Review: Fosi Audio TDA7498E Mini Hi-Fi Class D Integrated Amp 160 Watts x 2 into 4 Ohms

Budget Esoterica Review Magazine
May 2019 Issue

Fosi Audio TDA7498E Mini Class D Integrated Amp

Do you like small yet powerful mini amps? The specs of the Fosi Audio TDA7498E are a little bit hard to believe. Fosi is claiming that this amp does 160 watts x 2 into 4 ohms with distortion levels at .04 % over the whole audio spectrum. I can not verify that, but it does play pretty loud. Specifications like that would tickle any audiophiles fancy. The Fosi amp is very small, but it packs a good punch. Do you like simple amps without fancy buttons and knobs? The Fosi has a small toggle power switch on the front and a small well-built volume knob also. The rear of the amp is just as simple with just a pair of rca inputs, speaker jacks and the plug in for the power supply. The included power supply is also small, yet it is rated at 24 volts and 4.5 amps. The Fosi amp sells for $76 from Amazon.com, and includes the power supply. It also comes with an 18 month warranty. 

I mounted the Fosi amp on the Jefferson Memorial T-Amp stand and attached a $200 power cord to the power supply and plugged it straight into the wall. Interconnects and speaker cables were from entry level hi-fi brands.  Teac speaker placement was about 5 feet from the back wall, placed on high quality Target speaker stands. I would suggest that you keep the Fosi amp powered on for several weeks before you do any critical listening. 

Reference Discs 

Tina Turner Private Dancer 

I listened to the song, "Private Dancer" by Tina Turner to get an idea of the bass quality. The bass was tight and thumpy in my near field listening area. This song also identified the vocal qualities of the amp which were also very good. Very good neutrality and transparency as well as a touch of subtlety and a very nice expression of emotions. I also like track number one, "I Might Of Been Queen". On this selection the percussion instruments had a slight touch of tube like sound. The vocals had a good sense of flow with a fairly wide octave range. 

If you are looking for a small yet powerful amp that comes close to your entry level full size gear, the Fosi amp might do it for you. The fit and finish is very nice and it is simple to use. Small class D amps are getting better and better and they are starting to live up to the promise of delivering the entry level sound of full size components. 

Reference Equipment

Onkyo DV-SP405
Jefferson Memorial T-Amp Stand
Teac LS-301 Speakers
Target Speaker Stands
Ixos stereo interconnect
Ixos 603 Speaker Cable
Audience power cord