FOSI S3 Balanced Streamer Review

[Joe Smith]

Thanks，Thank you for your sincere advice.

Fosi is doing great work! I think the latest version of the S3 app works very well, the EQ is the one aspect that needs a bit of refinement.

 

[somebodyelse]

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.

Type C connectors are rated for a higher number of insertion cycles than Types A and B which makes them more suitable for frequently connected devices like phones, tablets etc. On the other hand due to reduced size their mechanical connection to the board isn't as strong, so sideways forces on the connector are more likely to damage that connection. This is why some phone and laptop manufacturers put them on their own little replaceable board, avoiding the need to replace the entire main board because of a small cable accident. It's also why Neutrik made the NMC-C to support the cable connector.

 

[VientoB]

Type C connectors are rated for a higher number of insertion cycles than Types A and B which makes them more suitable for frequently connected devices like phones, tablets etc. On the other hand due to reduced size their mechanical connection to the board isn't as strong, so sideways forces on the connector are more likely to damage that connection. This is why some phone and laptop manufacturers put them on their own little replaceable board, avoiding the need to replace the entire main board because of a small cable accident. It's also why Neutrik made the NMC-C to support the cable connector.

Yep, well a USB-C cable round the back of a streamer isn't going to be getting wiggled much, is it?

 

[Multiway]

I got my S3 lite up and running.
Updated OTA no problem.
Couldn't get Qobuz Connect to play ball at first but Spotify Lossless Connect worked straight away.
The S3 Lite would show up to connect to but no sound?!

A factory reset, then confirmed I still had the latest SW etc and Qobuz Connect worked perfectly. Streamed it all afternoon without a glitch.

I have a problem with USB output though. It resolutely refuses to make a sound. Coax and Optical works fine..
Yes I've selected USB in the menu and on my Colinear DSP-8C DAC.
It's anyone else using a Colinear with S3 lite BTW?

I've used USB input on the Colinear no problems with another Streamer and also Windows PC when I use REW for measurements. No problem there.
I even tried two other USB cables..
Stumped!

I have a support PM going on with Fosi, so lets see.

 

[redjr]

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.

I use wired Ethernet exclusively with audio (and video) nodes throughout my house. Wired best. Wireless not so best.

 

[Multiway]

Fosi S3 Lite all working now on both spdif and USB outputs

 

[jareinertson]

Fosi S3 Lite all working now on both spdif and USB outputs

@Multiway
Great! What was the solution?

 

[yuting]

Fosi is doing great work! I think the latest version of the S3 app works very well, the EQ is the one aspect that needs a bit of refinement.

Thanks, we are about to release version 2.7.4, and the EQ will be optimized in this version to make the listening experience more noticeable. You can give it a try. Thank you!

 

[morillon]

Thanks, we are about to release version 2.7.4, and the EQ will be optimized in this version to make the listening experience more noticeable. You can give it a try. Thank you!

GEQ or PEQ?
(If PEQ, how many bands? L+R, or L and R?)

 

[Multiway]

@Multiway
Great! What was the solution?

A combination of factory reset on the S3 lite and the same on the Colinear DSP DAC..

Since then it's worked faultlessly.

 

[Ajaxlegends]

Is it possible to turn off the preamplifier with volume control on the Fosi S3? Want to pair it with a integrated amplifier.

 

[staticV3]

Is it possible to turn off the preamplifier with volume control on the Fosi S3? Want to pair it with a integrated amplifier.

The S3's preamplifier is a simple attenuation of the digital audio signal upstream of the DAC. There's no analog Preamp circuitry inside.

Therefore, by setting the S3 to 100% volume, it'll perform identical to a pure DAC with no volume control functionality.

Whether you can lock the S3's volume to 100% in the App, I don't know.

 

[Ajaxlegends]

The S3's preamplifier is a simple attenuation of the digital audio signal upstream of the DAC. There's no analog Preamp circuitry inside.

Therefore, by setting the S3 to 100% volume, it'll perform identical to a pure DAC with no volume control functionality.

Whether you can lock the S3's volume to 100% in the App, I don't know.

Thank you very much, might makes sense for me then. I want to pair it with Lyngdorf 2170 mostly for Qobuz connect and HDMI Arc for my tv. Don't need it to act as a preamp and might even not use the DAC, although need to try first if that's even possible to not use it.

 

[BitPerfect_]

I got my S3 lite up and running.
[...] Qobuz Connect worked perfectly. Streamed it all afternoon without a glitch.

Hi, could you please confirm if Qobuz Connect works bit perfect at max 24/192 over Toslink on your DAC?
How about when you use the EQ? Thanks!

 

[babadono]

Whether you can lock the S3's volume to 100% in the App, I don't know.

yes you can.

 

[babadono]

Thank you very much, might makes sense for me then. I want to pair it with Lyngdorf 2170 mostly for Qobuz connect and HDMI Arc for my tv. Don't need it to act as a preamp and might even not use the DAC, although need to try first if that's even possible to not use it.

When S3 is set to 100% volume the analog out is pretty hot. I don't know the specs on your Lyngdorf unit and how you are connecting but you may need to pad your inputs.

 

[staticV3]

Thank you very much, might makes sense for me then. I want to pair it with Lyngdorf 2170 mostly for Qobuz connect and HDMI Arc for my tv. Don't need it to act as a preamp and might even not use the DAC, although need to try first if that's even possible to not use it.

If you want to use RoomPerfect, then there's zero reason to use an external DAC, as its signal would be re-digitized inside the Lyngdorf for RoomPerfect to function.

Feeding the Lyngdorf digitally then would cut two unnecessary DA/AD conversions out of the chain.

In that scenario (feeding the Lyngdorf digitally), a WiiM Mini would give you identical, bit-exact sound quality as the Fosi, provided that you have a somewhat usable home WiFI and don't have to use Ethernet into the Streamer.

 

[Multiway]

Hi, could you please confirm if Qobuz Connect works bit perfect at max 24/192 over Toslink on your DAC?
How about when you use the EQ? Thanks!

I can't measure if it's bit perfect!

I have a good Optical link and that can play 24/192. I also have a cheap one that can't. Drops out, stutters etc.
I tried a Blue Jeans Canare plug Coax that also gave drop outs and stutters?!
That surprised me!

I stick to USB when I can.

I don't require a streamer's EQ as I have a FIR capable DSP Preamp 2 in, 8 out. Set up measuring at the listening area with REW/rePhase.

 

[Ajaxlegends]

If you want to use RoomPerfect, then there's zero reason to use an external DAC, as its signal would be re-digitized inside the Lyngdorf for RoomPerfect to function.

Feeding the Lyngdorf digitally then would cut two unnecessary DA/AD conversions out of the chain.

In that scenario (feeding the Lyngdorf digitally), a WiiM Mini would give you identical, bit-exact sound quality as the Fosi, provided that you have a somewhat usable home WiFI and don't have to use Ethernet into the Streamer.

My issue is needing a Hdmi Arc to connect the tv to the amp. My tv only has one optical and I'm already using that one with the Fosi K7 headphone amp. That's why I'm looking at either this unit or maybe the Wiim Ultra for the HDMI Arc.

 

[redjr]

The S3's preamplifier is a simple attenuation of the digital audio signal upstream of the DAC. There's no analog Preamp circuitry inside.

Therefore, by setting the S3 to 100% volume, it'll perform identical to a pure DAC with no volume control functionality.

Whether you can lock the S3's volume to 100% in the App, I don't know.

Yes you can. That's how I use mine. My preamp controls the volume, with the S3 set at max.