FOSI S3 Balanced Streamer Review

[OrangeWalrus]

I guess this is part of what I am asking. What do I HAVE to do to make this work? Right now it's a $210 hunk-o-junk.

This is about narrowing down possible issues. You are assuming the problem is with the S3. That might be the problem, but you might also have a network issue. My question about Chromecast or UPnP was to help figure out if you have an intranet or internet issue.

Unfortunately, streaming devices are not plug and play - we all have to act the part of home IT administrator. I certainly had my share of network issues setting up my S3.

 

[redjr]

I have another question... Can you set the default startup input? Until the S3 is roon certified I'm using a TransportPi as my bridge from my network to Toslink input. The S3 sounds great even though I'm limited to 192khz. However, oddly, it seems the S3 defaults to the HDMI input, and I have to open the app and change the input to Toslink. And, it does not default to the 'last used input'. Not good. Maybe a future firmware update will correct this oversight. Maybe I should try the remote. lol

 

[formdissolve]

I guess this is part of what I am asking. What do I HAVE to do to make this work? Right now it's a $210 hunk-o-junk.

Is it connected to the internet? Go to settings and check "network info". If you are connected, it will say so at the top. Then you can check for firmware update if you haven't yet.

Next, you have to use the Qobuz app on your phone or computer (not the browser version). Then you have to select the output in the app to the Fosi. If it doesn't show up, go to the the Fosi app and click Home on the bottom row and make sure Qobuz Connect settings are correct under "Music Services"

 

[OrangeWalrus]

I have another question... Can you set the default startup input? Until the S3 is roon certified I'm using a TransportPi as my bridge from my network to Toslink input. The S3 sounds great even though I'm limited to 192khz. However, oddly, it seems the S3 defaults to the HDMI input, and I have to open the app and change the input to Toslink. And, it does not default to the 'last used input'. Not good. Maybe a future firmware update will correct this oversight. Maybe I should try the remote. lol

In my case, it does default to the last used input. I don't know how to account for the difference in our experiences. Could it be related to CEC? If you disconnect HDMI, does it then default to the last used input among the remaining options?

 

[babadono]

Is it connected to the internet? Go to settings and check "network info". If you are connected, it will say so at the top. Then you can check for firmware update if you haven't yet.

Next, you have to use the Qobuz app on your phone or computer (not the browser version). Then you have to select the output in the app to the Fosi. If it doesn't show up, go to the the Fosi app and click Home on the bottom row and make sure Qobuz Connect settings are correct under "Music Services"

internet connected...check.Firmware update says no newer version......then Music Services...No Qobuz to choose.

 

[babadono]

@yuting .....will you ever respond?

 

[redjr]

In my case, it does default to the last used input. I don't know how to account for the difference in our experiences. Could it be related to CEC? If you disconnect HDMI, does it then default to the last used input among the remaining options?

Funny thing is, I don't have anything connected to the HDMI jack. That's what baffles me. I'm currently using mine in a near field listening setup so I prefer to use buttons on the front rather than having to open up the app just to change input. It's much quicker, but maybe that's b/c I'm old school. ‍

Edit: Ah ha. After doing a little experimenting with the S3 tonight, I figured out how it treats the HDMI/Opt input. To use optical input simply pressing the HDMI/Opt again when you've already reached the green LED. It will change to optical. Great. Once you know how something works, it's easy! I did finally get it to 'remember' the last used input. But it isn't done quickly. The S3 makes several stepped attempts through the inputs automatically and the LEDs change accordingly, but after about 3 passes through the inputs it finally settled on the green LED and optical was playing. Kind of a very non-standard approach, but it does change.

 

[yuting]

@yuting .....will you ever respond?

hi, if Qobuz Connect is not available, it indicates that the device has not been updated to the latest version. Please try the following operations: 1. Please search for the APP again in the app store and click Update; 2. After opening the APP, please connect to the device. Once connected, please check the version and update it under Settings to ensure that the device version is the latest.

 

[redjr]

Damn your fantastic reviews, Amir, I keep buying new gear because of them

Yes. It's a great time to be a music enthusiast and hardware junkie. Now that most tariffs are gone, it's less expensive too.

 

[formdissolve]

internet connected...check.Firmware update says no newer version......then Music Services...No Qobuz to choose.

Are you able to check your router (DHCP Leases) to verify that the unit is indeed connected to your network? In the Fosi app, under Network Info you should see an IP address etc as well. There shouldn't be a reason it won't allow you to manually check for the firmware if you are actually connected and the unit is able to reach out to the web. You could try Network Setup under settings again to see if you can reinitialize the connection.

Once I got it going, I have had zero issues with Qobuz app so far. I even use the unit's optical out to go to my vintage Paraound DAC so I can compare the two. Overall I am happy with the unit, particularly with the stability of eARC and the quality of the analog in (it uses the same chip as this ADC board, but I am not sure at what sample rate the Fosi is set to for AD conversion). I have zero need for USB in or out on this unit in my living room. Once the Roon Ready certification goes through, I can retire my old raspberry pi running ropiee and repurpose it for another project I have. Only wishlist items are LDAC support, maybe DSD (the Firmware says DSD is enabled, but not sure if that is on Fosi's radar for actually allow it to be used), and maybe some bit-depth and sample rate info on the app display for all the inputs.

 

[babadono]

I am able to communicate with the S3 reliably now ( at least for 2 days in a row now.) On several attempts to update firmware it says no newer firmware available. So @formdissolve did you see my screenshot of my FW version? Is yours the same? @yuting has told me via DM that I do not have the latest and yet it will not update.
Something is not right...like I said I am ignorant but not stupid.

 

[babadono]

Is the Qobuz compatible FW a beta?

 

[babadono]

hi, if Qobuz Connect is not available, it indicates that the device has not been updated to the latest version. Please try the following operations: 1. Please search for the APP again in the app store and click Update; 2. After opening the APP, please connect to the device. Once connected, please check the version and update it under Settings to ensure that the device version is the latest.
View attachment 535221

There is no update option in googlplay store. So I uninstalled and reinstalled....still no Qobuz in Music Services.....

 

[babadono]

So @yuting says I don't have correct FW and I can't update. Customer Support at Fosi has responded to me and they say Qobuz is not supported as of yet but maybe soon. Then @formdissolve says it is working fine for him(her?) What the heck is going on?

 

[babadono]

ever get the feeling that you just want to listen to music...not get a PhD in computer science?

 

[formdissolve]

@babadono sent you a DM. Let's leave this thread for discussion of the unit and not tech support

 

[babadono]

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?attachments/screenshot_20260526_102953-jpg.535061/

ok been told no one but me can see this... how do I make it visible to all?

 

[babadono]

@formdissolve sent me a screen shot of his FW...top line "Release" on his says "not approved". This leads me to believe it is a Beta release.
And sorry Formdissolve this is a discussion about how the unit DOES NOT work for me.
Others should be aware and beware.
@yuting can you help??? or should I send this back for a refund? I have been your guinea pig long enough.

 

[himey]

@formdissolve sent me a screen shot of his FW...top line "Release" on his says "not approved". This leads me to believe it is a Beta release.
And sorry Formdissolve this is a discussion about how the unit DOES NOT work for me.
Others should be aware and beware.
@yuting can you help??? or should I send this back for a refund? I have been your guinea pig long enough.

Do you treat everything in your life with such hyperbole or do you limit it to only music streamers?

 

[yuting]

@formdissolve sent me a screen shot of his FW...top line "Release" on his says "not approved". This leads me to believe it is a Beta release.
And sorry Formdissolve this is a discussion about how the unit DOES NOT work for me.
Others should be aware and beware.
@yuting can you help??? or should I send this back for a refund? I have been your guinea pig long enough.

thanks，Sorry for the unpleasant shopping experience. I'll send you a private message to communicate, and I'll reach out to customer service to assist you in resolving this issue.