[Listening test] Fosi Audio ZP3 balanced preamplifier

Product name: Fosi Audio ZP3
Manufacturer: Fosi Audio - China
Cost: approx 200€ - (YMMV)
Reviewer: Piero Canova - TNT-Audio Italy
Reviewed: October, 2025

Foreword

In March of this year, I had the opportunity to try the Fosi Audio P4 preamplifier and was very impressed. I didn't expect Fosi Audio to release a much more ambitious preamplifier so soon, so when they offered me a try of their new ZP3 balanced preamplifier a month ago, I was very intrigued to hear the progress they'd made, and so I was happy to give it a try.

How it's made?

At first glance, the ZP3 clearly differs from the models I've tested, as you can immediately see that the power supply is internal and that the unit is wider and shallower. The copper-coloured volume knob is still on the front, but it's moved from the centre to the right. The main difference, however, is inside: this is a balanced preamplifier. I confess that I've been a fan of balanced devices for years because they offer many advantages: you generally get at least 6 dB of gain for free, the connection is very resistant to external interference, high-quality connectors cost much less, and, in my opinion, cables are much less sensitive to construction and materials. Balanced outputs are now present on many CD players, DACs, and even phono preamplifiers, so it's a shame not to use them, introducing a single-ended bottleneck.

On the front, in addition to the volume control, we have three knobs for bass, treble, and balance. On the left, the power button and a small LED indicating the selected source. On the back, we have, from the left, two single-ended RCA inputs, a balanced input, in the centre the block for both balanced and unbalanced outputs, and an RCA for the subwoofer. On the right, we find the 12V outputs, the power switch, and the power cord receptacle. Finally, at the bottom, on the left, there are two slide switches for managing the subwoofer output frequency and for muting it if necessary. The unit also comes with the usual Fosi remote control that allows you to turn it on and off and select the source.

There are many interesting things inside: I tried to open it, but to access the interior you have to remove the two sides, which are locked with a snap-on mechanism. To avoid damaging it, I gave up and instead relied on the image Fosi Audio provided. Amplification is achieved via NE 5532 op-amps, which have excellent reviews and are mounted on sockets that can be removed and replaced with equivalent ones if you want a different sound. The power supply is switching mode, and the components are top-notch: Elna capacitors, Omron relays, and a very sophisticated volume control. In short, it seems they've done their homework well.

The specifications as you can see are very interesting although I am surprised that the background noise is lower using the single ended output so I would say to move on to listening.

How does it sound?

Since I was using a Jeff Rowland Sinergy as a preamp, I hadn't had the chance to build a fully balanced system. For the occasion, I dug out the balanced cables I'd been saving and, to burn them in, I used my Topping D90 SE DAC, connecting it in balanced mode to the ZP3 and then in balanced mode to the NuPrime power amps. After a couple of days, we could start listening, and I decided to push the balanced setup to the extreme: a Denon 701 motor-based turntable with a Lyra Clavis DC cartridge connected in balanced mode to a BMC MCCI Signature ULN phono preamp connected in balanced mode to the ZP3. This way, the system is completely balanced from the cartridge to the power amps, and therefore the benefits of this type of connection should be maximized.

The first thing that's evident from the first listen is the virtual soundstage: the width is truly impressive, as is the depth. This is the best I've ever heard with my system, perhaps even better than my current setup. It may be a bit less impressive in terms of height compared to my current setup, but it's truly top-notch. There's virtually no background noise; with the BMC connected, the only noise you can hear is from the two power amps. The instruments are positioned correctly, and they're well-spaced, allowing you to separate them well and follow each one with excellent clarity. The vocals are well-represented and have a realistic timbre. The effects applied during recording are clearly audible. The overall tone leans toward the open-air; the bass is dry and very controlled, while the highs are a bit prominent, making the cymbals often take centre stage. Changing the source and switching to a Parasound Halo JC3, you can hear that the tone is warmer than with the BMC, making it a more enjoyable listen.

Cons: In my opinion, the reproduction is very controlled and dry. When playing a double bass, the ZP3 emphasizes the strings compared to the body of the instrument. On other listening sessions, there's something electronic about the high range, almost as if you were listening to a CD rather than an analogue record. In full orchestral performances or when many instruments are crowded together, it sometimes tends to lose control and muddy the sound.

Wish-list: I understand that making larger units costs a little more, but connecting multiple sources becomes a fiddly exercise, so close are the connectors. Also, I don't quite understand the point of making a balanced preamp with only one XLR input and two unbalanced ones. The internal power supply is fine, but if you could use a standard IEC socket instead of a computer one, you could try different power cables.

Conclusions

The Fosi Audio ZP3 is a preamplifier with many audiophile features: it's quiet, flexible enough, and has enough gain to connect any power amplifier downstream. Some aspects of its reproduction are simply spectacular. It's fairly neutral, allowing you to easily identify the source connected upstream. It prefers warm sources and speakers that aren't too sharp, otherwise it can become tiring to listen to. In my system, the power amplifiers that performed best were surprisingly the ZeroZones, paying attention to the gain because it's easy to find the woofers scattered around the room. Overall, I really liked it and would recommend it as the centrepiece of a good system. In fact, if you already have components that pair well with the ZP3, play a prank on your friends and replace your preamp with it. You'll see that more than a few will ask you what you've improved in your system for the better.

P.S.: Having reviewed various Fosi amplifiers, our editor was tempted to see how the ZP3 performed when paired with a ZA3 used as a stereo power amp, also in balanced mode. Without going into detail about the ZA3, whose review you can find here, the result wasn't the best - you can tell the two units are from the same company and their timbres are similar - but the sum of their flaws makes for an unpleasant playback experience. The bass becomes flat and shallow, and that electronic flavour that occasionally appears in the ZP3 becomes unbearable. The ZeroZone + ZP3 pairing, on the other hand, truly soars and delivers a truly high-quality listening experience.

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Fosi Audio preamplifier ZP3

Fosi Audio starts getting serious

Foreword

How it's made?

How does it sound?

Conclusions