FOSI S3 Balanced Streamer Review

[ccrnnr9@]

Thank you! I’ll check when I’m home this evening but if memory serves correctly it’s on auto.

 

[yuting]

Hey yuting, I actually just received my s3 yesterday. I’d be interested in joining.

On a separate note as a relative streaming newb (primarily vinyl/analog here) I’d hoped to be able to have the s3 integrated with my Apple TV for occasional wired streaming play from Apple Music from my tv and primarily as seemless playback for watching tv. Currently have tv e-arc > s3 e arc input and Apple TV > second hdmi port on tv and unfortunately that’s not working.

My primary reason for hoping the s3 would be a working option is I can bypass my analog setup and have the s3 run into the xlr input on my 3e audio a7 amp which will auto detect signal and not have to both with switching inputs on my analog setup (vinyl/cd > NAD 1300 > a7 via rca). I have a feeling I’ve miscalculated…

Thank you for your support and for helping us test our new app. I will print the test link you provided. Regarding connecting to the TV, please double-check the settings. Currently, it is not possible to connect to the S3 via a Mac, only through the TV. Thank you!

 

[ccrnnr9@]

Thank you for your support and for helping us test our new app. I will print the test link you provided. Regarding connecting to the TV, please double-check the settings. Currently, it is not possible to connect to the S3 via a Mac, only through the TV. Thank you!

Ya this is through a Hisense tv using an Apple TV 4K.

To the others who offered advice - thank you! Had some time after to work to sit with it. The setting changes probably helped but I ended up installing new firmware and that fixed it. Only oddity now is that volume is nearly inaudible around 35 on the tv volume level and even as a primarily low to medium level listener volume scale is only a usable volume from ~50-100. It’s not to say that it’s perhaps any less useful but is something I’ve not experienced before.

At the moment the two configs are Hisense tv > fosi s3 > 3e A7 (via xlr) for digital streaming

Turntable/cd > NAD 1300 > 3e A7 (via RCA) for analog listening

Both setups playing through ADS 730.

 

[yuting]

Ya this is through a Hisense tv using an Apple TV 4K.

To the others who offered advice - thank you! Had some time after to work to sit with it. The setting changes probably helped but I ended up installing new firmware and that fixed it. Only oddity now is that volume is nearly inaudible around 35 on the tv volume level and even as a primarily low to medium level listener volume scale is only a usable volume from ~50-100. It’s not to say that it’s perhaps any less useful but is something I’ve not experienced before.

At the moment the two configs are Hisense tv > fosi s3 > 3e A7 (via xlr) for digital streaming

Turntable/cd > NAD 1300 > 3e A7 (via RCA) for analog listening

Both setups playing through ADS 730.

thanks，If outputting via HDMI, the volume of the S3 device is determined by the TV volume. If the volume is too low, the sound may be very quiet.

 

[ccrnnr9@]

thanks，If outputting via HDMI, the volume of the S3 device is determined by the TV volume. If the volume is too low, the sound may be very quiet.

Tv remote, Apple TV remote, and Fosi remote (as well as volume knob on the streamer itself) all have same effect and bring up volume slider on tv display. One does not seem to supersede the other (good thing) but volume being so low from 0-50 is odd behavior as this isn’t the case with the WiiM or other streamers I’ve used ( granted that’s Bluetooth or AirPlay). Not a complaint as it doesn’t seem to,ultimately affect how I would listen or limit either my top or bottom end but it’s have tv volume at 65 for regular listening levels.

 

[wadude]

It is welcome news that Fosi Audio intends in the future - matching the practice of WiiM - to offer functional upgrades to the app controlling the S3.

I hope the Fosi Audio S3 sells well enough for WiiM to consider offering a streamer with balanced outputs.

WiiM could use 6mm TRS and only on the Pro+.

 

[formdissolve]

Volume being so low from 0-50 is odd behavior as this isn’t the case with the WiiM or other streamers I’ve used

It's just manipulating the volume of the Fosi from 0-100 (and the respective output voltage). No different than if you just plugged an optical SPDIF device into the Fosi and used the included remote (or app) to control the volume. You can see the position of the volume on the slider in the app. For bluetooth or airplay, there might be yet another volume involved on the devices you are using on top of the Fosi output volume. As you said, for practical use there is no real difference but the number displayed.

 

[ccrnnr9@]

It's just manipulating the volume of the Fosi from 0-100 (and the respective output voltage). No different than if you just plugged an optical SPDIF device into the Fosi and used the included remote (or app) to control the volume. You can see the position of the volume on the slider in the app. For bluetooth or airplay, there might be yet another volume involved on the devices you are using on top of the Fosi output volume. As you said, for practical use there is no real difference but the number displayed.

Ya it’s not a big deal but does kinda bother me as it feels like the scale is compressed so to say. When using the tv remote, Apple TV remote, fosi remote, and the manual dial on the s3, all 4 do the same thing and change the same number/bar indicated on the tv and app. I’d like to change this but it doesn’t really make a difference.

I haven’t gotten around to deciding if this is a better solution than the wiim mini run through the analog system. I’m inclined to say the s3 might sound nicer but I haven’t sat down to do side by side listening yet. The convenience of using the xlr output for streaming and rca for analog play is convenient and thus far the fosi works without issue. I haven’t had an issue with the wiim in a long time but it behaves slightly wonky from time to time. The fosi app is fine but I think small details like the interface of the eq aren’t great for phone screen size.

 

[yuting]

Ya it’s not a big deal but does kinda bother me as it feels like the scale is compressed so to say. When using the tv remote, Apple TV remote, fosi remote, and the manual dial on the s3, all 4 do the same thing and change the same number/bar indicated on the tv and app. I’d like to change this but it doesn’t really make a difference.

I haven’t gotten around to deciding if this is a better solution than the wiim mini run through the analog system. I’m inclined to say the s3 might sound nicer but I haven’t sat down to do side by side listening yet. The convenience of using the xlr output for streaming and rca for analog play is convenient and thus far the fosi works without issue. I haven’t had an issue with the wiim in a long time but it behaves slightly wonky from time to time. The fosi app is fine but I think small details like the interface of the eq aren’t great for phone screen size.

thanks，If you are interested, you can participate in the testing of our new app. The EQ issue has been resolved in our new app. Thank you for your support. We will also update the PEQ later, and it is expected to support OTA by Q3. Thank you!

 

[formdissolve]

thanks，If you are interested, you can participate in the testing of our new app. The EQ issue has been resolved in our new app. Thank you for your support. We will also update the PEQ later, and it is expected to support OTA by Q3. Thank you!

View attachment 542373

PEQ! Awesome. Do you have any info from Roon on certficiation yet?

 

[MaxBuck]

I continue to be frustrated with Amir's paradigm for testing streamers. To me, what a streamer needs to do first and foremost is to provide a convenient platform to provide access to media sources, as many as possible. Qobuz is my personal platform of choice, but Tidal, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube music should all be supported. Instead we get reviews that focus on DAC performance, and DACs really don't affect audible sound unless they're really incompetent.

I'm soon going to be in the market for a new music system for my French apartment. I'm anticipating a simple system, likely a streamer, powered speakers and possibly a subwoofer. Currently KEF Coda W looks like a winner for the speakers, and I'd like to pair it with a simple streamer to run Qobuz. Not sure which one to pick. I've found Qobuz Connect to be glitchy, and I don't want to pay the premium for a Bluesound device.

Full disclosure: I really want the LS60s, but the resulting arguments with my wife over their cost would not be worth it.

 

[yuting]

PEQ! Awesome. Do you have any info from Roon on certficiation yet?

thank you,There is no exact time yet, but for now you can use AirPlay or Google Cast to play Roon. Thank you!

 

[CptKaos]

Will the S3 ever be available in black to match Fosi's other offerings and if so will the cover be available separate for those with the early gray S3 devices, my OCD really dislikes the mismatch in my Fosi stack

 

[yuting]

Will the S3 ever be available in black to match Fosi's other offerings and if so will the cover be available separate for those with the early gray S3 devices, my OCD really dislikes the mismatch in my Fosi stack
View attachment 542478

thank you，We will launch a black version. For existing users, what you mentioned is a good idea, and I will consider it. Thank you for your support!

 

[babadono]

hello,every one,Our new APP is ready and we are now starting the internal user testing. Through this internal testing, we hope everyone can help us identify some bugs, and we will fix them. Users interested in participating in our internal testing, please leave a message for me, and I will send you a private message to tell you the address of the internal testing program. The product development and improvement of Fosi Streaming Media cannot be achieved without everyone's support. Through everyone's feedback, our products will get better and better. Thank you all for your support!
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anybody able to get this up and running on a Samsung Galaxy phone? I'm losing my mind.....

 

[KEFCarver]

anybody able to get this up and running on a Samsung Galaxy phone? I'm losing my mind.....

I was unable to get the app installed and an android tablet- though it said it was installing, plus there were a lot of spam adds that wanted you to sign up for things, so I am forgetting about it...

 

[babadono]

TY @KEFCarver ...I think I may just have to wait until this "beta" becomes released. I still need to get the intermittent streaming fixed. Hopefully Elon's Starlink will do the trick.

 

[effj]

I am finding myself having to choose between balanced outputs (on the Fosi S3) and native Amazon Music/AlexaCast support on WiiM devices. Am thinking the WiiM Pro Plus will win for now, assuming I don’t have any ground noise issues like I did a couple years ago.

 

[KEFCarver]

I am finding myself having to choose between balanced outputs (on the Fosi S3) and native Amazon Music/AlexaCast support on WiiM devices. Am thinking the WiiM Pro Plus will win for now, assuming I don’t have any ground noise issues like I did a couple years ago.

My own measurements showed no real difference when using the Balanced vs unbalanced outputs on the Fosi S3- at least not anything anyone would hear,

 

[TheLavenderBaron]

Ya it’s not a big deal but does kinda bother me as it feels like the scale is compressed so to say. When using the tv remote, Apple TV remote, fosi remote, and the manual dial on the s3, all 4 do the same thing and change the same number/bar indicated on the tv and app. I’d like to change this but it doesn’t really make a difference.

I haven’t gotten around to deciding if this is a better solution than the wiim mini run through the analog system. I’m inclined to say the s3 might sound nicer but I haven’t sat down to do side by side listening yet. The convenience of using the xlr output for streaming and rca for analog play is convenient and thus far the fosi works without issue. I haven’t had an issue with the wiim in a long time but it behaves slightly wonky from time to time. The fosi app is fine but I think small details like the interface of the eq aren’t great for phone screen size.

Do you have both outputs hooked up at the same time? For example, the RCA output into a receiver and the XLR into a power amp?

Not playing at the same time, just hooked up. I've considered this but was wary of adding noise or something (I have no basis for this anxiety, it just *seems* like it could). If you have both hooked up, any drawbacks?

Thanks!