Would Fosi T20 Tube Headphone Amp work as a sort of PreAmp to V3?

[Fred Brown]

Novice here. Getting my new Wharfedale Diamond 220 in the mail in a few weeks. I have a very small and bright apartment. I also have tinnitus, so am sensitive to too much treble. I am considering a cheap AB amp with warm emphasis, but since I move around from country to country a lot, a much smaller amp would be so much better.

I do all my listening from my PC. I don't have a turntable or CD player.

At the moment, I am mostly thinking about the Fosi V3. I already have the Fosi T20 tube headphone amp. I wonder if I could hook that up to my V3 in order to soften the sound of my Diamond 220s. Is it even possible to do this? I guess it might be, but I'm not certain. Of course, if it isn't possible, I could buy the Fosi P6 preamp. Finally, to add a bit more warmth, I thought the SMSL SU-1 DAC might be a good choice.

Any insight, primarily on weather my idea to use the T20 tube headphone amplifier as a sort of preamp to my V3 is viable, but also on any other suggestions for a warmer sounding, but fairly portable system, would be much appreciated.

Finally, I should add that I am in Taiwan these days, so whatever I get either has to be available on Amazon with shipping (the Denon PMA 600NE, for example), or else available here in Taiwan (but even if so, almost always way overpriced).

Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

[nopiano]

Welcome to the forum, Fred.

Pretty hard to advise when your options are so different from what I’m used to. However, I think a conventional amplifier with tone controls is likely to be more versatile for sound tailoring and various sources, and easier to ship around than an assortment of mini boxes. As you can source a Denon I’d not hesitate, and don't forget to keep the packaging! Just make sure you can connect your PC as you wish to.

I also suspect you’ve got conflicting needs which ‘adding warmth’ doesn’t solve. Besides, decent Hifi does nothing like that, because fidelity - or truthfulness, or accuracy - is the purpose. If the sound it too bright, just pop a towel over the speakers!

 

[Al ears]

Welcome to the forum, Fred.

Pretty hard to advise when your options are so different from what I’m used to. However, I think a conventional amplifier with tone controls is likely to be more versatile for sound tailoring and various sources, and easier to ship around than an assortment of mini boxes. As you can source a Denon I’d not hesitate, and don't forget to keep the packaging! Just make sure you can connect your PC as you wish to.

I also suspect you’ve got conflicting needs which ‘adding warmth’ doesn’t solve. Besides, decent Hifi does nothing like that, because fidelity - or truthfulness, or accuracy - is the purpose. If the sound it too bright, just pop a towel over the speakers!

I would suggest if sound is too bright the OP bought the wrong speakers.
However, I dont think that headphone amp could be used as a preamp as it is a 50wpc integrated amp so shouldn't need the fosi v3.