研发资源，致力于声学调校和专业连接。我们诚挚地邀请您试用我们的产品，亲身体验其卓越的音质。再次感谢您的支持。

 

[Joe Smith]

For me, the S3 is working very well in my main living room setup, replacing a WiiM Mini puck. My streaming is via Spotify Connect so the lack of a screen does not bother me. Due to the positioning (right below our TV screen), I would not want an always-on display. I can use the optical connection either for TV out or CD transport out. It would have been nice to have separate input points for optical and HDMI, but it is OK as is - I found I just need to use the Fosi app to activate optical over HDMI, the light can be on in the unit but you still need to use the app to make it use one or the other.

Sound quality is excellent and the wireless connection to our upstairs router was easy, signal is strong.

In the future, I hope to make use of the XLR outputs, for now I'm just using RCA to connect with my amp/receiver.

 

[jareinertson]

For me, the S3 is working very well in my main living room setup, replacing a WiiM Mini puck. My streaming is via Spotify Connect so the lack of a screen does not bother me. Due to the positioning (right below our TV screen), I would not want an always-on display. I can use the optical connection either for TV out or CD transport out. It would have been nice to have separate input points for optical and HDMI, but it is OK as is - I found I just need to use the Fosi app to activate optical over HDMI, the light can be on in the unit but you still need to use the app to make it use one or the other.

Sound quality is excellent and the wireless connection to our upstairs router was easy, signal is strong.

In the future, I hope to make use of the XLR outputs, for now I'm just using RCA to connect with my amp/receiver.

Is the HDMI input the key attraction or what other features caused you to replace the Mini?

 

[Joe Smith]

Is the HDMI input the key attraction or what other features caused you to replace the Mini?

Frankly, Fosi offered me a unit to demo and test out for them...the Mini was working fine, and I will incorporate it into my sunporch system once this spring weather settles down. I do like the WiiM app a lot.

I think the HDMI connection is useful, also the XLR outputs...while I am not using now, may have need of in the future...

The other plus is the AKM dac, I think that and the other chipset of the S3 is better than the Mini overall.

 

[jareinertson]

Frankly, Fosi offered me a unit to demo and test out for them...the Mini was working fine, and I will incorporate it into my sunporch system once this spring weather settles down. I do like the WiiM app a lot.

I think the HDMI connection is useful, also the XLR outputs...while I am not using now, may have need of in the future...

The other plus is the AKM dac, I think that and the other chipset of the S3 is better than the Mini overall.

Thanks. I also like the WiiM S/W. I only use the OPT out of my Mini to an external DAC. I agree the FOSI DAC chip and analog outs would provide better performance then using the Mini analog outs.

 

[morillon]

Thanks. I also like the WiiM S/W. I only use the OPT out of my Mini to an external DAC. I agree the FOSI DAC chip and analog outs would provide better performance then using the Mini analog outs.

The Mini and the Pro...same chip TI pcm5121.. ( modest)
"Plus" and S3...same AKM DAC 4493SEQ
Ultra DAC ESS...ES9038Q2M

;-)

 

[Joe Smith]

The Mini and the Pro...same chip TI pcm5121.. ( modest)
"Plus" and S3...same AKM DAC 4493SEQ
Ultra DAC ESS...ES9038Q2M

;-)

I can't hear a difference between the current ESS and AKM chips...I like both my Atom+ DAC (ESS) as well as Schiit Modi 3 (AKM), Fosi Q6 (AKM4493S) and the S3 (AMK4493SEQ). I had been using the Mini without outical out to DAC and it sounded pretty good that way. Now in my upstairs rig, I have it going optical in to my Atom+.

For value and basic streaming functionality, the Mini is still a good thing...

 

[jareinertson]

I can't hear a difference between the current ESS and AKM chips...I like both my Atom+ DAC (ESS) as well as Schiit Modi 3 (AKM), Fosi Q6 (AKM4493S) and the S3 (AMK4493SEQ). I had been using the Mini without outical out to DAC and it sounded pretty good that way. Now in my upstairs rig, I have it going optical in to my Atom+.

For value and basic streaming functionality, the Mini is still a good thing...

Agreed and it has worked flawlessly since I unboxed. All updates have been trouble free and added functionality. No complaints.

 

[morillon]

I can't hear a difference between the current ESS and AKM chips...I like both my Atom+ DAC (ESS) as well as Schiit Modi 3 (AKM), Fosi Q6 (AKM4493S) and the S3 (AMK4493SEQ). I had been using the Mini without outical out to DAC and it sounded pretty good that way. Now in my upstairs rig, I have it going optical in to my Atom+.

For value and basic streaming functionality, the Mini is still a good thing...

I can't really talk about comparing ESS/AKM...
here, I don't have an Ultra to compare to my "Plus" (modified 1612 for fun)...
but for me, my Mini on its internal DAC is really not very good... I was using an external DAC...

Our requirements, listening habits, and music preferences just seem different... that's all.
;-)
(Even the old Chromecast from 2014 was a bit better with its internal DAC of mini.Perhaps Wiim could consider a nice hardware revision of the Mini... their first experience dates back to 2021... it would be a good idea I think)

Come back to s3...

 

[morillon]

Post in thread 'Fosi Audio S3….serious streamer?' https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...audio-s3…-serious-streamer.69978/post-2559973

Post in thread 'Fosi Audio S3….serious streamer?' https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...audio-s3…-serious-streamer.69978/post-2559204


?

For hardware...

line input, no ADC... direct to analog output via the potentiometer?
Approach to level/gain adjustment... ?
how is it done?
What type of potentiometer is it?
Where is it located in the signal path?
Thanks

 

[Joe Smith]

Yes, agree, different needs...great that we have so many equipment choices available!

The main value in a streamer for me over bluetooth is, frankly, power savings for my phone when listening to Spotify in rooms other than my main workroom system. I can use the phone as control but the streamer is doing the "work." I still use BT occasionally on my dining room amp (SMSL AO100) and upstairs bedroom (currently with Fosi BT20a MAX). Both of these BT connections are good and the sound quality "good enough" for casual listening. We are in a 1916 home so many rooms, no easy way to do a multi-room single system, so I have a lot of separate setups.

I don't use PEQ, if Fosi does release a 10-band EQ on the S3, I will probably adjust the EQ for the living room a bit, but my rooms don't require a lot of EQ. (Good speaker placement clearing furniture, I don't use subwoofers, floors are carpeted and there are draperies, so not a lot of hard, bouncy surfaces.)

 

[Pearljam5000]

Sorry for the stupid question
But does it have a remote?

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Sorry for the stupid question
But does it have a remote?

Yes it does.

 

[EfrenSanani]

Here's a slightly silly question: What does the volume knob feel like? Is it a stepped encoder or just a potentiometer?
Best regards

 

[Joe Smith]

Like a stepped encoder.

 

[aikofan]

Speaking of volume, is the volume controlled in the DAC chip?

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Speaking of volume, is the volume controlled in the DAC chip?

For sure it is digital volume control

 

[yuting]

Speaking of volume, is the volume controlled in the DAC chip?

is in the SOC