Fosi Audio S3 Lite Strips Out the Internal DAC for a $199.99 Network Digital Transport
After building a massive following with pint-sized Class D amplifiers like the V3, V3 Mono, and ZA3—followed by the balanced ZD3 desktop DAC—Fosi Audio entered the network streaming category earlier this year with its full-featured S3 streamer/DAC/preamp. Now the company has followed up with the $199.99 S3 Lite, a dedicated digital-only streaming transport designed for audiophiles who already like the DAC sitting on their shelf and see no reason to pay for another one.
Same Streaming Engine, Higher 32-Bit/768kHz USB Ceiling
Where the standard Fosi Audio S3 packs an AKM AK4493SEQ DAC, TI OPA1612 op-amps, balanced XLR outputs, and HDMI eARC into a wider chassis, the S3 Lite removes every analog circuit and shrinks the anodized aluminum footprint to 5.79 × 5.77 × 1.28 inches (147 × 146.5 × 32.5 mm)—sized to stack cleanly with compact desktop DACs and mini amplifiers.
Under the hood, the S3 Lite keeps the same Amlogic A113X Linux StreamSDK processor, dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), 10/100 Mbps RJ45 Ethernet, and Bluetooth 5.3 receiver. Native streaming support covers Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, and DLNA/UPnP, with Roon Ready certification currently in progress. Removing the internal DAC stage also allowed Fosi to raise the digital output ceiling: while the full S3 maxes out at 24-bit/192kHz, the S3 Lite user manual specifies USB-A digital audio output up to PCM 32-bit/768kHz over wired Ethernet (32-bit/384kHz over Wi-Fi).
Digital Outputs, 10-Band App EQ, and 12V Trigger Sync
Alongside the USB-A DAC output, the rear panel includes optical TOSLINK and coaxial S/PDIF outputs (both supporting up to 24-bit/192kHz PCM), allowing you to feed two different DACs or digital inputs and toggle between USB OUT and SPD OUT directly from the bundled Bluetooth remote control. A 3.5 mm 12V trigger output wakes downstream DACs or power amplifiers automatically when a stream starts, while the Fosi Audio mobile app provides a 10-band custom graphic EQ when you want tone shaping (or bit-perfect pass-through when EQ is defeated and volume is fixed at 100).
Fosi Audio S3 Lite Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Pure digital network music streamer / transport (no internal DAC) |
| Processor & Platform | Amlogic A113X (Linux-based StreamSDK firmware) |
| Streaming Protocols | AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, DLNA/UPnP, Roon Ready (certification in progress) |
| Network & Wireless | Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4/5 GHz), RJ45 Ethernet (10/100 Mbps), Bluetooth 5.3 (SBC, AAC) |
| Digital Audio Outputs | 1 × USB-A (to external USB DAC), 1 × Optical (TOSLINK), 1 × Coaxial (S/PDIF) |
| Max Sample Rates | USB Out: up to PCM 32-bit/768kHz (LAN) / 32-bit/384kHz (Wi-Fi); Optical & Coaxial Out: up to PCM 24-bit/192kHz |
| DSP & Control | 10-band graphic EQ via Fosi Audio App (iOS/Android); BLE remote control included; 1 × 3.5mm 12V Trigger Out |
| Power Supply | 12V / 1.5A DC external adapter included (optical cable also included) |
| Dimensions & Weight | 5.79 × 5.77 × 1.28 in (147 × 146.5 × 32.5 mm); 1.12 lbs (507 g) |
| Price & Availability | $199.99 USD / €229.99 EUR standalone ($359.99 bundled with Fosi ZD3 DAC); available now |
