Fosi Audio V3 Mono vs ZA3 - which is better as a MONOBLOC AMP?
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- Monobloc amplifiers seem to be the pinnacle o audiophile equipment. Until recently they were rather expensive and out of reach for most of us. Enter Fosi Audio. First, they introduced the ZA3 - a stereo class D amp that could also be bridged as monoblocs. Shortly after they launched V3 Mono - a true monobloc amp that finally made this type of audio gear accessible for the masses.
I've lived with both of them for over 6 months now and here's my opinion about which one performs better.
Amazon links:
ZA3 - amzn.to/42IzySv
V3 Mono - amzn.to/42IzySv
Aliexpress links:
ZA3 - s.click.aliexp...
V3 Mono - s.click.aliexp...
Links provided in the description may be affiliate links. They earn me a small commission when you purchase something after having clicked them, which helps me support this channel, and it won't cost you anything extra.
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I own the Aiyima A07 Max and the Fosi V3 amplifiers. When I upgraded to a 48V power supply, I noticed a faint hiss at higher volumes, something that wasn’t present with their original 32V/36V power bricks. After consulting a specialist, I was advised to plug the power supply directly into a wall outlet and position it as far as possible from the amplifier and any nearby devices. Following this simple adjustment, the hiss disappeared entirely, and the system now performs flawlessly.
@@samirbegovic7107 interesting. I’ll try that. Thanks.
@@NormcoreGreg have you tried it? Any difference?
Which do you like better? The Fosi or Aiyima?
You did a good job comparing these two. Very similar to my evaluation.
@@Grooverski, thanks!
Thanks for the excellent video. I have both of these amplifiers. I have 3 x ZA3s - one additional with the Sparkos opamp. My first observation is to praise Fosi Audio - over the last two years, I ahve had conversations with them, and they have always been extremely friendly and helpful - they seem to be a company with its heart in the right place. I found it hard to differentiate between the two different types of amps. There are so many variables in hi-fi, with source information being critical. I used these with a tube preamp and was very happy with the product. I am thrilled that Fosi brought out their preamp/DAC - and I own that. However, I persist in using the tube preamp as I prefer it. The heat from the V3s was a bit disconcerting. However, Fosi introduced fans who can be placed on the V3s. I bought these, and they work well! I am no Fosi zealot (!); however, this seems to be a company that is truly 'on the move' and set to introduce some phenomenal products, I strongly suspect. The fabulous thing is that the price means we can buy this equipment and experiment. In the past, this was not something I could do, as products were such huge investments.
Agreed. Fosi iterates extremely fast and they listen to their community’s feedback. I think they also have some tube preamps. They may not be „true” tube preamps as the tubes are only used for buffering signal and not amplifying it, but still…
The temperature problem can be easily avoided with the adjustable fans offered by Fosi Audio. I placed my V3 on one of each and no longer have any problems with heat development.
These amps get hot because of the linear voltage regulators. Those regulators regulate the opamps and the chipset 12v circuitry. Linear regulators "burn" the excess voltage, for example if you use a 32V PS, then the regulator needs to burn (32-12)V times the current flowing which also depends on the opamps. Those discrete opamps have a much higher consumption than IC opamps. 20v x0.1A consumes 2W. But 8f you use a 48V PS then (48-12)V x 0.1A =3.6W, this power is burned even when the amp is not playing anything. And you are not considering the power consumed by the actual TPA3255 chip. So, in summary, the higher the PS voltage, the more power the Linear regulators need to burn. And because the case acts as heatsink, the smaller the case the higher the temperature of the case. And the people who are experiencing more with this issue are the ones replacing the opamps with higher power consumption ones.
Thanks for the explanation Miguel! I can see Fosi is selling V3Ms bundled with a cooling fan, so I guess they do acknowledge the problem of overheating. I also noticed some people installing additional radiators on top of the unit.
@@MiguelAngelVelazquez nice job explaining.
@@MiguelAngelVelazquez good information. I bought 2 of the ZA3s and a ZD3, to create a third listening system. Other than power consumption, do you feel the ZA3s are good amps? Is there a particular op amp swap that you’d suggest?
@stevennachlas9596 For me all the TPA3251/55 based amps sound very good and very similar if the same technologies are used(PFFB or not, dual rail power for opamps, etc). I particularly don't have the ZA3, but I have other amps like the V3, A07, A07 Max, A04, A04pro, O-Noorus D1. And i always use OPA1656 or OPA1612 opamps. Not too expensive of fancy like those discrete opamps, but for the money they sound very good. I also use OPA1612 on my AK4499EX based DAC.
Actually the V3 has some stability problems which also contribute to the heat. I haven't fully traced it down but I believe the PFFB is poorly implemented. The TPA3255 is already something of a furnace... they get really hot if you push them, so additional problems aren't helping.
Mr Norm You are the Best to learn all about these kınd of ınfo on ınternent Thank you very much
Great review, helped a lot, great performance of you, nice jokes, very sympathic.
I think we survive 2025 also when we follow our passions, like Audio units and the love for the technic
Greatings from Germany / Bavaria
Thanks for your kind words and greetings to you too @DocHouse-f8w
According to 'Passion For Sound' he states: This Fosi Audio ZA3 amp has a SECRET weapon! And he says it's a "game changer" in that when you swap the op-amps for the Burson Vivid, it transforms the ZA3 into a "powerhouse" - it causes the ZA3 to surpass the V3 monoblocks. Yes, it also costs more, but the sound apparently greatly increases.
@@theendingmusic I am going to try this opamp rolling thing soon :) However, a pair of those Burson costs around $250, and I think you need do swap at least 2 in each unit. This raises the total cost of those anps quite significantly.
@@NormcoreGreg Another "tip" I was told to remove the op amps that were not being used, this would improve performance. So I removed the subwoofer and RCA op amps, and changed only the XLR op amp. I was told the XLR performs better than the RCA on the ZA3. This means I only needed to buy 2 op amps, reducing the cost of the upgrade. I still have not listened to it because I want to pair the ZA3 with the Ladder Bach preamp, which I am planning to buy soon.
@@theendingmusic thanks for the tip. I'll try that trick. By the way - you've got yourself a great preamp (so I heard :))!
I own both, and za3 is like 40% better than v3 mono using XLR and changing 2 opamp Right channel and XLR... you have to pull out the other 3 opams the left and 2 for sub...magic
@ , so when using XLR in mono mode you only leave one opamp in the ZA3?
Thanks Greg,, 🌟
Cheers from Sweden,, 🍻😎👍
Cheers Iren :)
@@NormcoreGreg 💖
Nicely done 😎👍
I'm lucky to get "no hiss" at full ZA3 Monoblock volume. Feeding them with FOSI ZD3 XLR.
ZD3 review comming up ;)
@NormcoreGreg I am looking forward to seeing your work 😎👍
I am still playing with ZD3 & ZA3 x2 + subwoofer on desktop, near field.
I'm comparing this to this other more refined main system...
I am enjoying this fun journey 😎👍
@@AverageNiceGuy how do you connect the subwoofer to the pair za3's? Im thinking of getting them and im confused, It connects to only 1 za3 or how It works? thanks
@Crusher91 I used an RCA "Y" connecter. RCA males at each ZA3 > then a 2 to 1 stereo "Y" splitter cable > then single RCA to Subwoofer LFE connection (provided your subwoofer has an LFE connection)
A Single RCA from a single ZA3 works, but this is only 1/2 of the stereo signal.
So it was a mistake to pull the op-amps from the unused channel on my ZA3s when using them as mono blocks?
I believe it's OK to remove them.
I am testing the ZA3s in monophonic mode. I have them at maximum volume, I use an Eversolo DMP-A8 as a pre-amplifier and I never heard any hiss or strange noises from having the ZA3s at maximum volume. I have 2 pairs of speakers, a Dynaudio Heritage Special and a Proac Response d2... background noise or hiss with the ZA3s at max volume, nothing at all, no distortion.
@@S.BenditHifi maybe it’s my speakers then. I tested these with two different pairs (wharfedales and elacs) - they both were 6 Ohm, so maybe the impedance is too low.
@@NormcoreGreg
Not your speakers, I run the ZA3 (in mono setup) and WD Linton 85th heritage, and absolutely no noise at full throttle. Maybe worth to contact Fosi as you may have a 'faulty' unit.
@@NormcoreGreg I don't think that's it. My ProAc Response speakers have a sensitivity of 8 ohm and 88.5dbs. But the Dynaudio Heritage Special speakers have a sensitivity of 85db and work at 4 ohm. In other words, they are very complicated speakers and I don't have a single noise with the ZA3s at maximum volume in the background. I briefly tried the V3s and found them more analytical and with less bass.
@@34332 they've sent me a replacement unit, but it didn't help. Maybe there's interference somewhere else in my system, but I haven't found it yet and it doesn't happen with other components. I'll keep digging - it's fun anyway :)
On the ZA3 using mono and XLR, you have to pull out 3 opamps 2 for sub, and 1 opamp the left channel will sound better and clean any distortion
For good clean, cool running monoblocks try the Aiyima A3001s. Nothing fancy, just a well implemented TPA3255 chip running in PBTL mode.
I lowered the temperature of my mono blocks by 10 degrees F. By placing both of them on a big bar of aluminum I had in my scrap pile. The bar measured 1" x 3" z 10"
Nice trick :) I saw some people glue additional radiators on top of them or mount fans.
Fosi has quality control problems ur za3 unit is defective ask them to replace the internal board, i have 2 units they sound good at hi volume but my xlr button is defective
I use a pair of Aiyima A07 at maximum volume as a monoblock in a pair of 130W (6 ohm, 87db) speakers and I hear an inconvenient background noise. At 75% it is almost inaudible.
@@AlexandreBiciati mine are also 6 ohm, so maybe that’s the problem.
There is a new Sheriff in town, the 3e Audio A7, it makes these other amps look like Barney Fife.
Interesting. What's special about this one?
@@NormcoreGreg It has two of the TI chips, one for each channel, along with some very robust boards, along with room for many op amp choices. There are even holes in the bottom of the case to see what they are, or maybe even swap them out, without taking the case work apart. Matt Coykendall did a nice review and teardown of the A7 on his YT channel. I have been using mine on a pair of Zu DW6 Supremes for a week now, and it sounds incredible. The imaging on this amp is incredible, along with separation, this is not sounding like a $300 amplifier, not in the least. Worth a look.
@michaelwright1602 intriguing! Will have to give it a look. Thanks.
Here I am again,
Could I get the T shirt to buy in XXL because there is a small bodymass problem of mine.
Thank you for your answer, thats no joke
Doc
Hi Doc. Do you mean my "Normcore" shirt? If yes, I'm setting up a "shop" with my merch and it should be ready this week. I'll let you know ;)
23:00
you dont want to turn the amp up all the way anyway. solid state amps dont sound good maxed out.
what you need to do with these is run your streamer (whether WIIM or Eversolo ) in "pas through" mode, or constant volume mode. then the full signal with go to the amp and you can turn the volume down and it will sound better.
Yes, but then you need to regulate the volume of each channel separately. That is if you use ZA3s as monoblocs, of course.
@@NormcoreGreg yes. that's the only drawback but it's worth it to me.
That would be great. Yes it is that shirt of my desire.
I looked at your lovely Video about the radiaks.
I tell you that are no Teddybears.
I try to contact the manufactures, because i have ordered the Fosi V3 monos and the ZD3 and i need sufficient loudspeakers.
I thank you for your advices and you coolness in the videos, it. is like in the Film Nobody ( Bob Odenkirk ).
Doc
Thanks for your comments Doc :) I loved Bob in Nobody as well as Better Call Saul (TV series). I'm trying to set up a store with NORMCORE shirts. Have a look at this and let me know if it works for you - normcoregreg.myspreadshop.com/
None of them. Go for class ab mono. Topping is offering.
@@tamayaytam maybe one day. I fear it will come sooner than my wife would want to ;)
@NormcoreGreg it is contagious, long lasting disease you know. You can't run from it.
What Topping models ??
@@JG-gg9wk topping b200
2024 was crap. 2025 better be better.
Fingers crossed!