An Affordable Audiophile Brand Is Taking a Big Leap Into Modern Hi-Fi

The company claims its newest component is designed to serve as the central source for modern home audio systems.

Audio equipment including a turntable, amplifier with orange dial, two black audio units on a clear acrylic stand, and a white speaker with copper cone on a wooden shelf.Fosi Audio

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Since bursting on the scene less than a decade ago, Fosi Audio has developed quite a reputation for its affordable hi-fi gear. It specializes in compact amplifiers, DACs and headphone amplifiers designed to elevate your home desktop setups.

Earlier this year, the company released the BT20A Max ($230), an integrated amplifier designed to power a pair of passive bookshelf speakers. Now it’s making its first foray into high-resolution streaming with its latest component.

Fosi Audio S3

Gray Fosi Audio S3 amplifier with orange volume knob and buttons on front panel.
The S3 can operate as a standalone streamer, digital transport, DAC or preamp.
Fosi Audio

Streamer, DAC and preamp

The Fosi Audio S3 is a hi-fi component that combines a network streamer, a high-resolution DAC and a preamp into one compact gray box. Similar to offerings by WiiM or Bluesound, it’s designed to bring your home’s traditional hi-fi system up to today’s modern streaming standards.

On the streaming side, the S3 supports a wide range of streaming protocols, including Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast and DLNA. When streaming over Wi-Fi, it supports audio up to 24-bit 192kHz. It’s Roon Ready and, when used within that ecosystem, it’s capable of playing lossless audio up to PCM 32-bit/384kHz.

The S3 supports Bluetooth streaming, too.

White bookshelf speaker with copper driver on a black stand next to a wooden shelf holding vinyl records, a laptop, and audio equipment.
According to the brand, the S3 has a balanced circuit design that “provides a clean, low-noise signal path, ensuring a stable and transparent foundation for the rest of the audio system.”
Fosi Audio
Gray audio interface with multiple input/output ports on a wooden shelf next to a black turntable.
The S3 integrates easily into both stereo and home theater setups.
Fosi Audio

Home stereo, home theater

But, as mentioned, the S3 is more than just a streamer. It can also function as a standalone digital transport, DAC or preamp, allowing it to work in a wide range of home stereo and home theater systems.

It features HDMI eARC, RCA and XLR outputs, optical connections and a dedicated subwoofer output. According to the brand, it can “serve as the centerpiece of a 2.1 system or a traditional hi-fi setup.”

The S3 also works with Fosi Audio’s companion app, which handles the input switching and gives you access to a five-band equalizer (enabling you to further fine-tune your sound).

White speaker with copper cone driver next to black and silver audio equipment with orange knob on wooden shelf with CDs.
The S3 adds Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming, and it can access music stored on local NAS drives.
Fosi Audio
Compact silver audio amplifier with an orange volume knob on a wooden shelf above a collection of vinyl records.
The S3 is the company’s first foray into high-resolution streaming.
Fosi Audio

Availability and pricing

The Fosi Audio S3 is available now from the company’s official website and authorized global retailers for $259.

Black Fosi Audio S3 amplifier with orange volume knob and two small buttons on the front panel.Fosi Audio

Fosi Audio S3

The Fosi Audio S3 is the company’s first foray into high-resolution streaming. It’s a network streamer, a high-resolution DAC and a preamp, designed to bring your home’s traditional hi-fi system up to today’s modern streaming standards. It supports a wide range of streaming protocols, including Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, and DLNA. More than a streamer, the S3 can function as a standalone digital transport, DAC or preamp, allowing it to work in a wide range of home stereo and home theater systems. According to the brand, it can “serve as the centerpiece of a 2.1 system or a traditional hi-fi setup.”

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