Fosi Audio V3 VS SMSL AD18 VS Aiyima A08 Pro | Why Price Means NOTHING When Picking a Desktop Amp

[@ramondelgado6778]

Great review. On the V3, Fosi used their resources on the sound quality, and truly is impressive. It does sound like a MUCH more expensive amplifier. Asking for it to have "X" features without adding an additional cost is just not reasonable. And honestly, they shouldn't change it. This is JUST an amplifier, and it is a GREAT amplifier. Now, they should make an integrated amp with multiple inputs and a real subwoofer output, a high pass filter for the speakers, and no DAC (to keep the cost down), and keep it around $200, they would have another hit on their hands. OR, create the pre-amp companion with the features I mentioned as a companion to the V3 amplifier. Thanks, and keep the great reviews coming! Really a nice job!

[@emptoraudio]

Thanks for watching!

[@ricsim78]

I would not mind paying double if they turned it into a true integrated amp with a display, sub outs with a variable crossover, and multiple inputs. Or create a companion Preamp with DAC that has the features, like you said. Even triple if it is really nice. Nice points and we agree!

[@ramondelgado6778]

@@ricsim78 I companion pre-amp with sub outs, high pass filter for the speakers, a display, maybe a remote, and 2 RCA inputs, would be really awesome! I could do without the DAC as long as they could keep it at or around the $100 price and no Bluetooth. Without a DAC (which likely would not be that great anyways) and the terrible BT integration at this price point, I really think they could pull off a nice matching pre-amp. $200 for the pair would be really nice!

[@ramondelgado6778]

@@ricsim78 it's coming! The P3!!!!!! Hope they listen to us!!!

[@ricsim78]

@@ramondelgado6778 I will buy it immediately. The thing I want the most is a subwoofer pre-out that is either adjustable, or runs the sub "wide open" and then you adjust on the sub itself. I hate my SMSL A300 because if you activate the High Frequency Cutoff, for some reason it sets it to 50 Hz, it should have been adjustable or at least 80 Hz (100 better). 2 RCA with optical and coax would be godlike! Remote would be the icing on the cake. For DAC, I would rather run an external, because a very good DAC would make the price fly up. Let's hope they listen!

[@philipkershaw7918]

Agreed. What with no pesky tone controls to mess up the signal and just a volume pot on the front facia, the beauty of the V3 is not just it's clean looks, but the fine, clean sound that it can deliver. Apart from the useless line level output, It would be churlish indeed to criticise this, Fosi's latest and greatest ear beguiler.

[@berber5985]

I have the fosi V3 and it punches way above its class. I have it hooked up to a Douk switcher with my old McIntosh MA230 tube amp and while there’s a difference, it’s awfully close in sound! I was shocked!

[@JSVKK]

It's good to know fosi is back in action .

[@emptoraudio]

Definitely, the V3 is something else.

[@cobar5342]

It amazes me how much class D amps have improved over the last few years ... with a large drop in prices

[@bigdan2828ify]

I was part of discussion when fosi asked ppl what they wanted in a product.... please understand that this is a complete redesign of internal circuit, the chip and heatsink are now underneath board, away from main compacitors like in the ayima a07. Heat dissipation away from capacitors means longer less degrading life. No more bolts in front faceplate, top shelf volume pot, simply a very well built quality product. I pair it with a wiim pro, schiit modi dac, schiit loki eq, running wharfdale denton 85ths and a powered sub. The sound produced with this setup rivals my main system at a fraction of price....

[@emptoraudio]

Nice! Great info!

[@computeraudiophile9590]

Can a preamp be connected to a V3s input, and run like a power amp basicly?

[@bigdan2828ify]

@computeraudiophile9590 yes, I use a preamp and equalizer

[@AmazonasBiotop]

I see that there is two different 48v power bricks at fosi site. One is the new GaN technology and the other one is the standard one. So the question is witch one of them sounds the best?!

[@colinmcauliffe5205]

Fosi make great amps thanks for the video.

[@emptoraudio]

Agreed! Thanks for watching!

[@michaelsocha651]

Great comments There was confusion about the pre out working as a sub out unless you do some connection gymnastics re cheap audio man Sadly I had to cancel my Prime Day purchase with 48 V power supply I’ll wait for a better model you suggested

[@jazzabana]

Well, here is my 2 cents. I have had aiyima t9, fosi v3 (for a brief moment), aiyima a08 and smsl vmv a1. I think t9 and v3 are in the same tier although v3 is more powerful. I think t9 had a more enjoyable sound due to distortion tubes were creating. I also tube rolled and sound signature changed for something else. Aiyima a08 was better and more powerful than the 2 forementioned amps in every aspect but with an aftermarket power cable. The cable that it comes with was crap. And smsl vmv a1, if a08 was a tier above the v3 than a1 is 3 tiers above the a08. I have to admit that vmv a1 is low powerwise but comes with a quality power cable and it sounds good enough for a nitpicking audiophile that I am. All my experimentation I never used the onboard dacs and bluetooth since I was testing forntheir limits. My main amp is yamaha 2100 btw. which I would consider another 3 tiers up on top of vmv a1. I was still curious what I would get if I would get 2 za3s, but I think I won't bother, I wouldn't think I would be happy with the sound quality.

[@ts6640]

I recently purchased the V3 (came with the 32 volt power supply) however I am unsure where to purchase the 48V-10A power supply. As such, will you please provide the link to the 48Volt-10Amp power supply you recommend?

[@fraula1]

Hello :) Yes there is EQ on the SMSL ;-)

[@emptoraudio]

Good to know! I found it finally, not the easiest to find in the menu.

[@richi5831]

So I don’t have the Aiyima A08 Pro, however I’ve been using the A07 Pro since February and I am extremely satisfied with it. From the build quality with the polished metal, the volume knobs and especially the power and Bluetooth switches; and Bluetooth sounds amazing. I only have to dial it up to 12 o’clock, which is more than enough volume to fill my apartment. So after hearing so much hype on audio science forums about the new Fosi V3 I went for it and purchased it with the 48V Power supply. Upon hooking it up, I noticed that it sounded much darker, and the volume had to be almost cranked up to the to the max in order to get the same listening level as the A07 pro at the 1 o’clock position. I also noticed that with the 48 V power supply, the Fosi got very hot, like disturbingly hot after an hour of playing music at regular listening levels. I went ahead and swapped out the 48 V Fosi power supply and hooked it up to my A07 pro and the sound wasn’t that much different. I would think that having a higher voltage power supply would result in better sound, or louder sound. But all it did was get my A07 pro very hot within an hour. Sadly to say, I was very disappointed with a Fosi V3 after hearing so much hype on KZbin videos and forms everywhere. It sounds dark and muffled compared to the A07 Pro, and the volume had to be cranked up to the max to get to the same listening levels. Honestly, I don’t understand the hype. The A07 Pro sounded clear, more forward with a wider soundstage and punchier bass. Oh well.

[@philipkershaw7918]

In the case of the V3, don't conflate PSU voltage with more - as you put it - "loudness"! For a given PSU voltage, varying the input signal strength is what will yield higher output levels. This is best achieved by using a preamp. I use a Mini 2x4 HD in front of my V3 [cheaper options are readily available if room correction in the digital domain is not a requirment,] a set up which easily drives my studio monitors to room filling levels. Cheers. Phil.

[@Zigzag-k]

Can you review fosi V3 vs Ayima T9

[@gage4375]

Good review ,I think I'll get the v3 to run a second set of speakers on my emotiva ta100

[@emptoraudio]

How do you like your TA100? I had a number of issues with Emotiva in the past so I've been hesitant with the brand.

[@gage4375]

@@emptoraudio no problems at all,I've had for five years

[@SuperSnks]

While audio is very subjective and the pairing combination is equally as important, how does Schiit Rekkr compare with Fosi V3 since you own both? :)

[@emptoraudio]

The Rekkr is a warm little amp, but I feel it's quite underpowered and lacks severely in the low end. The V3 is cheaper and far more full range sounding. It's really no contest, the V3 is the clear winner.

[@SuperSnks]

@@emptoraudio Thank you for your straight reply

[@joselozano7585]

I bought the A08 pro recently. Is it worth it to get the fosi to replace it? I am fond of the EQ controls

[@emptoraudio]

Eh, not really. The A08 Pro sounds 95% of what the V3 is in my opinion. I really like EQ as well and for that reason they are pretty close in performance to not worry about upgrading one over the other.

[@joselozano7585]

@@emptoraudio Thanks for the answer man.. Yeah I figured they would be super close. I enjoy the amp but somehow feeli like my active speakers (Edifier S2000 mk3, and Kali LP6 which I use for home recording) sound better than the A08 plus emotiva B2+ combination. I get a warmer sound I think from those specific active speakers.

[@Brina0820]

Having both the V3 and I-E-MA A08 Pro I think they sound very similar, with a bigger power supply I like the A8 Pro sound better. The tone controls are very definite and the pre-out is variable volume vs V3 which is fixed line-out (huge for me). V3 was really made more for daisy-chaining amps than a subwoofer connection. A8 Pro has full BT capability with QCCS 5125, so LDAC & AptX-HD is supported and sounds excellent. Neither amp has a remote. Both are very good, but Aiyima ships with with bigger power supply, the 36V6A will give you 56W more than 32V5A with the Fosi. Both can use a 48V PS also.

[@chiaoyangcheng9290]

i think bt20a pro is a good option for you. i have one and it sounds great; me and 4 of my friends compare it to the other 2 2000~2010 class AB amp($799, $599 i'm not going to say what model they are) in blind test, we all gave bt20a pro the highest score technology truly improved

[@ricsim78]

I had to edit my reply, I originally wrote that my SMSL A300 sounds better than the A08 Pro. I found out tonight that I had the wrong power connector on it, it was only getting 12V as opposed to its full power from the stock supply (30+V 6 AMP), it crushes the SMSL in sound quality. Too funny, I was wondering why I suddenly had to crank up the A08 pro to get the same sound volume as before (D'oh)! That is what I get for hooking stuff up late at night in a poorly lit room 🤣. The A300 always sounds like it is missing something, especially in the mids. I would say the A08 Pro is going to be so close to the V3 that it is not worth "upgrading it". The A08 Pro looks kind of odd, but it has such a warm, full sound (especially with a Fosi Audio tube buffer and GE Jan tubes), compared to the SMSL and I like it's simplicity. I am driving Q Acoustics 3020i and a RSL Speedwoofer 10s, and my DAC is a Topping E50 with an upgraded iFi 5v 3 amp power supply. It sounds really good for everything and will set me for a while until I get an end-game amp...for at least 5 years! The one thing I hate about not using the SMSL is no remote, nothing but manual turn on, turn up. But I would likely get Alexa and a smart switch to help with that. The A08 Pro is no slouch and it drives my Q Acoustics really well with nice highs, mids, and lows. I would even say it is a bit more powerful than the SMSL A300 and drives them to loud levels at about the 9 o'clock position and really loud by half. I will be selling my SMSL A300.

[@Justin-fm2rj]

i currently have the SMSL AD18, is it worth an upgrade?

[@emptoraudio]

So I use the AD18 as a base line, it’s good but not great. The V3 is definitely far superior than the AD18.

[@saltech3444]

I just bought a Fosi V3. I don't know anything about amps, but it sounds magnificent, with one exception: if you plug a headphone/headphone amp into the line out at the back, it sounds horrible. Distorted like crazy. I don't know if it's not designed to be used that way, but it's a pretty big flaw. Don't know if anyone else has experienced the same.

[@emptoraudio]

It's definitely not designed for headphones, it's not a preout output, it is a bypass of the RCA source and can do damage.

[@peatear42]

Can you make a review of the Aiyima T9 Pro? 😊

[@emptoraudio]

I might, I have the T8 coming in next!