Good tip about unscrewing the caps - I really struggled to fit the tubes as I didn’t read the manual. I bought this for fun and connected my dCS Rossini Apex dac into it and the p3 was downstream connected to my ch precision a1.5 power amp . So a complete mismatch but I actually enjoyed the sound .
Thanks very much for this review, i have this with the ZA3 and Q Acoustics 3010i, in my office, i also have a Rel Quake Subwoofer under my desk, my colleagues love the sound of the setup.
Great review. I’m all about soundstage width and palpability . In my old age ( 55) and after years of audio madness, I got my first tube amp with efficient speakers . “To think I hesitated “
Great review Srbo, thank you! It seems that "mini" components are on the rise. One could make a decent "separates" system of pieces like this. For example, a WiiM Mini into SMSL SU-1 into the P3 into the V3, driving QA 3020i's. That would be a system for under 700 eur here in Serbia in total, and I bet it wouldn't be ashamed by a lot of more expensive systems. Of course, one would need to keep one's expectations in check (this is not Naim/McIntosh/etc...), but for fun and everyday listening, I bet you wouldn't need anything more expensive.
Excellent Video. Right now im testing that setup. Sounds pretty good. I changed the opamps to V6 vivid ( yes without case) and when i added the P3 , wow , really shine in sound, more body and warm a little to forget its a class D. Im not a fan of class D, but i gave an opportunity to try it as a secondary sound equipment. Other test i did was using this P3 with my high end power amp, Yes!, sound powerful clean, heavy bass. I like it!🤔. the soundstage is narrow. of course its $80 pre vs $1k+ pre the difference its obvious. Other test,I used a P2 with the V3. You can raise the volume on the P3 all the way and use the V3 as main volume. Or the other way as you mentioned. i prefer giving full voltage from the pre (source) to the amp, to have all the music details with a little of volume on the V3. That combination P3&V3 Sounds pretty good with factory Opamps. Yes, On P1 & P2 have removable opamps on sockets, sounds more vivid and dynamic when you change them. Something not possible on the P3, its only have surface mount NE5532. The P3 have logaritmic volume and 4 Elna capacitors. On P1 and P2 have better capacitors (Rubycon)(almost every) than P3. But the P3 is superior on features and sound with factory tubes. Ill try with others tubes . My opinion, if you have a V3 the P3 will be the perfect match, or if you have a power amp without a Pre and want to use it as a secondary equipment, try P2 or P3. I found people on internet forums using the P3 and P2 with Mcintosh power amps (no regrets) and other high end equipments, and So What!. Try the Fosi Pre amps with everything…
I have different type (2 actually). Older with not as good components but different tubes (voskhod, philips) and swappable opamps (which have an at least as large an effect as the tubes). I think your right about the effect on soundstage, but it does wonders for mellowing the digital harshness. I find you can dial it in with the volume control to taste. Somewhere between 12:00 and 15:00 works best for me. I also swap the default power supply for a better one as a matter of course.
Great to hear your interesting comparison. But I believe the P3 is a solid state preamp going through a tube buffer to add some tubey sound. By eliminating the Fosi V3 volume control, I believe you're still going through the V3 NE5532 preamp chip. So your audio signal is passing through 2 preamps. Theoretically, this is an unnecessary preamp stage, but in the end, all that matters is how it sounds.
Hey nice review. I bought on your advise the S17 Pro and I it was night and day. I felt it was the amp that could drive the He6se V2 without it being too "harsh" or edgy what in my opinion the A30pro produced. Now I am using a D10 Balanced as DAC and I am still thinking of (cheaper) ways to improve my system. This might actually be a solution. Do you think that going from balanced to unbalanced will be a sacrifice ?
My current (budget) system consists of the original Topping E30 and SMSL DA-9 amplifier, paired with old but still good functioning Heybrook HB1 loudspeakers. Source is an iPad streaming Qobuz and Spotify Premium. The sound (details, soundstage precision) isn't bad at all considering the budget, but I do hear this problem described in this video (as well as predicted in the SMSL DA-9 review), of a bit too fatigueing, a bit hard/harsh shoutiness in the upper midrange region.. What would be a good upgrade to improve the sound: this Fosi P3, a nicer DAC or even a streamer-DAC? Thanks for anyone giving some educated advice! 🙏🏻
I have 2 ZA3s and an SU1 and wholeheartedly agree that the P3 works great on stock amps. However, if you've upgraded your opamps to something like Sparkos I wouldn't recommend the P3 as it takes away more than it gives as you say. Speaking from experience 🙂
Great rewiew as always😎 Can you give me an advice, is SMSL DO400 a better option (I can buy it for 375$) than Topping D30 Pro A30 Pro stack (that I already have)? I my preference is neutral and analytical sound. Thank you so much!
I had D30/A30 pro stack long time ago and it's getting more and more difficult to recollect and compare it to newer stuff. That said, I belive that D0400 would match that stack mostly. Maybe slightly surpass it in terms of precision... But not by much, and take this with a a grain of salt.
The supplied GE tubes are pretty good, actually. On a headphone amp I have, these were what I upgraded to. There are other tubes that sound different/better, but the GE tubes should be fine for many systems. Does the Fosi P3 also use an op-amp(s) as the output stage?
@@D1N02right - so depending on the circuit board / case, and if they are DIP8, someone could possible unsolder them, and solder in a socket(s), and then plug in other op-amp(s).
Preamp with no remote ? But....why ? What would you use it for ? Who uses power amps for headphones or preamps for active speakers ? Regarding your point, $80 preamp with $100$ DAC would not make as much sense as $200 DAC.
These kind of preamps are great for using on a desktop connected to a computer and active speakers. I have the Aiyima T6 Pro which looks very similar but also has USB input. No need to have a remote when you're sitting at arms length.
In addition to the previously mentioned desk setup, it's also good for work benchs, garages, even kitchens. And if you really want/need a remote and you stream, get a wiim mini and buy the add on remote. It's those types of applications where I think these cheaper/inexpensive Chinese equipment excels. I'm not going to be critically listening when I'm dicing onions or soldering wires.
@@spamcan9208 If you aren't listening critically during work, why bother adding a tube pre-amp, when you already have an (integrated) desktop amplifier? Okay, maybe just to add treble and bass knobs and BT connectivity when the amp lacks those..
No it can't because it doesn't have any digital inputs. Depending on your particular needs, you should look for a desktop DAC (digital to analog converter) with all the digital and analog conections you need.
Not sure why so many people are into all the cheap audio crap that's strung together between the sources and the speakers.. By the time you buy all these litlle separate pieces of junk and string them together, you could've purchased a quality integrated product in one neat package with all the "bells and whistles" necessary for all your sources, your speakers, your subs, and room to grow, with less cables and remotes, etc. And if such products are not readily available, it's due to the ignorance of the vast majority of users not in the market for them. So sad. The Chinaudio market is nickel and diming people to death.😉
All in one solutions can be tremendous deal but oftentimes walking the path is more fun than reaching the end of it. There's a reason many kids like building lego more than playing with finished toys. 😉
Bye. May I have an answer to a question? Is it true, as it is said, that FOSI devices are the best among mini amplifiers? Other. Is it true that FOSI devices are on par with amplifiers and preamplifiers worth a few thousand dollars?@@iiWiReviews
Two thumbs down. He did not roll any tubes. These change performance and the sound. Amazon sells many tubes that will change and just maybe improve the sound. Riverstone Sound is one of the sellers on Amazon worth checking out. "7-Pin JAN 5654W Fully-Tested Vacuum Tubes - Upgrade for 6AK5 / 6J1 / 6J1P / EF95 - JAN 5654W Platinum Grade Pair." sold by Riverstone Sound has over 1800 customer reviews. HE DID NOT TAKE any time to roll any tubes on a tube pre-amp review. A 16 minute "review." that does not test different tubes on a tube pre-amp.
I am truck driver in the Netherlands, i always read the manual of the truck, you always find new things 👍
Wise and responsable. 👍
Great tip on unscrewing those copper collars. For those who don't RTFM.😊
Your explanations are the best on youtube, it gives a good baseline to decide what to do next, Thanks alot!!
Good tip about unscrewing the caps - I really struggled to fit the tubes as I didn’t read the manual. I bought this for fun and connected my dCS Rossini Apex dac into it and the p3 was downstream connected to my ch precision a1.5 power amp . So a complete mismatch but I actually enjoyed the sound .
Thanks very much for this review, i have this with the ZA3 and Q Acoustics 3010i, in my office, i also have a Rel Quake Subwoofer under my desk, my colleagues love the sound of the setup.
Great review. I’m all about soundstage width and palpability . In my old age ( 55) and after years of audio madness, I got my first tube amp with efficient speakers . “To think I hesitated “
So, how much power and what is the efficiency/sens.?
55 old? I'm in denial.
"The bad" happens seemingly quick after 55 .. 55 should still look pretty good!😉
Excellent review.
It would be fun to hear about the sound with better tubes! Thanks for the video.
That's very interesting what you said about turning the volume all the way up so that the pre could be connected and run.
Great review Srbo, thank you!
It seems that "mini" components are on the rise. One could make a decent "separates" system of pieces like this. For example, a WiiM Mini into SMSL SU-1 into the P3 into the V3, driving QA 3020i's. That would be a system for under 700 eur here in Serbia in total, and I bet it wouldn't be ashamed by a lot of more expensive systems.
Of course, one would need to keep one's expectations in check (this is not Naim/McIntosh/etc...), but for fun and everyday listening, I bet you wouldn't need anything more expensive.
"I'm not ready to commit" 😂😂😂
Long may that continue! 😂👍🤣
Excellent Video. Right now im testing that setup. Sounds pretty good. I changed the opamps to V6 vivid ( yes without case) and when i added the P3 , wow , really shine in sound, more body and warm a little to forget its a class D. Im not a fan of class D, but i gave an opportunity to try it as a secondary sound equipment. Other test i did was using this P3 with my high end power amp, Yes!, sound powerful clean, heavy bass. I like it!🤔. the soundstage is narrow. of course its $80 pre vs $1k+ pre the difference its obvious. Other test,I used a P2 with the V3. You can raise the volume on the P3 all the way and use the V3 as main volume. Or the other way as you mentioned. i prefer giving full voltage from the pre (source) to the amp, to have all the music details with a little of volume on the V3. That combination P3&V3 Sounds pretty good with factory Opamps. Yes, On P1 & P2 have removable opamps on sockets, sounds more vivid and dynamic when you change them. Something not possible on the P3, its only have surface mount NE5532. The P3 have logaritmic volume and 4 Elna capacitors. On P1 and P2 have better capacitors (Rubycon)(almost every) than P3. But the P3 is superior on features and sound with factory tubes. Ill try with others tubes . My opinion, if you have a V3 the P3 will be the perfect match, or if you have a power amp without a Pre and want to use it as a secondary equipment, try P2 or P3. I found people on internet forums using the P3 and P2 with Mcintosh power amps (no regrets) and other high end equipments, and So What!. Try the Fosi Pre amps with everything…
I have different type (2 actually). Older with not as good components but different tubes (voskhod, philips) and swappable opamps (which have an at least as large an effect as the tubes). I think your right about the effect on soundstage, but it does wonders for mellowing the digital harshness. I find you can dial it in with the volume control to taste. Somewhere between 12:00 and 15:00 works best for me. I also swap the default power supply for a better one as a matter of course.
Douk P2 is a good alternative as well, 3 way tone controls & a remote control, i use it with Aiyima a07, fleshes the thin, sterile sound out nicely 👍
Great to hear your interesting comparison. But I believe the P3 is a solid state preamp going through a tube buffer to add some tubey sound. By eliminating the Fosi V3 volume control, I believe you're still going through the V3 NE5532 preamp chip. So your audio signal is passing through 2 preamps. Theoretically, this is an unnecessary preamp stage, but in the end, all that matters is how it sounds.
Hey nice review. I bought on your advise the S17 Pro and I it was night and day. I felt it was the amp that could drive the He6se V2 without it being too "harsh" or edgy what in my opinion the A30pro produced. Now I am using a D10 Balanced as DAC and I am still thinking of (cheaper) ways to improve my system. This might actually be a solution. Do you think that going from balanced to unbalanced will be a sacrifice ?
These should be good tubes at least mechanically. JAN means Joint Army Navy military specifications. Not bad starting place.
My current (budget) system consists of the original Topping E30 and SMSL DA-9 amplifier, paired with old but still good functioning Heybrook HB1 loudspeakers. Source is an iPad streaming Qobuz and Spotify Premium.
The sound (details, soundstage precision) isn't bad at all considering the budget, but I do hear this problem described in this video (as well as predicted in the SMSL DA-9 review), of a bit too fatigueing, a bit hard/harsh shoutiness in the upper midrange region..
What would be a good upgrade to improve the sound: this Fosi P3, a nicer DAC or even a streamer-DAC?
Thanks for anyone giving some educated advice! 🙏🏻
I have 2 ZA3s and an SU1 and wholeheartedly agree that the P3 works great on stock amps. However, if you've upgraded your opamps to something like Sparkos I wouldn't recommend the P3 as it takes away more than it gives as you say. Speaking from experience 🙂
Great rewiew as always😎
Can you give me an advice, is SMSL DO400 a better option (I can buy it for 375$) than Topping D30 Pro A30 Pro stack (that I already have)?
I my preference is neutral and analytical sound. Thank you so much!
I had D30/A30 pro stack long time ago and it's getting more and more difficult to recollect and compare it to newer stuff. That said, I belive that D0400 would match that stack mostly. Maybe slightly surpass it in terms of precision... But not by much, and take this with a a grain of salt.
@@iiWiReviews thank you so much for your attention!!🤝
Can someone give me some advice, which speakers would suit me best, since I bought the FOSI V3 and P3 amplifier and preamplifier?
The supplied GE tubes are pretty good, actually. On a headphone amp I have, these were what I upgraded to. There are other tubes that sound different/better, but the GE tubes should be fine for many systems.
Does the Fosi P3 also use an op-amp(s) as the output stage?
It does, but they are soldered in. I believe a jre5532 or other 5532 variant.
@@D1N02right - so depending on the circuit board / case, and if they are DIP8, someone could possible unsolder them, and solder in a socket(s), and then plug in other op-amp(s).
@@NeilBlanchard they are not dip8, so you would need some hellish soldering skills.
@@D1N02Ah - SOIC (aka surface mounted) are beyond my skills ...
I love the sound quality of your voice, what mic do you have ?
Oktava MK-012 with hypercardoid capsule, plus some audio editing in post processing.
Thank you. Btw it's quite affordable mic, good to know that it's possible to achieve such quality for this price.
Fosi have been busy lately.
How would the music sound with 12AT7s in the P3? Fosi says you can substitute a triode for the stock pentodes.
Answering my own question: you can't roll a 12AT7 on the P3. It's a 9-pin tube, and the P3 uses 7-pin tubes only.
can you source multiple BT ? does it have memory to link multiple bt sources?
Can they drive kef ls50 original?
I have changed my tubes, using mullards M8100 tubes.
How did the sound change ?
Preamp with no remote ? But....why ? What would you use it for ? Who uses power amps for headphones or preamps for active speakers ?
Regarding your point, $80 preamp with $100$ DAC would not make as much sense as $200 DAC.
These kind of preamps are great for using on a desktop connected to a computer and active speakers. I have the Aiyima T6 Pro which looks very similar but also has USB input. No need to have a remote when you're sitting at arms length.
Amazing how lazy people are.. It's so bad, I'm surprised they're not crying that they want a batteryless remote lol
In addition to the previously mentioned desk setup, it's also good for work benchs, garages, even kitchens. And if you really want/need a remote and you stream, get a wiim mini and buy the add on remote.
It's those types of applications where I think these cheaper/inexpensive Chinese equipment excels. I'm not going to be critically listening when I'm dicing onions or soldering wires.
@@spamcan9208
If you aren't listening critically during work, why bother adding a tube pre-amp, when you already have an (integrated) desktop amplifier? Okay, maybe just to add treble and bass knobs and BT connectivity when the amp lacks those..
can this also be used as an audio interface?
No it can't because it doesn't have any digital inputs. Depending on your particular needs, you should look for a desktop DAC (digital to analog converter) with all the digital and analog conections you need.
@@iiWiReviewsthank you!
"Real Men don't RTFM"
If it had a second input it would be much more attractive
Not sure why so many people are into all the cheap audio crap that's strung together between the sources and the speakers..
By the time you buy all these litlle separate pieces of junk and string them together, you could've purchased a quality integrated product in one neat package with all the "bells and whistles" necessary for all your sources, your speakers, your subs, and room to grow, with less cables and remotes, etc. And if such products are not readily available, it's due to the ignorance of the vast majority of users not in the market for them. So sad. The Chinaudio market is nickel and diming people to death.😉
All in one solutions can be tremendous deal but oftentimes walking the path is more fun than reaching the end of it. There's a reason many kids like building lego more than playing with finished toys. 😉
Bye.
May I have an answer to a question?
Is it true, as it is said, that FOSI devices are the best among mini amplifiers?
Other.
Is it true that FOSI devices are on par with amplifiers and preamplifiers worth a few thousand dollars?@@iiWiReviews
Don't...
Two thumbs down. He did not roll any tubes. These change performance and the sound. Amazon sells many tubes that will change and just maybe improve the sound. Riverstone Sound is one of the sellers on Amazon worth checking out. "7-Pin JAN 5654W Fully-Tested Vacuum Tubes - Upgrade for 6AK5 / 6J1 / 6J1P / EF95 - JAN 5654W Platinum Grade Pair." sold by Riverstone Sound has over 1800 customer reviews. HE DID NOT TAKE any time to roll any tubes on a tube pre-amp review. A 16 minute "review." that does not test different tubes on a tube pre-amp.