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Fosi Audio DS2 Portable DAC & Amp Review

Rate this portable DAC & HP Amp

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 3 1.0%

  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 4 1.3%

  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 9 2.9%

  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 292 94.8%
  • Total voters
    308
I have several headphones but most notably a Sennheiser 600hd and use mostly my phone or laptop with an apple dongle to drive them.
Anyways I have always been curious about a better dac/amp and looks like this might be it?!
I am about to order one unless anyone else has alternative suggestions for a better price, or tells me there is really no need.

Happy to hear any suggestions or reasons why I should not get this (this may be used in defence for when my wife asks why I bought it) ;)
 
staticV3 said:
And Tanchjim Space and Sonata BHD and Truthear Shio and Blon V1 and Dunu DTC480 and iBasso DC04 Pro and...

Well, you get the gist: Everyone and their mother is making a cs43131 3.5+4.4mm dongle DAC :D
Click to expand...
sorry did you mean Sonata BHD Pro? or this BHD?
20240720_160256.jpg
 
Ooft ... that's nice
 
johnp98 said:
I have several headphones but most notably a Sennheiser 600hd and use mostly my phone or laptop with an apple dongle to drive them.
Anyways I have always been curious about a better dac/amp and looks like this might be it?!
I am about to order one unless anyone else has alternative suggestions for a better price, or tells me there is really no need.

Happy to hear any suggestions or reasons why I should not get this (this may be used in defence for when my wife asks why I bought it) ;)
Click to expand...
This should make you Sennheiser HD600 sound much better than the Apple dongle. I think you’d be amazed at what this will do. A small step up from this would be to add a classic; the FiiO A5 to your Apple dongle (sometimes you can find them used for cheap—same price as this— and in perfect condition) but it comes with a number of handling difficulties that this device won’t have and never worrying about charging a battery or a battery failure. Id say buy the DS2 now and ask for forgiveness. You won’t likely get permission. Fosi seems like the “good guys” in the young audio company world. I’d go for this in a second if I were in your position.
 
Gyosa1 said:
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
Click to expand...
You should watch the video on page 7. I asked the same question that Somafunk was nice enough answer via a review. Short answer is no, FIlo does have Lightning to C cables that work with their other devices, so maybe in the future...
 
Fosi Audio said:
A big thank you to Amir for the review. :D

The DS2 is one of our products as we make our entry into the high-performance DAC market. The DAC market is filled with many outstanding companies with which everyone is familiar. We will humbly learn from these companies as we continue to grow, and we hope to follow in their footsteps by bringing Fosi Audio’s unique touch to DACs for audiophiles worldwide. In addition to portable DACs, we’ll soon be introducing a desktop DAC as well.:cool:

To show our appreciation for the support from ASR members, we’re offering a special discount code for the DS2. You can use this code to get 20% off your DS2 purchase!;)
ASRDS220

link:
https://fosiaudio.com/products/fosi-audio-ds2-2024-dac-headphone-amplifier
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTHN2QB3
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BJ66KJ2B
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BJ66KJ2B
https://www.ebay.com/itm/296311456320
Click to expand...
Can‘t find the DAC at the given link to Amazon Germany
 
Fosi Audio said:
A big thank you to Amir for the review. :D

The DS2 is one of our products as we make our entry into the high-performance DAC market. The DAC market is filled with many outstanding companies with which everyone is familiar. We will humbly learn from these companies as we continue to grow, and we hope to follow in their footsteps by bringing Fosi Audio’s unique touch to DACs for audiophiles worldwide. In addition to portable DACs, we’ll soon be introducing a desktop DAC as well.:cool:

To show our appreciation for the support from ASR members, we’re offering a special discount code for the DS2. You can use this code to get 20% off your DS2 purchase!;)
ASRDS220

link:
https://fosiaudio.com/products/fosi-audio-ds2-2024-dac-headphone-amplifier
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTHN2QB3
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BJ66KJ2B
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BJ66KJ2B
https://www.ebay.com/itm/296311456320
Click to expand...
Excuse me, a consideration: in my opinion these devices as performing as yours should have a mini battery to support that of the cell phone. I use a blue ifi go and it's perfect in this sense, in addition to having bluetooth. Haven't you thought of a similar device? It would also be suitable for mobility.
 
Picked up my DS2 today. Haven't used it much, but initial impressions are quite positive. Setup was plug-and-play, and all sample rates from 44100–384000 fs work without issues. A sample change rate results in a fade-out + fade-in — no clicks or pops. Also tried DSD64 with foobar2000 in exclusive mode, works flawlessly. The sound is clear and neutral, and the DS2 drives my headphones without issue.

Edit: found one issue. When skipping through a track in exclusive mode, there is a discontinuity — it fades out and in, just like a sample rate change. This is true even when using SoundKeeper. Normal shared mode is fine. Will perform more tests tomorrow.
 
Last edited:
Is anyone else confused….why are some things getting smaller and other things not so much.

A DAC at desktop quality the size of a Bic lighter.

IMG_0233.png
 
If I were to use this as a balanced desktop DAC, I think it would need a 4,4mm jack to two XLR3 (or 6.35 TRS) adaptor, right?
Is there an affordable solution for this available in the EU? The 'cheapest' I found so far is still 40€. plus shipping. I saw the ifi version is 110€, but my ears would go blind if that veil were being lifted:)
Aliexpress to the rescue? Anyone any experience with a good one? I bought lots of cables of Aliexpress, and most are of respectable quality. Some are downright bad, and the price isn't always a tell...
 
Last edited:
Bob101 said:
If I were to use this as a balanced desktop DAC, I think it would need a 4,4mm jack to two XLR3 (or 6.35 TRS) adaptor, right?
Is there an affordable solution for this available in the EU? The 'cheapest' I found so far is still 40€. plus shipping. I saw the ifi version is 110€, but my ears would go blind if that veil were being lifted:)
Aliexpress to the rescue? Anyone any experience with a good one? I bought lots of cables of Aliexpress, and most are of respectable quality. Some are downright bad, and the price isn't always a tell...
Click to expand...
Please note that we have no official confirmation if the gnd pin of the 4.4 socket is actually connected in order to use it safely as a balanced line out, in doubt I would abandon the idea.
 
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