What a Balance Preamplifier Should Be Like?

[Pulkass]

I know Fosi was sending out beta testing units a couple of months ago. I declined, as I have no balanced equipment to test it with. So I would expect them to have this released by July, anyway.

Hope Amir will test it.

 

[Joe Smith]

I imagine they will send him one. The final unit is selling fairly well, I guess, Fosi reports 2,000 sold in initial ordering.

For me, the P4 works better because I don't have any balanced sources, and this new device just has two RCAs and one balanced input. I think this is a great unit for folks who want a balanced pre out to run to monoblock amplifiers and who do have at least one source balanced.

For people with all RCA source outputs, though it costs a little more, the Schiit Saga 2 is a better option, as it has FOUR RCA inputs, balanced/RCA pre outs, and a wonderful stepped relay volume control, plus a metal remote. (The latest Saga 2's also have the option of adding their Forkbeard module for a modest fee that allows for control and monitoring functions via a Schiit iPhone app.)

 

[Pulkass]

I imagine they will send him one. The final unit is selling fairly well, I guess, Fosi reports 2,000 sold in initial ordering.

For me, the P4 works better because I don't have any balanced sources, and this new device just has two RCAs and one balanced input. I think this is a great unit for folks who want a balanced pre out to run to monoblock amplifiers and who do have at least one source balanced.

For people with all RCA source outputs, though it costs a little more, the Schiit Saga 2 is a better option, as it has FOUR RCA inputs, balanced/RCA pre outs, and a wonderful stepped relay volume control, plus a metal remote. (The latest Saga 2's also have the option of adding their Forkbeard module for a modest fee that allows for control and monitoring functions via a Schiit iPhone app.)

My 3 way system 4 amped electronic x overed . Is all connected via xlr. Amps are not differential head to toe. Pre amp and dac are. A little fixation of mine. Those XLR s. Will listen to this pre amp when it arrives.
.

 

[badie]

Did a little review on the ZP3 (now with pics) in the german hifi-forum.
If you like to have a look just use the translator.

Link to ZP3 review on hifi-forum.de (Sorry, only http)

Edit: Added the "only http"

 

[Pulkass]

Link not valid.

 

[mhardy6647]

FWIW, the aforementioned link is fine (in the US, at any rate) -- just not secure (http: protocol)

und so weiter...

 

[badie]

Link not valid.

FWIW, the aforementioned link is fine (in the US, at any rate) -- just not secure (http: protocol)

Uh oh! I am visiting them for years - just checked and yes - they do not have https ... (at the moment?)

 

[Pulkass]

FWIW, the aforementioned link is fine (in the US, at any rate) -- just not secure (http: protocol)

View attachment 464021
und so weiter...

 

[mhardy6647]

Merkwürdig.

 

[thewas]

Uh oh! I am visiting them for years - just checked and yes - they do not have https ... (at the moment?)

They never had, its a poor mess since the investor who took it over seems to care only about one thing, I don't want to write more though...

 

[Pulkass]

Well, I cancelled my order in Audiophonics as there was a delay in delivery and I ordered from Amazon. Today I've received a mail from Amazon and the delivery is expected for next Tuesday.

Arrived now, paid 169 euros at Amazon, l fear that the volume, always turning, could go blast on switching on the power amps, will test it tonight.

 

[steveofar]

If you have a dac that has an adjustable volume mode, then for first use of the zp3 it's good to use that to raise the dac volume from like -40db up to 0db in stages as you adjust the zp3 volume if necessary. I did that and was glad I did, the preamp volume was not low and i had to adjust it down before I reached full volume on the dac. I'm pretty sure I did not play with the zp3 volume after power on either before doing that.

 

[Pulkass]

If you have a dac that has an adjustable volume mode, then for first use of the zp3 it's good to use that to raise the dac volume from like -40db up to 0db in stages as you adjust the zp3 volume if necessary. I did that and was glad I did, the preamp volume was not low and i had to adjust it down before I reached full volume on the dac. I'm pretty sure I did not play with the zp3 volume after power on either before doing that.

Thanks. I was using the Smsl dac do100 direct, the out xlr feeding my electronic x over. Yes the volume was 40, now connected to the pre amp is 00. No problem with the pre amp volume.

 

[arancano]

I'm anxiously awaiting the release of the ZP3 because I will finally have an easy way to apply a HPF to my Ascend Sierra 1 v2 bookshelf speakers and then volume control those + the sub together once they're volume matched. (I've literally avoided buying a decent DAC and have been running off my Sound Blaster ZxR simply for the crossover setting in the drivers.)

I asked for some additional details from Fosi and thought I'd share the responses I got (some are just confirmations to what we already know/assumed):

• The high-pass filter is purely analog.
• The attenuation slope of the ZP3 high-pass filter is 12dB/octave.
• Even though the label on the HPF switch settings show a range that ends at "20KHz" on the top end, no... it's not cutting off frequencies higher than that. (For your dogs' enjoyment.) Obviously, since it's a HPF not a LPF. Just odd labeling.
• Nor does the lowest setting on the HPF switch actually cut off frequencies below 20Hz (so these labels are a tad annoying... wish they would have just labeled the 3 settings "OFF" "80Hz" and "120Hz". Oh well, no biggie.
• The volume knob on the ZP3 uses an encoder switch, different from the potentiometer used on the P4.
• The volume continuously controls the subwoofer out’s volume along with the mains.
• ZP3 will probably be released after July 15th in the USA.

I'm still not entirely sure if the bypass only removes the bass/treble control, or also other features like the balance, HPF, etc. Small detail that likely isn't important.

I think I heard somewhere there is 1 or more swappable op amp, but not sure.

I really wish they would have given more control over the HPF setting, similar to the knobs on Emotiva preamps or the new Douk A5 amp. But honestly I'd probably just set it at 80Hz anyway so this will do!

Hi, how do you like the ZP3 now? I'm finding that the sub switch does nothing. Sent test tones under 80h and the output level is the same no matter what the switch is set to.

 

[PC Audio Lover]

Hi, how do you like the ZP3 now? I'm finding that the sub switch does nothing. Sent test tones under 80h and the output level is the same no matter what the switch is set to.

Yes so, I found out something slightly unfortunate. I thought the bypass ONLY bypassed the Tone Controls (so I had that switch set to "BYPASS" at first because I didn't want to use the Treble/Bass adjustments on the ZP3 since I EQ at my source PC.) But I found out it ALSO bypasses the HPF. So if you make sure that bypass switch is set to OFF, your HPF should work. I just tested it again myself to be absolutely sure and that is indeed how it works. When that switch is set to "OFF" I can hear a clear difference on all 3 settings of the HPF.

I say "unfortunate" but... I guess it's not really that big of a deal. I just assume having those Treble/Bass adjustments in the signal path aren't great if you're not using them. But I suppose the HPF uses the same circuit. Maybe people that want that bypass switch turned on really do want to bypass everything aside from the volume. Still, since you can turn the HPF off completely with it's own switch, I would have rather had the bypass only effect the Treble/Bass knobs.

Anyway, hope that helps.

 

[xanalog]

FOSI announced a new family member:

The ZH3
I shoulda waited...

 

[PC Audio Lover]

FOSI announced a new family member:
View attachment 473624
The ZH3
I shoulda waited...

Why? That's a totally different device with different features. Instead of a true pre-amp with 3 switchable analog sources (including balanced) and features like a HPF and tone controls, this looks like more of a headphone amp with a DAC?

 

[xanalog]

Why? That's a totally different device with different features. Instead of a true pre-amp with 3 switchable analog sources (including balanced) and features like a HPF and tone controls, this looks like more of a headphone amp with a DAC?

Neither one is the right box but we are getting closer to a hybrid preamp, accommodating a mix of analog, as well as digital inputs AND outputs.
An ADC as well as DAC, with a digital PEQ in the middle of the loop, INCLUDING eARC and level indicators.

I am imagining many others have a mix of both analog as well as digital audio inputs, as a part of their AV entertainment system(s)... but despise AV 'receivers'.
This ZH3 also throws in a headphone amp, which some may wish it was a sub-out... I'd wish for a pair of XLR inputs.

 

[PC Audio Lover]

Yeah, Emotiva has some devices that are similar in some of those respects. No PEQ though. To each their own. Seems like everyone wants a different sort of device.

I've really come to understand the appeal of separates over the past year. I'd rather have my choice of DAC just doing that... no volume control or anything, just doing quality conversion. Then all my controls in the pre-amp as that control center - input switching, HPF, quality volume, etc. Then just a simple power amp without any volume or anything. That's a great chain that you can upgrade whenever you need.

It would be nice to have more DACs doing PEQ. I use my PC as my source so I just do it with Peace for right now.

 

[JohnnyNG]

Still, since you can turn the HPF off completely with it's own switch, I would have rather had the bypass only effect the Treble/Bass knobs.

That would make much more sense.