FOSI S3 Balanced Streamer Review

[babadono]

@LumenMedia Are you understanding my posts? I want to help get you sorted if I can be of help. Manual is adamant about using 1/4" TRS plugs into the combi jacks for line level signals. This will bypass the Microphone preamp and all its gain.
My mixers are the same...full of combi jacks. Plug into the XLR and you get the mic pre and all its gain, plug into the TRS and no gain for an already line level signal.

 

[OrangeWalrus]

@yuting I have used the equalizer by setting a frequency to full "+10" or "-10". I change only one frequency. I measure the result in the room with a microphone before and after the adjustment. The microphone shows that "+10" on the equalizer is approximately 5dB or less in the room. This may explain why some people think the equalizer doesn't work. I am using the latest firmware and application but it has been the same since the original S3 release firmware where the equalizer makes only a small effect on the sound.

 

[Joe Smith]

@yuting I have used the equalizer by setting a frequency to full "+10" or "-10". I change only one frequency. I measure the result in the room with a microphone before and after the adjustment. The microphone shows that "+10" on the equalizer is approximately 5dB or less in the room. This may explain why some people think the equalizer doesn't work. I am using the latest firmware and application but it has been the same since the original S3 release firmware where the equalizer makes only a small effect on the sound.

This is helpful! I’m glad to know it’s not just my hearing…

 

[Laserjock]

I didn’t hear a difference or very slight if any. Haven’t tried latey though

 

[yuting]

@yuting I have used the equalizer by setting a frequency to full "+10" or "-10". I change only one frequency. I measure the result in the room with a microphone before and after the adjustment. The microphone shows that "+10" on the equalizer is approximately 5dB or less in the room. This may explain why some people think the equalizer doesn't work. I am using the latest firmware and application but it has been the same since the original S3 release firmware where the equalizer makes only a small effect on the sound.

Thanks，I have already reported this issue to the R&D team. We are currently working on new firmware, and this issue will be optimized in the next OTA update. Thank you!

 

[babadono]

All righty then....I have received a S3 lite for my system with an already good DAC. The S3 remains out on the patio doing both stream and DAC duty. How do I get them both to play the same stream at the same time? Should I start a new thread?

 

[davmol]

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.

I was about to order another Fosi device but, as I predicted in an earlier post, the price gouge is now baked into the shipping address, so I had to abandon the purchase. Even with a US VPN, where the S3 Lite shows the true direct-from-China price of $199 USD price, it magically jumps up by 36% (to $271) as soon as you add a UK shipping address. Unfortunately for consumers, Fosi doesn't have Topping's range of local Chinese resellers on Ali, so after purchasing the X2, X5, ZH3, and V3 Monos, it appears that the S3 Lite will be my last Fosi Audio purchase.

 

[formdissolve]

All righty then....I have received a S3 lite for my system with an already good DAC. The S3 remains out on the patio doing both stream and DAC duty. How do I get them both to play the same stream at the same time? Should I start a new thread?

Checked their FAQ, and looks like it is not possible directly.. so maybe it's something Fosi can implement at some point (as the guy mentions in that FAQ).

I know Roon supports it, but that of course is another cost as well as running it on a server or computer in order to connect.

 

[yuting]

All righty then....I have received a S3 lite for my system with an already good DAC. The S3 remains out on the patio doing both stream and DAC duty. How do I get them both to play the same stream at the same time? Should I start a new thread?

Thanks, you can use Airplay 2 to network two devices so that you can play audio on them simultaneously.

 

[babadono]

so I can google cast to either/or S3 or S3 Lite but not to a group created in Google Home? This blows.

 

[Jaimo]

I am planning to purchase a S3 to connect to a pair of Genelec 8030c active speakers and a future subwoofer. I have limited space and the S3 will not be physically accessible.
I plan to use the HDMI ARC input and also stream from Tidal and Amazon Music via Roon.

I have 3 questions:-

1. Does the S3 switch inputs automatically. (I tried this with a WiiM Ultra and this works very well. The Fosi S3 has the advantage of being physically smaller than the Ultra and I won’t need a separate balanced DAC like I do with the Ultra.)
2. Are there any issues with placing the S3 vertically with the cables exiting to the right?
3. Can firmware updates etc be done without having to access the unit, is it possible to reset/reboot the unit via the app?

 

[CrankyFrank]

For question 3, yes the app enables users to do a factory reset.

 

[Jaimo]

my S3 is connected to TV via HDMI/ARC and XLR to ZP3 preamp then XLR to V3 Mono amps, everything sleeps and wakes properly when TV is turned on and auto switches to network input when a streaming input is activated for music

I revisited the entire thread and believe that this answers my first question…

Thanks CptKaos and CrankyFrank!

@yuting - can you answer my question 3 above?

 

[Laserjock]

HDMI ARC/eARC can be kinda finicky im general but the remote is Bluetooth so there’s that.


And then there’s the app

 

[Jaimo]

Thanks Laserjock!

I was going to purchase a second WiiM ultra but find many S3 features compelling for my use case. My wife finally agreed to me adding a pair of discreet loudspeakers to our lounge where we have a Samsung Frame TV installed in a recess above a gas fireplace. Most visitors are tricked into believing that we have a picture over the fireplace and are wowed when we occasionally turn on the TV. Her reluctance to add speakers is understandable and I happened to have a pair of Genelec 8030c monitors that are not seeing much use since my retirement. (they were part of my office desktop system). Given our need for minimal clutter, I built a hidden trapdoor on the side of the fireplace where the Frame TV electronics are located. I have a little additional space to add a streaming unit but I can’t get a WiiM ultra to easily fit and, I would need to add a balanced DAC to properly drive the 8030c’s

1. First off, the Fosi’s balanced outputs along with great measured DAC performance are a winning combo.
2. The Bluetooth remote will likely work through the tiled trapdoor while an IR unit will need an IR blaster.
3. Since this is a blind installation, I have no need for the Wiim’s display.
4. The S3’s smaller footprint will fit into the limited space and not needing an external DAC is a huge deal.

Common to the WiiM Ultra is the HDMI Arc input, which means that we only need use the Samsung remote to operate the system and control volume. Also, both streamers support Tidal and Roon. Both also appear to do a good job with auto switching inputs so the rest of my family can use the system without needing my tech-support.

I will place my order for a S3 this afternoon.

 

[formdissolve]

Thanks Laserjock!

I was going to purchase a second WiiM ultra but find many S3 features compelling for my use case. My wife finally agreed to me adding a pair of discreet loudspeakers to our lounge where we have a Samsung Frame TV installed in a recess above a gas fireplace. Most visitors are tricked into believing that we have a picture over the fireplace and are wowed when we occasionally turn on the TV. Her reluctance to add speakers is understandable and I happened to have a pair of Genelec 8030c monitors that are not seeing much use since my retirement. (they were part of my office desktop system). Given our need for minimal clutter, I built a hidden trapdoor on the side of the fireplace where the Frame TV electronics are located. I have a little additional space to add a streaming unit but I can’t get a WiiM ultra to easily fit and, I would need to add a balanced DAC to properly drive the 8030c’s

1. First off, the Fosi’s balanced outputs along with great measured DAC performance are a winning combo.
2. The Bluetooth remote will likely work through the tiled trapdoor while an IR unit will need an IR blaster.
3. Since this is a blind installation, I have no need for the Wiim’s display.
4. The S3’s smaller footprint will fit into the limited space and not needing an external DAC is a huge deal.

Common to the WiiM Ultra is the HDMI Arc input, which means that we only need use the Samsung remote to operate the system and control volume. Also, both streamers support Tidal and Roon. Both also appear to do a good job with auto switching inputs so the rest of my family can use the system without needing my tech-support.

I will place my order for a S3 this afternoon.

I think it should work with your use case. The S3 also has an eARC input, so if you play higher than CD quality through the TV, it will pass that through. As others have said, you can also control volume and all inputs/outputs via the app or a web browser. I mainly use it for eARC, optical input, and RCA input from my tape deck, but after the latest Roon Ready firmware update, I am more than happy with the unit. Hope it works out for you!

 

[babadono]

so I can google cast to either/or S3 or S3 Lite but not to a group created in Google Home? This blows.

Fosi has confirmed it can't be done. Cannot Cast to both through Qobuz. Friends with Tidal and Wiim devices do it all day everyday. My bad, should have done more research before purchase. But I wanted the balanced out from the S3.

 

[VientoB]

I'm still waiting for something to tempt me away from my two Chromecast Audios which I've been using for 10 years now.

Fosi could easily make a cheaper version of this without the DAC and with USB, coax and AES SPDIF outputs added. Similar to the pricey SMSL N100.

 

[Zetti]

I'm still waiting for something to tempt me away from my two Chromecast Audios which I've been using for 10 years now.

Fosi could easily make a cheaper version of this without the DAC and with USB, coax and AES SPDIF outputs added. Similar to the pricey SMSL N100.

They just released the S3 Lite version (no AES): https://fosiaudio.com/products/fosi-audio-s3-lite-hifi-streamer

 

[VientoB]

They just released the S3 Lite version (no AES): https://fosiaudio.com/products/fosi-audio-s3-lite-hifi-streamer

It's a bit more expensive than I expected and why is it USB-A out rather than USB-C? Bonkers. Also surely it could have been USB powered? And no parametric EQ?