Fosi PH-05 Headphone Distribution Amplifier

[Franzois]

I am the guilty-party for buying this FOSI PH05 on a whim.

I baited @amirm to test it, because I was going back to strictly 2-channel audio and walled-away from multi-channel A/V system hook-ups.

I was also planning to replace all of my current multi-channel Rotel A/V separates-based system to one that does not strictly rely on a software/update driven monstrosity that I feel most current A/V systems have become.
I figured that I can feed four (4) separate zones in the house for music from/to a variety of audio sources that we have access to: PCs, Server, NAS, DAP, mobile, SXM, cable, streaming, and mobile... using a shared/hybrid local (PoE/Cat6+) Dante network and adapters.
I have been using the Dante network for a few years, and it truly outshines the rest of my network hardware/software for uptime. Even when the rest of the network is down, the Dante I/F nodes continue to perform.

I also decided that this revised audio system will be balanced (XLR) interfaces to the maximum extent possible.
It also had to be based on stereo hardware which were small, dirt-cheap but w/2024 level of competency in technical performance.
After seeing the performance and test results of this FOSI PH05, I decided that it will NOT work for its originally intended task.
I need to feed a stereo-pair of RCAs (single-ended) audio simultaneously to two (2) different 2-channel loads that are now XLR inputs (balanced).
A 4-channel Direct Box.
I did not like the idea of a 'y-splitter' cable and/or "2in-4out" transformer-coupling and this PH05 does not match the performance and features I desire.

I am considering the purchase of either the RadialEng'g J+4 or the HenryEng'g Matchbox HD which are more costly than the SMSL D100Pro or FOSI ZD3 and ZA3, that they maybe be used with.
I also don't see any ART boxes which provide an active L/R RCA input with dual-L/R XLR outputs. ART is more inline with my budget.

Any suggestions for other such active DI boxes would be much appreciated.

I have a similar use case. In this case, the box is not used as a headphone distribution amplifier but only as a distribution amplifier plugged into high input impedance amplifiers.

So the performance we should look at is the 2V in / 2V out one, i.e. a 90dB Sinad.

Is this correct, or I am making a mistake somewhere?

 

[dziemian]

My scenario is watching movies at night with my spouse while chikdren are sleeping using headphones. I dont need 5 outputs though but a decent two.

 

[DavidK442]

My wife and I use headphones with a Behringer HA400 to watch projected movies at night in the backyard. I shudder to imagine it’s measurements, but any distortion is probably drown out by crickets anyway.

 

[dziemian]

I have a few of these lying around.
View attachment 396519
I use the box as a stand for my light, other than that I no longer have a use for them. These are primarily targeted at the pro audio scene and used to be fairly common (may still be). I’d be happy to send one in for testing, didn’t think people would be interested previously.


Link:

Aphex Technology - Making Your World Sound Better

Aphex technology is used in a wide range of pro audio and prosumer applications for music, video, gaming and communications; and are licensed into a variety of audio, entertainment and communications products.

aphex.com

What is the quality of this product? I need one and hesitate between Aphex Headpod 4 and Fosi PH05 from the thread.

 

[Tatteredmidnight]

What is the quality of this product? I need one and hesitate between Aphex Headpod 4 and Fosi PH05 from the thread.

If memory serves the build quality is pretty high with a full metal enclosure. The knobs aren’t the most robust but are fit for purpose. I would say physically the units are acceptable/robust but not luxurious. It’s been a number of years since I’ve taken one out and looked at it though. If you are OK with the high listed output impedance and lack of verified measurements it seemed to be a fine. It seemed to deliver a lot of power as well compared to the Fosi, if you can find one at good price and are ok with the above caveats it should do the job.