Presentation of the Fosi Audio P4 preamplifier, and personal experiences

[anti68]

Personal presentation of the Fosi Audio P4 preamplifier



In my latest recommendation, I present the Fosi Audio P4 preamplifier. This is the latest product currently available in the company's range.



First, let's see what we get.. A new arrival has been added to the orange button family

Contents of the box: P4 preamplifier

Multifunctional remote control.

Wall adapter for power supply

User manual.



I will share only some technical information. Detailed information can be found on the manufacturer's website.

Number of inputs: 3x rca.

Number of outputs: one stereo rca and stereo 3.5 mm jack

The gain can be adjusted in three steps with a switch: 3DB - 6DB - 9DB

Tone Adjustment Gain: ±12dB

Dynamic range: >110DB

Total harmonic distortion: ≤ 0.003%



Take it out of the box. You can immediately feel the usual good build quality. Fosi Audio has used the usual solid aluminum housing in this case as well. When viewed from the front, the first thing that strikes you is the modified style of the V3 stereo. The straight-line design of the front panel and the centrally placed volume control clearly resemble the v3 stereo. the size of the p4 does not match the v3 stereo perfectly due probably to the placement size of the rear connectors. The difference is not too big, but the fit is not perfect. The design of the volume control is also different from the v3 stereo knob.

Well, let's insert it into the system and let the fun begin! As you can see, it looks very good..

and in the bigger family..

The remote control is very well thought out. It can be switched, so it will handle the existing ZD3 and the product that will be released in the near future. Brilliant!

The power button and input selector on the device work easy and great. This device uses fine relays in inside. What immediately strikes you after switching it on is the extraordinary dynamics and clarity. The sound stage is very good. It has a very pleasant sound. It is characterized by extremely clear instrument sounds and very good spatial reproduction. I've been using it for quite a few days now, so I can say that I've gotten to know it thoroughly. I got to know it and I really loved it! I put it through a pretty thorough test and listened to it very critically, I can say this. I can't say bad things to the sound it produces at all. Sound is very good! All styles of music sound very good with it. I really like that with a device, no matter how high the volume is, there is no audible operating noise or similar. When listening to the speakers up close, there is no noise or hissing from the speakers, even faintly. I don't usually use the equalizer. But since it can be turned off here, this is also a very good option for the p4 if needing . I have some poorer quality vinyl records and cassettes when listening to them and they worked very well if I added a little extra bass and treble. The sound of weaker quality recordings can be easily corrected. And if it is not needed, you can switch it to bypass mode in an instant. At this point, we turn off the Tone Adjustment completely.

Bypass switch

Front:

Rear:

Fosi Audio has provided us with a motorized volume control in the P4. I connected a ZD3 DAC, a CD player, and a cassette deck to the P4 inputs. The motorized control works very well for the CD and cassette deck. This is obviously a function of the input signal levels. With the ZD3 volume control turned off (in bypass position), the P4 sends a higher output signal than the CD player and tape deck. So with my P4, the control from zero to the already loud volume takes about a centimeter of rotation. So since my V3 monoblock does not have a volume control, the motorized volume control is more difficult for me. I use this manually. However, it can work flawlessly on amplifiers that have their own volume control. For example, the V3 stereo za3 or any other amplifier. Manual volume control is much more precise than the motorized one. Perhaps a slow-step volume control similar to the zd3 would have been a better choice. If you need a higher signal level than the base, you can immediately amplify the output signal of the p4 preamplifier even further with a rear switch. We can switch to three levels. 3 – 6 – 9 decibels of amplification are possible.

I didn't detect any noise here either. It's impeccable at all amplification levels! I don't need anything more than the basic level. It even amplifies the signal from my cassette recorders sufficiently. The p4's channel separation is very good. Even when listening to my cassettes, the sense of space has noticeably increased and all this is accompanied by very clear sounds. I can state that another little gem has been born at Fosi Audio, which I heartily recommend to those who need a really good-sounding preamplifier. In addition, it has a preamplified 3.5mm jack output for supplying an active sub, for example. I tested it and the output is perfectly usable stereo output. This makes it suitable for driving other amplifiers (sub or any plus amplifier..) or, for example, for recording with tape recorders, we can transmit a signal through it with a suitable cable (jack to rca) to recoders. In this case, the gain control switch (3-6-9DB) and tone controll has no effect on the jack output, the gain does not change regardless of the switch. This switch and tone controll can only be used on the rca output. However, the jack output signal is also regulated for volume (volume controll ), just like the RCA output signal. This is a huge plus for me, because even though I don't use a subwoofer, I can drive my tape recorders from the extra output. Of course, it would have been nice to have a few more plus input channels, even double RCA outputs and maybe even XLR inputs and XLR outputs.. But then you would need a bigger box than the one you have now. This is a really and fantastis neat little thing.

Using a good power supply can definitely make it even better. But otherwise, this device is completely fine! It has an incredibly good spatial reproduction and a really pleasant sound. I absolutely recommend it!





Pros: Really great, Dynamic almost surround sound and noise-free sound.

Good construction, stable aluminum housing.

Motorized volume control.

Equalizers that can be turned on and off. (bypass mode)

Plus stereo jack output for active sub or additional amplifiers,

Maybe the tape recorder

Three-level adjustable signal gain.

Remote control for controlling multiple devices.

Easy input selection with the power button

Repleceable op amp


Cons: The size does not match perfectly with any Fosi audio amplifier. It's a little bigger than the v3 stereo.

The tone and volume knobs are a bit close to each other.

 

[TLS Guy]

Personal presentation of the Fosi Audio P4 preamplifier



In my latest recommendation, I present the Fosi Audio P4 preamplifier. This is the latest product currently available in the company's range.



First, let's see what we get.. A new arrival has been added to the orange button family

View attachment 72510


Contents of the box: P4 preamplifier

Multifunctional remote control.

Wall adapter for power supply

User manual.



I will share only some technical information. Detailed information can be found on the manufacturer's website.

Number of inputs: 3x rca.

Number of outputs: one stereo rca and stereo 3.5 mm jack

The gain can be adjusted in three steps with a switch: 3DB - 6DB - 9DB

Tone Adjustment Gain: ±12dB

Dynamic range: >110DB

Total harmonic distortion: ≤ 0.003%



Take it out of the box. You can immediately feel the usual good build quality. Fosi Audio has used the usual solid aluminum housing in this case as well. When viewed from the front, the first thing that strikes you is the modified style of the V3 stereo. The straight-line design of the front panel and the centrally placed volume control clearly resemble the v3 stereo. the size of the p4 does not match the v3 stereo perfectly due probably to the placement size of the rear connectors. The difference is not too big, but the fit is not perfect. The design of the volume control is also different from the v3 stereo knob.

Well, let's insert it into the system and let the fun begin! As you can see, it looks very good..

View attachment 72511

and in the bigger family..

View attachment 72512

The remote control is very well thought out. It can be switched, so it will handle the existing ZD3 and the product that will be released in the near future. Brilliant!

View attachment 72530
The power button and input selector on the device work easy and great. This device uses fine relays in inside. What immediately strikes you after switching it on is the extraordinary dynamics and clarity. The sound stage is very good. It has a very pleasant sound. It is characterized by extremely clear instrument sounds and very good spatial reproduction. I've been using it for quite a few days now, so I can say that I've gotten to know it thoroughly. I got to know it and I really loved it! I put it through a pretty thorough test and listened to it very critically, I can say this. I can't say bad things to the sound it produces at all. Sound is very good! All styles of music sound very good with it. I really like that with a device, no matter how high the volume is, there is no audible operating noise or similar. When listening to the speakers up close, there is no noise or hissing from the speakers, even faintly. I don't usually use the equalizer. But since it can be turned off here, this is also a very good option for the p4 if needing . I have some poorer quality vinyl records and cassettes when listening to them and they worked very well if I added a little extra bass and treble. The sound of weaker quality recordings can be easily corrected. And if it is not needed, you can switch it to bypass mode in an instant. At this point, we turn off the Tone Adjustment completely.


Front:

View attachment 72513

Rear:

View attachment 72517

Bypass mode switch

View attachment 72514

Fosi Audio has provided us with a motorized volume control in the P4. I connected a ZD3 DAC, a CD player, and a cassette deck to the P4 inputs. The motorized control works very well for the CD and cassette deck. This is obviously a function of the input signal levels. With the ZD3 volume control turned off (in bypass position), the P4 sends a higher output signal than the CD player and tape deck. So with my P4, the control from zero to the already loud volume takes about a centimeter of rotation. So since my V3 monoblock does not have a volume control, the motorized volume control is more difficult for me. I use this manually. However, it can work flawlessly on amplifiers that have their own volume control. For example, the V3 stereo za3 or any other amplifier. Manual volume control is much more precise than the motorized one. Perhaps a slow-step volume control similar to the zd3 would have been a better choice. If you need a higher signal level than the base, you can immediately amplify the output signal of the p4 preamplifier even further with a rear switch. We can switch to three levels. 3 – 6 – 9 decibels of amplification are possible.

View attachment 72515


I didn't detect any noise here either. It's impeccable at all amplification levels! I don't need anything more than the basic level. It even amplifies the signal from my cassette recorders sufficiently. The p4's channel separation is very good. Even when listening to my cassettes, the sense of space has noticeably increased and all this is accompanied by very clear sounds. I can state that another little gem has been born at Fosi Audio, which I heartily recommend to those who need a really good-sounding preamplifier. In addition, it has a preamplified 3.5mm jack output for supplying an active sub, for example. I tested it and the output is perfectly usable stereo output. This makes it suitable for driving other amplifiers (sub or any plus amplifier..) or, for example, for recording with tape recorders, we can transmit a signal through it with a suitable cable (jack to rca) to recoders. In this case, the gain control switch (3-6-9DB) and tone controll has no effect on the jack output, the gain does not change regardless of the switch. This switch and tone controll can only be used on the rca output. However, the jack output signal is also regulated for volume (volume controll ), just like the RCA output signal. This is a huge plus for me, because even though I don't use a subwoofer, I can drive my tape recorders from the extra output. Of course, it would have been nice to have a few more plus input channels, even double RCA outputs and maybe even XLR inputs and XLR outputs.. But then you would need a bigger box than the one you have now. This is a really and fantastis neat little thing.


View attachment 72516

Using a good power supply can definitely make it even better. But otherwise, this device is completely fine! It has an incredibly good spatial reproduction and a really pleasant sound. I absolutely recommend it!





Pros: Really great, Dynamic almost surround sound and noise-free sound.

Good construction, stable aluminum housing.

Motorized volume control.

Equalizers that can be turned on and off. (bypass mode)

Plus stereo jack output for active sub or additional amplifiers,

Maybe the tape recorder

Three-level adjustable signal gain.

Remote control for controlling multiple devices.

Easy input selection with the power button

Repleceable op amp


Cons: The size does not match perfectly with any Fosi audio amplifier. It's a little bigger than the v3 stereo.

The tone and volume knobs are a bit close to each other.

In this day and age, that unit has very limited application. Very few inputs and no digital connectivity. Not a lot of application in this day and age. It won't even drive a turntable without a preamp. That would be zero use to me in any of my systems and a total waste of space, as I think it would be to most.

 

[lovinthehd]

Can't imagine needing something like that but thanks. What is the cost?

 

[anti68]

In this day and age, that unit has very limited application. Very few inputs and no digital connectivity. Not a lot of application in this day and age. It won't even drive a turntable without a preamp. That would be zero use to me in any of my systems and a total waste of space, as I think it would be to most.

congratulations on your studio! very serious! this p4 is definitely not enough for your studio. but you are not an average user. the preamplifier can be very well integrated into an office or small room set. if a digital connection is needed, there is, for example, the zd3 dac. But your studio has everything as I see it.

 

[anti68]

Can't imagine needing something like that but thanks. What is the cost?

the current price is 129 usd, which can be reduced with in periodic promotions with coupons and points. they often have up to gives 10.. 20% off.

 

[mono-bloc]

I have to agree with TLS This thing is a complete waste of time and money. Hook up your average Power amp, and this toy with self destruct
in seconds Is it any wonder there's no provision for a ""Trigger" And all the fancy advertising won't change that..

 

[mono-bloc]

I'm very much on my guard, when it comes to advertisements for products, that don't show a price, or a website, let alone a distributer. ??
So I did a quick poke round the Fosi website, to discover they don't list a P4 Pre-amp. They list the following.
fosi audio p3 tube preamp
fosi audio phono preamp
fosi audio tube phono preamp
fosi audio v3 stereo amplifier home audio
fosi audio p2 headphone amplifier
fosi audio q4 headphone amplifier
fosi audio v3 stereo power amplifier
fosi audio p3 review

Perhaps the original poster ANTI 68 would care to comment, and supply the Australian distributer, and retail price. I read in his last post it would
seem the more you buy the cheaper they become. [[ price .can be reduced with in periodic promotions with coupons and points ]] But there's zero
information about the power amps [mono-bloc] that are in his original advertisement.Such as price, power output, etc. It looks more and more like an
Amazon knock off.

This little gem, has me wondering, since when did a power amp or mono-bloc have the need fo a volume control

So since my V3 monoblock does not have a volume control, the motorized volume control is more difficult for me.

 

[anti68]

I described the motorized volume control in detail so that anyone who uses it in a similar way won't have an unpleasant surprise. The output signal of the ZD3 DAC is much higher than that of an older analog device. Therefore, a slight movement of the P4 volume knob is enough to reach the room volume. this is a centimeter turn. but this high signal level is rare. rare.. but it can affect users of fosi audio products.. so in other cases the motorized control works well. i just wrote that this is a thing that exists.. i have no bad intentions. if you read my article carefully, you will see that I am sharing personal experiences. not direct advertising. of course, my writing is also a recommendation. but it's not about my monoblocks.. (two Fosi audio v3 monoblocks with two 48v 10a gan psu https://fosiaudio.com/products/fosi-audio-v3-mono-power-amplifier?srsltid=AfmBOooF7jHIAbIqQiNyk-pJsLGYXe1wOVGzcyO0SuzeH9OipM0hyqDF ) the point of this article would be to help you see what the real opinion of p4 a user is. The preamplifiers are on the Fosi audio site. p4 is the last one. but I'll give you a link this is a brand new product of theirs. ALL! data is available as I wrote in the article. P4 preamp on Fosi website: https://fosiaudio.com/products/p4-preamplifier
if you can't find something, feel free to ask. I will be happy to answer.