As a long-time HiFi reviewer and contributor to The Absolute Sound, I’ve seen everything from ultra-budget gear to exotic flagship systems pass through my space. But every now and then, something simple stands out—not because it’s flashy, but because it just works. The Fosi Audio ZP3 is one of those products.
In this review, I’ll break down the three key reasons why I believe the ZP3 is going to sell—and why it genuinely impressed me.
It Solves Real Problems, Especially for Real People
One of my biggest frustrations in the budget HiFi space is the overload of half-baked features that most users never asked for. The ZP3 flips that script—it keeps things simple and effective. Case in point? A built-in high-pass filter.
Yes, finally. I’ve been asking for this for years.
With selectable HPF modes—20Hz–20kHz, 80Hz–20kHz, and 120Hz–20kHz—the ZP3 allows users to offload low frequencies to a subwoofer, relieving your main speakers and your amp from the heavy lifting. The result? Cleaner playback, reduced distortion, and higher volume capability, especially for smaller bookshelf speakers. This is the kind of thoughtful feature that brings true value to a system, and it’s executed well here.
“The filters were my hero feature—as well as many others, I’ve been calling for that one for what feels like ages.”
Generous I/O That Supports Real Systems
The ZP3 comes with:
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3 inputs: 2× RCA + 1× XLR
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3 outputs: 1× RCA, 1× XLR, and a full-range sub out
This is huge. Many budget preamps either lack a sub out or—worse—use fixed-level outputs. Thankfully, the ZP3 avoids that mistake. It supports volume-synced sub output, letting you control your entire system together, without awkward manual adjustments.
Whether you're running a streaming device, CD player, or turntable, and pairing with amps like the ZA3 or V3 Monos, the ZP3 gives you centralized control—including volume memory per input, tone controls, and a remote that works across other Fosi devices like the ZD3.
It’s not just a desktop toy—it’s flexible enough for a main listening system.
It Sounds Clean—and Looks the Part
Here’s the bottom line: the ZP3 sounds clean, neutral, and uncolored. It doesn’t impose any added warmth or brightness unless you dial it in via tone controls (which are bypassable, of course). For the most part, I left tone bypassed. The sound is exactly what a preamp at this level should be: transparent.
Inside, it’s well built with quality components, swappable op-amps (and enough case clearance to fit them), and thoughtful circuit layout. It also features:
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RCA/XLR signal conversion
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Trigger in/out
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A clean front design with curved faceplate, glossy black sides, and internal power supply
It looks far better than the generic metal boxes in its price range. This is a budget product that doesn’t feel cheap.
“This one is simple, but actually has the things we want—and they did it without pricing out the budget-minded audio enthusiasts.”
Bonus: A Fun Little Gadget
Fosi also sent over their Music Visualizer—a mic-based RGB light bar that reacts to sound. It’s a fun, non-intrusive desktop accessory with adjustable sensitivity, color, and animation modes. While gimmicky, it adds a bit of life to your setup without interfering with your audio.
Final Thoughts
The ZP3 is not just another budget preamp. It feels like a product designed by people who listen—not just to music, but to their customers.
It solves real problems, integrates seamlessly with a wide variety of setups, and manages to look good while doing it. There’s no app dependency, no firmware drama—just smart analog design with futureproof fundamentals.
If you’re building or upgrading a HiFi setup on a budget, the ZP3 is a rock-solid heart for your system.
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