—ChiFi Guru—

Your guide in the world of Chinese HiFi

Fosi Audio ZA3vsSMSL AL200

A detailed side-by-side comparison of the Fosi Audio ZA3 and SMSL AL200 — two popular amplifiers in the Chinese HiFi space.

Specifications

Spec
Fosi Audio ZA3
SMSL AL200
Class
D
D
Chipset
TI TPA3255
Infineon MA5332MS
Topology
Balanced Stereo / Mono
—
Power
155W x 2 (4Ω)
2 × 165W @ 4Ω / 2 × 85W @ 8Ω
Inputs
RCA, XLR
USB-C, Optical, Coax, RCA, Bluetooth
Features
Subwoofer Out, Trigger Input (dependent on revision), Op-Amp Rolling
Built-in DAC (CS43131), Headphone Amp, MQA Decoding, Remote
Remote Control
✗
✓
Tube Stage
✗
✗

Price (estimated)

Price
~$132
~$260
Difference
~$128.00 cheaper (Fosi Audio ZA3)

Things to Know

Fosi Audio ZA3

  • ⚠Frequency response is load-dependent (high frequencies may rise with 8Ω loads due to lack of PFFB).
  • ⚠The subwoofer output is full-range pass-through on the main terminals; it does not filter bass from the main speakers.
  • ⚠Volume control is defeated in Mono mode, requiring a preamp.

SMSL AL200

  • ⚠Lack of a subwoofer output or pre-out is a major omission for a 'hub' device.
  • ⚠The display font is small and can be hard to read from a distance.
  • ⚠Some users report a slight 'pop' sound when switching inputs.

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