Fosi Audio MC101 Bluetooth Stereo Amplifier Home Audio Component Mini Amp with VU Meter 2 Channel HiFi Receiver for Passive Speakers with Bass Treble Tone Control Vintage All Aluminum Alloy Build

Let me start by saying I'm a music enthusiast, not an audiophile. I care about good sound, but I don't get bogged down in fancy jargon or expensive gadgets. That's why I was excited to give a try to the MC101 amp – it promised solid performance without the frills.Built to last, designed to pleaseFirst impression? The MC101 feels sturdy and well-made. The metal knobs and classic switches give it a timeless look, and the VU meter adds a touch of vintage charm. Plus, the binding posts and RCA inputs are secure, so you know your connections are solid.Powering up different speakers, effortlesslyI've got a few speaker setups from bookshelf models to floorstanders, and the MC101 handled them all with ease, finally stuck with a pair of custom made spirula shaped ones (based on MarkAudio Alpair 7 drivers), these are the sexiest. Whether it's the punchy Polk or the detailed Revels, the amp delivered clean, powerful sound. No matter how loud I cranked it, the music stayed clear and distortion-free.More than just specs, it's about the musicNow, I'm not saying the MC101 is some magic audiophile cure-all. It doesn't claim to make your MP3s sound like vinyl, and it won't turn your living room into a concert hall. But what it does do is amplify your music faithfully, letting you hear every detail and nuance. It simply gets out of the way and lets the music shine.Bonus points for bass lovers and multi-room setupsOne thing I missed was a dedicated pre-out for connecting a subwoofer. However, if you’re using a setup with passive attenuator it would work just fine. Plus, the MC101 effortlessly filled my different rooms with sound, making it a great choice for a multi-room audio system.The verdict: A sound investment for music loversOverall, the MC101 is a fantastic amp for anyone who wants great sound without the audiophile fuss. It's built well, delivers clean power, and lets you enjoy your music collection to the fullest. If you're looking for an amp that punches above its weight and won't break the bank, the MC101 is definitely worth checking out.P.S. I also included some photos to give you a better sense of the amp and my particular setup.

Good looking, compact, easy to setup and use, low cost. Blue tooth setup and use is easy, my iPhone saw it and connected to it right way.Does not get as loud as I thought?My setup is this amp to a speaker switch, speaker switch goes to 2 different rooms. One room has small in wall speakers in Master, and the other speakers are small outdoor speakers mounted up high in an enclosed patio. I have the amp turned almost all the way up. I can turn the speaker switch volumes up more, but I had another amps in this setup before. I had a TEAC AI-301DA and a Fosi BT20A amp similar to this one, and both much louder. It is just loud enough for my use, but any less and I would return it.Don't know why, as it says 200W and so is the Fosi BT20A and the Teac is 50W.

Firstly- for the money there is little replacement. This is a cheap small and powerful amplifier. It looks beautiful, has Bluetooth, and can be both tucked away or stand out. I got this when it went on sale for $70 and I have to say that is one heck of a bargain. It is clean sounding with minimal noise and can push a lot of inefficient speakers. I also really like the fact that it has a pre-out that you can run to a subwoofer. I only wish they would implement a low pass filter, a hard ask for a $70 unit I know, but I would’ve been a welcome addition.There are two major drawbacks:1) This is nowhere near the rated output of 100 watts per channel. I know that deceptive/outright fraudulent marketing is rife within this industry, one key point being the nominal wattage of amplifiers. Though that may be the case it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t point it out when it occurs and pressure manufacturers to tell the truth. Maybe if you purchased a variable power supply you could push it to 100 watt, but certainly not with the included brick. Though I don’t know why you would want to, the amplifier will start horribly distorting and clipping when you start maxing it out.2) the Bluetooth connectivity isn’t very good. Even when sitting 10 feet from the device, it starts randomly disconnecting and jittering. Highly recommend you just feed it an rca connection, unless you really don’t care and just want something to play in the background.Overall, would I say that this is a deceptively marketed device? Yes. Would I say it is still worth the money if it fits your given use case? Absolutely.

This amp may not be for everybody, but it really looks and sounds great, The VU meter is fun, and its warm glow makes this a really nice addition to my desktop. Paired with small pair of PSB Alpha P3 speakers, music sounds clear and lively. Dialing down the bass a bit cleans it up and I am happy to listen with this amp for hours. Also sounds great for audiobooks or podcasts. I appreciate that Fosi includes a toggle between bluetooth and RCA input (right on the front - also powers off). Their BT20A Pro does not have the option of turning bluetooth off, which is very irritating when devices try to connect automatically. I tend to just play through a Wiim mini connected to RCA inputs. A lot of bang for your buck here, if you want punchy but pleasant nearfield listening (just don't expect to be able to turn anything up to 11!)