Fosi Audio V3 Mono Amplifier Review

[GoDawgs]

I'm not getting the obsession with this product.

We Kickstarters in the Fosi Mono V3 are the pioneers, we put our money where our mouths are. We invested in the amp that was promising:

• no load dependency
• high power output
• low, low SINAD
• simple power & output controls
• low cost
• distortion = inaudible @ -115 dB
• auto on
• balanced output

We have withstood the criticisms of our peers and trolls, we coexist with the ‘tweakers’ (of op-amps) in a peaceable and somewhat kindred fashion. We have stood strong against overheating rumors, power supply uncertainties, shipping angsts, equipment and cable adjustments or swaps.

Don’t hate, celebrate.

 

[HoweSound]

Backer #450. Received my shipping notice this morning - two V3 amps, two 5A power supplies.

 

[Kayshot]

For those who aren't getting any results when clicking the tracking link (courier not found):

Try entering the tracking number on the parcelsapp website. It showed for me that mine is being shipped thru DHL.

 

[mike70]

I won't understand why people needs agreement from everyone else to justify their decisions.
You think you need / want the monos? Buy it.
You don't? Don't buy it.

That's all.
The technical details / use cases were discussed extensively.

 

[antcollinet]

Don’t hate, celebrate.

There is always AI.

 

[Talisman]

There is always AI. View attachment 378796

I want it with the orange knob

 

[EddNog]

I want it with the orange knob

Specifically if it’s properly AI-generated, it will be a V3 Mono and still somehow have an orange knob.

-Ed

 

[Jtabos]

There you have, orange knob ...and close to the speaker

 

[antcollinet]

I want it with the orange knob

Your wish....

Plus a few other copper coloured bits and pieces

 

[Endibol]

Next up people are going to start posting their impressions swapping op amps. Ugh.

Let them have their fun! That's what this hobby is all about, right?

 

[korgua]

Well, let's start off with some great news....the two monos + two 5A arrived, tracked all the way to the UK ( Backer 469 ) with emails then SMS from Royal Mail. Thank you Fosi.

This is my first post on the forum so a) admin, please make this a sticky b) thank you to everyone who contributes information to these forums, really is very useful for making informed decisions.

Now the best news....the monos are outstanding....could not be happier.

I have hooked them up via RCAs ( XLR>TRS being made in my man cave real soon ) to an SMSL C200. Speakers are Dali Mentor Menuet....4ohm 86dB. I play FLACs over USB from a mini PC through the DAC

Playing some of my favourite tracks that are known for their audiofilliness ( that is a word now ).....well, f'ing superb. The sound is magical.....could not be happier. Not bothered in trying to explain the sound, have listened to enough gear over the decades to know what I like and recognise 'quality'

I don't know what moving from RCA to XLR will improve...if anything.....and I will be swapping the sh@tty 72 strand speaker cable out.

Worth noting....they are 43 degree C when warmed up, even without anything playing anything, unless you put them into auto mode.

My Smart plug reports 35W of the UK's finest grid juice is used by the mini PC / SMSL DAC and two monos....regardless of how loud I go. Seems very low but I have no reason not to believe the smart plug.....use them on all sorts of projects. Power consumption drops to 18W when the monos are sleeping.

I hear a small click / pop just before the next track plays. I am using Windows PC with Squeezelite player using SMSL as "USB DAC ASIO"

Overall, over the moon and look forward to some new cables.

I hope you enjoy the photo

 

[antcollinet]

This is my first post on the forum so a) admin, please make this a sticky

Welcome to the forum. But posts in threads cannot be made sticky - on the other hand there is nothing to make them go anywhere unless you break moderation guidelines - which you have not.

Not bothered in trying to explain the sound, have listened to enough gear over the decades to know what I like and recognise 'quality'

Yep

I don't know what moving from RCA to XLR will improve...if anything.....

If you are not currently hearing ground loop noise (eg Hum or hiss from the PC) then nothing. Though will give you double volts if needed.

 

[korgua]

Welcome to the forum. But posts in threads cannot be made sticky - on the other hand there is nothing to make them go anywhere unless you break moderation guidelines - which you have not.



Yep



If you are not currently hearing ground loop noise (eg Hum or hiss from the PC) then nothing. Though will give you double volts if needed.

Thank you, my sticky request was my idea of humour, sorry about that

 

[antcollinet]

Thank you, my sticky request was my idea of humour, sorry about that

Sorry - that went wooosh.

 

[Tatr76]

Well, let's start off with some great news....the two monos + two 5A arrived, tracked all the way to the UK ( Backer 469 ) with emails then SMS from Royal Mail. Thank you Fosi.

This is my first post on the forum so a) admin, please make this a sticky b) thank you to everyone who contributes information to these forums, really is very useful for making informed decisions.

Now the best news....the monos are outstanding....could not be happier.

I have hooked them up via RCAs ( XLR>TRS being made in my man cave real soon ) to an SMSL C200. Speakers are Dali Mentor Menuet....4ohm 86dB. I play FLACs over USB from a mini PC through the DAC

Playing some of my favourite tracks that are known for their audiofilliness ( that is a word now ).....well, f'ing superb. The sound is magical.....could not be happier. Not bothered in trying to explain the sound, have listened to enough gear over the decades to know what I like and recognise 'quality'

I don't know what moving from RCA to XLR will improve...if anything.....and I will be swapping the sh@tty 72 strand speaker cable out.

Worth noting....they are 43 degree C when warmed up, even without anything playing anything, unless you put them into auto mode.

My Smart plug reports 35W of the UK's finest grid juice is used by the mini PC / SMSL DAC and two monos....regardless of how loud I go. Seems very low but I have no reason not to believe the smart plug.....use them on all sorts of projects. Power consumption drops to 18W when the monos are sleeping.

I hear a small click / pop just before the next track plays. I am using Windows PC with Squeezelite player using SMSL as "USB DAC ASIO"

Overall, over the moon and look forward to some new cables.

I hope you enjoy the photo

View attachment 378808

How long to ship to UK? Just got notification mine are on the way.

 

[korgua]

How long to ship to UK? Just got notification mine are on the way.

Shipped 18th, arrived at Royal Mail 29th, delivered 1st July

 

[SMen]

I'm not getting the obsession with this product.

There are lots of use cases with two mini monoblocks like this.

They fit nicely under a television with the speakers on either side, and pre-amp / dac / phono pre + turntable meters away next to the listener ... or just say, on a whim, someone might want to try difficult to drive magneplanars or such.

Previously the only solution would have been power amplifiers costing many times the price of these Fosi V3 monos. The whim would have remained a whim.

People have commented about the heat, and class AB ... what about heat and Class A ... driving Magnepans? Never mind any speaker below 90 DB.

Game changers for those of us who took the plunge on kickstarter ... (just wish mine would hurry up )

 

[Megaken]

Is there a guide for changing op amps?

 

[DavidMcRoy]

There are lots of use cases with two mini monoblocks like this.

They fit nicely under a television with the speakers on either side, and pre-amp / dac / phono pre + turntable meters away next to the listener ... or just say, on a whim, someone might want to try difficult to drive magneplanars or such.

Previously the only solution would have been power amplifiers costing many times the price of these Fosi V3 monos. The whim would have remained a whim.

People have commented about the heat, and class AB ... what about heat and Class A ... driving Magnepans? Never mind any speaker below 90 DB.

Game changers for those of us who took the plunge on kickstarter ... (just wish mine would hurry up )

I have been driving “diffiicult load” Acoustat Spectra 1100s in a mode of operation that results in a 1 Ohm load at very high frequencies with Fosi V3 Stereo amps with no problems. The V3 Monos are going to work fine.

A Magnepan is not a difficult load, being primarily resistive at about 4 to 6 Ohms across the spectrum. They just like a lot of peak power, and I’m confident the V2 Monos will work.

 

[GoDawgs]

Is there a guide for changing op amps?

No official guide, that I'm aware of, on this forum although you may get some pointers by searching through other threads.