Fosi Audio ZP3 Preamplifier Review

[xanalog]

19:30 says it all. Serious omission. Hard to believe.

At the 35minute mark of your ty video, he takes a [rightful] snub at ASR members, who made suggestions at the FOSI-started thread about:

"What a Balance Preamplifier Should Be Like"
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-a-balance-preamplifier-should-be-like.47481/

Incorporating an infinite-rotation volume knob is such a major design flaw, in any (pre- or power-) amplifier; especially lacking visual indications.
It really is a deal breaker and they deserve to get much reputational damage.
I down-graded my vote to PostmanPanther (from the GolfingPanther).

 

[Hipocrates]

Man they drop the ball on this one... why and how on earth this thing came up to production? Unreal.
How no one ask, "Dude, how do you know what volume you got there?" Is hilarious.

 

[shuppatsu]

19:30 says it all. Serious omission. Hard to believe.

Wow, I didn’t realize that The Simpsons’ Comic Book Guy was also a headphone guy.

 

[Power Pop 23]

Blown headphones, blown loudspeakers, blown hearing,.......

I recommend Fosi Audio issue a global stop-sale order on the ZP3 preamp and a recall of all other samples.

 

[Joe Smith]

The more I look at it...this feels like something went seriously awry between the design team and the hardware team. The dot-dent on the volume knob would be interpreted by any normal person as indicating relative volume. If it doesn't, then that indicator is very misleading.

I love the digital volume control on a little SMSL cheap amp I have in my dining room, the AO100, but that unit has a very clear and bright dB readout and is a real pleasure to use without danger of blowing speakers etc.

 

[marevacre]

Thanks for the review! The volume issue can be addressed/mitigated by connecting the ZP3 to an amplifier with volume control, like the ZA3, right? One can set the preamp to its maximum volume and then adjust the volume using the ZA3. However, loosing the convenience of the remote control functionality. While not ideal, it should still work effectively.

 

[Sokel]

I'm kind of sympathetic to fosi as they don't pretend to be something more than they are and that's perfectly fine in my book.

But a pre-amp without an ABSOLUTE indicator of level setting???
That's a joke, right? The no discount or low price who could justify that.

Preamp has one job, to control level. So, where is the level? That's an accident waiting to happen, that's beyond poor and silly votes.

Thanks Amir!

 

[Dumu]

Thanks for the review! The volume issue can be addressed/mitigated by connecting the ZP3 to an amplifier with volume control, like the ZA3, right? One can set the preamp to its maximum volume and then adjust the volume using the ZA3. However, loosing the convenience of the remote control functionality. While not ideal, it should still work effectively.

You lose the remote functionality and the sub out/hpf functionality. Doesn't really leave much to the table.

 

[marevacre]

You lose the remote functionality and the sub out/hpf functionality. Doesn't really leave much to the table.

But you can use the sub out of the ZA3. And, not sure why you say that hpf is lost. Should not be. Just trying to understand…
Anyhow, no excuse for Fosi.

 

[Gio]

Is a preamplifier really helpfull?

 

[welwynnick]

I always look forward to seeing Fosi reviews, but my heart sank when I saw those big H2 & H3 spikes on the RCA FFT.

Maybe Fosi are going for the valve sound?

 

[Dumu]

But you can use the sub out of the ZA3. And, not sure why you say that hpf is lost. Should not be. Just trying to understand…
Anyhow, no excuse for Fosi.

If you use the hpf on the preamp, then you are not sending full range anymore to the power amp and you have nothing to output from the power amp's sub out.

 

[JSmith]

I always look forward to seeing Fosi reviews, but my heart sank when I saw those big H2 & H3 spikes on the RCA FFT.

But they're at -100 & -110dB for RCA in... fairly inaudible territory there though.


JSmith

 

[Haskil]

Is a preamplifier really helpfull?

Yes, precisely to avoid sending the maximum volume into the amp when using certain DACs or software or playback applications whose volume control is difficult to manipulate... But here it's a failure...

 

[marevacre]

If you use the hpf on the preamp, then you are not sending full range anymore to the power amp and you have nothing to output from the power amp's sub out.

Right! Thanks

 

[Dumu]

Is a preamplifier really helpfull?

Depends on the gear you are using. I think this would have been excellent device if the volume control would've been done differently. I would have purchased one or two if not for this flaw.

If your poweramp already has sub outs and multiple inputs and all the other functions, this would still give you the ability to increase the input signal level so you can actually get the rated power from your amplifier. For example, if you connect a TV or a streamer to your poweramp, it is very common that the signal level is so low that your output volume is limited by the gain of your amplifier. Many people then think they need a more powerful amplifier, when in reality they would need a preamp.

 

[mc.god]

??? But you can see the Volume setting immediately by just watching at the orange Volume Knob!
BMW could not do better!!!

Well yes, just like you can guess the day of the month by looking at the clock hands

 

[somebodyelse]

Incorporating an infinite-rotation volume knob is such a major design flaw, in any (pre- or power-) amplifier; especially lacking visual indications.

The real problem is lack of visual indication, made worse in this case by the dimple on the knob giving a misleading visual indication. This is an implementation issue, not a fundamental flaw with infinite rotation knobs. I don't see any complaints about the knob on the Wiim Ultra being infinite rotation, to pick one recent and well regarded example. Most people don't complain about remotes with volume up/down buttons either, which is effectively what an infinite rotation knob is.

 

[DSJR]

Is a preamplifier really helpfull?

I need one! Mine memorizes the last volume level set, so no risk of blasting out accidentally...

 

[totti1965]

Just in case you are serious , that indicator means nothing. The knob will rotate and rotate infinitely.

Yes, I was wrong!
The next mistake I have done, was to delete the message you are referring to. Because I just read your post 30 seconds ago.
So no one can see on which post you are referring!
It’s a mess. Sorry!