Fosi Audio V3 Mono Amplifier Review

[micman12]

Since there’s been some changes to the final version of this product. I think it would neat to see measurements of the final version.

 

[DavidM1]

My expectation would have been that No 4 would get its devices sooner than No 1800...
That was probably a mistake, for which I apologise.

Not a mistake. That promise helped Fosi create urgency around the launch.

Fosi is an online retailer as well as a manufacturer. They can be expected to be capable when filling orders.

The first post in this very thread is quoted extensively in Fosi advertising and they have credited members here for design ideas. Fosi has posted to this thread along the way to answer concerns, although far less since the end of May.

What surprises me is the view that because they used kickstarter their responsibilities have evaporated. I’m sure they don’t see it that way. They aren’t some commercial novice that’s proposed a bicycle bell that checks your email they are a company with numerous product lines and dozens of products. Fosi used kickstarter to better estimate demand and, importantly, to lock in commitment.

I have no issue with those saying Fosi would do better to continue posting here and who have noticed that Fosi haven’t delivered on their promise to the earliest backers.

 

[early rejecter]

Not a mistake. That promise helped Fosi create urgency around the launch.

Did they actually open the campaign with a promise that early backers would get early shipment? If that’s the case, I take back everything I’ve said here, and agree an explanation would be nice. I was fairly early — in the 40s — and certainly don’t remember seeing that I’d be getting any benefit beyond a lower price and a t-shirt, but maybe I missed something.

What surprises me is the view that because they used kickstarter their responsibilities have evaporated.

I think a more honest assessment of the views expressed here is that the responsibilities are different with a Kickstarter, not nonexistent.

 

[DavidM1]

Did they actually open the campaign with a promise that early backers would get early shipment?

Yes, they said they would send them in order of receipt of support.

I think a more honest assessment of the views expressed here is that the responsibilities are different with a Kickstarter, not nonexistent.

A couple of folks in the past few pages have said that on kickstarter you may end up with no reward at all.

 

[EddNog]

Yes, they said they would send them in order of receipt of support.

A couple of folks in the past few pages have said that on kickstarter you may end up with no reward at all.

It is technically correct; with Kickstarter fundraisers, the rewards are NOT guaranteed. Of course, there should be a realistic expectation with a company like Fosi that you’ll get your rewards sooner or later (of course, preferably sooner).

-Ed

 

[avdoc]

I just wanted to let everyone know I received my reward today, I was backer #24. I received everything that was promised (2 amps with 2 power supplies, t-shirt, and 2 op amp chips). I have tested both amps and they are functioning. There is slight hiss coming out of the tweeter on the speaker I've been using to test them, but it's a Klipsch and extremely sensitive and I'm using a headphone to RCA adapter out of my computer, so I'm not surprised there's some background noise. I'm planning to test them using a couple extra sets of Magnepan speakers I have lying around before using them in my main system, but so far, so good. The only negative I would say is that I was NOT informed the amps were delivered. I received a tracking number from Fosi and checked this morning, but there was no update. Fortunately, there was no rain and the package was not stolen off my front porch. BTW, my last name starts with a "B" and I live in Ohio.

 

[Doodski]

planning to test them using a couple extra sets of Magnepan speakers

Very cool. Let us know here what it runs like. How is the power output? Is it enough? Are there speaker low impedance issues with the amps, do they run hot with the Magnepans and whatever else you can think up too.

 

[DavidM1]

Very cool. Let us know here what it runs like. How is the power output? Is it enough? Are there speaker low impedance issues with the amps, do they run hot with the Magnepans and whatever else you can think up too.

And… is there a pop either when starting from the switch or when starting from auto? Thanks!

 

[EddNog]

And… is there a pop either when starting from the switch or when starting from auto? Thanks!

Have not experienced any severe pops when the auto start kicks. However, I am pushing mere KEF LS50 Metas.

-Ed

 

[avdoc]

And… is there a pop either when starting from the switch or when starting from auto? Thanks!

I have not heard a pop coming from the speaker, but there is a click from the unit itself after turning it on. I am not using the auto setting as I heard there was a high current draw while it's in standby. Interestingly, on the outside of the box it says there's an 18 month warranty but the manual states 24 months. My understanding after purchase was that it's 2 years, so I'm assuming the 18 month statement on the box is incorrect. As long as there are no issues, I'm planning to do critical A/B testing in my main system tomorrow (Magnepan 2.5R speakers using pre-outs from my Pioneer Elite SC-LX901 receiver). So far, the only comment I can make is that I don't hear anything out of the ordinary, but I prefer the sound of the 25dB gain over the 31dB. To my ears, the 31dB sounds congested and more forward/pushed.

 

[I_L_Music]

A proverb saying goes at my place “The fun that lies in waiting, is not there in seeing”.
I think we should enjoy the waiting period and not put too much pressure on Fosi for shipment. I don’t think they will any benifits in delaying the shipments. In fact, too much pressure from customers may force them to take shortcuts and affect the quality of the product, so it is in our interest to not put too much pressure.

We should enjoy the wait and request other members, who has received the product to keep on sharing the sound impressions. This is what I think..

 

[gazza58]

arrived today with 2x5A
after 2 hours of operation instead of the fosi ZA3
better curtain in width and depth
qobuz bitperfect with pi4 with I2S out card on smsl do300ex as pre-dac
almost excessive power with my Borea BR8
with heat gun max temperature from 49° above, up to 36 below

 

[Chipk]

I am perceiving an improvement with the monoblocks over my Fosi V3. I have a wiim mini->schiit modi dac->fosi amp(s)->
Elac DBR-62. I am just liking the sound better.

Much bigger sound improvement than the orange knob!

 

[Mr_Jman]

I got mine 6 days now .. end i am very happy! compaired to the sabaj a30a they have a wider soundstage, the channel separation is much beter and darker background .. they have more detail and beter imaging then the a30a.

Im not hearing any hiss or poping .. im using it with a smsl d6s usb only with xlr.

 

[Pecottye]

Just got a set V3 mono's with 5A power supply's, twin Muses 02 opamps and t-shirt. I switched my pledge from single 10A power supply to dual mono when the message came out that there would be a extra unit between the power supply and mono's. That switch was registered loose from the kickstarter campain via e-mail and possible the reason that I got mine send quite quickly.
The improvement over a XTZ A2-300 via RCA in my system is significant. Especially with dual Muses 02 opamps per unit. Nice open soundstage, tight bass but less than the XTZ.

System:
Wiim pro - Sanskrit pro panda dac - Home made 5751 tube pre-amp - fosi mono's (31db) => Aliante 10" via wondom DSP Mirage Class D subamp and Ellam XT's with over the top filter (troelsgravesen)

What I do find is that they run quite hot, almost not to touch after a few hours of background playing. Roomtemperature about 25°C.
Besides that, one of my RCA cables had a loose ground and I got a loud popping and hissing threw the whole system when I connected that V3 mono. So, check your cables

 

[Mr_Jman]

What I do find is that they run quite hot, almost not to touch after a few hours of background playing. Roomtemperature about 25°C

on a hot day mine got up to 43°C with a roomtemp of around 31°C and 40°C with roomtemp at 25°C so pretty stable i think nothing to crazy

 

[VTHokie83]

Just received mine as well, 3 V3 Monos with 3 5A PSUs, and a couple of op amps. I know there is some confusion on deliveries, but it's not overly surprising to me.....1900 orders and most were for multiple amplifiers, going from zero to delivering 1000 amps a week or so does not seem out of the norm to me. I won't be able to hook mine up for several weeks, so no input on SQ.....but the build quality seems excellent for such an inexpensive product

 

[EddNog]

....but the build quality seems excellent for such an inexpensive product

Agreed! Better than ZA3, which cost more yet multiple people I’ve seen had their RCA connectors come clean off. That’s a joke.

-Ed

 

[drmevo]

Mine just arrived out of nowhere! I never received any kind of shipping notification, or any communication at all, directly from Fosi (I did get all of the usual notifications from Kickstarter). So, anyone still waiting might have them show up at your doorstep randomly.

 

[Hot Mason]

How was the experience of purchasing and using it? I would like to purchase two units as well.