Fosi Audio ZP3 Preamplifier Review

[somebodyelse]

Welcome @OC6Huki - since you seem to be using balanced interconnects all round, one or more of the components is probably not following AES48 and has a 'Pin 1 Problem'. There's a good chance it's the ZP3 but it could be one or more of the others in a way that doesn't cause a problem in that combination. You can find out for sure which component(s) aren't following standard using the method in Jensen Transformers' Application Note AN007 sections 3.3 and 3.4 if you can do a bit of DIY. If the Outlaw has a ground lift switch then you could try that - the ZP3 doesn't. Another option would be to try a cable with the shield disconnected from pin 1 at the receiving end - see AN007 section 3.6 for why it's the receiving end not the source end. Failing that, see the transformer isolation proposed in AN007 section 3.5.

 

[gino1961]

Hi to All ! sorry to jump in but i am very interested in this little unit I have already a P4 that i like a lot
But the idea of getting a unit also with balanced connection is inviting
First i really do not understand the need of tone control given that the best measurements are with them bypassed
I guess that the circuit should be similar to that of the P4 but the THD using rcas is surprising me
The main attraction for me is the use of a chip for the volume control I strongly believe in these chips Many cheap pots have unbalance issues
Is there anyone using a ZP3 through XLRs with satisfaction ?
thank you very much

 

[Schlippwhip68]

If Fosi revise the ZP3 to iron out the obvious flaws then it will be in my crosshairs when they do. I like the balanced option as well as the sub out which the current P4 negates. I use the P4 from time to time and have to say the tone controls are better than expected, certainly a big step up in actual tonal shift over many of the integrated amps I have tried, quite a clean sound to be fair. The opa828 has excellent bass control and sits well in the P4.

If a MK2 version were to arrive then I would hope Fosi would revise the side panels. For those whom don't believe in rolling op amps then not touching the amp is not a concern but to negate the option altogether for opinion strikes me as a little unfair all round. In my meagre experience rolling op amps makes enough of a difference to either make or break a deal. To leave the option available does not impede on any performance of the product. Those side panels, imo, are awful and an hinderance at best for the 'Rollers' among us like myself. The also look a little cheap. I would stick to the matt metal panel and allow easy access to the internal board.
In regard to the tone controls, either clean up the sound with better implementation and better parts or just drop the tone control altogether from the unit.

If this unit is as clean, when bypassing the tone control, as this review claims then the opa828 should theoretically at least, shine in the ZP3! The opa828 is a super clean, neutral op amp with excellent frequency control especially in the bass. I haven't found an op amp that comes close to the control that chip has over the bass yet. I use them in both my Fosi P4 and Douk Audio P7 pre amps. If the unit is revised to house better access into the PCB (dropping the glossy side panels) better volume implementation and maybe revised tone control purity then I would probably zero in like a Pit Bull on a Rabbit sandwich but for now its a just a quick snack that I can avoid quite easily.
My Douk Audio P7 with the opa828 and replacement Psvane Horizon 12ax7-AT valves is already do a suprerb job of feeding my Audiolab M-PWR power amp via balanced connection. The advantage of the ZP3 is balanced input and sub out in this case, but even without balanced in on the P7 (it converts the single line signal internally) the P7 provides a balanced out. No option of a sub out on the P7.

The volume dial is obvious, I am not sure why they didn't use the same analogue control as the P4 but apparently there is a reason somewhere...?

.

 

[Joe Smith]

I've recently given Fosi the feedback that if they can solve/revise the volume control issue with the ZP3, with subsequent products, they will make a lot of people happy.

I love the idea of having more low-level volume control, but the danger of having no readout of the set volume when you turn this unit on - is just not good.

The volume controls on both the P4 and the new amp BT20a MAX are nice to use, but give poor control at low volumes (not granular, some channel imbalances).

 

[Pulkass]

I have posted before on this pre amp noise, but cant find my posts, how to do actually? Anyway l have changed, position, system, to the ZP3, it plays on my main system now, no noise at all, bypass is set not to have tone controls, a rather good pre amp, very silent, horrible volume control !!! I will make a comparison to the Aiyima T20 which l also own, regarding mid highs resolution, which seems better on the ZP3.

 

[Pulkass]

Hi to All ! sorry to jump in but i am very interested in this little unit I have already a P4 that i like a lot
But the idea of getting a unit also with balanced connection is inviting
First i really do not understand the need of tone control given that the best measurements are with them bypassed
I guess that the circuit should be similar to that of the P4 but the THD using rcas is surprising me
The main attraction for me is the use of a chip for the volume control I strongly believe in these chips Many cheap pots have unbalance issues
Is there anyone using a ZP3 through XLRs with satisfaction ?
thank you very much

I use it with XLR - in - Out. Since l use an electronic x over. Only XLR present. And 4 amps. They have all XLR.

 

[Schlippwhip68]

I have posted before on this pre amp noise, but cant find my posts, how to do actually? Anyway l have changed, position, system, to the ZP3, it plays on my main system now, no noise at all, bypass is set not to have tone controls, a rather good pre amp, very silent, horrible volume control !!! I will make a comparison to the Aiyima T20 which l also own, regarding mid highs resolution, which seems better on the ZP3.

I will look forward to that comparison. IMO there is an acceptable difference between Solid State and Valve based preamp.

I have an Fosi P4 and an Douk Audio P7 and both are great with obvious difference. The P7 has a little more background noise than the P4. The P4 has a a slightly more resolute overall sound signature but with the valves the P7 has a little more depth, space and warmth in the soundstage.

I considered the ZP3 but can happily live with the P4 for the extra connectivity and more appropriate volume adjustment. I would like to see Fosi revise the ZP3 allowing better consumer integration where the op amps are concerned, the rectification of the volume knob and maybe an extra set of RCA inputs.

 

[PC Audio Lover]

For those looking for some of the features of the Fosi ZP3 but can't live with some of the issues (no volume control indicator, hiss when using HPF, etc.) Emotiva just released a similar pre-amp product in their Differential Reference Design Series called the DRP-1.

It's a lot more expensive (feels overpriced this day and age), but I'm sure it's probably quality. Loses some features of the ZP3 like tone controls (I find those clunky anyway and would rather use parametric EQ), but it adds a LPF, a phono input, etc. Pretty close though in terms of functionality. I'm curious to see some measurements/reviews.

 

[gino1961]

I use it with XLR - in - Out. Since l use an electronic x over. Only XLR present. And 4 amps. They have all XLR.

Hi sorry for the belated thank you very much I have the P4 already but i have dacs also with XLR outs So i am still thinking about to get one ZP3
a little more expensive another option could be the new Gustard/Audalytic HP70

 

[Schlippwhip68]

I have posted before on this pre amp noise, but cant find my posts, how to do actually? Anyway l have changed, position, system, to the ZP3, it plays on my main system now, no noise at all, bypass is set not to have tone controls, a rather good pre amp, very silent, horrible volume control !!! I will make a comparison to the Aiyima T20 which l also own, regarding mid highs resolution, which seems better on the ZP3.

Which valves are you using in the T20? I ask because I switched the stock Psvanes out for the Psvane 12ax7-AT and they made a big difference. Better bass control, more detailed mids and accurate highs. I swapped out the P4 today in my main system and popped in the Douk Audio P7 with the 12ax7-AT valves and opa828. The added depth to the sound signature is very pleasing.

 

[Pulkass]

Which valves are you using in the T20? I ask because I switched the stock Psvanes out for the Psvane 12ax7-AT and they made a big difference. Better bass control, more detailed mids and accurate highs. I swapped out the P4 today in my main system and popped in the Douk Audio P7 with the 12ax7-AT valves and opa828. The added depth to the sound signature is very pleasing.

I m using TUBE AMP DOCTOR s RED BASE balanced matched---I cannot find PsVane 12axt7 T ---only S Art Series

 

[Schlippwhip68]

I m using TUBE AMP DOCTOR s RED BASE balanced matched---I cannot find PsVane 12axt7 T ---only S Art Series

PSVANE Horizon 12AX7-AT / ECC83 Vacuum Tube

PSVANE HORIZON 12AX7-AT vacuum tube features enhanced internal structure for low noise, precise sound, and superior stability in high-end audio systems.

psvane.co

Prices include shipping and tariffs with 5% off for new customers.

 

[Pulkass]

PSVANE Horizon 12AX7-AT / ECC83 Vacuum Tube

PSVANE HORIZON 12AX7-AT vacuum tube features enhanced internal structure for low noise, precise sound, and superior stability in high-end audio systems.

psvane.co

Prices include shipping and tariffs with 5% off for new customers.

Many thanks, I bought them. I actually want a brighter aggressive song, in yer faCE...SUPER DETAILED

 

[Schlippwhip68]

Many thanks, I bought them. I actually want a brighter aggressive song, in yer faCE...SUPER DETAILED

Match these with the opa828 in the T20 and you will have a bucket load of detail, excellent bass control and clarity. Your amp and speaker will be the deciding factor as to wether the sound is reserved or upfront.

I will be bagging another T20 later in the year but right now I am using the valves/op amps in the Douk Audio P7 (powered by 12v iFi Power X) which is connected to an Audiolab M-PWR power amp which is feeding a pair of Q Acoustic 5020’s. Good cabling too and filter tweaks on the PC and Ethernet.

No complaints here.

Opa828 Dual version and single. It’s the dual version ( x 3 ) for the T20.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EwDLGf2

 

[Zetti]

This seems like a somewhat niche product for people that already have a DAC, balanced main monitors and a subwoofer with no analog output. And who also do not want to pay $700 dollars for an alternative solution. I have the Fosi ZH3, so I could send signal to both mains and subwoofer at the same time, but this limits bass management.

Oh, and the cool folks at Fosi are selling directly in Brazil, bypassing the typical ~100% tariff on imports we have around here (I kid you not).

That small subset of people include me, btw, so I am tempted to try.

 

[Pulkass]

I have it. It performs very well. Very silent. Very detailed. Cheap but good.

 

[jhalmos]

I also have one. You get used to the volume thing but you're always using your ears, or if I need to, a dB app on my iPhone to dial the volume in for mastering comparisons. The balance was essential for me, to deal with a very minor acoustic issue in my room. I have the balance knob turned about 3/16ths to the left and I now have dead-center imaging (I needed to keep the speakers symmetrically positioned). It really really gets out of the way as a great pre-amp should, BUT, I would have liked another 10 - 20% gain—I just don't want to max the gain on my 845 SET.

 

[Chanur]

Maybe I'm the only one but I love the black and orange color scheme. It's a shame the volume was so poorly implemented. I think if it wasn't this would have been the go to Preamp for the majority of people.

 

[nn_in]

Perhaps it is just "clearer". I again hooked up my Audiolab 7000a integrated today for a listen, but honestly it's a nice amp but just not very "dynamic" compared to the fosi'hypex duo. They're just so much more lively and engaging to the point where I get bored when listening to the Audiolab for too long. I assume this is kind of normal for low-mid fi amplifiers, otherwise there'd be no reason to upgrade (funny how my "upgrade" has cost me substantially less). I do wish I had discovered what was possible with better value online products earlier, but you can't just walk into a shop and audition them (usually). Same with my speakers - discovered hand built lower cost speakers made right here in Australia which hands down beat the off-the-shelf B&W's and Quads I had previously.

True with Audiolab.Iam using 9000A and inserting a Fosi preamp does bring up the liveliness .Wiim pro plus analog out to p4 to 9000A analog in. Most of the time wiim coax is connected to 9000A coax in.

 

[jayapple]

Guys, I have two subwoofers, but this one only has one low-frequency output. Can I split this one output into two to connect to both subwoofers? Has anyone tried this before? Will it work? Will the low-pass filter still function properly?