Fosi V3 Mono Break-In

I've had these for a month or so at this point with the single power supply and Y-shaped connector cord, replacing a huge old Ayre Acoustics V-5xe (at one point Stereophile Class B) - nothing wrong with the Ayre, but I needed the space it took up.  My impressions are overwhelmingly positive; I can't hear the difference between the Ayre and the V3 Monos.  BTW I strongly recommend using the balanced interconnects as opposed to RCA, for reasons explained by Archimago, whose two long quantitative reviews of the Fosis are linked from my blog at https://www.tbray.org/ongoing/When/202x/2024/09/09/Next-Step-Audiophile

Wow replacing Ayre gear satisfactorily  for a couple hundred bucks says something. 

Stories of premature failure and reliability on the web. Not to mention the very low current output. That I see the word "Topping" mentioned is all I need to know. Maybe it’s just high-end for the mid-fiers

No, I won’t be trying them out to replace my Pass amp. Or risk blowing my speakers..

Being a snobbish audiophile is cool, if that’s your thing.

I’ve got the Fosi currently driving a pair of Magnepan 1.7i with absolutely zero issues.  

Having a pair of what amounts to about sub $600 power amp (op amps/power bricks) that makes me consider selling my other amps is absolutely crazy.  But I think it really shows that one doesn’t need to throw a crap-ton of money at this hobby to get great sound nowadays.

Unless, of course, you want to throw a crap-ton of money at it for bragging rights.

More money better sound is a thing. Correct. But you need the ears and the means. Some got it some don’t. Nothing snobby about that. Whatever makes you happy.