Fosi Audio V3 Mono

[Hammett]

At 110db you are going to really love the constant ringing from tinnitus.

Be careful with those ears as they are the only set you will have.

 

[EddNog]

in the v3 mono or even ZA3 in XLR mono mode, the primary op amp that's closest to the output is a driver stage and the 2nd op amp is a differential amp- most of the sound signature is coming from the driver op amp and I'm not convinced that switching the differential op amp will make any difference in the sound.

Exactly which op-amp is the driver op-amp in the ZA3? Is it the one in front where there is one for left channel and one for right channel, or is it the one in the back for XLR?

Same question for V3 Mono, which one is the driver one, the one closer to the front of the amp, or is it the one closer to the rear of the amp?

-Ed

 

[Gigantic]

It’s the one in the rear of the amp, closer to the speaker poles.. The one in the front is the differential op amp.

 

[EddNog]

It’s the one in the rear of the amp, closer to the speaker poles.. The one in the front is the differential op amp.

Thanks; are you talking about the V3 Mono?

Sorry for all the questions—I own ZA3s now and have V3 Monos on the way.

-Ed

 

[Gigantic]

Thanks; are you talking about the V3 Mono?

Sorry for all the questions—I own ZA3s now and have V3 Monos on the way.

-Ed

I’m specifically talking about the ZA3, which I have 4 in my system. I would be surprised if the V3Mono was radically different.

 

[EddNog]

I’m specifically talking about the ZA3, which I have 4 in my system. I would be surprised if the V3Mono was radically different.

Thanks for clarifying.

V3 Mono has no op-amp by the rear ports at all.

-Ed

 

[OldJBL]

The scenario I am referring

I’m specifically talking about the ZA3, which I have 4 in my system. I would be surprised if the V3Mono was radically different.

It seems to me that the two main differences between the ZA3 and V3 Mono is PFFB and the V3 Mono is a true mono-block design. In practical, use these two improvements don't make a huge difference in SQ at typical listening volumes. I will likely buy a second ZA3 to run them in a mono configuration since, IMO, it isn't worth the extra cost to buy two V3 Monos and end up with an unused ZA3. Also, I can use one of the Muses02 op-amps in the second ZA3 and not have to buy another pair.

 

[ejman]

The dude’s m.o. is to repeatedly post bad takes on gear that he has no first hand experience with. I’d call him a troll, but he really seems to believe his misinformation and falsehoods. Either way, the best approach is to ignore him, as countering his wrongheaded responses only gets him to double down.

Yup. I'll need to tell my Magneplanar 1.7's that they are not being properly driven by my Fosi V3 and we'll need to get back to my Conrad -Johnson MF2300A sitting right below the Fosi in my equipment rack because some guy in the internet says the Fosi can't possibly sound as good as it does.

 

[Gigantic]

Yup. I'll need to tell my Magneplanar 1.7's that they are not being properly driven by my Fosi V3 and we'll need to get back to my Conrad -Johnson MF2300A sitting right below the Fosi in my equipment rack because some guy in the internet says the Fosi can't possibly sound as good as it does.

I’m selling my Schiit Bifrost 2/64 because somebody said it doesn’t sound different from a dongle DAC

 

[Retro_Pete]

At 110db you are going to really love the constant ringing from tinnitus.

Be careful with those ears as they are the only set you will have.

It's 85 dBA average. With 110 dBC peaks in the bass which our ears are not very sensitive in. (Fletcher/Munson).
It's loud but not crazy loud. And I don't do it every day.

Indeed.

I'm thinking that @Retro_Pete should take a look at the rules for this specific forum, which includes the line "if you haven't actually tried it yourself, shut up."

I have tried to power speakers with too small amplifiers so I actually know what I'm speaking of. I know there's some kind of fetish for jumping on people. Must be some kind of weird defense.

The scenario I am referring

It seems to me that the two main differences between the ZA3 and V3 Mono is PFFB and the V3 Mono is a true mono-block design. In practical, use these two improvements don't make a huge difference in SQ at typical listening volumes. I will likely buy a second ZA3 to run them in a mono configuration since, IMO, it isn't worth the extra cost to buy two V3 Monos and end up with an unused ZA3. Also, I can use one of the Muses02 op-amps in the second ZA3 and not have to buy another pair.

The sound between the two would depend entirely on your speakers' phase/ impedance characteristics. It might not be audible but there's a chance it is.

Yup. I'll need to tell my Magneplanar 1.7's that they are not being properly driven by my Fosi V3 and we'll need to get back to my Conrad -Johnson MF2300A sitting right below the Fosi in my equipment rack because some guy in the internet says the Fosi can't possibly sound as good as it does.

I would advice against this pairing. It would be interesting to know how much colouration you get from a V3 with this kind of load.
But if you like it and don't care if the amplifier is not neutral but adds its own flavour, I'll just wish you happy listening.

 

[ehoove]

I have cleaned up the back and forth, Let's play nice folks!
Regards,
ehoove

 

[RVT1K]

"Fosi Audio are one of a handful of Audio companies that rapidly iterate and most importantly take feedback from the audio community and then incorporate the best suggestions from that feedback into the next generation of their products."

This sounds like a gentle way of saying they have their paying customers do the R&D for their products and make money by selling them the 'amp/dac of the week' over and over again.

I can see that point of view. But I see it as an admission of "not knowing everything" and accepting that their customer base may have ideas that they do not.

They could offer a new product every other day but no one has to buy them.

 

[Retro_Pete]

I can see that point of view. But I see it as an admission of "not knowing everything" and accepting that their customer base may have ideas that they do not.

They could offer a new product every other day but no one has to buy them.

Oh, I'm sure they know.

They could've implemented what people wanted in the first iteration but chose not to. They could've had PFFB in the first iteration but chose not to.
This so they can release a new version of the same amp again but now with a "feature" that was purposely left out earlier. They are now getting fake goodwill from the users, that feel like the company "listened".

 

[OldJBL]

Oh, I'm sure they know.

They could've implemented what people wanted in the first iteration but chose not to. They could've had PFFB in the first iteration but chose not to.
This so they can release a new version of the same amp again but now with a "feature" that was purposely left out earlier. They are now getting fake goodwill from the users, that feel like the company "listened".

Plenty of manufacturers know what improvements will be made to a product's next version as they release the current version for sale. If Fosi does what you state then they will never release a product because they will never engineer a design that is future proof. Fosi, and all manufacturers, release products that are meant to be upgraded with the exception of those that make simple products like nails, screws, hammers, wrenches etc. Plenty of products have short upgrade cycles. What Fosi has done in the past 1-2 years has been great for their reputation and sales. Fosi is listening to their customers', and reviewers', comments and then actually incorporating these ideas into their products. For some reason, you seem to be the only person here complaining about the way they have decided to satisfy their customers, and gain new ones. Buy a set of V3 Monos, use them, and then write a review here. Fosi is catering to a specific market segment and it appears that you are not in it. It does contain people like me and many others that want great SQ at great price points from a company that will continue to improve their products in meaningful ways that promotes competition.

 

[Retro_Pete]

Plenty of manufacturers know what improvements will be made to a product's next version as they release the current version for sale. If Fosi does what you state then they will never release a product because they will never engineer a design that is future proof. Fosi, and all manufacturers, release products that are meant to be upgraded with the exception of those that make simple products like nails, screws, hammers, wrenches etc. Plenty of products have short upgrade cycles. What Fosi has done in the past 1-2 years has been great for their reputation and sales. Fosi is listening to their customers', and reviewers', comments and then actually incorporating these ideas into their products. For some reason, you seem to be the only person here complaining about the way they have decided to satisfy their customers, and gain new ones. Buy a set of V3 Monos, use them, and then write a review here. Fosi is catering to a specific market segment and it appears that you are not in it. It does contain people like me and many others that want great SQ at great price points from a company that will continue to improve their products in meaningful ways that promotes competition.

Thank you for a reasonable response. I do not agree but that's okay and I can follow your arguments and understand why this benefits you. Where our opinions differ is perhaps,that you look at it from the individuals perspective and I from a business principle.

I'm sure there are others that share the same opinion(s) as I but are not willing to opine against the establishment of regulars (not you) that stand ready to jump and ridicule. I'm luckily/unfortunately too thick to care.

 

[OldJBL]

Thank you for a reasonable response. I do not agree but that's okay and I can follow your arguments and understand why this benefits you. Where our opinions differ is perhaps,that you look at it from the individuals perspective and I from a business principle.

I'm sure there are others that share the same opinion(s) as I but are not willing to opine against the establishment of regulars (not you) that stand ready to jump and ridicule. I'm luckily/unfortunately too thick to care.

The three models (V3, ZA3 and V3 Mono) come in at differing price points and are not meant to be direct replacements or competitors to each other. They are differentiated models in their product line. The V3 can be bought for $90, the ZA3 for $130 and a pair of V3 Monos for around $260 when the Kickstarter offer was available. All three models will be in Fosi's product line for a long time to come as they are targeted at people based on price points and feature sets. Your idea that Fosi is innovating too quickly is misconceived. They are adding new, differentiated products at a fast pace to serve a wide variety of people. Just like any product line that is expanding, this might entice people to upgrade in a short period of time. Looking at this from a business perspective, what Fosi is doing by expanding its product line is good business practice by expanding its market base to a wider group of people. Over the past year, Fosi has differentiated itself from the sea of budget Chinese audio brands which isn't an easy thing to do.

 

[EddNog]

The three models (V3, ZA3 and V3 Mono) come in at differing price points and are not meant to be direct replacements or competitors to each other. They are differentiated models in their product line. The V3 can be bought for $90, the ZA3 for $130 and a pair of V3 Monos for around $260 when the Kickstarter offer was available. All three models will be in Fosi's product line for a long time to come as they are targeted at people based on price points and feature sets. Your idea that Fosi is innovating too quickly is misconceived. They are adding new, differentiated products at a fast pace to serve a wide variety of people. Just like any product line that is expanding, this might entice people to upgrade in a short period of time. Looking at this from a business perspective, what Fosi is doing by expanding its product line is good business practice by expanding its market base to a wider group of people. Over the past year, Fosi has differentiated itself from the sea of budget Chinese audio brands which isn't an easy thing to do.

Exactly, in this respect, I believe Fosi has taken a leg or two up on both, Aiyima and Douk/Little Bear.

-Ed

 

[RVT1K]

It is not uncommon for new and better components (or materials/ design techniques) become available even while a product is being designed. You can't always drop everything and run towards the new, shiny parts as that may require a wholesale design change. And sometimes designers have no choice when certain items are not available and will not be for a long time. All of this is even more of an issue when pushing the envelope.

Plus..if you keep waiting for perfection before releasing a product, you will never release it.

 

[EddNog]

My units have arrived and I’ve come immediately to inform any other buyers/owners that there is no factory thermal interface material between the heatsink and the enclosure, so if you’re so inclined (as I am), the first thing you may want to do is apply a fine layer.



-Ed

 

[OldJBL]

My units have arrived and I’ve come immediately to inform any other buyers/owners that there is no factory thermal interface material between the heatsink and the enclosure, so if you’re so inclined (as I am), the first thing you may want to do is apply a fine layer.

Interesting. The ZA3 has thermal paste applied at the factory.