Fosi Audio ZA3 Review: ChiFi Redefines HiFi!!

[@Porco1984]

Fosi Audio is on the fasttrack to become a serious hifi contender! Been waiting for a TPA3255 Class D in this form factor (without all sorts of VU meters and decorative tubes) with 2 inputs for a while, this might be the one.

[@jimbo4203]

I've been playing with the Fosi BT 20 a for 6 months and it's sounding good on every set of speakers I try 😊

[@mikecampbell5856]

Great review as usual Michael. Using real measurements is something very few people do, so kudos to you for a real and honest review! Merry Christmas to you young man!

[@tonyt.5771]

I use my ears to measure,thank you.

[@991carreras3]

I use my 20% off from fosi and bought 2 of these off amazon. Fosi is also coming out with a new zd3 balanced dac and another pre amp with 3 inputs I assume it's a balanced one. 2024 going to be fun.

[@fosiaudio]

Yes, it will be really fun.

[@lehsu]

Where do I find the 20% off code? I only see saw the 15% code.

[@fosiaudio]

@@lehsu It is an early bird discount.

[@JukeboxAlley]

​@@fosiaudio when is the matching preamp with balanced going to be released? Also will it have a remote? I have 2 za3 with a p3 at the time, and love em. Would just love to have that balanced preamp to finish it up.

[@fosiaudio]

@@JukeboxAlley Thank you for your great support, but the ZP3 still need some time to develop.

[@JukeboxAlley]

Im running 2 of these fellas right now and am very happy with them. Ive had some big behemoths over the years with big power, these do all anybody will ever really use and can drive basically anything on the right preamp, keeo in mind rhe preamp is the key, right now the p3 does just fine until they release a balanced matching preamp for these. No complaints, they can run with the pack, for certain. Drove the big flagship polk sda srs 1.2 at 120 db+ levels without any trouble and great composure and tonality to go with it, and those arent an easy speaker to drive into higher spl levels. Cery happy with the za3, just want a balanced preamp to match with orange accents and a remote now!

[@MaybeTiberius]

me as a broke budget buyer really like the way the industry is going with this. in multiple ways. 1. its a way for me to finally say goodbye to super old used vintage gear because its the only think i can afford...seriously that stuff gets older and older and electronics wont live forever and buying 20+ year old amps can be a gamble. 2. lets say, yes audio quality is important but thats not all. if you look at every other consumer electronics product, things get smaller and things get more efficient and thats a good thing. do you still want a 50kilo heavy crt monitor on your desk? i guess not. and so do i and other people not want a huge roomheater in our living room that drains so much power of the wall you could light up the entire neighborhood. especially that cost of living and electricity becomes more and more expensive... saving becomes more important. electricity has a running cost, space has a running cost too... and if i can have something that does the same thing but smaller and with less cost: great. 3. also i think audio gear was super overpriced. and that might be due to kind of a monopoly where all the big players kind of do the same thing and milk money. ofc they sell nice stuff but come on you cant tell me that a 3000$ amplifier is so damn expensive in manufacturing that is HAS to be that expensive. it is that expensive because people pay money and audiophiles throw away money at everything. 4. also i m tired of spending hours upon hours upon hours tryng to find this one deal on used market and then gamble and hope it wont die in the next year. its so refreshing that you can just go online and buy something because its available and affordable instead of running amps with 20 years old caps in it

[@marcelwallace8101]

Do we need a preamp to use it as mono-blocks. And if so , which one. Thank you for your work. Very nice choice of gears ;)

[@JukeboxAlley]

Definitely will need a preamp to get the most out of any standalone amplifier.

[@D1N02]

First. You beat Matt and Randy to it.

[@petertys]

do you notice when the ZA3 volume down the left channel audio is soft compared to the right channel. Please comment. Thanks

[@jljaylee]

Thanks Mike! Am lucky to have won the giveaway - I emailed you to claim the P3 but haven't heard back so let me know how best to reach you

[@mikapouramo9975]

Wonder we ever get real recorded sound tests of your chifi reviews? Just a speech.

[@SpirallingOut]

A while back I was told the Fosi V3 could run the smaller Magnepans, all the way up to 1.6 at (to quote the guy who told me...) "offensive" volume levels. A speaker that is noted for being extremely power hungry but one that punches well above its price point, so I bought a V3 and planned to upgrade the op amps. I knew monoblocks were coming from Fosi but I never would've dreamed they'd be here this soon. Guess I'm selling the V3 and getting a pair of these soon, for when I invest in a pair of Maggies and a couple of servo subs.

[@audioarkitekts]

Who told you that?

[@SpirallingOut]

@@audioarkitekts A guy replied to a comment I made on an old video and said he bought a V3 with the 48V power supply and it ran his 1.6s "beautifully". If I remember correctly he said he was going to try the slightly larger 3.5s. I told him I was interested in the smaller but newer LRS+.

[@geevee1045]

I'm running the new Fosi Za3 (48v 5A) with my Maggie LRS+ and it's a nice match, depending on what you're looking for. It's not forward as some people prefer, but it has good presence, sounds sweet, delicate, and silky. There's a big image. It's very pleasant on everything, and excels on simple well recorded music. The sound is rich, male voices have body, which is rare on cheap Class D amps. Because it's a laid back and silky combo, and because I just received it yesterday, I haven't had time to evaluate it on rock music yet, but this amp with LRS+ makes beautiful, airy music. I was surprised at how much better it sounds than my Aiyima A07 which has the same TPA3255 amp chip.

[@SpirallingOut]

@@geevee1045 Sounds awesome. I mostly listen to rock and metal . I fell in love with how live-like planar headphones can make guitar sound on some tracks and I'm convinced good planar speakers could replicate it even better with enough power, even though I've been told by a lot of Maggie owners they're not good for rock or metal. For punchy, speedy & accurate bass, as I said, I'll be relying on servo-controlled, powered subs. I'm hoping they will fill in what lower body the LRS+ alone lacks, without sounding slow & boomy. I don't need heaps of volume as I live near families and elderly so I rarely listen above double dB digits on my current Klipsch Fives & sub. More so looking for the accuracy, which I'm told the LRS+ has in spades (again, provided they're properly driven). Your confirmation of a big soundstage has put a big smile on my face too, so thank you. If you do test the ZA3's in mono on your LRS+ with rock music, I can thoroughly recommend the band Elder. I wasn't much of a fan of their first album, but everything from "Dead Roots Stirring" up is, in my opinion, a masterpiece. I can't wait to get these amps, a set of Maggies and start tweaking with different op amps, cables, a nice preamp, adding a power conditioner, etc.

[@geevee1045]

I just gave a listen to a few heavy metal bands (no sub-woofer connected yet) and surprisingly, it sounds good with heavy metal, even though the Fosi Za3 has a laid back presentation with the LRS+. I'm enjoying Rage Against The Machine's 'Freedom' song as I type this. However, this isn't what I normally listen to. So, you should be the one to decide whether they suit heavy metal music. And of course, listen to them in a showroom to see if they have the sound you want. I would expect your Klipsch Fives would be tailor-made for R&R. Right now, everything is sounding most pleasurable with this Fosi Za3/Maggie LRS+ combo. What you do have to be careful with, is to be sure to pair the LRS+ with an amp that will add warmth, body and richness, otherwise the LRS+ can sound cool and clinical, especially with typical, cheap Class D amps. However, I can confirm this Fosi Za3 counteracts the cool and clinical tendency, to sound fun, toe-tapping, warm, detailed, airy, with a deep soundstage. If you do buy LRS+, I would suggest standing them straight up to maximize detail and immediacy, and keep them away from the walls. I've also gone a little further and replaced Magnepan's poor conductor, U-shaped magnetic steel jumper on the back, along with the grossly resistive, hair width glass fuse. I've simply replaced them with highly conductive, thick, solid copper wire. And even this simple upgrade takes the purity up another notch. Check out this website to see how far you can take the LRS+. Mikey's incorporated the sub-woofer as an LRS+ stand and it looks beautiful. Enjoy the journey. @@SpirallingOut

[@Firebottleman]

We need more great value products that actually sound good like this amp. Not just good for the price, but just good! Love the Breaking Bad t-shirt Mike. Excellent work.

[@audioarkitekts]

I was hoping some one would comment on it lol. Thanks for the support!

[@fosiaudio]

Can I kown how do you define actually sound good?

[@Firebottleman]

A wide soudstage with depth, along with deep controlled bass, a bit of warmth in the mid-bass, a neutral open midrange, and a top end that is airy and smooth.@@fosiaudio

[@arthurriaf8052]

Hey Mike, your nit pick on binding post color was a cheap shot. Bibding posts 📫 bind. If they hold the wire, I'm happy. Besides, they take banana jacks you can color match that. I bought a ZA3 and use it in mono for a dedicated 8" subwoofer. Any issues with high frequency or noise (which there's none) aren't anywhere to be heard. Plenty of power with the 42 volt P.S. thanks for the review.

[@MichaelManningPA]

I know these little amps are all the rage right now. I have read a lot of these reviews, and I keep saying to myself, "why not just get a Crown XLi1500 Two-channel, Power Amplifier?" It's bridgeable, not "chifi," THD is

[@JukeboxAlley]

I get it, I'm old school myself sometimes. Hope this helps, I do run 2 of these now, and with a good preamp with proper gain and adjustments, you shouldn't need anyrhing else really, I used drove the flagship polks SDA SRS 1.2 with no problems, and that's alotta speaker (4 ohms at idle, 180 pounds each, and 24 drivers), the 2 za3s had no problems at getting them to 120+db levels, and still held together fine and sonically very good. Also having owned the crowns, xls1502 is a good enough workhorse I agree, will take up more space, but great amps. The biggest difference is the sound quality of the fosi is much better than the crown, tonally.

[@bryammairena5745]

Love your shirt man hahahaha so cool

[@tyas8929]

This is 4ohms amp,can connect with 8ohms speakers

[@ryanchappell5962]

The binding posts being plastic might be a good thing. You don’t want unnecessary mass there. The important thing is non-ferrous metals. Someone put a magnet on there and see what happens

[@mgsamps]

I have the BT30D and can confirm on that model the binding posts are non magnetic, so would assume the same for the ZA3

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

They're made of brass.

[@ryanchappell5962]

@@mgsamps awesome

[@ryanchappell5962]

@@Douglas_Blake_579 that’s good to know, brass and low mass is ideal

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

@@ryanchappell5962 Frankly I doubt it makes any real difference but at least brass is non-corrosive.

[@euclidesortiz7766]

This model is good to music estéreo?

[@lithiumlounge6731]

How many watts per channel?

[@dynastyjersh]

Excellent review as always!

[@audioarkitekts]

Thank you very much!

[@dynastyjersh]

@@audioarkitekts making sure you received my email in regards to the Fosi P3 raffle?

[@jsherman999]

Maybe it's been answered already and I haven't found it, but very basically: What's the purpose of running theZA3 as monoblocks if the output power rating only goes up 10% or 20%? Shouldn't the power output almost double in bridge mode? In other words: What's the advantage of buying two and running them in mono mode when the power output is essentially the same? Is this really only meant for people with 2 ohm speakers?

[@klauskaan6320]

Supposedly its the better channel isolation that improves the sound. At least thats what i figure after watching many youtube videoes.

[@telliott]

Is there something like this I can use with my Kliposch R-15 PM speakers? They are powered and have a bunch of inputs. Unfortunately, the PC digital input died after about a year and recently, the optical input started turning itself off after a few minutes forcing me to use Bluetooth for video sound. Luckil, my Chromecast has Bluetooth support.

[@kenandbarbie-b6c]

Chi-Fi? Partially yes, but this is built around a Texas Instruments IC. It is the heart of Texas…

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

A TI chip ... made in Malaysia.

[@kenandbarbie-b6c]

Designed by Texas Instruments that is responsible for making a high performance low cost amplifier possible. That part retails for about $5.00 from Mauser Electronics.

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

@@kenandbarbie-b6c I didn't say it was a bad chip. In fact it's one of the best currently available. The price is just a nice incentive.

[@joaquim8025]

Hi, thanks for the video! Does anyone knows if ZA3 is a big step up compare to V3 in term of sound (I've a V3 with dual Sparkos 3602 fitted with a 2.1 Q acoustics 3000i series). Cheers guys.

[@ericelliott227]

I have seen a lot of ChiFi on Cheapaudioman as well. For me, this is the sort of item I would use with a computer as I need more than one line in port for my normal rig. I'm not in need of such an animal right now as I run powered studio monitors on my PC for certain reasons, but in future if I ever wanted smaller speakers for my PC and have a choice of passive as well, I'd go for something similar. This particular model would not suit my needs. I don't need balanced ports or a mono switch or sub out. Of course, come end of next year we may not be able to get any ChiFi, period and if there is a way it will cost at least four times what it does now due to tariffs. This also means one won't be able to get most audio gear period, even the boutique crap because it is all either fully Chinese made or at least some of the parts are from China. Sad indeed!

[@viencarlodiego8842]

good day! if i want to run the za3 as monoblocks and want to change the op amps, do i need to change both left and right op amps? thank you!

[@audioarkitekts]

If your budget allows it I still would, however I don’t think you’d need to. Let me find out for you!

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

@@audioarkitekts The L and R OpAmps are the phase splitter for the balanced inputs to the TPA3255 chip... You really should change both to keep the system balanced.

[@korling99]

In mono mode, you only need to change the right channel opamp right?

[@audioarkitekts]

Logically yes, but I’m swapping both.

[@wyup]

I miss a V3 to ZA3 comparison. Also as stereo to monoblocks. And a P3-ZA3 pairing..

[@audioarkitekts]

There isn’t a comparison to the V3, it blows it to pieces. Stereo to Mononlocks requires two of them for a proper evaluation that one is coming later. And I’m hoping they release a preamp worthy of this amp so the P3 for me wouldn’t match with this. Remember, there are always reasons for the things I do in my videos. Trust the process.

[@perlman7376]

@@audioarkitekts Thanks for the video. Sounds like a product we frugal/cheap folks are looking for. I need a preamp with multiple (more than 2) inputs and a small footprint. I was thinking that the Schiit Saga S might do the trick. Any thoughts or other suggestions?

[@wyup]

@@audioarkitektsI think what most users want to know is how much this is better than V3, and whether this is about monoblock & XLR support as others point out. You compare it to 5k$ gear, which is out of expectations. This is only 42$ more than the V3, a well regarded piece of audio, can it really blow it to pieces? In stereo, V3 is 300W @4ohms, ZA3 is 180W. It seems quite a difference power wise.

[@OrazCostanzo]

Basically shows up the snakeoil of "high end" amps costing 100x more

[@CristiBaciu]

Imagine a version 2.0 with just HDMI input to connect to tv arc hdmi to control with tv remote

[@MaybeTiberius]

no

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

You can actually buy RCA connectable ARC adaptors for like $30.00 and hook up to any amplifier... mind, though, you don't get all of it's features... but you do get the sound.

[@lisar3944]

wait - so all these tests - especially the listening test - were performed with the sparkos op amps in situ?

[@audioarkitekts]

No all tests were performed with the original OP amps

[@lisar3944]

@@audioarkitekts sweet - I managed to find them already back in stock at Audiophonics - love those guys! Anyway it should be in my hot little hands by Saturday. I am committed to class d but yeah - that tendency towards "cold" or even shrill has put me off time and again. I'm really excited to see what this amp can do thanks in large part to your review.

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

Ummm ... there is a problem with the ZA3! Flipping that Stereo/Mono switch with the amplifier powered up is *not safe* . I suspected this and now, from reports on other channels, flipping that switch with power on will shut the amplifier down immediately. Since this kind of configuration change is not guarded by the chip's protection circuits there is no guarantee it will come back on. Normally I would suggest that you be extra careful to turn off before flipping modes... but that switch is right out in the middle of "Hmmm... what does this do?" land and is far too easy to flip by curiosity, mistake or accident.

[@korling99]

Is there any benefit to changing out any of the other opamps besides the right and left channel?

[@audioarkitekts]

Not according to Fosi, they said the right and left are the main ones to swap.

[@UlTiReV]

Does it make sense to change the OP amp in the dac rather than in the ZA3 amp?

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

The XLR OpAmp is totally responsible for sound quality with balanced inputs. You should probably consider changing it as well.

[@chrisortiz2466]

Does it require a break in period? I just got one and feel like its lacking in sound quality ..

[@audioarkitekts]

What don’t you like about the sound?

[@billsmith8225]

I also bought this amp and having the same issues. The sound is just OK and can barely drive my speakers compared to my other AB amps. Almost no bass unless the volume is turned up to maximum.

[@daleboylen6427]

Clear and transparent specs, you say? Beg to differ. From the Amazon link: Rated Power Output: Stereo 180W*2 @4Ω; Mono 235W @4Ω WTF is clear or transparent about that? At what FREQUENCY does it output 180 watts x 2? Likely 1 khz. It's not 180 watts 20to 20khz into any speaker on earth. You should realize 180 watts from that power supply isn't possible. Sorry, it's physics. I'm not sure the term "Bridgeable" fits either. It's more of a twin parallel design from what I see. Shouldn't increase power output in mono much, if any. Plus, you need two of them if you're running them mono. Now it's a $270.00 investment, before rolling the op amps. I'm just not ready to plop cash down on an amplifier that my speaker cables weight will pull off the rack with it's pipsqueak 3.9 lbs weight. Only big advantage to the infamous V3 is the balanced inputs. Not sure that alone is worth $55.00 more. Fosi must pay reviewers well. I'm seeing tons of almost identically worded reviews on this piece all over KZbin.

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

We already had this conversation and I've already explained how it works. Get the "TPA3255 data sheet" it's all explained there.

[@daleboylen6427]

@@Douglas_Blake_579 Seen it LONG before you pointed it out Mr Know it all. But if I agree with you, will you then shut the fuck up?

[@daleboylen6427]

@@Douglas_Blake_579 Do you know anything about audio? Texas Instruments 3255 chip: 300 watts per. At what frequency? Doesn't say. I've been in audio for 50 years. My experience tells me when they don't give a complete spec, it's 1KHZ. Sorry Douglas Blake, I do not listen to single frequency test tones. Perhaps YOU do. And what power will it generate when driving an inductive load? Or a capacitive load? Or a odd phase angle? Or with real music? In other words, Dougie, I don't give a CRAP what the spec sheet says. Have YOU personally tested this thing? Into a real speaker with real music? I've seen measurements on the V3. 100 clean watts into a 4 ohm load resistor, which is NOT a speaker. You'd probably be lucky to get 20 watts into a speaker with music. But buy them if they are sufficient for your purpose. Not even remotely close to suit mine.

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

@@daleboylen6427 _" Do you know anything about audio? "_ I just love it when someone who has *one* fact thinks he knows *everything* there is to know. How about you? You got a diploma on the wall? _"I don't give a CRAP what the spec sheet says."_ More likely you don't know how to read it. _" Have YOU personally tested this thing? Into a real speaker with real music?"_ Considering that I build, modify and sell entire systems for a living. Yes, I have, many times. _"But buy them if they are sufficient for your purpose. Not even remotely close to suit mine."_ That's good ... so piss off and stop trashing things you do not understand.

[@daleboylen6427]

@@Douglas_Blake_579 Manufacturers NEVER lie on spec sheets. Especially on power output. And the checks in the mail. I recall the Carver receiver. Spec sheet said 130 watts per channel. I measured it at 18 watts into a speaker with music. Specs come VERY close to nice to know information. Few tell you anything about how a product will sound. Impulse step response on a speaker is one of a few that do. BTW, a complete and transparent power spec would look something like this: 150 watts rms per channel both channels driven, into 8 ohms, from 20-20khz at no more than .08% thd. So, no, Fosi nor TI are being transparent about specs. There are a plethora of things you cannot measure in audio. You build systems using a Fosi class D amp, do you? K den.

[@UlTiReV]

How would you compare the sound to a classic ab amp? If cost was not a factor, would you choose the ZA3 over a sub 1000 usd class AB? Thanks!

[@audioarkitekts]

Ohhh man that's a good one. My Adcom will never be replaced, so I guess there's the answer lol

[@UlTiReV]

@@audioarkitekts hehe I guess it is. I guess AB amps like cxa81 or emotiva t2 will always be richer and fuller.

[@UlTiReV]

@@audioarkitekts so if you'll allow, a follow up. For a newbie in the hobby, would you recommend a class D like ZA3 or would you recommend a used old school amp like Adcom, Sherwood etc. Or a new class AB like Emotiva, Arcam, CA, etc. Choices choices Haha I own a V3 and have always wondered but haven't given in to the urge to get an AB. Yet.

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

@@UlTiReV The truth is that if you took a V3 vs almost any other amplifier, level matched them correctly and switched between them silently it is very unlikely you could reliably tell them apart in blind A-B testing. Like most new technologies, the Class-D amps started out being a bit rough around the edges and have gotten much better over time. But this hobby has a whole bunch of people who still judge them based on "decades ago...." and will not let go of it. I have a bunch of TPA3255 based Class-D amps here and I can tell you they are no better and no worse than class A or A/B amps.

[@UlTiReV]

@@Douglas_Blake_579 thank you. That helps Douglas. I guess the only thing that recently realized is the power figures are a bit exaggerated on the class Ds. The V3 state 300W/channel into 4 ohm speakers. But in reality they are probably 200 and if going 8 ohm probably 85. But then, this is probably with the 48v power supply. ZA3 is even more unclear. So the lack of clarity on power numbers is apparent and makes it difficult to make an informed decision. But the advantages are excellent for low volume or nearfield listening.

[@ericperry72]

Ok how does this match up vs the purifi eval 1 unit?

[@audioarkitekts]

Purifi measured better and sounded better. That’s another amp I can corral into this type of value proposition.

[@nocnymarek7645]

Is it equipped with RC?

[@johngreek]

no

[@tamersosman]

How it compares to V3?

[@audioarkitekts]

Blows it away!

[@sorinache1501]

@@audioarkitekts You need to chill. ZA3 and V3 are absolutely identical and likely sound identical on the RCA channels, provided you test them both with the 48V and Sparkos op-amps. The true comparison is what you get with the 2X monoblocks compared to a decked out V3.

[@Keyser_Soze_War_Machines-ih6gw]

Well they didn’t last long. I’d like to see one with a remote tho…

[@audioarkitekts]

I knew they wouldn’t last long.

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

It's an old marketing game... CYA at first, make a small first run, maybe just a couple of hundred, hype the daylights out of them, wait to see how many outstanding orders they have ... and now they know how many to make next time.

[@wric01]

Naysayers are just pissed that they overpaid thousands of dollars on amps. I own it and a 2k GAN amp latest greatest , it's not far off.

[@tomasmartinsolis9020]

Interesting device

[@futures2247]

you would really have gone to the cost of contrasting the binding posts things you never see?

[@audioarkitekts]

It’s all about the whole presentation

[@TheYuhasz01]

Chifi offers good measurements, not music. I do not listen to my equipment.

[@thinkIndependent2024]

Secret of CHI-FI we actually listen to the Pre-Amp Harmonics in the case of this Amp changing the OP-Amps to a good one , is the trick

[@carlosgarcia8508]

I still don't believe in Chifi designs, but they are learning. A small improvement in the audio world implies a considerable effort. For an acceptable to good quality they are ok, not for hiend. And if you get hiend from China, you are also paying for it.

[@thinkIndependent2024]

​@@carlosgarcia8508 Multiple Factories with 400k+ workers make it impossible that your components or more haven't touched China. I get the Music is very deep and close to every audiophile. Even I had problems adjusting to looking at electronics for music without letting it be " Just the Magic" that happens when you drop the needle on the disc. So I slap myself and say sop being Stupid!!! I have been building circuits since the 80s and worked on everything from an AM radio to a 4g cell tower. Electronics & Technology is a Universal language. Every design ever done an the last 100 years has been sent to their shores ( it's too late)