The V3 is the latest class-D stereo power amplifier from Fosi Audio. This budget audiophile amplifier competes with much pricier amps like the Marantz PM-90 (R18,000) on signal-to-noise ratio.
Reviews
"The best amp under $400" — CheapAudioMan Review.
“State of the art DACs run on highly performant silicon that when well implemented, produces the best performance we have seen. We are seeing similar development with these class D IC amplifiers. Noise and distortion is quite low and beats many amplifiers in the market.” — Audio Science Review.
Background
In the last 10 years, class-D got good. Class-D amplifiers use pulse-width modulation to generate a pulse train output which is then filtered to remove high-frequency pulses. By turning on transistors only as-needed (usually MOSFETs), class-D amplifiers can achieve efficiencies in excess of 90%+. As a result, these amps are smaller, lighter and cheaper to build than their class A & class-AB predecessors.
Specifications
- 88dB SINAD
- 110dB SnR (signal-to-noise ratio)
- 0.003% THD (Total Harmonic Distortion)
- 16 bits of dynamic range at full power
The 48V power supply squeezes substantially more performance out of the TPA3255 chipset than the standard 32V PSU. The previous generation TB10D left me wanting more with the standard 32V power, so I am only stocking the 48V V3. These units come with a 24-month warranty.
Max Power
- 160W RMS per channel into 4 ohm @ <1% THD
- 89W RMS per channel into 8 ohm @ <1% THD
Peak Power
- 300W peak power per channel (momentary) totalling 600W
- 190W peak power per channel (CEA-2006/490A standard) into 4 ohm @ <1% THD+N
- 380W total peak power at <1% distortion.
Inputs
- Stereo RCA
Outputs
- Stereo speaker binding posts or banana plugs
- Lab Out (minijack / aux) for an active subwoofer. Note that a Lab out is not controlled by the volume knob (Pre-out is a misnomer).
I use these Fosi Audio amplifiers to drive my Funktion-One speakers. They knock the socks off my old Crown K2. I also tried the budget Arylic A50+ integrated streamer + and would not recommend it (cold sound, distortion and cuts out at full power.)
You are welcome to bring your speakers for a sound test or if you are near Cape Town, I can come to you for a demo.
For more detailed measurements, please see Amir's measurements on AudioScienceReview.
Please refer to the Fosi Audio V3 Product Listing.