FOSI S3 Balanced Streamer Review

[solawind]

Why no option for local playback from a network share? Isn't it an obvious feature?

 

[yuting]

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

Thanks，You can use Google Home. I’ll send you the networking video privately — it was recorded during our internal testing, just take a look.

 

[yuting]

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?

Thanks，Regarding the third question, yes, operations such as firmware updates can be completed via the APP;

 

[yuting]

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?

Thanks，Why do you want USB-C? USB-A can already support a sampling rate of 768 KHz at present; also, why do you prefer it to be USB-powered?

 

[VientoB]

Thanks，Why do you want USB-C? USB-A can already support a sampling rate of 768 KHz at present; also, why do you prefer it to be USB-powered?

USB-C is the new standard. Why would people want an old connector on a new product? USB power would make it far easier than having a dedicated cable and power supply for the product.

 

[LumenMedia]

A small but potentially useful observation: streaming over Wi-Fi through the Fosi Audio S3 seems to be less reliable than using a wired LAN connection, even though I have a very stable Wi-Fi signal throughout my house.
I occasionally experienced connection stability issues and dropouts while using Qobuz over Wi-Fi. The problem disappeared completely after I switched to Ethernet. No more dropouts.

 

[VientoB]

A small but potentially useful observation: streaming over Wi-Fi through the Fosi Audio S3 seems to be less reliable than using a wired LAN connection, even though I have a very stable Wi-Fi signal throughout my house.
I occasionally experienced connection stability issues and dropouts while using Qobuz over Wi-Fi. The problem disappeared completely after I switched to Ethernet. No more dropouts.

Well if you're streaming hi-res that's not particularly surprising.

 

[formdissolve]

Well if you're streaming hi-res that's not particularly surprising.

I stream high res all the time on Wi-Fi with zero issues, even after hours on end.

How far away is your router?

 

[Joe Smith]

I stream high res all the time on Wi-Fi with zero issues, even after hours on end.

Zero dropouts here, but I use Spotify Connect.

 

[redjr]

I have to say... I've been listening to the S3 for a few months now, and I can't get over clear and articulate the sound is. I listening in a NFE through a pair of Q1 Meta speakers. Using a preamp where the distortion cannot be measured. I usually listen to this system for hours a day and there is absolutely no fatique, or 'gratingness' on some sustained high-pitched vocals. Fosi has a real value winner on their hands with the S3 - especially considering the price.

 

[Joe Smith]

Another nice aspect of the S3 Lite - really strong Bluetooth. This morning, after bad thunderstorms last night, I had to reboot my workroom system - GFI breaker in plug had tripped overnight, fortunately no equipment damage. Before I'd activated Spotify Connect via PC to send something to the S3, ghostly Scarlatti music came through speakers. Quiet, I thought it was my PC speaker at first but no, it was the main system. Turned out that the S3 had reverted to Bluetooth input (I had tested that recently) and it found a iPod Touch in a backpack three rooms away that was hibernating, turned on the last thing I had been playing in the car. Impressive BT strength/range.

 

[Talisman]

I was able to try out the S3 Lite thanks to the Amazon Vine program. Its price is incredibly close to that of the standard S3, which, however, offers a myriad of additional features. Honestly, I don't understand the positioning of this product; it offers less than a WiiM Mini (lacking even an analog output) and costs only 50 euros less than the S3.

 

[Multiway]

I was able to try out the S3 Lite thanks to the Amazon Vine program. Its price is incredibly close to that of the standard S3, which, however, offers a myriad of additional features. Honestly, I don't understand the positioning of this product; it offers less than a WiiM Mini (lacking even an analog output) and costs only 50 euros less than the S3.

I would guess it reflects the highish core price of buying in the streamer engine common to both.
The other components are relatively 'cheap as chips' when at large scale.

 

[Joe Smith]

I was able to try out the S3 Lite thanks to the Amazon Vine program. Its price is incredibly close to that of the standard S3, which, however, offers a myriad of additional features. Honestly, I don't understand the positioning of this product; it offers less than a WiiM Mini (lacking even an analog output) and costs only 50 euros less than the S3.

I can't disagree with this. It's a nice looking unit (in black, finally) but if buying myself, would not pick it over the main S3, which has a perfectly good DAC in it. The app has improved but I am still using my WiiM Mini for my garage system, and that little puck continues to impress me, plus their app is very, very good. It is pulling signal in my garage 40' away from my upstairs router in a house made of brick (does have some windows on that side to garage, I assume that is what allows the signal to get that far).

Fosi continues to expand their product range, definitely not trying to specialize but to put a lot of stuff out there. I feel also they are adjusting their price points upward over time, the BT20A MAX is good but a bit expensive for what it offers. The original V3 Stereo amp, the Q6 DAC and the P4 preamp are all really good sub-$100 values, as is the Box X5 phono pre. The S3 prices are I think carefully calculated to be competitive with WiiM, but still make a pretty good margin.

I am looking forward to their new DAP player, that could be a good product for them, depending on price. I have been wanting something that uses the Apple wheel system with decent storage and easy file transfer. Mostly for car use.

 

[Talisman]

I can't disagree with this. It's a nice looking unit (in black, finally) but if buying myself, would not pick it over the main S3, which has a perfectly good DAC in it. The app has improved but I am still using my WiiM Mini for my garage system, and that little puck continues to impress me, plus their app is very, very good. It is pulling signal in my garage 40' away from my upstairs router in a house made of brick (does have some windows on that side to garage, I assume that is what allows the signal to get that far).

Fosi continues to expand their product range, definitely not trying to specialize but to put a lot of stuff out there. I feel also they are adjusting their price points upward over time, the BT20A MAX is good but a bit expensive for what it offers. The original V3 Stereo amp, the Q6 DAC and the P4 preamp are all really good sub-$100 values, as is the Box X5 phono pre. The S3 prices are I think carefully calculated to be competitive with WiiM, but still make a pretty good margin.

I am looking forward to their new DAP player, that could be a good product for them, depending on price. I have been wanting something that uses the Apple wheel system with decent storage and easy file transfer. Mostly for car use.

At the very least, it’s pleasing and has almost identical dimensions to the Merak, so I can use it for a small secondary system.

 

[Mort]

USB-C is the new standard. Why would people want an old connector on a new product? USB power would make it far easier than having a dedicated cable and power supply for the product.

Because they are more reliable long term. USB prongs and ports get damaged more easily.

 

[VientoB]

Because they are more reliable long term. USB prongs and ports get damaged more easily.

This has no basis. USB-C are used on the most demanding connections like smartphones and tablets which can be connected and disconnected multiple times a day. USB-A and B are not. So I'd like to see your evidence.

 

[Mort]

This has no basis. USB-C are used on the most demanding connections like smartphones and tablets which can be connected and disconnected multiple times a day. USB-A and B are not. So I'd like to see your evidence.

You're a charmer. This is both common sense and widely known.

 

[VientoB]

You're a charmer. This is both common sense and widely known.

"Common sense" - great argument.

 

[yuting]

I can't disagree with this. It's a nice looking unit (in black, finally) but if buying myself, would not pick it over the main S3, which has a perfectly good DAC in it. The app has improved but I am still using my WiiM Mini for my garage system, and that little puck continues to impress me, plus their app is very, very good. It is pulling signal in my garage 40' away from my upstairs router in a house made of brick (does have some windows on that side to garage, I assume that is what allows the signal to get that far).

Fosi continues to expand their product range, definitely not trying to specialize but to put a lot of stuff out there. I feel also they are adjusting their price points upward over time, the BT20A MAX is good but a bit expensive for what it offers. The original V3 Stereo amp, the Q6 DAC and the P4 preamp are all really good sub-$100 values, as is the Box X5 phono pre. The S3 prices are I think carefully calculated to be competitive with WiiM, but still make a pretty good margin.

I am looking forward to their new DAP player, that could be a good product for them, depending on price. I have been wanting something that uses the Apple wheel system with decent storage and easy file transfer. Mostly for car use.

Thanks，Thank you for your sincere advice.