You're an honest reviewer, and that’s why Fosi isn't sending! You have a great sense of humor! I look forward to watching your videos!

@UTILITARIANTVUK

2 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Love your videos, thank you, hello from Australia. I am glad you have a realistic approach to av, I struggle with advice from professionals or sales people.

I closed my eyes and was able to guess when you switched from Amazon to WBC three different times, Wasn’t expecting that, Thanks!

Thank you for your honest review. As you said I only saw all the schilling for this amp when it came out. Thats all there was.

IMO I’d always go for the integrated amp. Built in dac, phono stage. Choice of tone or direct modes. Matches the looks of the cd player. As for sound I couldn’t detect a difference.

Subscribed!

@UTILITARIANTVUK

2 ай бұрын

Thank you! 👍

I have the Fosi V3, and hooked it up via XLR to RCA adapters to my PS Audio DAC/Preamp, it sounds pretty darn good, very A/B sounding, and gave my little Cayin EL84 10w tube amp a run for its money with my Zu DW6 Supreme speakers. I am really impressed with this little V3 amp. My buddy turned me on to the V3, he is pairing it with a GD Audio R28 DAC/Preamp and a PS Audio Gaincell DAC/Preamp, powering a pair of $9000 Fritz Carbon speakers. He has a ZA3 coming next week... And just received a new $1500 Deer Creek Class D Hypex amplifier... He is on the fence... We both came to the conclusion that speaker sensitivity makes or breaks these amplifiers. My 95dB Zu's, and his I think 88dB Fritz Carbons... For the money, the Fosi are incredibly hard to beat. I did a little amp shootout here in the house, with two women with very good hearing, they tore apart the sound. The Fosi and Cayin both did good things. The Fosi beat the Cayin here and there, it was a tough call, Class A and Class D, tough call, but I would give the win to the Cayin 10w Class A EL84 tube amp. And it was only by a hair.

I always go for separate components. That is what I find to best for me. I think some would be happiest with active powered speakers with everything stuffed inside. No cables just fully integrated speakers things.

For me the ZA3 sounds slightly cleaner with piano. However, I would prefer more genres of music (and voices) to get a better feel of the differences, but I get the practical issues of such. I can see people buying a ZA3 and a WiiM Pro plus (with trigger function), streaming, and advanced PEQ function vs bass/trebble.

Great video, I can’t tell much of a difference. Nice music too.

I'd agree with that assessment. If you grow up with stereo receivers and integrated amps you expect to see a line of inputs and a phono. I did buy recently 2 those of aiyima 07 max to try mono blocks but yeah it's adding up that and some preamp thats like 3 power points and still very limited io. I'll wait until it all turns up before I poo poo it. I'm with you I couldn't tell the difference between the Rotel and fosi in terms of sound.

Mildly preferred the Rotel based on the piano, but the ZA3 definitely seems decent. Wonder how it compares to the V3, Aiyima A07, etc.

Give me a full sized intergrated amp any day , especially if buying used .Fare enough if you just use one of them as a desktop setup .Getting to fussy and complicated using 2 like that , as well as expensive .Two power supplies etc. A modern intergrated amp with built in bluetooth is ideal .Still using a 15 year old NAD C315 bee

To be fair you don’t need 2 and you can combine this with a great second hand dac or a su1 from smsl and be done under 200. Also would like your comparison with the A07 max.

Did you try the ZA3s without the P3 in the chain? I have the same setup but with Sparkos opamps fitted and I found the P3 closed up the soundstage a fair bit. The ZA3s sound much wider with more top end air when used on their own, if that makes any sense 😄

@UTILITARIANTVUK

2 ай бұрын

Yes, I tried the ZA3 with a CD player.

Totally agree, integrated amp all the way. Personally couldn’t hear any difference in the sound, not sure about comparing to the rotel as I think you got a bit of a bargain with that purchase but comparison with the Marantz is fair given similar price points and the Marantz gives far more in terms of features while also providing an excellent sound (I have the PM7000N rather than the one you mentioned though)

The real test is the Fosi mono blocks pushing your 6 ohm Littons which can drop below 4 ohms. You'll be surprised how much better they'll sound compared to the Rotel. They'll give your Leak amp a good run for the money.

Spend the extra for a Sabaj A30a nice dac lots of power, dsp settings that work! But the marantz is a great amp, paired with Q acoustic or dali speakers .

how it will perform if I am using fosi za3 as power amplifier with AVR for Atmos height speaker. Thank you

You should try the SMSL AO300 - amazing Amp that's better in my opinion to the Fosi. Its also slightly better than the AE200 but both amazing value with incredible separation, dynamics, and detail. I own high end power amps and pre amps.

I'm running dual mono ZA3s on the Wharfedale 225s. I bought a BobWire AAT1 12V trigger device so they come on when I start playing music. I ran them at full gain at first but then used some fuzzy math and a DMM to set the gain to 10.5V@1kHz (with 1V coming out my DAC). And I honestly like the sound better with them turned down a bit and being able to go full volume on my passive preamp.

Did you test using just one ZA3 in stereo mode instead of two in mono mode? Might there be enough power to drive both speakers with one ZA3? I see quite an interest for example combining wiim pro plus + ZA3 as a quite nice system for cca 400 eur ...

@UTILITARIANTVUK

2 ай бұрын

I used one in stereo mode and it drove my Lintons fine.

@mattburgess2

2 ай бұрын

I've done this test and wasn't worth it at all. Sound wise I couldn't tell any difference and volume wise it was only .6 db louder which isn't anything. Then I did a back to back test with the V3 , it was the same in loudest but I find the v3 has more depth and a better sound stage. I sent the 2 back and use my v3. That's a keeper.

@conchobar

Ай бұрын

Despite Fosi over-inflating the ZA3's power specs, The ZA3, as a single integrated amp, is still more powerful than that Rotel

New subscriber here enjoyed the video! I use an AB switcher and between a class a b crown amplifier versus the cheaper fosi tb10d I can't tell any difference until I turn it up loud then the more powerful crown amp as much better control over the bass. It's almost pointless to run the ZA3s in mono unless you have a speaker that drops down to two ohms. The way these bridge is opposite of how most amps bridge.

@UTILITARIANTVUK

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the sub! 👍

I'd like to see Fosi/Aiyima/Douk slow down their product cycle a bit, putting more thought into the products they are putting out. Granted, they have proved to be innovative but for the consumer, it is a bit overwhelming. I recently purchased the Loxjie A40 to compare to my Denon PMA-1600NE. I think the Denon beats it sound-wise, but not by much. The Loxjie is a fully functional integrated amp at $255. For somebody starting out in audio, I think that is hard to beat.

@UTILITARIANTVUK

2 ай бұрын

Yes, I agree that they need to slow down, they are bringing out new products every 6 months, sometimes even sooner. It's hard to keep up.

Definitely very close in sound signatur, when I hear dthe first tim eI guess A was the Fosi, that said listening several times the differences are so subtle it almost like you want to hear them!

Thanks for that great video. Just another hype of some chinese .... like usually. Keep up your great work. Michael from Germany

hi mate, not a lot of differnce. mind you i have got 68 year old ears. you get old amps, have you ever tryed a ARCAM A85 DAMED good amp i think?. cheers man keep up the good work.

@UTILITARIANTVUK

2 ай бұрын

I haven't tried it but I will keep a look out? 👍

after seeing this video i subscribed.lol

Integreated yes but nice video, tanks.

Maybe worth it Just for the power output if you have hard to drive speakers. Wonder if these could drive Magnepans LRS+?

@gregmatula9749

2 ай бұрын

I bet it would.

@philipkershaw7918

2 ай бұрын

At 86db sensiitivity those Magnepans are not the easiest things to drive. But the Za3's have lots of power.

@34332

2 ай бұрын

Yes they can (for sure). However, the Maggies are 86dB @ 4 Ohm. ZA3s dual mono easily powers 2 Ohm.

@philipkershaw7918

2 ай бұрын

@philipkershaw7918 0 seconds ago I think we all know that the power [in watts] will [theoretically at least] increase as you go from 8 to 4 to 2 ohms. But this is perhaps more a question of efficiency. And, as I stated above, 86db speakers would require a lot more power than say my 90db Ditton 66's to deliver the same volume levels. Although, as also stated above, the Za3's do produce goodly amounts of power.

@garyalexander5686

2 ай бұрын

I have the ZA3 and the LRS+. I can tell you that the ZA3 drives those speakers really well.

ขอบคุณครับ

Not really fair when you compare pricing on new gear vs used. Plus, depending on where you buy, fosi's gear is often on sale too.

I agree buy a good integrated amplifier is better 👍

A, there is more bass and less treble than in B. I assumed it was the Fosi because of the bass but I was surprised by the treble as it was a class D and without PFBB. For a simple equipment, I agree with you, I would buy the Marantz 6007. Now, amplifiers need a certain break-in, especially the electrolytic capacitors. Therefore, you should repeat the test after a few dozen hours of running the Fosi. Two videos since you do not notice the differences. You must have a bottleneck in your system or your ears are clogged 😉. Assuming the first, the usual and greatest is the quality of the electrical supply.

@UTILITARIANTVUK

2 ай бұрын

My ears are clogged I need to take the potatoes out of them!

I thought that the ZA3's sounded better than the Rotel. The audio sounded fuller with more dynamic bass. It is a shame that you didn't turn up the volume more, as you had a 48 v power supply or try one amp on stereo mode. . For the price, I would have bought the Wiim amp at £299, which is more comparable to the 2 ZA3's in price range.

Last year I was at a crossroads between buying a used integrated amplifier and a Chinese class D amp. I settled for a used Creek 4240. It sounds lovely. The internet is heads over heels for these class D amps. So it felt like I made the wrong choice. And this video states that both options sound fine... Well, how's the stereo mode VS the mono mode on the Fosi? Ehhhh... I still don't get the hype over these class D desktop amps. They don't raise the bar compared with 30 year old amps! Why bother!?

@UTILITARIANTVUK

2 ай бұрын

IMO they don't sound much different in stereo mode compared to mono. I think it's a bit of a marketing ploy to sell more amps?

I liked your video but can't help but wonder if this type of kit is simply becoming redundant. When you consider that Record/CD stores are really struggling to generate trade because the quality of streaming and purpose designed streaming devices like the Wiim amp as an absolute classic example are becoming mainstream. An amp/streaming/on board dack which includes quality binding posts and a sturdy sub out port selling currently for £320 it doesn't have tone controls but it has an absolutely top notch graphic equaliser and separate comprehensive sub controls courtesy of its app. It has other features that I haven't mentioned but my point is isn't this type of kit at least within the realms of affordability simply becoming rapidly obsolete.

I liked the rotel more than fosi ,it seemed fuller and more bass, i heard them on my tv so maybe not as accurate . Nice comparison 👍💯

@Panslapper

2 ай бұрын

Generally the case with Class A/B over Class D...Class D can, in general (especially older stuff), be like a visit to the Headmasters office at times, coldly judging every aspect of the foolery of ones recorded behavior while the Class A/B can be like a visit to the jolly old local vicar, more welcoming, forgiving and better humoured. Regardless to say I thought the Fosi had a little more bass presence and definition than the Rotel at least that is how it sounds coming through my JBL Charge 5 speaker which is very very good at picking up bass notes even over Bluetooth.

The dac used on the Fosi seemed way to dry. There was no shimmer in the high hats at all.

I have 2 units of fosi za3 and one aiyima A07max..... Fosi has more bass other wise A07max is much better in mid range and treble.... How u find the difference can u make a comparison video?

@tonym8358

2 ай бұрын

I saw a review yesterday that said 2 Aiyima A07 max will blow up your socks

Hi mate very little difference personally I would buy a rega elex r I tried the leak stereo 130 it did not suit the lintons where as the rega sounded better

@34332

2 ай бұрын

Leak 130 is anemic in power. The one in this video is the Leak 230 and a very good match for the Lintons. Better to compare the Rega to the Leak 230 in terms of power.

I liked the Rotel more.

The ZA3’s actually sound better than your rotel! Wow, I’m totally surprised……I played this over my system….and yes, there’s a difference in the higher frequencies……I ran it through my rogue audio sphinx with Tekton lores and a chord mojo dac……..so my sound is very accurate at reproduction……on just an iPad, no I can’t hear a difference….but through my system, definitely

Please read the whole comment before you delete it. You are a complete knob, and you’re f@#¥§¥g brilliant. You have taken the ‘audiophile snob’ and 💩 on them, giving genuine hi-fi reviews that the average person can relate to. We can’t all afford MacIntosh and such like amplifiers, or spend the equivalent of 5 years wages on a pair of speaker cables. The vast majority of us enjoy listening to the music rather than the equipment. Yes we’d like to be able to afford some higher end equipment, but I’d much rather listen to you review an amplifier you found in a 2nd hand shop and compare it to what you have in your system. So keep up the good work matey, safe in the knowledge that you are a knob, but a bloody brilliant knob, hahaheeheehoho 🤜🤛🤜🤜🤛👊…..

@UTILITARIANTVUK

2 ай бұрын

😄 thanks!

@michaelwright1602

2 ай бұрын

I have a very good friend, his house looks like a high end HiFi shop, amplifiers on furniture dollies, speakers in the tens of thousands of dollars. And he was the one that turned me on to these Fosi amps, and he is being blown away. I know one thing, if on a budget, and looking for an incredible musical amplifier, with more positives than negatives, these Fosi amps are the way to go.

i could hear a difference even through youtube. ZA3s more bass a bit tighter than the Rotel and Rotel seems more linear in frequency response a bit more mids than the slightly v shaped za3s. Which one i prefer ? i slightly lean towards the rotel but only by a wee bit.

I’m with you, I would always go with an integrated amp. Ideally I would chose one with ht-bypass/ processor mode so that it can be repurposed should I want to use it in a home theatre for example. Also, beware Amazons returns team. They love sending out warnings and banning households for returns!

Agree 100% why bother when marantz is £350.

To my ears the rotel sounds better, it has more canal separation

Rotel sounded a lot better. tighter bass control and just sounds better

Should always put the Hoover away 😃

@UTILITARIANTVUK

2 ай бұрын

There's no point. With my kids, I have to vacuum every 20 minutes!

That is why V3 is a stіll great bargain. ZA3 in mono mode is expensive and doesn't give much difference in sound.

@tonym8358

2 ай бұрын

I sold my V3....Aiyima07 Max sounds much better

@OldMeloman

2 ай бұрын

@@tonym8358 For me V3 better, have both. In 07 MAX for me not enough balance in frequencies.V3 with OPA2604 better for me.

Nobody has actually made a video about long term ownership of the Fosi brand personally I’d go with a second hand integrated amp or new like the Yamaha I think they lost your address Marty 😭

@UTILITARIANTVUK

2 ай бұрын

I think they did Paul! 😄

Just one connection to connect other gear, with those tiny amps. Allright for on a desk. Hear no difference.

No need to ask to hate theses amps, I already do. Why getting creasy with cheap Chinese stuff.

I thought the Fosi’s sounded great

Little to no difference to me dude, but then my ears are 76 years old and painted on...

@UTILITARIANTVUK

2 ай бұрын

🤣

I forsee a dac/streamer from fosi with 12 v trigger...

LOL... I used to own a Rotel RA-02 (amp), RCD-02 (cd) and RT-02 (tuner) ... all from their compact line ... hooked to Snell JIII speakers ... all sounded great in my home office !!!! Keep in mind the Rotel RA-01 only has 40W (8ohm) but sounds great !!!

I can't hear a difference. Get better speakers. :P

I have a douk st-01 (aiyima) which is awesome on my desktop and the missus has a fosi which is average at best on hers. I unsubbed to cheap audio shill as he has just become a bit of a joke and absolute fosi mouth piece. Keep the bastards honest. I also have the marantz 6007 for our turntableand like it., but in Oz it cost $1100aud ( 569 pounds) which is quite ridiculous.

Most companies don’t like honest reviews thinking sending their products is enough to get a good one, and keep you under their wing ghosting you brings into question the integrity of the company, I see your wife let you keep the wall mounts, great fun as aways

Always amused why people keep buying this stuff, the Marantz PM6007 would beat the Fosi on every count except size......as you say, unless you need a very small desktop set up.....what's the point? and they always sound very average, unless you are a KZread reviewer been given one for free, of course it sounds great then! Always amazing how the free stuff sounds soo much better😂

I like it when the music is punchy, not the presenter.

@UTILITARIANTVUK

2 ай бұрын

These comments motivate me to throw even more punches! 😄👊

@oliverosrecki7421

Ай бұрын

​@@UTILITARIANTVUKGood evening. I have one question, if you can answer and explain it to me. My friend told me that these Fossi devices work better and have better sound than Quad 405, 44 and fm4? What do you think? Thanks in advance for your reply and greetings from Serbia! 

@UTILITARIANTVUK

Ай бұрын

@@oliverosrecki7421 It is a difficult question to answer as I have not heard any of the quad products. They ZA3's are very good but at the same volume as my Rotel RA-01 amp, I could here much of a difference?

ZA3 2x + P3 = 500eu xDD

FOSI = Fantastically Overpriced Sales Initiative 😂

Both sounded equally terrible in that system.