Allow me to make this statement first — The Fosi Audio V3 monoblocks (retailing at RM1,089 a pair) are the best-sounding Fosi amps that I have heard so far.
Over the past few weeks, I have heard the Fosi Audio V3 integrated amp, the ZA3 balanced integrated amp and the V3 monoblocks. All three use the same Texas Instrument TPA 3255 Class D chip, but the V3 monoblock is the only model featuring Post-Filter Feedback (PFFB) technology which Fosi claims “effectively overcomes the common load dependency issues of Class-D amplifiers, improving distortion and enhancing frequency response”.
From the Texas Instrument website: “TI’s PFFB allows the user to add the ferrite bead inside the Class-D loop. This change in loop configuration ensures that the errors added by ferrite beads are added inside the Class-D loop and will get corrected by the loop gain. This coupled with the high loop gain that comes with TI’s fourth order Class-D amplifiers ensures that THD degradation due to the ferrite bead addition are minimized. This allows designers to use cost optimized ferrite beads without worrying about the adverse effects of these beads on their system’s audio performance. Also, since the loop is closed after the ferrite beads filters, there is no dip in the frequency response of the amplifier which results in giving the amplifier a flat amplitude response across the audio band of frequencies.”
The V3 monoblocks also use audiophile-grade components such as Nichicon, Wima and Elna caps and Sumida inductors. The V3 monoblocks’ rated power output is 240 Watts into 4 Ohms with a 48V 5A power supply.
It features RCA and balanced inputs and has two toggle switches on the front panel. One toggle switch is to power on and to set it on auto which means it will go into standby mode in 10 minutes with no signal. The other toggle switch is to choose between RCA and XLR inputs.
The monoblocks come with a 48V 10A power supply, a splitter cable and a DC filter. Setting up was easy and intuitive.
Adding the Fosi Audio V3 monoblocks to the TAS (The Affordable System) increases the total price to RM5,254. Including the iFi LAN iSilencer which retails at RM519, the price increases to RM5,773. The rest of the system comprises the WiiM Pro Plus (retail price: RM1,199), a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 (White Oak) speakers (RM1,999), a pair of Kanto ST28 28″ Speaker Stands (RM513), 3-metre DALI 16 AWG Speaker Cables with Copper Colour Rhodium Banana Plugs (RM214) and a 1-metre pair of WireWorld Stream RCA interconnects (RM240).
For Class D amps, the V3 monoblocks run rather hot, but the sound quality is just as hot. In fact, I connected them to drive my pair of ATC SCM50 floorstanders and they created a sound that had a deep and tight bass, great clarity and depth. Few people would believe that monoblocks costing slightly more than a thousand ringgit could sound that good.
Driving the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 bookshelf speakers was a breeze and again the bass was deep and tight. I feel this is the outstanding capability of the V3 monoblocks — being able to create deep, tight and lively bass.
The Fosi Audio V3 monoblocks have impressed me so much that I am feeling the itch to whip out the credit card and buy them.
If you are looking for a Fosi amp, just leave aside the other models and buy the V3 monoblocks. They are that impressive.
All the components (except for the iFi LAN iSilencer) are from TechX Home Audio & Hi-Fi. Contact Thiban at 014-2511062 for more details.
