Fosi Audio DS2 Portable DAC & Amp Review

[deprogrammed]

Why you want eq on the dongle, you have eq on on your source device surely?

You can often find this cheap in the multitude of aliexpress deals/savings that come around every so often, it was shown with discount down to £30/$40 a while ago, I should’ve bought it…..don’t really need it but still……..I should’ve bought it

I use my Qudelix 5k to hook up to my android phone, Chromebook, Linux machine, and Windows machines. It is nice to have to only futz with just 1 EQ. I will never go back.

 

[Cadillacofminds]

So the earlier version with the ESS chip (and generally with power amplifiers), the lower gain setting gives you less noise when driving more sensitive/lower input impedance devices?

 

[Kuma]

This seems to be a great dongle. Thanks for the review.

EDIT: Just ordered one for the heck of it. I like the idea of an easy plug-in to the iPad when I’m being lazy.

 

[Gyosa1]

Does anyone know for sure whether or not this will work with a lightning port iPhone using a “normal” lightning to usb c cable ?

Thanks
Bk

 

[Kuma]

Does anyone know for sure whether or not this will work with a lightning port iPhone using a “normal” lightning to usb c cable ?

Thanks
Bk

You should be fine. From their website:

Fully supports a wide range of mainstream audio source devices. Not only can it serve as a portable DAC and headphone amplifier for iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, iPad Pro, and Android phones, but it can also function as an external sound card for your computer, laptop or Mac, decoding high-quality music for you.

 

[Gyosa1]

You should be fine. From their website:

Fully supports a wide range of mainstream audio source devices. Not only can it serve as a portable DAC and headphone amplifier for iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, iPad Pro, and Android phones, but it can also function as an external sound card for your computer, laptop or Mac, decoding high-quality music for you.

Thanks , but in the video linked a few posts back , the reviewer says it won’t work on a lightning port iPhone unless you use an “otg” cable …. That’s why I was asking .

I do appreciate the reply , however !

Love to know if anyone has first hand experience using a lightning to usb c cable .

Bk

 

[amirm]

I wonder if @amirm measured it at max?

I did hit it repeatedly while watching the output level to max out.

 

[Kuma]

Thanks , but in the video linked a few posts back , the reviewer says it won’t work on a lightning port iPhone unless you use an “otg” cable …. That’s why I was asking .

I do appreciate the reply , however !

Love to know if anyone has first hand experience using a lightning to usb c cable .

Bk

Ah, understood. I didn’t see that video before replying. I’ll find out if it cooperates with my iPad’s lighting port when I receive it and let you know. I tried watching that video, but the dude seems like a bit of a blowhard. No offense.

 

[Brian Hall]

That's for the old version DS2 with ES9018K2M chip, it won't work with the CS chip one. (2024 Ver.)
Stated in specs: High-low gain mode change - Not available
View attachment 393432

Guess I have the ES version. I bought it from Amazon in January.

 

[dzerig]

Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro still reigns supreme however!

 

[GeekyBastard]

Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro still reigns supreme however!

In what way? The Sonata BHD Pro cost more while the SINAD being worse.

 

[delta76]

Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro still reigns supreme however!

more expensive, worse SINAD, more power at 300 Ohm but less power at 32Ohm, supreme what?
you can like Tempotec better and that's fine, both are great portable dac/amp, but in no way it's supreme to this

 

[Kimbrough Xu]

Thank you for the video. It's does not seem like it is an all-one-one solution I was looking for. Still looks like a good product and Fosi has Lightning to C adapter that might be supported in the future.

What is an all-one-one solution? What else do you want from such a dongle?

 

[mc.god]

I did hit it repeatedly while watching the output level to max out.

You meanie, bullying such a tiny and cute device!

 

[staticV3]

Does anyone know for sure whether or not this will work with a lightning port iPhone using a “normal” lightning to usb c cable ?

The "normal" lightning to usb c cable that came with your iPhone, which you may use for charging currently, will not work with the majority of USB bus-powered accessories.

If you want to reliably power these with your iPhone, then you will need to buy a special "OTG" Lightning to USB-C cable.

 

[roog]

If I was in the market for a DAC in dongle form this might just be it!

 

[dzerig]

In what way? The Sonata BHD Pro cost more while the SINAD being worse.

I was looking at the thd n curves, but I guess they're wrong.

 

[Berwhale]

You meanie, bullying such a tiny and cute device!

Disclaimer suggestion for Amirm: 'No dongles were harmed in the production of this review. Aggressive volume changes may be simulated.'

Edit: I've ordered a DS2 to plug into my little headless PlexAmp.

 

[oceansize]

£70 in UK, seems a bit expensive.

 

[Berwhale]

£70 in UK, seems a bit expensive.

It worked out just over £36 ($48 after ASR discount) ordered from Fosi's global store (although I paid with USD I already held in a multi-currency account).