Amazing little DAC. I’ve played with it for over a month now. Did a bunch of mods starting with linear power supply (12 V and 2.5A) with power bank and opamp rolling. Ended up with Staccato discrete op-amps. That required a chassis modification. Also, you can use pause, play, next/previous track function on the remote for Bluetooth sources. I’ve also tested extensively its ARC HDMI function and it works flawlessly. Feature unheard of in this price range. Easily compete with DACs twice its price and betters Most of them. With decent power supply replacement and op-amps upgrade it is hard to beat for the $. And competes with many DACs up to $800 and more price range.
Exactly. I was surprised that their first serious DAC is so good and so cheap at the same time. Its better than both SMSLs that I reviewed recently and for me the remote features are superb. But power supply replacement is a must, I guess they had to cut corners somewhere
@@k4syx That’s the thing. I bought it in their pre-release discount price which was something like $179. And all things considered and what was offered for that price, I wasn’t sure how they’ve made it for that little. When it arrived and I saw the stock power supply, it hit me. That’s where they’ve saved some money. Sock power supply is like $5 max and that’s not even wholesale price. So I knew, this needs attention immediately. And it’s something that will probably hold this unit back as fare as reaching full potential. I’m glad you try to review gear with open mind and pay attention to details like this. Many barely spend any meaningful time with review unit and rush to post reviews before the next guy. Shame really. Those reviews have absolutely no value to me personally and it’s a disservice to their viewers. IMHO
@Grooverski thanks! I had no idea that there was presale for these. 179$ is crazy low for what it gets you, even considering this mistake that this small power supply is :) I'm also surprised that stock opamps are not 5532 as with everything else. There lme's wouldn't be my first choice (purely because of my preferences) but they are there and Fosi webpage says hey, these are warm, but here, these are other options and there is a short desc for a few others (and again, that's something new)
Pre-sale price was $179 with extra set of op-amps. For the $ it’s pretty amazing deal. HDMI arc is also icing on the cake. Unheard of in this price range. Fortunately or unfortunately, this DAC responds very well to modifications. And that’s why I really like it as you can “tailor” the sound to your liking with op-amp swapping and elevate the performance with inexpensive super capacitor bank, power supply or both. Both is how I run it. Good stuff. Serwus
@@Grooverski Exactly, the price is still very good for the sound quality it brings to the table. And tailoring with opamps is icing on the cake! Serwus! :)
I got my pre-ordered ZD3 in October and after 200hrs on Sparkos Labs SS3602 it sounds very good and better then the WiiM Pro Plus. Pro and Amp). Very nice sounding DAC when using the SS3602. Also using the iFi iPower X (12V) adapter.
Yes changing that "temporary 12v solution until you'll get anything else really" with something better is a must. I was really surprised by the sound quality, didn't expect it to beat SMSL DO200Pro just like that.
I really like this DAC, as it pairs well with the WiiM Ultra and my TV. I would not discount this inexpensive DAC by any stretch. Fosi really did a great job, especially at this price point. And yes, it sounds incredibly good with a better power supply.
@@k4syx thanks for the information! 😀OK, it arrived today, so it was sooner than expected! Hooked up and everything changed in such a big way!I finally!! 🤩 It feels going back to normality, just enjoying the music! ie, no more bloated bass or laid back sound, now there is spacing, detailed sounds, way more highs than before, seems that my portable DAC was behaving strangely. I can't believe it, with the IEMs it was the opposite, but anyway.... now I'm good and can move to a more fine tuning step! It is on my plan to replace the OP-AMPs, but I think I'll wait first for "final"/all OP-AMP review video (are there any plans??? 🤣), and swap the power supply before. What do you think? R-Core based, right? Studer variant better? Or OP-AMP first? 😅
@@karilindis LPS - first thing to do. Then opamps, but thats very personal as these are fine tuning the sound rather than giving night and day changes. And opamps - especially ICs. are not expensive, so its easy and fun to build "library" of different dip8 variants and find the one you'll like the best. As for discretes, that should be (IMHO) after you'll try ICs and see how you like the changes as discretes tend to be quite expensive (set of bursons or staccatos will be same price as for ZD3!!)
@@k4syx thanks! seems that I now have a roadmap hehe. indeed, the serious ones are quite expensive when compared to the prices of the modded devices itself, hopefully after the mods they retain the value ratio. I already have a LC5 on it's way, will order later a 627 and/or 828, but PS first...well, I even don't have a real preamp or buffer, that's another thing that is missing that can add missing musicality
Another great review. Is the DAC implementation better than the Aiyima A80 that you have just reviewed after rolling the op amps in each? Was the improvement in SQ as large with the Fosi as it was in the Aiyima when you rolled the op amps. I have OPA828s in my V3 monos and there is an improvement over the Muses02 that came free with the V3s. I'm not sure whether the Muses were fakes or not, i have a feeling that they probably were. I am waiting for SX52B dual discrete op amps to arrive and it will be interesting to see how they compare to the OPA828. I am looking forward to hearing your impressions of the Fosi V3 monos.
Muses were probably real deal, its just that opa828 are top of the line IC. As for you question, ZD3 is DAC only, and as a DAC it is better, but you need to get an amp for it so for value, A80 wins. But for pure sound quality Fosi would be better
Thanks for your very speedy response, do you ever have an evening off?. I thought that would probably be the case. Still not convinced about the Muses02 as they were free for Kickstarter customers and real ones are quite pricey.
@aurallychallenged yes sometimes I do :) It's fun and pleasure, and learning too, to be able to chat with everyone here that has different experiences and preferences. And I got some superb recommendations from some of small talks here:)
Well the SX52b discrete op amps arrived today and were installed straight away to replace disappointing Muses 02 in BRZHIFI L1 preamp (stupidly cheap and impressive preamp). Immediate improvement in SQ. Better attack, instrument separation, soundstage and crisper edges to notes. Tested using Hiby R4 as source into BRZHIFI L1, MF A1 clone class A amplifier into Q Acoustics 5020 speakers. I can't recommend the SX52B dual opamps enough at about £10 each for those who don't really have the cash to buy the Sparkos or Burden alternatives. I can highly recommend the BRZHIFI L1 at about £40 if you need a small class A preamp with 3 tone controls and 3 RCA inputs. It sits under my Loxjie D40 pro DAC and is exactly the same size and doesn't get hot. The L1B model even has Bluetooth if you need it.
thank you, what is the track you mention @ 16:10 ? and please keep us informed if fosi responds and any future opamp preferences, your the best, thank you
@@k4syx I'm quite happy with standard tubes and opamps 👍One problem though: due to the slp-90's high gain (9x), I'm at volume 001-010, but was still forced to reduce the volume of my digital sources (60-80%). RCA toggle is at 25dB.
@@stefanthuering6456 Thats probably because v3 are designed to be working mostly directly with dacs. Notice that basically no d-class gear manufacturers offer preamps
Not even a contest, I have the D5Pro and the Fosi amps, V3 and ZA3, along with the Aiyima amps. The D5pro is simply incredible, and continues to improve by the day.
I’m using that ifi SilentPower iPower2 power supply for this which I got on sale for $60. It’s nice but I am curious how it compares to this linear setup you have.
I think for dac streamers and class d amps a good smps is the way to go, there just faster, i use the ifi elite 12v, it cost more than my dac but is amazing results.
@@k4syx It’s ultra low noise because it uses an active noise canceling system but it would probably benefit from a capacitor for reserves but I’m not really sure.
i like my fosi dac only in bypass mode, and XLR. Did yo trialed with silver gold usb cables?(i cant). my power supply Sotm sps500- mp audio hpuln lt3045 regulators.
No I was testing them with Dragons as these are so far the best I heard (yes I need to do a review on these finally :)) I will try it in bypass, I was testing ZD3 with power amps so I needed volume control
Are these full ranges something from Ali? I had a pair of 3" and now I use 4" in my small desktop speakers build. I was always wondering about larger ones
@k4syx no went lii song f6. Just to try them. They are €110. Bought the tube amp for €150. Thinking of adding Visaton W 170 S for bass, but for symmetry one would need 4 of them. And another amp and a miniDSP. So for now making it so it can be added to later. 😁 Got some beautiful wood fineer too. And a fosi ZD3. To get signal from tv to amp 😎
@@annebokma4637 lol I usually have the same problem. I'll get one thing, then naturally I get the other one, and then there basically is no other choice than to get 4 more somethings. And then I realize that last 4 is really good so I probably should improve the ones I got in the first place :D
@@k4syx my big save is that this is for the TV downstairs first. In order to save my Philips active monitors with motional feedback from the 70's from doing tv work 😁 they sound glorious, way to good for tv duty. My next project is 2x 15" open baffle bass to accompany my acoustat electrostats. And just to mess with my mom, who went to hospital, but is doing better now. She said I could have her lineaum speakers if the worst would happen. She is now recovering till January, before going home..... So I bought another pair of lineaum, those are being send from Germany now.. and hopefully by the coming weekend I can send her a picture of those speakers here in my house, with the question if I should return hers now she seems to stay alive... 😈 That will be €100 well spend, those speakers are great. Also known as Optimus LX 5
Does anyone know if you can use rca and xlr outputs simultaneously? I need to run two preamps, 1 xlr and one rca and 2 power amps (main speakers and side/ambient) thanks for any help.
Total ignoramous here I have kef meta, wiim ultra and Za3 amp (which temporarily replaces my damaged ROCKSAN BLAK.) What benefit is there to a external dac such as the one mentioned here?
Tom, thx, for this Video. I like to buy a very good DAC with HDMI in and remote control for select inputs (opt.,UDB,HDMI,aso.) but not over 250€. I see now the this device and ask me, why they bild it with so cheap Chips not Dualcore or other Chips what can make the sound better… Ergo I can’t find a DAC, what I will like to time…
That will be a very hard thing to do, to find something truly balanced with two DAC chips under 250Euro. I can't honestly think of any device in that price range that would have two converters. This one is very good, and also Semibreve that I like so much is excellent, but they both are not dual mono inside
2 big regulators on the 12 v , one i think super cheap , for the screen etc...Another one for the dac. Both are super cheap!!!Another smd regulators are super cheap!!!Can you imagine the sound if using much better regulators???
![How to degrade the performance of this beautiful DAC [Fosi Audio ZD3]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/h3sPz9SYkCA/mqdefault.jpg)
Amazing little DAC. I’ve played with it for over a month now. Did a bunch of mods starting with linear power supply (12 V and 2.5A) with power bank and opamp rolling. Ended up with Staccato discrete op-amps. That required a chassis modification.
Also, you can use pause, play, next/previous track function on the remote for Bluetooth sources.
I’ve also tested extensively its ARC HDMI function and it works flawlessly.
Feature unheard of in this price range.
Easily compete with DACs twice its price and betters Most of them. With decent power supply replacement and op-amps upgrade it is hard to beat for the $.
And competes with many DACs up to $800 and more price range.
Exactly. I was surprised that their first serious DAC is so good and so cheap at the same time. Its better than both SMSLs that I reviewed recently and for me the remote features are superb. But power supply replacement is a must, I guess they had to cut corners somewhere
@@k4syx
That’s the thing. I bought it in their pre-release discount price which was something like $179. And all things considered and what was offered for that price, I wasn’t sure how they’ve made it for that little.
When it arrived and I saw the stock power supply, it hit me. That’s where they’ve saved some money.
Sock power supply is like $5 max and that’s not even wholesale price. So I knew, this needs attention immediately. And it’s something that will probably hold this unit back as fare as reaching full potential.
I’m glad you try to review gear with open mind and pay attention to details like this. Many barely spend any meaningful time with review unit and rush to post reviews before the next guy.
Shame really.
Those reviews have absolutely no value to me personally and it’s a disservice to their viewers. IMHO
@Grooverski thanks!
I had no idea that there was presale for these. 179$ is crazy low for what it gets you, even considering this mistake that this small power supply is :)
I'm also surprised that stock opamps are not 5532 as with everything else.
There lme's wouldn't be my first choice (purely because of my preferences) but they are there and Fosi webpage says hey, these are warm, but here, these are other options and there is a short desc for a few others (and again, that's something new)
Pre-sale price was $179 with extra set of op-amps.
For the $ it’s pretty amazing deal. HDMI arc is also icing on the cake. Unheard of in this price range.
Fortunately or unfortunately, this DAC responds very well to modifications.
And that’s why I really like it as you can “tailor” the sound to your liking with op-amp swapping and elevate the performance with inexpensive super capacitor bank, power supply or both. Both is how I run it.
Good stuff. Serwus
@@Grooverski Exactly, the price is still very good for the sound quality it brings to the table. And tailoring with opamps is icing on the cake! Serwus! :)
I got my pre-ordered ZD3 in October and after 200hrs on Sparkos Labs SS3602 it sounds very good and better then the WiiM Pro Plus. Pro and Amp). Very nice sounding DAC when using the SS3602. Also using the iFi iPower X (12V) adapter.
Yes changing that "temporary 12v solution until you'll get anything else really" with something better is a must. I was really surprised by the sound quality, didn't expect it to beat SMSL DO200Pro just like that.
Thank you for all your great work!
Thank you!!
I really like this DAC, as it pairs well with the WiiM Ultra and my TV. I would not discount this inexpensive DAC by any stretch. Fosi really did a great job, especially at this price point. And yes, it sounds incredibly good with a better power supply.
As always another great review! mine is coming next week in theory!
Thanks! The stock opamps here are a little on the warm side, so you may like it as it is. But rolling them is always fun :)
@@k4syx thanks for the information! 😀OK, it arrived today, so it was sooner than expected! Hooked up and everything changed in such a big way!I finally!! 🤩 It feels going back to normality, just enjoying the music! ie, no more bloated bass or laid back sound, now there is spacing, detailed sounds, way more highs than before, seems that my portable DAC was behaving strangely. I can't believe it, with the IEMs it was the opposite, but anyway.... now I'm good and can move to a more fine tuning step! It is on my plan to replace the OP-AMPs, but I think I'll wait first for "final"/all OP-AMP review video (are there any plans??? 🤣), and swap the power supply before. What do you think? R-Core based, right? Studer variant better? Or OP-AMP first? 😅
@@karilindis LPS - first thing to do. Then opamps, but thats very personal as these are fine tuning the sound rather than giving night and day changes. And opamps - especially ICs. are not expensive, so its easy and fun to build "library" of different dip8 variants and find the one you'll like the best. As for discretes, that should be (IMHO) after you'll try ICs and see how you like the changes as discretes tend to be quite expensive (set of bursons or staccatos will be same price as for ZD3!!)
@@k4syx thanks! seems that I now have a roadmap hehe. indeed, the serious ones are quite expensive when compared to the prices of the modded devices itself, hopefully after the mods they retain the value ratio. I already have a LC5 on it's way, will order later a 627 and/or 828, but PS first...well, I even don't have a real preamp or buffer, that's another thing that is missing that can add missing musicality
@@karilindis Go for pre, all the buffers I had were meh compared to real tube preamp.
Cute little toy pre/dac. I'm using one with pair of ZA3's driving Quad "Revela 1" speakers, for stereo audio on my Sony Bravia 9 TV in my garage.
Another great review. Is the DAC implementation better than the Aiyima A80 that you have just reviewed after rolling the op amps in each? Was the improvement in SQ as large with the Fosi as it was in the Aiyima when you rolled the op amps. I have OPA828s in my V3 monos and there is an improvement over the Muses02 that came free with the V3s. I'm not sure whether the Muses were fakes or not, i have a feeling that they probably were. I am waiting for SX52B dual discrete op amps to arrive and it will be interesting to see how they compare to the OPA828. I am looking forward to hearing your impressions of the Fosi V3 monos.
Muses were probably real deal, its just that opa828 are top of the line IC. As for you question, ZD3 is DAC only, and as a DAC it is better, but you need to get an amp for it so for value, A80 wins. But for pure sound quality Fosi would be better
Thanks for your very speedy response, do you ever have an evening off?. I thought that would probably be the case. Still not convinced about the Muses02 as they were free for Kickstarter customers and real ones are quite pricey.
@aurallychallenged yes sometimes I do :)
It's fun and pleasure, and learning too, to be able to chat with everyone here that has different experiences and preferences. And I got some superb recommendations from some of small talks here:)
Well the SX52b discrete op amps arrived today and were installed straight away to replace disappointing Muses 02 in BRZHIFI L1 preamp (stupidly cheap and impressive preamp).
Immediate improvement in SQ. Better attack, instrument separation, soundstage and crisper edges to notes. Tested using Hiby R4 as source into BRZHIFI L1, MF A1 clone class A amplifier into Q Acoustics 5020 speakers.
I can't recommend the SX52B dual opamps enough at about £10 each for those who don't really have the cash to buy the Sparkos or Burden alternatives. I can highly recommend the BRZHIFI L1 at about £40 if you need a small class A preamp with 3 tone controls and 3 RCA inputs. It sits under my Loxjie D40 pro DAC and is exactly the same size and doesn't get hot. The L1B model even has Bluetooth if you need it.
@aurallychallenged I got two pairs coming here, ordered on Thursday :)
And some Oracles too:)
thank you, what is the track you mention @ 16:10 ? and please keep us informed if fosi responds and any future opamp preferences, your the best, thank you
Fragile by Marlin Keller
@@limpbizkit1465 Yes thats the one!
Im ordering Oracle02 II and two SXB somethings that probably will fit here just to test options, so I will be back with some more info
@@k4syx awsome ty
@@limpbizkit1465 thank you, just noticed limpbizkit, i forgot all about them, ill have to Q some up
recently got cary slp-90 and V3 mono, wonder what you think about this combination 🙂
Should sound good, Cary pairs well with detailed and fast amps - have you changed the opamps in v3s?
@@k4syx I'm quite happy with standard tubes and opamps 👍One problem though: due to the slp-90's high gain (9x), I'm at volume 001-010, but was still forced to reduce the volume of my digital sources (60-80%). RCA toggle is at 25dB.
@@stefanthuering6456 Thats probably because v3 are designed to be working mostly directly with dacs. Notice that basically no d-class gear manufacturers offer preamps
please compare the V3 monos with the "big" amps, like dartzeel
No comparison here really. Price aside, only one TPA implementation that can be worthy opponent is zerozone set of monoblocks.
Not even a contest, I have the D5Pro and the Fosi amps, V3 and ZA3, along with the Aiyima amps. The D5pro is simply incredible, and continues to improve by the day.
@@michaelwright1602 Yes. Its different league, both in performance and price
I’m using that ifi SilentPower iPower2 power supply for this which I got on sale for $60. It’s nice but I am curious how it compares to this linear setup you have.
I havent heard that iFi - cant answer that
I think for dac streamers and class d amps a good smps is the way to go, there just faster, i use the ifi elite 12v, it cost more than my dac but is amazing results.
@@phillipmorris9847 cool, from what i understand the elite has more current capacity and the same low noise as the ipower2.
@@k4syx It’s ultra low noise because it uses an active noise canceling system but it would probably benefit from a capacitor for reserves but I’m not really sure.
@ryanchappell5962 in my experience everything benefits from fist sized caps in power path :)
(And that was serious remark here)
i like my fosi dac only in bypass mode, and XLR. Did yo trialed with silver gold usb cables?(i cant). my power supply Sotm sps500- mp audio hpuln lt3045 regulators.
No I was testing them with Dragons as these are so far the best I heard (yes I need to do a review on these finally :))
I will try it in bypass, I was testing ZD3 with power amps so I needed volume control
@@k4syx Yes!!!im testing !!!!no volume control!!!!super power!!!Xlr!!!
Which linear power supplies do you use and where to get them?
Ok. Never mind. You already showed it. Thanks.
@@thomaswhitestone8807 I think all of them got their video reviews earlier
If i didn't already have an Aune X8 XVIIIth with Sparkos opamp +linear PS. I probably would have gotten this.
The same with me.
It has amazing price for the sound it delivers, that was my biggest surprise
I might get this one for my tv project. 2x6w tube amp with 2x6,5" full range open baffle wall hangers 😂 just need to get tv signal into the tube amp
Are these full ranges something from Ali? I had a pair of 3" and now I use 4" in my small desktop speakers build. I was always wondering about larger ones
@k4syx no went lii song f6. Just to try them. They are €110. Bought the tube amp for €150. Thinking of adding Visaton W 170 S for bass, but for symmetry one would need 4 of them. And another amp and a miniDSP. So for now making it so it can be added to later. 😁 Got some beautiful wood fineer too.
And a fosi ZD3. To get signal from tv to amp 😎
@@annebokma4637 lol I usually have the same problem. I'll get one thing, then naturally I get the other one, and then there basically is no other choice than to get 4 more somethings. And then I realize that last 4 is really good so I probably should improve the ones I got in the first place :D
@@k4syx my big save is that this is for the TV downstairs first. In order to save my Philips active monitors with motional feedback from the 70's from doing tv work 😁 they sound glorious, way to good for tv duty.
My next project is 2x 15" open baffle bass to accompany my acoustat electrostats.
And just to mess with my mom, who went to hospital, but is doing better now. She said I could have her lineaum speakers if the worst would happen. She is now recovering till January, before going home..... So I bought another pair of lineaum, those are being send from Germany now.. and hopefully by the coming weekend I can send her a picture of those speakers here in my house, with the question if I should return hers now she seems to stay alive... 😈 That will be €100 well spend, those speakers are great. Also known as Optimus LX 5
Very interesting!
Does anyone know if you can use rca and xlr outputs simultaneously? I need to run two preamps, 1 xlr and one rca and 2 power amps (main speakers and side/ambient) thanks for any help.
Yes you can - no problem with that
@k4syx Thank you. Much appreciated. Looking forward to your musmys review. Great channel.
Total ignoramous here
I have kef meta, wiim ultra and Za3 amp (which temporarily replaces my damaged ROCKSAN BLAK.) What benefit is there to a external dac such as the one mentioned here?
Sound quality. DAC built in the WiiM cannot match separate dedicated component when it comes to sound quality.
Have you’ve ever heard schitt modi 3 and if so, how do you think it compares to this are purely a dac?
No, I havent, I can comment on that reliably
Also want to know
Tom, thx, for this Video. I like to buy a very good DAC with HDMI in and remote control for select inputs (opt.,UDB,HDMI,aso.) but not over 250€. I see now the this device and ask me, why they bild it with so cheap Chips not Dualcore or other Chips what can make the sound better… Ergo I can’t find a DAC, what I will like to time…
That will be a very hard thing to do, to find something truly balanced with two DAC chips under 250Euro. I can't honestly think of any device in that price range that would have two converters.
This one is very good, and also Semibreve that I like so much is excellent, but they both are not dual mono inside
2 big regulators on the 12 v , one i think super cheap , for the screen etc...Another one for the dac. Both are super cheap!!!Another smd regulators are super cheap!!!Can you imagine the sound if using much better regulators???
Yes I can :) I was actually modding my cheap DACs a few years ago with buck converters and precision LTOs and thats always like instant level up :)
looks ugly