I can tell folks that this little ZA3 will drive a pair of Magnepan LRS+ speakers without breaking a sweat. I turned it up, beyond what I ever listen to, and there was no distortion or clipping. The sound was clear, a little bright, but easily tuned out with the EQ. Midrange was very pleasing, and even a bit meaty and punchy, which was good. Voicing was very clear, and crisp, I really liked that. The bass was a bit overbearing, that needed to be tamed a bit too. An active crossover between the preamp and ZA3 really helped, I split the stereo signal from the preamp at roughly 80hz, sending everything above 80hz to the Maggies, and everything below say 80hz to a pair of REL T-Zero MKIII subs. My only issue with this Class D amp was the overall sound, it is very 2 dimensional, as all Class D amps are, especially with the Maggie LRS+ speakers. But, for the money, these little amps are going to be difficult, if not impossible to beat.
That is seriously impressive. I keep seeing reviews with people saying these little amps can't play loud without speaker damaging distoration but I have two V3's and a TB10D and they sound great at all volume levels. I've been looking at the ZA3 but I've heard that if I'm going to use just one in stereo, then there would be no benefit of going with a ZA3 if I already have a V3 with a 48A/5V power supply.
@@ramondelgado6778 The only benefit to the ZA3 is the XLR output and the bit of line level boost they offer. I have both, the V3 and ZA3, sonically, I cannot tell them apart.
I have driven Magnepan MG2.5/Rs full range with the smaller 36V5A power supply on the ZA3 and it sounded great in a ~12x12 room. The Fosi V3 monos power my other 2.5/Rs in my very large open living area and the sound phenomenal wiith dual subs coverinv
I bought one following the recommendation of the cheap audio man, it’s my 3 rd fossil purchase, and the quality gets better with each generation. Love it
Solid review sir, this amp is very solid, I just received mine today, and the best part, as you stated, no fatigue. I did not play any Nazareth, but a little Melody Gardot, of course Brothers in Arms, and a few others... The soundstage is very good, not as wide as my little Class A 10w Cayin EL84 tube amp, but not that far off. Willie Nelson, Teatro, sounded fantastic, Willie's voice, and the guitar... Very tight, and again, no fatigue, no digital sound or that sterile glare that most Class D amps cannot escape. And not a fan of the knob. First off, I have the Fosi V3, and a pair of the Aiyima A07 Max amplifiers. I have been doing a shootout over the past week or so. Right now, the ZA3 is winning, but only due to the sub output. I believe the V3 is a tad bit better in overall sound quality, but not by much. A little EQ work in the WiiM can fix that. If I was to choose, the ZA3 hands down for the win. And I did do some op amp "rolling" with the Sparkos, I did not like them, they muddied up the sound. The factory TI op amps are just fine to my ear. My system... WiiM Pro w/LHY LPS via Mogami digital coax > PS Audio Stellar Gaincell DAC/Preamp > Douk Audio Line Level Booster > Fosi ZA3 > Zu DW6 Supreme Speakers and a pair of SVS SB3000 subwoofers. All cables are Blue Jeans LC-1 Belden, speaker wires are Mogami 3082 coaxial wire with banana plugs. The one thing I did do, after researching these Texas Instrument amps, is to add the Douk Audio Line Level Booster into the mix. That gives me up to 12v of gain, and boosts the line level by 20dB, a preamp behind my preamp. When I installed the Douk, all of these amps opened up, as they are all pretty much identical. When I took the Douk out of the chain, they all fell flat on their face. I don't listen to music very loud, I am not one to "crank it up", and this silly little amp, with the Douk, does not disappoint. I have to say, this is the best sounding Class D amp I have owned. My last one was the XTZ Edge A2-400, around $1000 new when I bought it. This Fosi is kicking its teeth in. The only Class D amp out here right now that can better this silly little amp is going to be one of the new Hypex Nilai offerings. Yes, this little Fosi can be a reference amplifier, it is that good. Just invest in that little Douk line level booster for another $40. For all of you guys trashing this amp, go get one! They are only $149 and pick up the Douk. You won't even have $200 invested and give it a run. You don't like, box it up and get your full refund. Don't knock it until you try it, and to hell with the measurements. You have ears, use them.
Yes, the knobs are also a bit 'wanky' on both my ZA3's. I rarely use the knobs as they are setup as dual mono power amps. My initial skepticism (first time class D) melted when I heard them, expecting kind of an analytical and uninvolved sound, which they are not. Great kit to combine with a WiiM streamer and enjoy good sound.
I have the Fosi BT30D pro, and the V3, which makes it rather redundant to own this ZA3, at least until they figure out a way to include some bass management, which is difficult to do at this price range. They are excellent sounding, fun little amps. They certainly suffice for most peoples sound quality requirements, most of which can be left up to the speakers. Fortunately, most of the speakers I own, tend to be the alpha component without being finnicky with regard to power. Some notes after almost a year of listening to these 3255 based amps. I did not notice any real audible difference worth noting when switching op amps. If there is a difference, it is so subtle that it becomes trivial after about 5 minutes of listening and from there on out. Speakers with a sensitivity of around 88db/2.83V/meter and higher, are optimal for these little amps. This delivers the best performance with regard to head room, for those who like to listen louder, which I do. Still, the best budget deal for me is buying older used AVRs if running subwoofers. It's the only way I know to get over 100wpc/8Ohms and comprehensive bass management for half the price of one of these novelty amps, along with some on board EQ function, which IMO, is worlds better than switching op amps. Not discounting the connectivity options that come with the AVR as well. Unless someone lives in a closet, most modern architecture will have enough room for an AVR, even for two-channel (stereo) listening. I have a beast of an AVR on a rack between my pc desk and the front wall, with large monitor speakers on stands on either side of the desk. I use the Fosi BT amp in my bedroom. The AVR just trounces it for high performance use, otherwise. I also have another AVR in my bedroom. I have $75 invested total in what was once mid level AVRs costing over $1000 each in their heyday. Very robust, stable down to 2Ohms, and will drive anything.
For $350 you have a monoblock setup 150 watts each channel. How they will hold up is unknown. Contrast with a vintage receiver (I own 9). To get it refurbed is $500. But daily use will have issues pop up in 2 years. I listen to music 10+ hours a day at 85dB. Thus having these as a backup are good. They are speaker/load dependent. Some speakers sound good. Others terrible. Sound has wide separation in stereo mode, vocals and electric guitars are clear. Soundstage is good. Finicky in SQ as dynamics fluctuate. Could be extra detail in bass and lower mids exaggerating dynamics of kick drum and bass player. Could be load issues (ohms of speaker). I own many speakers (4 sets) so easy to swap out.
I'll easily stick with the TPA3116D2 when implemented properly over the over-hpyed TPA3255 when used for low to moderate listening levels. The TPA3255 lacks the midrange fullness of the 3116D2 yet people are trying "op-amp rolling" to try and improve the sound...LOL!
How do you find it in a comparison with marantz pm8006 coz I have both and I find marantz better in treble while fosi is better in bass only...... Wish to know your opinion?
The main reason they are so popular is because they are given out free to anyone and everyone that has anything to do with audio. If enough people dangle anything in front of you, you will probably buy it.
I bought this amp and the trigger port is so loose the 3.5mm 12v cable will not stay connected. The addition of a trigger is the reason I bought it so I will probably be returning it.
I am completely stupid to all this which is going to lead to a stupid question. What's lacking in the ZA3 that is important to me? Tone control and headphone jack. I'm like you... CD player and that's it. I'm happy with my Yamaha dac that's in the player... could I add a Fosi Audio SK1 tone control headphone thingy between the two and have what I'm after? My brain tells me CD to SK1 to ZA3?
I thought the same too, until I purchased the Fosi V3 and two of the Aiyima A07 Max units. My ZA3 just arrived, listening to Melody Gardot right now. The voicing is incredible for $149. Quite honestly, this is the best Class D amp I have had through here. I think the only one that could beat it is the new Hypex Nilai board, and you are looking at around $1000 there. I know, my buddy has one of the Deer Creek amps, and the Fosi ZA3. Yes, the Hypex beats the Fosi, but according to him, not by much. this guys house looks like a high end HiFi shop, he has gear most folks dream about owning. I trust his 50+ years of knowledge, and so far he has not steered me wrong. This is one very impressive amplifier.
It's nice they added a sub out, but without an internal highpass filter, it will feed full range to both the sub and the mains, which kind of defeats the purpose.
Well, no issues with my SB3000's, I can control the low pass and volume with ease and dial them back. I cannot believe the bass this ZA3 produces on my Zu DW6 Supremes. totally nuts for the money, overall SQ is hitting way above the price point.
@@michaelwright1602 The advantage of sub pass filters is to relieve the main speakers from having to produce the lowest frequencies (which are too difficult for these and can interfere with the mid-bass and mid frequencies), leaving that task to the subs, and improve the overall soundquality/headroom of the main speakers.
@@Wuppie62 I added an active crossover to my system, feeding the amp 60ish+ Hz, everything else is going to the subs. Just plugged in a new pair of Maggie LRS+ speakers, sounding fantastic!
Lasers wear out. Motor that focuses wears out after 30 years. Capacitors age after 25 years. Transistors after 50. Cassette deck motors die after 50 years AND there are no replacements
Thanks, but I hope your viewers deserve to know a few things: 1) You haven't measured anything like SINAD, it is always respectful to the one who did the hard work if you mention who did measure SINAD etc. 2) How can this be a refence class D when it has issues like load-dependency? 3) Mono mode does not provide any useful power compared to Stereo, you can not get any benefit for power in mono. 4) When used in Mono, vol. potentiometer becomes a weak part, and vol. mismatch to be cared off and there are many things.... but still... thanks
#1 The Sinad was provided by the manufacturer, no one to thank there.#2 I said it would be "my" reference class D amp for the foreseeable future. #3 Seems to me just volume match once and then use a preamp for volume control.
You should pony up the $149 and try one out, you do not like, return it. I just received mine, and this is one of the best sounding Class D amps I have heard to date. My last one of any substance was the XTZ Edge A2-400, a $1000 amp not that long ago. This little Fosi ZA3 is kicking its teeth in. The only other Class D offering that I can see beating it right now, are one of the new Hypex Nilai units. My buddy owns one, and this ZA3, he agrees with my thinking.
I have two of them running in my set up and they are running just fine. In mono mode the bass gets more deep and weighty and the highs have more air to it (to my ears). However the amps do get quite hot while in mono. But no distortion at all if you push the volume high. You definitely need a preamp though. Just keep the ZA3's volume level to the max and use your preamp's volume knob to control it. Apart from that your woofers need to be capable enough for you to be able to enjoy mono mode. You are gonna blow them off for sure in mono if they are very ordinary. Believe me in mono the bass gets much stronger and has more authority but not lacking definition in any way. Good for 8 inches or more. I damaged my 6.5 inch twin woofers while pushing the volume to far. No the sound didn't distort and nothing happened to the voice coils. Only the voice coil wires attached to the woofer cone got damaged. Couldn't repair them tho
"Qulity" in the thumbnail title 😅 However Fosi is NOT audiophile, good for the money but just Hifi and Class D with usual shortcomings in cheap gear designs.
