FOSI S3 Balanced Streamer Review

[yuting]

Thanks，Thank you for all the feedback and support from our users. S3 now supports Roon. Thanks again!

 

[SanojS]

If you buy from the og Fosi global store you'll pay 1907SEK, and then applicable taxes when it lands. If you buy from the new fosi European store front then you'll pay 2539SEK (an extra 33%). In your case the 8% premium (over the base price +25% vat) might be worth paying, if you also have high admin fees and additional duties to pay on hifi gear from China

Import fees and taxes for that is 600 – 700 SEK meaning in best case you'll save a whopping 29 SEK (2,62 Euro) but you could pay about 5 Euro more as well.
Also, you'll have to buy a European adapter or replacement plug... so you'll pay more and have an ugly adapter or need to pay more for replacement plug... not worth it.

 

[SanojS]

To me, S3 lite is for those people who really want to use their own DAC for some reason (and I don't know why I get to be one of them). If it is not the case, S3 has so much more value.

Yeah I was a potential buyer since I want to use my own DAC but I also want to connect TV to the streamer via HDMI... (my DAC doesn't have HDMI).
So I would then rather pay the 50 USD extra (ca 550 SEK) and get HDMI connection but use digital out to my external DAC.

 

[formdissolve]

My S3 in Roon Audio settings still says "uncertified".. but I haven't rebooted anything yet (Roon server, or full reboot of S3). The firmware and app are on the latest as of today. I will edit this comment if it actually shows up as working today.

 

[Multiway]

I'm in the exact opposite boat.

Have digital 2 in 8 out DSP that runs IIR and/or FIR (4 stereo DACs) to 4 active power amps, so only want an endpoint streamer.

But I do want flexibility to be able use as I chose - Spotify Lossless Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Lyrion Music Server and even Roon..

It's surprising how many Streamers miss one or more of these capabilities.

USB output is also very desirable so I can use Optical input to the DSP from another source.

Can Fosi S3 lite cover all? It's getting close!

 

[audioje]

@yuting
When will S3 lite be available at your Aliexpress store?

 

[davmol]

Import fees and taxes for that is 600 – 700 SEK meaning in best case you'll save a whopping 29 SEK (2,62 Euro) but you could pay about 5 Euro more as well.
Also, you'll have to buy a European adapter or replacement plug... so you'll pay more and have an ugly adapter or need to pay more for replacement plug... not worth it.

Yeah doesn't sound good for you in Sweden, with the additional import duties on top of the high vat, so best to stay with EU store. I was aiming my post to benefit UK customers, where treating $1 as equal to £1 is a substantial shafting at current conversion rates.

 

[syzygetic]

I just picked one of these up a couple days ago to replace (another) failed Topping D10 Balanced. The Fosi S3 arrived with the "uncertified" message in Roon, but a quick firmware update later it's fine. If you're getting one of these, remember to update the firmware in the app first thing.

Otherwise, a zero drama streamer. I have it on a pair of Genelec 8030c in my office, and it works great.

 

[formdissolve]

I just picked one of these up a couple days ago to replace (another) failed Topping D10 Balanced. The Fosi S3 arrived with the "uncertified" message in Roon, but a quick firmware update later it's fine. If you're getting one of these, remember to update the firmware in the app first thing.

Otherwise, a zero drama streamer. I have it on a pair of Genelec 8030c in my office, and it works great.

I had to stop and restart the Roon service and now it shows up. With Roon support now active, I can streamline my system a bit. Look forward to checking it out more this weekend! The only two wishlist items I have now for the device are native DSD and LDAC Bluetooth support, but they are not completely necessary.

 

[Joe Smith]

OK, I switched speakers in my lab system and also pushed the bass boost for 63hz all the way up to +5 db, 125hz at +3.5 db, 250hz at +1.5db. With those settings, I hear a fairly satisfying bass boost now. These are older Infinity RS225 speakers, sealed cabinet (no port), 6.5" woofers. So EQ does work, you just need to be a bit more dramatic with the db levels.

 

[Tom22]

Yeah doesn't sound good for you in Sweden, with the additional import duties on top of the high vat, so best to stay with EU store. I was aiming my post to benefit UK customers, where treating $1 as equal to £1 is a substantial shafting at current conversion rates.

Got mine today from the EU store (I am in Germany), which was a very good experience. Fast delivery and attractive pricing without extra hassle of VAT or customs…the parcel was shipped from Euskirchen (city near Cologne), which seems to be the German or even EU hub.

 

[yuting]

@yuting
When will S3 lite be available at your Aliexpress store?

Thanks，Around August 28th

 

[redjr]

Great to see that Roon Ready is now available with the latest firmware update.

 

[davmol]

Got mine today from the EU store (I am in Germany), which was a very good experience. Fast delivery and attractive pricing without extra hassle of VAT or customs…the parcel was shipped from Euskirchen (city near Cologne), which seems to be the German or even EU hub.

Just got mine today, ordered to the UK from the fosi global store at £139.13 ($180 USD after early bird discount), and it arrived from China 8-days later, with a UK plug. No additional VAT charged, so quite possible it is already paid, or maybe I just got lucky, but even with VAT added it would've be less than the £201 on the EU store (£180 is there was an early bird there as well). Very happy with the streamer, it has a nice feel to it, solid button clicks, quality paint job etc, and Qobuz Connect working flawlessly.

 

[hopperms]

@yuting
Will the S3 Lite be getting DSD support anytime in the near future? I know DSD is tricky to implement over DLNA/UPnP, but even a beta feature would be great. Honestly the only thing preventing me from upgrading to it from my Fiio SR11.

 

[LumenMedia]

Thanks，it have Qobuz Connect

Thanks for the great product. Please check also XLR output volume, because when it's set to 100% in Fosi App it's overloading my analogue XLR inputs on Antelope Audio Zen Quadro (when using Qobuz)

 

[babadono]

Please check also XLR output volume, because when it's set to 100% in Fosi App it's overloading my analogue XLR inputs on Antelope Audio Zen Quadro (when using Qobuz)

Yes if you want to use full analog output from the S3 you will likely have to pad the input of your receiving equipment. I have a -12dB pad at my mixer LINE inputs.
Briefly looked at manual for Antelope Audio Zen Quadro and don't see max input line level spec'd.
BTW I think you should be using 1/4" TRS into those combi jacks for Line Level signals.

 

[LumenMedia]

Yes if you want to use full analog output from the S3 you will likely have to pad the input of your receiving equipment. I have a -12dB pad at my mixer inputs.

Thanks for reply. I have balanced inouts, so the voltage should be ok. But in reality i lowed input to -8 and even this did not help and on full volume sound is distorted.

 

[babadono]

and are you using TRS inputs to connect?
4V RMS is a strong signal.
you must bypass the Mic Pre.

 

[yuting]

@yuting
Will the S3 Lite be getting DSD support anytime in the near future? I know DSD is tricky to implement over DLNA/UPnP, but even a beta feature would be great. Honestly the only thing preventing me from upgrading to it from my Fiio SR11.

Thanks，It is currently supported by Roon, but it is still in the certification process and will take some time;