🎶 Elevate Your Sound, Embrace the Vibe!
The Fosi Audio MC331 is an all-in-one tube integrated amplifier that combines a DAC, preamplifier, and headphone amplifier, offering a powerful 105W x2 output. With versatile connectivity options and a stylish vintage design, it enhances both the aesthetics and audio quality of your home setup.
J**W
Great value in quality Amp to power passive speakers in a shelf or desktop environment
I had heard good things about this manufacturer's amplifiers, and I needed something a little more than a one input amplifier. This integrated amplifier allows you to connect via Bluetooth, USB-C, RCA and optical, allowing me to use this to connect to an Arylic streamer and my PC. I was initially reluctant to purchase something that uses tube technology, since I'm not sure how long they will last. My previous solid state receiver lasted 20 years with no issues until last month when it started getting cross talk issues between FM and other inputs. With the Fosi MC 331 on sale I thought I'd take a chance.My concerns are unfounded so far, since the tubes are only for the pre-amp stage and are easy to insert and replace. I've even come across some suggested tubes that allegedly improve the sound, although the sound with the included tubes is terrific.I'm not crazy about the user interface, since the volume dial is used to adjust the volume, switch between the sources by single clicking, and a power switch, by long pressing.I have some unusual banana plugs that I was unable to use since they are not the usual type but are flexible and intended to be used in the clip type speaker posts but this amp only allows for standard rigid banana plugs and using bare wire to insert into holes under the twist-tight speaker posts. You'll be better off with thinner speaker wire if you don't have rigid banana plugs and need to attach using bare wire, as the 14 AWG speaker wire I use barely fits. Thinner wires are fine for shorter runs, so I wouldn't be worried if this were to power nearby bookshelf speakers, which I suspect will be the most frequent use case for this amp.The built-in Texas Instrument DAC allows this to be connected to my PC via USB-C cable and the improvement over the original Realtek sound from the HP PC and RCA cables was noticeable.Some caveats: the manufacturer provides tube protectors to keep you from touching the glass tubes as they are fragile and get quite hot so don't touch them with the power on. It takes the tubes 15 to 20 seconds to warm up, so make sure to turn the amp on before you sit down to enjoy your music.This amp is tiny and fits easily on the shelf with the shelf speakers, which are 10 1/2 inches tall. By comparison. the receiver this replaced took up all the available shelf space. Have to move some stuff around now with the extra space.This also has a headphone amp, but note that while using the headphone output, the speaker outputs are not available.A remote control is included, but you'll need two AAA batteries, as none are supplied.If I run into any issues with this I'll update the review, but so far very happy with this purchase.
C**K
Great value
I love everything about this Fosi amp. I have it on my back screen porch to power a pair of Polk Audio speakers. The sound is superb. Very clean and clear with good presence through bass and treble. I love the Bluetooth feature and use that to stream various radio stations or my own music apps. I also love the style - love the tubes and the warm glow of the meter. Highly recommend
J**E
Check power adapter and cord right out of box
AC connection, unfortunately I was sent either the wrong AC to adaptor cable or the wrong adapter see photos, the amplifier is as beautiful as the photos and feels and looks like quality, I have reached out to the manufacturer through Amazon and hopefully they will send the right adapter and AC cordI have this a month and I have not heard from the manufacturer about sending the wrong AC cable, so I purchased one YES, thats what I had to do, Its great using a separate pre amp to play my vinyl 33's , I attempted to see how it would preform as a home theater amp, NOT SO WELL, it lacked the oomph just couldn't cut it, re connected my Bose soundbar and returned the amp to just playing records and BT only.
B**F
Works good -- with some annoying quirks
Purchased during a Lightning Sale with 20% off. Unit is very versatile and use primarily to drive earphones with keyboard. All controls and performance are as expected. However three annoying "features". All center on controls, settings, and persistence.1. When turned on, the input resorts to the default of BT. I have to re-set to RCA input.2. When turned on, the volume resets to 0, requiring re-adjustment.3. Really not persistence, but the bass and treble controls are reversed from customy position. Left is treble, Right is Bass. Lucily don't have to adjust this anymore with my primary keyboard source.So, if you don't mind the quirks, it works well. I'm keeping mine, since it's sound performance is the critical factor. Caveat Emptor.
E**D
Best $100 bucks in the audio world, amazing!
Brilliant little gem. Sounds fantastic, much less digital sounding than WiiM amp I returned prior to this. Masterpiece of design and form/function. Even the remote is brilliantly designed. I swapped the tubes for Mullard 8100s but I think the stock tubes surprisingly may sound better/warmer. Best $100 I’ve spent in a long time, and I own big $$ home stereo components for a different room too so have some serious gear for comparison. Can drive my 8ohm bookshelf speakers to reference levels at about 50% in a 12x24 room. Using this with a WiiM mini streamer and prefer the DAC in the mini (burr brown) as it’s a bit softer and more organic than the more modern more detailed DAC in the Fosi, and can use the aux out fur subwoofer. Brilliant and flexible package with a tiny footprint. Highly recommended!
B**G
Extremely Poor Sound and low power
Extremely poor sound and not even close to the advertised wattage. Looks cool, but that's about it.
E**I
Audiophile Nirvana
This is the ultimate amp for all your needs. I use it to run my lossless files off my phone bit-perfect. It will not connect to a turntable that needs a phono preamp. No worries, Fosi has quality phono preamps to help you out there. The biggest plus is bluetooth for when my wife wants to put on spotify. Amazing quality!
J**
Strong, Clear Sound/ Bad Remote/ Few outputs
It has a decent sound with bass and treble, RCA is only input not output. I like the functional Bluetooth and optical input. More output options would be nice other than preout aux. The remote control is the worst part, half the time the remote won't work (with new batteries) if the remote does work it has to be aimed straight at the front face side and you have to hold the button down for a solid two or three seconds. It is a good system for a strong bookshelf speaker set, not a full theater replacement.
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