The Next-Generation Mini Amp! Fosi Audio ZA3 Amplifier Introduction and Demonstration

[@bjohns3333]

Congratulations! This looks like a great amp! It will create a new level of performance per dollar. Can't wait to hear what two monoblocks with Sparkos Labs Op Amps can do! Congrats again on an outstanding product!

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

I understand they are using heat sink grease on the heat spreader and case. If you're going to mess with the op-amps two common sense things to keep in mind ... 1) Out of the case that chip is going to get very hot very fast as the case itself is most of the heat sink. If you are testing before re-assembly keep the volume way down. 2) You are going to have to remove and re-apply heat sink grease with each re-assembly. Even a little bit of grit or dust in the old grease could severely inhibit the cooling effect.

[@karlos543]

Great comment. Presuming that as you refit this the grease smears as you push the internals in, in which case how much do you put on?

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

@@karlos543 Okay... these "up the rear" cases often have a fair bit of play in the board rails. After cleaning, but Before beginning to reassemble I would take a couple of minutes to figure out how much clearance you have between the heat spreader and case, as you reassemble the unit upside down. A) _If there is some clearance_ Apply the usual "thin as skin" layer of thermal grease on the heat spreader, turn the unit upside down and slide the board in, trying not to bounce it around as you do. B) _Without clearance_ Take note of where the heat spreader is going to sit when the unit is assembled, apply a line of thermal grease on the inside of the case where the back end of the heat spreader will sit. That way, as the front of the spreader moves past your little line of grease, it will spread it for you. Either way... building a product like this that can be opened by inexperienced people and relies on thermal grease for proper cooling is just a totally dumb idea.

[@alexw890]

Great job Fosi! All it is missing is a selectable 80hz high pass like the RSL mini amp has. That’s key for blending with a sub.

[@lehsu]

I agree. I have the Roger sound labs. I wish it can be switched to mono block.

[@Gilberto923]

I'm getting excited about your amplifiers, I recently bought my first Fosi BL 20C which I'm very satisfied with. I'm about to get another one these days, maybe the little BT 10A because I like it too much. This new minimalist is beautiful.

[@deithwen4381]

The design in the latest models of Fosi is very chic.

[@fosiaudio]

Thank you for your encouragement😁

[@birdyflying4240]

Great product and good video! This TPA chip is great when implemented well and FA did a great job.

[@xelerator2398]

1.Put this on usb input for connect thru pc ,2. add 2 mono subwoofer output (l&r rca output), 3. add 2 more sterio banana output (total 4 speaker output to make able to run as bi-wire) , 4. make able to balanced mono , then Im gonna buy (atleast first 2)

[@richh650]

You guys are killing it right now!!! Well done.

[@andyv9365]

Need one of these!

[@tsonaqua]

I gotta be honest with you Fosi, and for that matter the other Chi-Fi providers too, there is one thing keeping me from jumping in with both feet. Form factor. for the love of God, pick a form factor and give us equipment that matches. I'd have jumped in on this new 'small equipment' trend a long time ago if I could select an Amp and DAC that LOOK like they were meant to sit together. In the old days equipment from multiple manufacturers all adhered to a specific size standard. I want a small mini-system that LOOKS like it's supposed to work together.

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

look at the Za3 and P3 ...

[@tsonaqua]

@@Douglas_Blake_579 Yes but five years down the road when I need to replace one of the components I'll never find a matching one. I still say the company that commits to a form factor and sticks to it will steal the show. Shiitt is the closest, but not exactly cheap Chi-Fi.

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

@@tsonaqua Can't say I disagree with you. These guys are just getting started, they're still learning how to build good circuitry. The form factor may come along with time, I don't know. But with the price of this stuff, I wouldn't sit waiting for it to happen, especially when I can have good sound in similar case sizes so cheaply.

[@putriellawulandari9065]

It looks like a great amp value to me ..not bad not bad at all. The design is look good.

[@michaelsparrow4798]

I will using the balanced inputs exclusively. To test various op amps, do I only need to replace a single one?

[@jayem1826]

Very informative. Thanks

[@anthony2010707]

I think it is easy to stack two, with heat vents on the side, nice.

[@jonathannieto8377]

Can you please advise how to use 2 units id ZA3 to bi amping?

[@personagratias263]

Which subwoofer channels is active when in mono mode? Both or just the right sub-channel? Wondering since my active subwoofer has RCA inputs and I have ordered two ZA3s to run in dual mono mode.

[@shivashankerprasad3279]

Give details of XLR Cable for bi amp connection.

[@S.BenditHifi]

And setting the volume to the maximum of each FOSI when using it in mono mode might have too much distortion?

[@anthony2010707]

Could you please do a bi amping setup video please, thanks in advance.

[@lehsu]

Can you please show how to setup 3 mono block ZA3 as 3.1 setup for listening to audio from TV with optical or hdmi out? I want the center channel for clear dialogue.

[@korling99]

If I am only going to run this in mono mode, do I need to replace both the right and left channel opamps? I am assuming that it’s right channel only since xlr is connected to both right channels for mono mode.

[@fosiaudio]

Yes, just replace the right channel's op-amp will do.

[@Apocrypha303]

Ordered one from your website yesterday. Still don't know what speakers ill get for it.

[@toddwmac]

Looks great...2 amps on the way. 1 question... are the XLR inputs required for mono mode, or could you use the RCA jacks?

[@secreto087]

You can use the RCA inputs for mono mode too. This is how I will use it when my Za3s arrive :)

[@fosiaudio]

Yes, either XLR, ¼”TRS, or RCA input can do.

[@martijn_nl]

How to safely remove the volume knob? Is it a simple pull or do I have to apply some serious force? Is it's position easily aligned when pushing it back on?

[@ke5ufg]

with the mono setup, are you only getting one channel on the sub out instead of the sum of both?

[@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!

[@fosiaudio]

Hi there, you can just change the Right channels' op-amps on the two ZA3s. No need to change the Left channels'.

[@viencarlodiego8842]

@@fosiaudio ok thank you very much for the info 🙏

[@SamuelEmrit]

Hey are you all still doing the bt30D pro 48v remodel?

[@fosiaudio]

Yes, we're working on it. It will probably be available in Feb

[@HiFiMods]

Thank you, I'm getting mine soon! Can you please mention how much max power in watts in stereo mode X2 would it drive 2 - 8 Ohm speakers with a stock 48v 5a PSU? Thank you!!

[@SERKAN_HOT34]

Hello Does the Fosi Za3 support an 8 ohm speaker?

[@tamersosman]

Which type of cable is required to connect a sub woofer Amp to ZA3?

[@m4nc1n1]

Very nice! What XLR cables are you using?

[@tamersosman]

What kind of cable is required to connect the sub woofer out to a sub woofer Amp with 2 channels input?

[@personagratias263]

Y-split subwoofer cable

[@familyng7223]

Hi friend, may I ask my purpose is to connect the RCA Center Preout of my AV Receiver. Do I have to turn the volume of my ZA3 to the maximum so that my AVR can effectively measure space?

[@CravingTheMagic]

Just wish it had a dedicated power switch

[@Douglas_Blake_579]

It's on the volume knob ... press on -- press off But, yes I agree. The Stereo/Mono switch should be on the bottom or the back, out of reach and that would give them space for a proper power switch.

[@forgot46]

How about 3 channel power amp for home theatre application.

[@HiFiMods]

should work fine, cheapaudioman mentioned it already ;) Will just need 3 ZA3s :)

[@pgssider]

Nowhere to be found! Has it been recalled or discontinued?

[@KarpovStas63]

Посоветуйте хороший недорогой балансный ЦАП к нему. Первое время планирую использовать в качестве источника Shanling H7 через RCA

[@HiFiMods]

Я перепробовал несколько и остановился на aune X8 XVIII MAGIC DAC. От них же купил линейный блок питания и просто в восторге. Потом добавил/поменял операционный усилитель (Op-Amp) на Sparkos SS3602 и теперь на небесах! 😅 Звучит на $1000, не преувеличиваю!! Очень сильно рекомендую, есть балансный выход, пока не пробовал. Я перепробовал эти цапы и все вернул: Topping E50, Schiit Modi+, SMSL SU-1. Оставил aune и Cayin RU7. Всё что стоит меньше $300 оставляет желать лучшего, как я понял. Удачи! 😉🎵🔈

[@KarpovStas63]

​@@HiFiMods Заказал aune X8 XVIII Magic и докуплю, пожалуй Sparkos Labs SS3602 пока в количестве 3 шт (один в ЦАП и два на выход ZA3). Есть ещё несколько разных ОУ, в т.ч. muses8920, muses01, opa1612. Поиграюсь с настройками. Жаль, конечно, что в ЦАПе нет поддержки MQA. Ну и терперь задумался о приобретении проигрывателя/стримера, что бы исключить компьютер из сетапа, т.к. не очень это удобно в моем случае, да и в звуке явный проигрыш.

[@korling99]

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

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Probably not

[@HiFiMods]

The opamps I believe are placed in the input stage in these amps, so the L & R channel opamps are only responsible for the RCA L & R inputs. If you're not using the XLR inputs, no need to change that opamp. No idea why anyone would care to roll the 2 subwoofer opamps... 😅

[@hafid4319]

I'm curious to know what benefit will it have on the sub out, specifically that there are two opamps to swap

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

@@hafid4319 None, this idea of changing op amps is very overrated, the sound differences is extremely minimal and I doubt anyone could pass a blind test. Op amp changers are a bit like the cable guys, they a bit nuts

[@anthixious]

Hey there Fosi Audio, how is bi-amping possible with a ZA3? Using 1 ZA3 doesn't allow this due to only one set of binding posts per speaker, and using 2 ZA3s for monoblocks doesn't allow this scenario either due to how mono is wired. Did you mean bi-wiring instead?

[@HiFiMods]

This is a new topic to me, but I would interpret it as being able to use 2 amps - both in stereo mode, then connect L & R from one amp to the L & R binding posts for tweeters and connect L & R from the 2nd amp to the L & R binding posts for the woofers. I'm not sure if this is correct, but that's what I would try.. 😅 After thinking about it some more, this might only work if you split your source L & R with a Y splitter. Man I don't know, sounds like a mess of cables to me ;) Don't judge, just thinking out loud here... ;) It's a good question for Fosi, as using a Y splitter will work with any 2 amps than, wonder what their instructions are...

[@anthony2010707]

I am about to try two ZA3'S in stereo configuration as my Tannoy xt6f has two sets of binding post, i wire the left channel on both ZA3'S to my left speaker high and low frequency binding post post, do the same with the right speaker, both amps right channel to my right speaker binding post.

[@anthony2010707]

@@HiFiMods Yes i reached out to Fosi audio and they said i would have to use a y splitter into both ZA3'S.

[@anthony2010707]

I decided to go back to mono mode, too much hassle, guess just playing it safe.

[@anthixious]

@@anthony2010707 it's probably better this way. Bi-wiring I'm gonna try with mono ZA3s if I have speakers in the future that support it, but other than that, I still don't know how bi-amping is possible with 2 units.

[@blackgrape73]

To improve sound quality can someone tell me if I’m better off adding another amp and running both in Mono or swapping out the op amps? I’m on a budget so can’t really afford to do both at present. TIA

[@cedricjoly7695]

Hi, you need only 1 opamp by chanel in mono mode, so 2 for 2 fosi. You put them on thé right out..

[@Enginemount]

Sell directly in India. How we can purchase now?

[@fosiaudio]

It's available on Amazon India now! www.amazon.in/dp/B0CLP4T5L7

[@anthony2010707]

Hello, i would like to bi amp my two ZA3,S would they have to be in stereo mode, my speaker has twin imputs, hi and low level

[@HiFiMods]

I stated this to someone earlier: This is a new topic to me, but I would interpret it as being able to use 2 amps - both in stereo mode, then connect L & R from one amp to the L & R binding posts for tweeters and connect L & R from the 2nd amp to the L & R binding posts for the woofers. I'm not sure if this is correct, but that's what I would try.. 😅 After thinking about it some more, this might only work if you split your source L & R with a Y splitter. Man I don't know, sounds like a mess of cables to me ;) Don't judge, just thinking out loud here... ;) It's a good question for Fosi, as using a Y splitter will work with any 2 amps than, wonder what their instructions are...

[@anthony2010707]

Thanks for your imput, i will wait for more clarification on this.

[@anthony2010707]

Hello, has anyone tried using two ZA3'S in a bi amping setup?

[@abacar6134]

How would you bi amp using 2 amplifiers?

[@HiFiMods]

I mentioned this to someone earlier: This is a new topic to me, but I would interpret it as being able to use 2 amps - both in stereo mode, then connect L & R from one amp to the L & R binding posts for tweeters and connect L & R from the 2nd amp to the L & R binding posts for the woofers. I'm not sure if this is correct, but that's what I would try.. 😅 After thinking about it some more, this might only work if you split your source L & R with a Y splitter. Man I don't know, sounds like a mess of cables to me ;) Don't judge, just thinking out loud here... ;) It's a good question for Fosi, as using a Y splitter will work with any 2 amps than, wonder what their instructions are...

[@MK-fg9qe]

V3's Max Power output is 300Wx2 @4Ω but this next-gen has 155Wx2 @4Ω. It seems to be downgraded. Will there be another version of ZA3 (ex. ZA3 Pro/ Plus, ZA5, ZA7, ZA8) with equal power output to V3? This isn't complaining just asking questions. I like a 2.1 Ch power amp with a Mono-bridge(output).

[@fosiaudio]

Hi friend, 155Wx2 @4Ω is ZA3's rated power, not max power. Actually, we've already optimized it to make it reach 180W per channel.

[@Yiannis2112]

@@fosiaudio Yeah right...180W x 2 @4Ohms at what frequency input signal or across the 20-20kHz range? At what THD, too? 10%?

[@KarpovStas63]

​@@fosiaudioоптимизация коснулась каких-то конкретных ревизий усилителя?

[@birdyflying4240]

V3 max power is at 10% distorcion like in the data sheet from Texa instruments TPA3255 gives. This is BS because nobody listens with 10% distorcion. The rating is with their 48v PS. The usable max. power is 155 w 4 ohm.

[@Yiannis2112]

@@birdyflying4240 So it is 155W at 10%THD. That's some serious bs...We'd love to know what it is, with 0.1%THD or something similar. But no such luck from the manufacturers...A measurement at 8Ohms wouldn't hurt either.

[@eaches]

Make a model in silver and I'll buy two immediately.

[@danbosan1713]

No remote control 😢

[@MaybeTiberius]

a remote control on this is pointless and a waste of money. do you want a remote with just 2 buttons? volume up and volume down? wtf. use your phone app going to your streamer or the remote of your streamer or your preamp for that. why would i put extra clutter and a useless remote on my desk if i need a phoneapp to connect to my wiim for example ANYWAYS. just put the amp on the max listening volume you want in your room and then lower the volume on your phone or preamp

[@MaybeTiberius]

i like it. however, i have 2 complaints. 1. i really REALLY dislike the mono stereo switch on the front. 2. i really dislike the coloration. it makes it look cheap like a toy with those ''fancy gamerish orange colors popping'' if i would put that on my hifi rack, it would not fit AT ALL visually. orange does not fit to ANYTHING i own or have in my room. my hifi rack and area consists of whites, wood, black, some granite and i have a lot of plants in my house so everythings green around here. please just make it black, i dont want to buy an orange amp just so i need to tear it apart and repaint it before i m able to use it. normal fosi v3 looks way better than this one

[@anthony2010707]

If you dont want orange volume control you can order black if that is your gripe.

[@soongpark683]

사실 이면 fosi 에서 고쳐서 팔아야지 소리가 엄청 갈라진다

[@dragonstone6594]

You should disclose that even though the ZA3 can be switched to mono mode, it is not bridgable! People buy this product, or even multiple of this product, thinking they'll get 200W into 8ohms, when in fact it's not true, the ZA3 is still 100W in 8ohms in mono mode as it is in stereo. And this has been tested. You've made a good product, but it's not cool when you don't disclose all the real facts. And people get disapointed. You need to be more honest.

[@adivarso8175]

Not impressed by those chrome sticks on the front panel , spoils an otherwise clean look.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

They're ugly things I've never liked them, they look like they belong in a cockpit of a small plane

[@andrews4379]

Make one ? Why need two 😂