Fosi V4 & V5 Mono - Fosi goes Hypex

[keith_h]

I replaced the onboard nCore amplification in my NAD M10 with 2 Fosi V3 mono. Arguably they sound at least as good, maybe a little better in their listening space than the nCore amps they replaced. The big external power supplies are not really an issue, but its true that the tiny amps do move about with all the cables hanging off the back, but of course once you turn them on you never need touch them again. Had I known a tiny bit of "special" rubber would add so much value to the user experience... I still wouldn't have bothered. Mine sit on chop sticks to add some additional ventilation space, an economical carbon based ventilation aid with a strong natural aesthetic.

Mine sit behind a closed cabinet door out of sight, just like the M10, no one will ever see them so all the attention to appearance would be wasted on me. As usual I will await performance reviews to guide me on whether they are worth considering. If the price is not ridiculous and there is some sonic benefit, I may be tempted to swap over.

As for the guy that they have been consulting with on the aesthetics, he adds nothing in my view other than maybe cost.

 

[Elgrosso]

How do you say in english...giving us the rope to get hang?
Well same shady talks, marvelous super duper high end design with special cable layout no one ever thought of and super advanced elastomer feet from airbus meal plates.
What’s the deal with the two power inlets, one for the internal PSU and one optional brick for the LCD?
Probably thin horizontal meter/spectro, I’m guessing very colorful so you can show off.
Not doubting it’s hypex but what kind of ncore fits vertically in such a slim box?
They should really have spared the cost of the red dot...

Ok enough hate, maybe it could still find its place if the price is lower than competition.
Maybe some PEQS? gain settings? XO in/out?
The reversed labels are useful, I’m just surprised he didn’t explain it came up while taking a shit in Tokyo.

 

[Ultrasonic]

Some highlights like Power Supply is mounted below the amplifier module

The case doesn't look tall enough? Possibly behind rather than below? That would be the more normal arrangement...

 

[davmol]

I think the v5 actually doesn't look too bad in this video, although I wouldn't stretch to calling it "sexy", like this strangely over excited and twitchy presenter.

I noticed he said the v4 is the entry-level mono amp, so does that mean Fosi are removing the v3 from their lineup? Maybe he meant that the v4 is the entry-level of Fosi's new sexy amp range, while the v3 remains in their new unsexy amp category.

 

[goodlove]

Given that these are monophonic stages that must be integrated into an AV or stereo system with other components, I cannot understand the design .
especially v5,It looks like an outdoor phone case.Without commenting on the sound quality, I don't think it's a good path for Fosi,
My V3s are submerged in the deep darkness of the Batcave. They can be felt but not seen.
and they've relegated a Class 151 amplifier to the garage ,
something impossible for me a few years ago.

 

[kishanpatel995]

at the price wouldn't it be better to just go with the buckeye amps ncx252mp?

 

[Guddu]

at the price wouldn't it be better to just go with the buckeye amps ncx252mp?

Totally depends on the preference, at least enclosure looks if not performance.
And there can not be any denial that buckeye amps have best $ to power ratio at the moment for USA customers w.r.t. Hypex/Purify amplifiers.

 

[Ropeburn]

at the price wouldn't it be better to just go with the buckeye amps ncx252mp?

Yeah but it isn't beautiful and there's no lengthy orange button on it that feels nice and sounds nice and is sturdy. And it isn't beautiful. It does have the groundbreaking internal PSU though...

 

[dansan69]

the designer must surely be a McLaren fan

 

[Transistor]

I replaced the onboard nCore amplification in my NAD M10 with 2 Fosi V3 mono.

I don't get why you'd swap the insanely awesome NAD M10 for those cheap Fosi units?

 

[Transistor]

Yeah but it isn't beautiful and there's no lengthy orange button on it that feels nice and sounds nice and is sturdy. And it isn't beautiful. It does have the groundbreaking internal PSU though...

If companies like Fosi, Aiyima, Topping, SMSL, and so on start producing Hypex-based units with proper industrial design at the same price point as Buckeye—or even slightly higher—then companies like Buckeye will be wiped off the face of the earth.

 

[MCH]

If companies like Fosi, Aiyima, Topping, SMSL, and so on start producing Hypex-based units with proper industrial design at the same price point as Buckeye—or even slightly higher—then companies like Buckeye will be wiped off the face of the earth.

They would definitely have an edge on case, connectors, displays, you name it, but at that price point, many folks will value local and reliable service.

 

[goodlove]

El diseñador seguramente es fan de McLaren

No entiendo por qué cambiarías el increíble NAD M10 por esas unidades Fosi baratas.

I don't get why you'd swap the insanely awesome NAD M10 for those cheap Fosi units?

I alternate them with a Nuprime ST 10 stereo priced 4 times more expensive .
v3 don't wrinkle at all.At first I refused to accept it.I had to admit it as the days went by....
acoustic room and optimized equipment..
excuse my translator's english

I don't get why you'd swap the insanely awesome NAD M10 for those cheap Fosi units?

 

[Guddu]

I don't get why you'd swap the insanely awesome NAD M10 for those cheap Fosi units?

It’s really normal curiosity that gets better of us many times.
Those who have hypex based amps may naturally be inclined to try way cheaper tpa3255/51 amps, and most likely aren’t going to find their expensive amps performing any better meaningfully.
And likewise, someone with a already good tpa3255 amp might incline to try Hypex or purify.
If chaper stuff can do the job then why not use the savings to something else.

 

[Transistor]

It’s really normal curiosity that gets better of us many times.
Those who have hypex based amps may naturally be inclined to try way cheaper tpa3255/51 amps, and most likely aren’t going to find their expensive amps performing any better meaningfully.
And likewise, someone with a already good tpa3255 amp might incline to try Hypex or purify.
If chaper stuff can do the job then why not use the savings to something else.

That makes sense. It’s just that the NAD is an incredibly feature-packed, sophisticated unit, so comparing it to simple Fosi monoblocks struck me as a bit odd. )
They’ll sound equally good, though. What kind of difference could there be? Power output, perhaps—and that’s about it.

 

[keith_h]

I don't get why you'd swap the insanely awesome NAD M10 for those cheap Fosi units?

Excellent question which has been well documented in the M10 thread.

The original M10 had issues with volume and the sensitivity of the sub output which meant the sub would not wake up. This was a common issue with BluOS powered products of the time. You can google "BluOS weak bass" for more information. I had lengthy correspondence with NAD/Blue Sound/PSB (the speaker and sub manufacturer) about it. They are all the same family in the same building and the same people responded to all the questions I raised. The sub actually had an NAD amp built in so you might imagine a level of compatibility. The support team were hopeless and denied any problems whatsover, however NAD "fixed" them in the V2 which was essentially quite different internally. Huh. Product enhancements they said.

The NAD M10 has outputs for external amplification. I checked the reviews here and actually the Fosi mono V3 tested very well, almost as well as some Eigentacht amps, better than nCore. At the price, worth a shot - right?

On the rear of the V3 is the input sensitivity switch, this enabled bringing the sub and speakers closer together. It's not just a matter of cranking the sub up. The sub out voltage on the M10 is about 2v, typically these are around 4v on other products from memory. The sub would wake at normal listening levels was the result which it would not do with the on board amps.

In any case this worked, it sounds great, there was no need to look farther afield for better amplification or sell the M10 which I like or do any other thing. It sounds at least as good and likely better than the onboard nCore amplification in its listening space with the same speakers, is a much better match for the sub (the defect with the output voltage matched with the reduced amp input sensitivity) and was not an expensive fix.

 

[Audionaut]

If companies like Fosi, Aiyima, Topping, SMSL, and so on start producing Hypex-based units with proper industrial design at the same price point as Buckeye—or even slightly higher—then companies like Buckeye will be wiped off the face of the earth.

No, I don't think so. Domestic support and a proven track record of durability are very important to many people.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

No, I don't think so. Domestic support and a proven track record of durability are very important to many people.

Right, and the Shenzhen manufacturers haven't exactly covered themselves with glory when it comes to customer service.

 

[Ropeburn]

No, I don't think so. Domestic support and a proven track record of durability are very important to many people.

That's exactly why I bought Audiophonics from my neighbour country instead of a chip amp for less than half the money, even though I had to save up for it. There was an amount of nerdy "I want perfection" as well, regarding load sensitivity and other numbers - none of which I could probably hear. And build quality without weird design choices. But mostly it was that, track record of the technology, and service. Plus giving my money to direct neighbours. "Soft" factors.

 

[Multicore]

Yeah but it isn't beautiful

WAT

Buckeye NC252MP Stereo Amplifier Review

Every time I read a comment about its ugliness or that the top of the case bows up, my heart swells with antiaudiophillic pride.

www.audiosciencereview.com