FOSI S3 Balanced Streamer Review

[jareinertson]

Curiousity got the better of me. Brought the S3 in from patio....yep the FOSI app has changed/updated. Fosi calls Qobuz "Qobuz Connect" but it is still using the phone as a streaming data relay. True Qobuz Connect devices would be streaming directly from Qobuz using the phone just as a remote control. At least that is my understanding after being on help desk at Qobuz for half an hour.

I believe you are correct. Using a “connect” method means the streaming device (S3 in this case) should manage the stream without requiring an external device such as a phone app.

 

[yuting]

Hello everyone, I have some great news to share with you: we have just received official notification from Roon that the S3 will support Roon starting August 15, and Roon will officially announce this to the public on August 20. Thank you all for your support!

 

[formdissolve]

Hello everyone, I have some great news to share with you: we have just received official notification from Roon that the S3 will support Roon starting August 15, and Roon will officially announce this to the public on August 20. Thank you all for your support!

Excellent! Will it require a firmware update?

 

[Joe Smith]

You know, with the current S3 app, when I toggle in EQ, I don't hear any change at all. And this was something I noted when testing the new Android version of the app as well. Can anyone confirm they hear a change when applying significant EQ changes with the app?

Edit/add: I also hear no difference when using the new S3 Android app (version 1.3.7).

 

[babadono]

You know, with the current S3 app, when I toggle in EQ, I don't hear any change at all. And this was something I noted when testing the new Android version of the app as well. Can anyone confirm they hear a change when applying significant EQ changes with the app?

Edit/add: I also hear no difference when using the new S3 Android app (version 1.3.7).

I will hopefully check this out later today.
I am being offered the S3 Lite by email with %10 off...think I'll jump on it for my system that already has an excellent DAC.

 

[davmol]

For anyone in UK or EU who is considering buying the S3 lite (or any other Fosi item for that matter), be sure to purchase from fosiaudio.com in USD, rather than from eufosiaudio.com. This will make sure you avoid the regional price gouging that is becoming commonplace on items shipping direct from China. I assume Fosi will soon go like Topping (and AliExpress etc) and bake the price-gouging into the shipping address, but for the moment at least you can still order at the true price of $199 (and cover any taxes when it lands), rather than pay the inflated prices of £201 ($272) to the UK, or €230 ($266) to EU countries when using the eufosiaudio.com storefront.

 

[soloworx]

Does the software support Plex and Radio Paradise, or any internet radio?

 

[babadono]

ahhhh.....e

I will hopefully check this out later today.
I am being offered the S3 Lite by email with %10 off...think I'll jump on it for my system that already has an excellent DAC.

ahhhh....EQ works on mine......

 

[Chanur]

For anyone in UK or EU who is considering buying the S3 lite (or any other Fosi item for that matter), be sure to purchase from fosiaudio.com in USD, rather than from eufosiaudio.com. This will make sure you avoid the regional price gouging that is becoming commonplace on items shipping direct from China. I assume Fosi will soon go like Topping (and AliExpress etc) and bake the price-gouging into the shipping address, but for the moment at least you can still order at the true price of $199 (and cover any taxes when it lands), rather than pay the inflated prices of £201 ($272) to the UK, or €230 ($266) to EU countries when using the eufosiaudio.com storefront.

Is it the euro value causing price changes?

 

[OldTimer]

Is it the euro value causing price changes?

It's a new regulation from EU to Aliexpress and other China products.

 

[Chanur]

It's a new regulation from EU to Aliexpress and other China products.

Oh so need to blame the politicians. It's not a Fosi issue.

 

[OldTimer]

Oh so need to blame the politicians. It's not a Fosi issue.

"The European Union is imposing a new tax on small imports, which will heavily impact Chinese giants like SHEIN, Temu, and AliExpress. What does this mean for European consumers, product quality, and brands?
On July 1, a flat €3 customs duty on low-value e-commerce imports will come into effect. Until now, goods imported into the EU worth under €150 were exempt from customs duties."

That's the news, last month.

 

[yuting]

You know, with the current S3 app, when I toggle in EQ, I don't hear any change at all. And this was something I noted when testing the new Android version of the app as well. Can anyone confirm they hear a change when applying significant EQ changes with the app?

Edit/add: I also hear no difference when using the new S3 Android app (version 1.3.7).

Thanks，We have tested all the features in our in-house lab, please double-check them. If you still can't get it to work, you can contact our customer service for assistance.

 

[yuting]

Does the software support Plex and Radio Paradise, or any internet radio?

Thanks，We will consider adding support for this in a future update. Thank you!

 

[yuting]

Hello everyone, I have two pieces of good news to share with you: 1. The new APP that supports both iOS and Android has been released, and you can access the new version directly via the APP; 2. Roon support for S3 will be implemented around the 20th of this month. Thank you!

 

[davmol]

Is it the euro value causing price changes?

Nope. I just ordered mine from the global / USA store front, so it came in at the true price of £133 to the UK after early-bird discount. Even if vat is added on arrival it'll still be less £20 less than the inflated £180 EU store front price. If the inflated prices get locked into the shipping address, as Topping store started recently, then it just means people will go back to buying domestically, so not the end of the world in that respect.

 

[babadono]

ahhhh.....e

ahhhh....EQ works on mine......

@Joe Smith ...are sure it is not working? Is it enabled? There is an ON/OFF switch. Also the sliders are marked +/- 10 but 10 what? On my outdoor patio system the changes were not earth shattering but discernible nonetheless.
@yuting is it +/- 10 db? And what is the width of each filter? Number of octaves or Q?

 

[Matias]

S3 Lite (200 usd) early bird 10% off now live.
Discount Code: FBS3LITE

Fosi Audio S3 Lite HiFi Music Audio Streamer

Discover the Fosi Audio S3 Lite: A pure digital audio streamer featuring Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and up to 768kHz PCM support. Stream via AirPlay 2, Spotify & TIDAL Connect.

fosiaudio.com

 

[perceptionist]

S3 Lite (200 usd) early bird 10% off now live.
Discount Code: FBS3LITE

Fosi Audio S3 Lite HiFi Music Audio Streamer

Discover the Fosi Audio S3 Lite: A pure digital audio streamer featuring Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and up to 768kHz PCM support. Stream via AirPlay 2, Spotify & TIDAL Connect.

fosiaudio.com

S3 gives you pretty much ZD3 + S3 Lite for lower cost. Waiting for S5.

 

[OldTimer]

S3 Lite (200 usd) early bird 10% off now live.
Discount Code: FBS3LITE

Fosi Audio S3 Lite HiFi Music Audio Streamer

Discover the Fosi Audio S3 Lite: A pure digital audio streamer featuring Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and up to 768kHz PCM support. Stream via AirPlay 2, Spotify & TIDAL Connect.

fosiaudio.com

No USB In for flash disk or external SSD/HDD?

SMSL N100 has 2 USB2.0 and 1 USB3 for input but no USB Out. Bundled with Volumio Premium lifetime license. Price $400.