guddu478
Active Member
A Balanced Streamer at unmatched price (259.99$) with all bases covered!
FiiO S3 - Standout Highlights
- Balanced (XLR) output *** This alone makes it worth every penny, if you need it ***
- Powerful & versatile streaming platform, uses Amlogic A113X (quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 SoC)
- Top tier DAC performance, uses AK4493SEQ
- Dual-Band WiFi6 wireless connectivity
- Noise/Distortion (THD+N): 115 – 120 dB, lands into absolutely transparent to human hearing category***
***Note: There are independent measurements available already proving this.
Getting some basics details of the way:
- Streamer module: Amlogic A113X
- DAC section: AKM AK4493SEQ
- EQ Type: Graphical 5 Band (as of April 20, 2026) but will be extended to 10 Bands with next update
- Network: Wireless – Dual-Band WiFi 6 (internal antenna), Wired – Ethernet 100 Mbps
- Inputs - Digital: WiFi Steaming, HDMI ARC/eARC, Optical SPDIF, BT 5.3 (SBC, AAC)
- Inputs – Analog: RCA single-ended
- Output – Analog: RCA (single ended) & XLR (balanced)
- Output – Digital: Optical SPDIF out
- Streaming Protocols: Google Cast, AirPlay 2, DLNA/UPnP, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect
- App Control: Fosi Audio App, available for apple & android platforms
- Others: 12v Triggered out, subwoofer out & remote control
More product details and specifications here:
https://fosiaudio.com/pages/s3-bala...2mEGWOMpeff5cuWtW9WcP20KG8hcVxdxoCCeUQAvD_BwE
*********
Fiio S3 - Box Contents, Build Quality & Aesthetics
Pictures don’t justify simple but elegant aesthetics; case feels solid and decent weight keeps it stable even with heavy XLR cables.
*Note: Included remote is Bluetooth remote and requires to be paired within Fosi Audio app to use.
Fosi Audio – Fosi’s streaming app
*Available for Apple (iOS) as well as Android platforms at this time.
Required for S3’s audio steaming functions, this app is the first thing you need yourself to get familiar with to even use the included Bluetooth remote control.
Fosi S3 - Initial Setup
As easy as Power On and then follow the Fosi Audio App to discover and setup the unit.
- After power on, wait for the "NET" LED to blink white which means ready for pairing.
- Run the Fosi Audio App and follow instructions to select your Wi-Fi network and so on.
Here is the screen capture of Initial Setup that I performed:
Bluetooth Remote Pairing
To use the included Bluetooth remote, you need to run the Fosi APP and then pair it.
1) Press and hold the power button and the DIG OUT button on the remote simultaneously. This should cause the remote indicator LED flash red.
2) On Fosi Audio App, Go to Settings > Bluetooth, Scan, and select "Fosi Audio RC".
Fosi S3 – Power Consumption - about 5 Watts
Other Features
· Equalizer: Initial software release has 5-band graphical equalizer
· Fosi have announced upgrade to 10-band EQ with upcoming updates
Fosi S3 – In Action
As you see in the picture, I have paired S3 with Fosi’s BT20A Max with RCA connectivity and the combination works very well.
Fosi S3 has 2v out on RCA and 4v out on XLR which should make it easy to pair with almost any amplifier without any issues.
In my experience, I found it worked best when I used S3’s volume to its MAX while controlling either on source or amplifier.
Inputs - My Audio Sources
I have all my media library onto DM100 Android Player/Streamer which goes to Fosi S3 on optical input.
Hisense Android TV goes to Fosi S3 on HDMI with eARC connectivity.
I use Spotify and Amazon Music most of the time and Spotify Connect worked nicely while I used Airplay to stream Amazon Music from iPhone.
My experience with this setup... so far
As usual, I played my regular go to music which I am totally familiar with and the combination sounded clean & transparent. I did not notice any sound coloration and overall balanced presentation.
Imaging, soundstage and stereo separation came out nicely with different recordings, as good as I have experienced with other good combinations.
It was immediately apparent to me that the DAC performance of S3 is top tier.
Fosi S3 – A Streamer
S3 is built on an already established and stable Amlogic A113X SoC which has all the capabilities for a high-end streamer.
*** There are already a few other higher priced streamers in the market that use same or similar platforms. ***
While Fosi have covered as many bases as they could here, the streaming application availability and integration is continuous development work-in-progress.
As of now, the following are available (as per their portal) to use and work without any issues:
I used all of these except “Roon” (which I don’t use).
While these work without issues, However the integration could be improved which I believe they are already onto.
For example, Spotify within the Fosi App has basic options like play/pause/forward to next song and so you would want to open the Spotify app for other features.
Fosi S3 – A DAC
Simply Flawless & Transparent
S3 as a DAC is as good as any other good standalone DAC, clean & clear, transparent.
No noise or any kind of hiss, no sound coloration.
Fosi S3 – A Pre Amplifier
S3 has digital volume control which is surely handy.
Volume could be controlled using front knob, Fosi App & included remote control.
My best suggestion would be to either use it completely maxed out (which is essentially bypassing volume control preamp completely) or keep it close to max. I found it working to its best this way.
Fosi S3 - Sub Out
Fosi S3 has dedicated subout which runs full range.
There are no subwoofer management features available at the moment, like crossover/LPF, HPF etc. which will be included with future software updates as announced by Fosi.
Fosi S3 – 12v Triggered Out
Worked perfectly with Fosi BT20A Max without any sync issues or failure.
Fosi S3 – HDMI eARC Input (with CEC)
Fosi have got it right and eARC works very well on eARC supported HDMI TV. I have had this test on Hisense OLED, LG & Samsung without any failures.
CEC functions properly as well to power ON/Off S3 from TV and vice-versa.
Fosi S3 – Internal DAC vs External DAC
Fosi S3 has optical out which allows use of an external DAC, essentially using Fosi S3 as DAC with preamp.
I connected Fosi S3 optical out to Topping E50 II, keeping volume max on Fosi S3.
Note that it needs to ser Audio Out to “Optical Out” on Fosi Audio App.
Both (Fosi S3 and Topping E50 II) use AKM DACs, Fosi S3 uses AL4493SEQ while Topping E50 II uses AK4497S.
Topping E50 II has superiority in terms of better specification, however I did not notice any Sound Quality differences after hours & hours of listening.
Whatever those better specifications numbers are, they were completely transparent to my listening capabilities.
Note that the other features in Topping E50 II like Preamp/Volume Control, PEQ etc. were outside my intended purpose here.
Summarizing all the thoughts........
This Fosi S3 unit was offered to me for testing and feedback purposes directly to them.
As a DAC, I found it as good as any other DAC for similar money. It delivers 2v on RCA while 4v on XLR output, which makes it totally compatible with most amplifiers and such.
Volume Control is handy, but I found it working best with fuller SQ when used Max or close to Max.
Hope this read was informative and might help in making a decision or otherwise......
FiiO S3 - Standout Highlights
- Balanced (XLR) output *** This alone makes it worth every penny, if you need it ***
- Powerful & versatile streaming platform, uses Amlogic A113X (quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 SoC)
- Top tier DAC performance, uses AK4493SEQ
- Dual-Band WiFi6 wireless connectivity
- Noise/Distortion (THD+N): 115 – 120 dB, lands into absolutely transparent to human hearing category***
***Note: There are independent measurements available already proving this.
Getting some basics details of the way:
- Streamer module: Amlogic A113X
- DAC section: AKM AK4493SEQ
- EQ Type: Graphical 5 Band (as of April 20, 2026) but will be extended to 10 Bands with next update
- Network: Wireless – Dual-Band WiFi 6 (internal antenna), Wired – Ethernet 100 Mbps
- Inputs - Digital: WiFi Steaming, HDMI ARC/eARC, Optical SPDIF, BT 5.3 (SBC, AAC)
- Inputs – Analog: RCA single-ended
- Output – Analog: RCA (single ended) & XLR (balanced)
- Output – Digital: Optical SPDIF out
- Streaming Protocols: Google Cast, AirPlay 2, DLNA/UPnP, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect
- App Control: Fosi Audio App, available for apple & android platforms
- Others: 12v Triggered out, subwoofer out & remote control
More product details and specifications here:
https://fosiaudio.com/pages/s3-bala...2mEGWOMpeff5cuWtW9WcP20KG8hcVxdxoCCeUQAvD_BwE
*********
Fiio S3 - Box Contents, Build Quality & Aesthetics
Pictures don’t justify simple but elegant aesthetics; case feels solid and decent weight keeps it stable even with heavy XLR cables.
*Note: Included remote is Bluetooth remote and requires to be paired within Fosi Audio app to use.
Fosi Audio – Fosi’s streaming app
*Available for Apple (iOS) as well as Android platforms at this time.
Required for S3’s audio steaming functions, this app is the first thing you need yourself to get familiar with to even use the included Bluetooth remote control.
Fosi S3 - Initial Setup
As easy as Power On and then follow the Fosi Audio App to discover and setup the unit.
- After power on, wait for the "NET" LED to blink white which means ready for pairing.
- Run the Fosi Audio App and follow instructions to select your Wi-Fi network and so on.
Here is the screen capture of Initial Setup that I performed:
Bluetooth Remote Pairing
To use the included Bluetooth remote, you need to run the Fosi APP and then pair it.
1) Press and hold the power button and the DIG OUT button on the remote simultaneously. This should cause the remote indicator LED flash red.
2) On Fosi Audio App, Go to Settings > Bluetooth, Scan, and select "Fosi Audio RC".
Fosi S3 – Power Consumption - about 5 Watts
Other Features
· Equalizer: Initial software release has 5-band graphical equalizer
· Fosi have announced upgrade to 10-band EQ with upcoming updates
Fosi S3 – In Action
As you see in the picture, I have paired S3 with Fosi’s BT20A Max with RCA connectivity and the combination works very well.
Fosi S3 has 2v out on RCA and 4v out on XLR which should make it easy to pair with almost any amplifier without any issues.
In my experience, I found it worked best when I used S3’s volume to its MAX while controlling either on source or amplifier.
Inputs - My Audio Sources
I have all my media library onto DM100 Android Player/Streamer which goes to Fosi S3 on optical input.
Hisense Android TV goes to Fosi S3 on HDMI with eARC connectivity.
I use Spotify and Amazon Music most of the time and Spotify Connect worked nicely while I used Airplay to stream Amazon Music from iPhone.
My experience with this setup... so far
As usual, I played my regular go to music which I am totally familiar with and the combination sounded clean & transparent. I did not notice any sound coloration and overall balanced presentation.
Imaging, soundstage and stereo separation came out nicely with different recordings, as good as I have experienced with other good combinations.
It was immediately apparent to me that the DAC performance of S3 is top tier.
Fosi S3 – A Streamer
S3 is built on an already established and stable Amlogic A113X SoC which has all the capabilities for a high-end streamer.
*** There are already a few other higher priced streamers in the market that use same or similar platforms. ***
While Fosi have covered as many bases as they could here, the streaming application availability and integration is continuous development work-in-progress.
As of now, the following are available (as per their portal) to use and work without any issues:
I used all of these except “Roon” (which I don’t use).
While these work without issues, However the integration could be improved which I believe they are already onto.
For example, Spotify within the Fosi App has basic options like play/pause/forward to next song and so you would want to open the Spotify app for other features.
Fosi S3 – A DAC
Simply Flawless & Transparent
S3 as a DAC is as good as any other good standalone DAC, clean & clear, transparent.
No noise or any kind of hiss, no sound coloration.
Fosi S3 – A Pre Amplifier
S3 has digital volume control which is surely handy.
Volume could be controlled using front knob, Fosi App & included remote control.
My best suggestion would be to either use it completely maxed out (which is essentially bypassing volume control preamp completely) or keep it close to max. I found it working to its best this way.
Fosi S3 - Sub Out
Fosi S3 has dedicated subout which runs full range.
There are no subwoofer management features available at the moment, like crossover/LPF, HPF etc. which will be included with future software updates as announced by Fosi.
Fosi S3 – 12v Triggered Out
Worked perfectly with Fosi BT20A Max without any sync issues or failure.
Fosi S3 – HDMI eARC Input (with CEC)
Fosi have got it right and eARC works very well on eARC supported HDMI TV. I have had this test on Hisense OLED, LG & Samsung without any failures.
CEC functions properly as well to power ON/Off S3 from TV and vice-versa.
Fosi S3 – Internal DAC vs External DAC
Fosi S3 has optical out which allows use of an external DAC, essentially using Fosi S3 as DAC with preamp.
I connected Fosi S3 optical out to Topping E50 II, keeping volume max on Fosi S3.
Note that it needs to ser Audio Out to “Optical Out” on Fosi Audio App.
Both (Fosi S3 and Topping E50 II) use AKM DACs, Fosi S3 uses AL4493SEQ while Topping E50 II uses AK4497S.
Topping E50 II has superiority in terms of better specification, however I did not notice any Sound Quality differences after hours & hours of listening.
Whatever those better specifications numbers are, they were completely transparent to my listening capabilities.
Note that the other features in Topping E50 II like Preamp/Volume Control, PEQ etc. were outside my intended purpose here.
Summarizing all the thoughts........
This Fosi S3 unit was offered to me for testing and feedback purposes directly to them.
As a DAC, I found it as good as any other DAC for similar money. It delivers 2v on RCA while 4v on XLR output, which makes it totally compatible with most amplifiers and such.
Volume Control is handy, but I found it working best with fuller SQ when used Max or close to Max.
Hope this read was informative and might help in making a decision or otherwise......
