FOSI S3 Balanced Streamer Review

[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.

Changed my mind and bought a Fosi S3. Now I just need Fosi to make good on its commitment to add major enhancements to the firmware and mobile apps. What they do over the next year will, IMO, make or break whether the S3 is a legitimate streamer or more like a DAC/preamp.

 

[redjr]

Since it has an Ethernet port, pretty much qualifies it as a streamer. Now sound, that's another thing altogether. I'm very pleased with the way it sounds(in my system). Actually, the articulation(clarity) of each and every note makes it a keeper and I notice no fatiguing over long listening periods. Likely one of the most budget friendly DAC with great performance. Just waiting for roon certfication.

 

[CptKaos]

Since it has an Ethernet port, pretty much qualifies it as a streamer. Now sound, that's another thing altogether. I'm very pleased with the way it sounds(in my system). Actually, the articulation(clarity) of each and every note makes it a keeper and I notice no fatiguing over long listening periods. Likely one of the most budget friendly DAC with great performance. Just waiting for roon certfication.

" Since it has an Ethernet port, pretty much qualifies it as a streamer." didnt know that was even in question, Fosi says what is is right up front
but I agree the S3 sounds great

 

[babadono]

Can't wait until it actually works in my home

 

[morillon]

Since it has an Ethernet port, pretty much qualifies it as a streamer. Now sound, that's another thing altogether. I'm very pleased with the way it sounds(in my system). Actually, the articulation(clarity) of each and every note makes it a keeper and I notice no fatiguing over long listening periods. Likely one of the most budget friendly DAC with great performance. Just waiting for roon certfication.

It uses essentially the same DAC approach as the WiiM Pro Plus ( mi 2023) same akm chip (2022 ) etc... and comparable results at mesureaments...
proven and affordable solution...
(though it lacks balanced outputs).

 

[formdissolve]

It uses essentially the same DAC approach as the WiiM Pro Plus ( mi 2023) same akm chip (2022 ) etc... and comparable results at mesureaments...
proven and affordable solution...
(though it lacks balanced outputs).

WiiM Pro Plus is a bit cheaper yes (although the S3 goes on sale for about the same price sometimes around $220 USD). The Pro Plus also doesn't have eARC (very important to a lot of people), it also has a much worse RCA input ADC solution (in terms of THD+N), and lacks balanced output. Millions and millions of pieces of audio equipment have sold with balanced connections over the last decade and is now standard on even cheap $120 DAC solutions. I'd spend the extra money on the Fosi S3 any day for those three items I listed alone.

 

[morillon]

WiiM Pro Plus is a bit cheaper yes (although the S3 goes on sale for about the same price sometimes around $220 USD). The Pro Plus also doesn't have eARC (very important to a lot of people), it also has a much worse RCA input ADC solution (in terms of THD+N), and lacks balanced output. Millions and millions of pieces of audio equipment have sold with balanced connections over the last decade and is now standard on even cheap $120 DAC solutions. I'd spend the extra money on the Fosi S3 any day for those three items I listed alone.

Well, no...
it’s essentially the same digital-to-analog conversion foundation... with the same measurement results...
It surprises me that this obvious fact isn't being seen...
(The only difference is the presence of balanced circuitry... )
I’m pointing this out because it’s so obvious... and to be expected, given the shared technical choices ,"for same price", same range...
( but the adc of s3 is really better..and the wiim one is very limited, and that’s common to all WiiM streamers... hopefully in the future—if you're going to include an input like that, you might as well do it right, even if it is just an "accessory.")


The balanced "red herring" has its limits for the s3...




(And I’m not even talking about the rest... the difference is so massive :-0 ...)

 

[morillon]

What’s hard to fathom is that—even if it ultimately affects relatively few users, or isn't always a significant factor—WiiM failed to realize the strong marketing impact of having balanced outputs... ...which will serve as a "marker of quality" in the "audiophile psyche"...
and that, at least since the "Plus" (and even more so with the "Ultra"), they haven't included balanced connections. This has allowed Fosi—despite obvious, massive delays—to capitalize on this "feature"... even though the unbalanced output performs just similare "plus" vs "s3"..

,-)

 

[effj]

What’s hard to fathom is that—even if it ultimately affects relatively few users, or isn't always a significant factor—WiiM failed to realize the strong marketing impact of having balanced outputs... ...which will serve as a "marker of quality" in the "audiophile psyche"...
and that, at least since the "Plus" (and even more so with the "Ultra"), they haven't included balanced connections. This has allowed Fosi—despite obvious, massive delays—to capitalize on this "feature"... even though the unbalanced output performs just similare "plus" vs "s3"..

,-)

In this price category, the WiiM streamers are an incredible value with or without balanced outputs, and I think most (i.e. mainstream) buyers recognize that. If someone cares that much about them, there’s always the option of paying 3x as much or more in the higher tiers. I have criticisms for both the WiiM and Fosi streamers, but by and large they deliver excellent value for the money. Between these two brands alone, we budget-tier buyers have an embarrassment of riches in music streaming options.

 

[effj]

Well, no...
it’s essentially the same digital-to-analog conversion foundation... with the same measurement results...
It surprises me that this obvious fact isn't being seen...
(The only difference is the presence of balanced circuitry... )
I’m pointing this out because it’s so obvious... and to be expected, given the shared technical choices ,"for same price", same range...
( but the adc of s3 is really better..and the wiim one is very limited, and that’s common to all WiiM streamers... hopefully in the future—if you're going to include an input like that, you might as well do it right, even if it is just an "accessory.")


The balanced "red herring" has its limits for the s3...




(And I’m not even talking about the rest... the difference is so massive :-0 ...)

Balanced circuitry is not about sound quality or measurements, it’s about rejecting noise that often originates in the electrical environment (not the audio equipment). In every house I’ve owned, there have been times that I experienced either audio hum, desktop computer-induced noise, or other electrical system anomalies such as flickering lights. All that to say the existence of electrical issues is not a red herring, and balanced circuits can help mitigate them in the realm of audio.

 

[morillon]

Balanced circuitry is not about sound quality or measurements, it’s about rejecting noise that often originates in the electrical environment (not the audio equipment). In every house I’ve owned, there have been times that I experienced either audio hum, desktop computer-induced noise, or other electrical system anomalies such as flickering lights. All that to say the existence of electrical issues is not a red herring, and balanced circuits can help mitigate them in the realm of audio.

I’m well aware of the cases where it can be useful—no need to list them, really...rest assured... ;-)


But most of the time, it’s hardly necessary—especially over the short distances that often concern audiophiles (I’m not talking about professional use)... That also explains why unbalanced connections are, for the most part, present and sufficient for consumer audio. ;-)


But here, especially... it's a "special case"... because we're talking about streamers(and, moreover, aimed at the mass market due to their pricing)... where the software is so essential...
That’s why it was brilliant from fosi to try steering things toward this "balanced" angle...hihi
;-)
(P.S. I’m not paid by Wiim, and I certainly don’t stop myself from being critical of Wiim ;-) )

 

[OldTimer]

No USB Media, same as Wiim Pro Plus. Sometimes there’s no internet.

 

[babadono]

Can't wait until it actually works in my home

Starlink installed today...S3 working...need high speed and low latency for this to work is what I have found out.

 

[morillon]

(Funny... it seems that, without any specific announcement, recent versions of the WiiM "Plus" are getting the 1611 chips—like the S3—instead of the 5534s... so they have the same DAC and output op-amp.
Personally, I had the mod a long time ago just for fun.)

 

[formdissolve]

No USB Media, same as Wiim Pro Plus. Sometimes there’s no internet.

You can still play local files over network, plus it has optical in. If your main internet is out, then you won't be streaming anything from Qobuz etc anyways on any device.

On a side note, I love Roon, but that's one major thing I hate about it: even if just playing local files, it won't work unless it detects an Internet connection..

 

[redjr]

On a side note, I love Roon, but that's one major thing I hate about it: even if just playing local files, it won't work unless it detects an Internet connection

Sadly, that's how 99% of apps work nowadays. Welcome to the Internet 2026. We're not in Windows 98 anymore Toto.

 

[OldTimer]

You can still play local files over network, plus it has optical in. If your main internet is out, then you won't be streaming anything from Qobuz etc anyways on any device.

On a side note, I love Roon, but that's one major thing I hate about it: even if just playing local files, it won't work unless it detects an Internet connection..

I don’t have NAS or PC with shared folder. Fosi should learn the use case (USB Media) from SMSL N100, Cambridge Audio MXN 10, etc. Below $300 with USB audio and USB media would be great value and beating all available streamer in the world.

 

[CptKaos]

I don’t have NAS or PC with shared folder. Fosi should learn the use case (USB Media) from SMSL N100, Cambridge Audio MXN 10, etc. Below $300 with USB audio and USB media would be great value and beating all available streamer in the world.

does your router have an option to add a USB storage device

 

[OldTimer]

does your router have an option to add a USB storage device

Router from ISP doesn’t have.

 

[redjr]

In this price category, the WiiM streamers are an incredible value with or without balanced outputs, and I think most (i.e. mainstream) buyers recognize that. If someone cares that much about them, there’s always the option of paying 3x as much or more in the higher tiers. I have criticisms for both the WiiM and Fosi streamers, but by and large they deliver excellent value for the money. Between these two brands alone, we budget-tier buyers have an embarrassment of riches in music streaming options.

You speak the truth. The value proposition for either cannot - in good faith - be argued against.