scott kunkel
New member
When I received the P4 Pre Amp, it was during the Thanksgiving Holiday week, so I had plenty of time for testing and heavy listening. And just like the MC351 integrated amp, and V3 mono blocks, the P4 did not disappoint.
The P4 was basically the same size as the V3’s, which I had used for my listening comparisons, they stacked up nicely- I use 2 small fans to keep everything cool.
Like all FOSI products I’ve used, Plug and Play! As mentioned, the unit is compact and has some key features that I like, i.e. A remote! Bass/Treble controls, Pre-out for a sub and input mode indicators.
The P4 also has a Tone Bypass switch, where you can deactivate the Bass/Treble controls. I kept the controls active; I like to adjust for different speakers.
One other feature is the Gain setting, which you can adjust the loudness. I didn’t quite understand this, but I did keep it on the loudest setting, worked fine with my setup.
For starters, I connected my “go to” speakers CSS Audio Critons, and my Sony CD player which runs thru an SMSL DAC. I always start with my personal test discs, Dire Straits-Brothers in Arms, Peter Gabriel-So. They sounded great! I did switch back and forth between my Critons and Klipsch towers, both were good, although the klipsch has a higher sensitive rate and they played a little louder. I preferred the CSS Audio Critons.
My next test, I switched back and forth between my vintage amps, i.e. a 1978 Yamaha CR-820, a 1976 Sony STR-6800-SD, a 1968ish Sansui , and my go to Parasound Amp, Pre-amp.
For all my listening, I did not use a subwoofer.
My overall impression was the Fosi Audio P4 matched and maybe exceeded a little sonically compared to my vintage Sony and Sansui amps. Compared to my Yamaha it was a close comparison, the Yamaha sounded a little “warm”, but the P4 performed effortlessly.
Please note- my vintage amps all have been inspected and re-capped and are in good sonic working order.
When compared to my Parasound system, The Parasound had a wider sound stage and seemed to have more “depth” to the sound. The instruments were more pronounced and discernible. But, after all, the Parasound probably cost 10 times the FOSI P4.
The FOSI Audio P4 Pre Amp is a keeper, and will be used on a regular basis. I will also use the P4 matched with my 2 FOSI Audio V3 mono blocks, just to impress visitors! In fact, during one listening session, a friend commented on how good my Parasound Amps sounded, He was amazed when I showed him that we were actually listening To the FOSI system!
The P4 matched with 2 V3’s is a perfect system for beginner audiophiles, or anyone who doesn’t have the space for huge amps and equipment.
My overall rating: A+
The P4 was basically the same size as the V3’s, which I had used for my listening comparisons, they stacked up nicely- I use 2 small fans to keep everything cool.
Like all FOSI products I’ve used, Plug and Play! As mentioned, the unit is compact and has some key features that I like, i.e. A remote! Bass/Treble controls, Pre-out for a sub and input mode indicators.
The P4 also has a Tone Bypass switch, where you can deactivate the Bass/Treble controls. I kept the controls active; I like to adjust for different speakers.
One other feature is the Gain setting, which you can adjust the loudness. I didn’t quite understand this, but I did keep it on the loudest setting, worked fine with my setup.
For starters, I connected my “go to” speakers CSS Audio Critons, and my Sony CD player which runs thru an SMSL DAC. I always start with my personal test discs, Dire Straits-Brothers in Arms, Peter Gabriel-So. They sounded great! I did switch back and forth between my Critons and Klipsch towers, both were good, although the klipsch has a higher sensitive rate and they played a little louder. I preferred the CSS Audio Critons.
My next test, I switched back and forth between my vintage amps, i.e. a 1978 Yamaha CR-820, a 1976 Sony STR-6800-SD, a 1968ish Sansui , and my go to Parasound Amp, Pre-amp.
For all my listening, I did not use a subwoofer.
My overall impression was the Fosi Audio P4 matched and maybe exceeded a little sonically compared to my vintage Sony and Sansui amps. Compared to my Yamaha it was a close comparison, the Yamaha sounded a little “warm”, but the P4 performed effortlessly.
Please note- my vintage amps all have been inspected and re-capped and are in good sonic working order.
When compared to my Parasound system, The Parasound had a wider sound stage and seemed to have more “depth” to the sound. The instruments were more pronounced and discernible. But, after all, the Parasound probably cost 10 times the FOSI P4.
The FOSI Audio P4 Pre Amp is a keeper, and will be used on a regular basis. I will also use the P4 matched with my 2 FOSI Audio V3 mono blocks, just to impress visitors! In fact, during one listening session, a friend commented on how good my Parasound Amps sounded, He was amazed when I showed him that we were actually listening To the FOSI system!
The P4 matched with 2 V3’s is a perfect system for beginner audiophiles, or anyone who doesn’t have the space for huge amps and equipment.
My overall rating: A+