Fosi Audio MC101 vs V3! Which amp should you buy?
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- čas přidán 21. 07. 2024
- Comparing the new Fosi Audio MC101 with the Fosi Audio V3 amplifier.
Buy the MC101:
Official website: fosiaudio.com/products/fosi-a...
Amazon US: amzn.to/46jxezt
Aliexpress: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_opZ...
Ebay: www.ebay.com/itm/296052322296
Buy the V3 (affiliate link): amzn.to/47RBjMr
Fosi Audio sent me the MC101 for free to review but did not compensate me for this video nor have any input before posting. In fact, I bought the V3 myself to help with this review!
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fosi audio mc101 review
fosi audio mc 101 review
fosi audio v3 review
fosi v3 review
v3 vs mc101
fosi v3 vs mc101
amp shootout
fosi amp shootout
amplifier shootout - Hudba
Which amp are you buying?
If they would have included a full-sized, variable sub out, I would have for sure bought one.
Confused, the MC101 has a variable sub out. Is it the size of the plug you do not like? @@ramondelgado6778
@@ramondelgado6778 You can het the new ZA3. It will be launched december 20th or there abouts.
I am about to order The MC101, but the ZA3 says Hi in the corner. lol
If I had both, which one would be best to use as a pre-amp and feeding into the other ? ( I ask as I already have the V3 and the Mc101 on order!) - Amateur asking for a professionals opinion 🙂 as I want to still use the V3 as only one pair of speakers.
Had a Fosi BT 20 a for 6 months and I've really been liking it, have had it hooked up to several sets of speakers and they all sounded good
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
The V3 has a logarithmic volume control, meaning it is spreading the gain differently, perceived volume will not rise as fast giving you more control.
That makes sense, thank you for sharing!
swapping op-amps, and really think bluetooth and tone controls affect the sound negatively, and when paired with the t1 I think its the better option. Real power probably isnt much different people are getting closer to 100w / side on the v3
How do you compare the volume where the one is with linear and the other is with exponential potentiometer. They are intended to be different. I have the Aiyima a07 MAX and Pro. I think the MAX and the Pro are both with linear one. They should be a little bit better than the v3 especially in the bass but it would be interesting to try the ZA3 and probably the Aiyima will come up with something similar
I own two V3's, a TB10D, BT20A-Pro, BT10-S, and an Ayima A07. The V3 to me, sounds the best. It's more articulate and really is the only one that can make nicer speakers sound nice, at moderate volume levels, of course, even with the 48V power supply (on the V3). I'm wondering if I should have just purchased the Emotiva A2M. I'm happy, but I think that I'm asking too much of these little guys. They are wonderful for what they are......they make great desktop or near filed listening amplifiers. For that alone, they are a success. Paired with a WiiM Pro or Mini and an efficient pair of speakers, you can't go wrong. We need a comparison to the A2M. If they would just FINALLY add a full-sized RCA-Sub out (that is variable), I would buy the MC-101. Love the VU meter.
The VU meter is definitely fun. I have the first version of the A2M and enjoy it as a backup amp! Thanks for sharing!
@@ForeverAnalog but how would you compare the Emotiva amplifier? I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for your reply and time!
@ramondelgado6778 to be honest I bought the emotiva years ago and it gets used mostly as a backup and I’ve never done a true sit down comparison of it versus these class d amps. I’ll try to add that idea to my list for a future video!
@@ForeverAnalog That would be so awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I believe these units may be cross shopped. That would be a HUGE service to us audio nerds!!!!
try pairing it with the t1 (not the t3) it really is a good pair and its like 40 bucks for a rollable tube pre with tone controls. looks sexy as hell too
Thanks again.
So i can say the sound of mc 101 isn't different to v3, and not more analog and vintage to V3?
Kind regard and best wishes
Wants to buy preamplifier under $800 plz reply what u have for me??
Just got this in and hooked it up to my RP160Ms. Initially I thought it sound good and it does, for the money. However, I noticed the VU meter wasn’t working so I decided to send it back for an exchange. Hooked my Marantz NR1200 back up and it’s much fuller and warmer sounding. Then back to the Fosi 101 again. Sounds thin in comparison. The little Fosi would be nice for a desktop system with warmer sounding speakers for sure. I love the looks of it and hate to see it go back but even my modest NR1200 is significantly better for me.
Yeah, I'm not sure I'd put a Marantz up against a Fosi unit, lol. I can understand how that would sound different. Thanks for watching and sharing!
I know it’s an unfair comparison. If the Marantz is worth $400 then the Fosi is also worth its cost at $85.
ClassD amp has thin can sound (lifeless) . They making all right sounds but cannot expect wonder .
I had the 101 but sold it as the VU meter only works when the volume is really loud . Too loud for me and the people in the flat above .
I’ve now got a BT20A Pro . Fantastic sound at low volume.
I like the BT20A Pro a lot!
Another difference. The "Pre-Out" on the V3 is not controlled by the volume knob. The "Pre-Out" on the MC101 is volume knob controlled. I understand Fosi may tie the V3 pre-out to the volume knob in future revisions. Good review, I like that you did not let expectation bias lead you to hearing giant differences between these two very similar amps.
Great point, thank you for sharing and for watching!
Do you mean that if you connect an active subwoofer the volume of that sub is controlled by the mc101?
Apparently this has been addressed in the new 2024 V3 version (according to the Fosi Audio website)
Nice review. What speakers were you using for your review ?
I have vintage Klipsch Heresy speakers. I have a video on my channel about finding them!
Did you hook these up to your Heresy’s? I don’t need any more amps but I’m ordering a 101 just for the novelty factor. It looks cool for the price and I could use it in the office with my Klipsch RP160s.
Yep. I’m only using Heresy’s right now. They are fun and office use is a smart move
Everyone raves about how much power the V3 has, but almost always fails to mention that you have to spend an extra $60 to buy the bigger power supply to achieve it. The power supply it ships with is pretty crappy and you have to run the dial up pretty high to get more than low listening levels. Still a very good small class D amp, but definitely underpowered with the power supply it ships with.
Yes, but after repeatedly testing 32V and 48V power supplies with V3, I did not notice any difference in volume and sound! Even some 24V Fossi amplifiers had a stronger output than the V3.
Wow, glad to know that Stevan, you just saved me $60. Thanks! @@stevanbatinic6733
Confused with the power ratings. How can either have so much power in such small boxes? And what kind of power rating - RMS perhaps with max beak power?
My understanding is because they are class D amps, they use chips for amplification which eliminates the need for a traditional heatsink allowing for smaller sizing.
They also rate them at unrealistic ratings using a one kilohertz signal at 10% THD. A totally useless number.
@@mikecampbell5856 Thanks - Somehow this apparently sounds good etc.
Are these made in China etc although Company HQ is in the US/EU?
These are made in China
Is it worth connecting a record player with a fosi pre-amp?
Your turntable will need a built in phono preamp or you will need an external phono preamp.
Hi, Though I currrently own an Aiyima T9 pro which is not all that different from the Fosi I guess ( or the Douk St 01) I also still have an Arcam Diva A85 amplifier. I was wondering if and HOW I could use the Aiyima as a pre amp availing myself of the tube like quality and then run it thru the Arcam amp, I can go from the Aiyima out ( meant for going to a subwoofer I presume) would that be the right connection and where to go into the Arcam A85 ? Any help or advice much appreciated
Ehhhhh I don’t know 100% but my guess would be pre out 3.5mm to Arcam rca pre main in inputs.
Hello, I bought the Fosi MC 101 to use it instead of my Class D NÖRDIC SGM-175 amplifier. I saw later that the chips used in both units are identical: the TPA 3116. Do you think the Fosi will sound better anyway than the NÖRDIC SGM-175? The NÖRDIC SGM-175 looks identical as the Fosi Audio ZK-1002D. Only the volume button is on the top.
Greetings from Holland
Paul
I haven’t heard the Nordic so I can’t say 100% but my guess is they will be close in sound given the same chip is used.
@@ForeverAnalog Thank you for the reply. I wish you a very happy 2024! Subscribed your channel.
All of these small Class D mini amps seem really cool and capable but they lack something. Inputs. Why can't they have more than one analog input? Great review and the lack of inputs is not your fault. LOL
More inputs means higher cost.
they are also selling separate input selectors (wink)
@@ericbaseY0 You can buy outboard switching units with remote controls.
yeah thats what i meant to say. @@mikecampbell5856
ZA3 will be released 12/20/23 and vill be the one to get lol
Hopefully so. Review coming soon!
Do you honestly believe the Fosi power ratings. These obviously defy the physics of audio.
I think if they were lying one of the more scientific channels or blogs would’ve called them out by now
I would pay more NOT to have Bluetooth. Not a technology I have interest in.
That’s fair. Thanks for watching!
Crass