Fosi Audio DS2 Portable DAC & Amp Review

[roladyzator]

@Fosi Audio A number of users are reporting an issue with interruptions during playback on certain systems, especially PCs / laptops running Windows 11.
This is made worse by the muting circuitry, which changes a less obtrusive pause or "click" into full fade-in during playback - a deal-breaker for many.

Are you looking into this issue and when will you resolve it?

 

[roladyzator]

Does anyone know if there are issues relating to playback via Foobar2000?
Thanks in advance.

Yes, there are two kinds of issues:

1. If using Exclusive playback mode, every time sample rate changes between tracks (including playing a DSD file after a PCM file), there is short period of silence, followed by a fade-in of the audio to the listening volume. Issue doesn't show if you're not using Exclusive mode. Everyone has this issue.
2. Suddenly sound goes quiet and fades-in to previous volume. This issues occurs intermittently, not for all users, not for all devices (I have devices where this happens often, another one where it happens rarely, another where it doesn't happen at all). Based on comments in this thread, it's more likely to happen for PCs running Windows 11.

 

[Hammeredklavier]

Yes, there are two kinds of issues:

1. If using Exclusive playback mode, every time sample rate changes between tracks (including playing a DSD file after a PCM file), there is short period of silence, followed by a fade-in of the audio to the listening volume. Issue doesn't show if you're not using Exclusive mode. Everyone has this issue.
2. Suddenly sound goes quiet and fades-in to previous volume. This issues occurs intermittently, not for all users, not for all devices (I have devices where this happens often, another one where it happens rarely, another where it doesn't happen at all). Based on comments in this thread, it's more likely to happen for PCs running Windows 11.

I get a weird fade-in - with a particularly irritating left-right panning effect - at the beginning of tracks as well, just pressing play!

 

[roladyzator]

I get a weird fade-in - with a particularly irritating left-right panning effect - at the beginning of tracks as well, just pressing play!

I know what you mean. Weird shit.

 

[roladyzator]

Can we get anyone who has a comment on the first page to add a note about the few things we've discovered, notably:

1. If using Exclusive playback mode, every time playback starts from silence or sample rate changes between tracks (including playing a DSD file after a PCM file), there is a short period of silence, followed by a fade-in of the audio to the listening volume. Issue doesn't show if you're not using Exclusive mode. Everyone has this issue.
2. Suddenly sound goes quiet and fades-in to previous volume. This issues occurs intermittently, not for all users, not for all devices (I have devices where this happens often, another one where it happens rarely, another where it doesn't happen at all). Based on comments in this thread, it's more likely to happen for PCs running Windows 11.
3. The balanced headphone output is grounded and can be used with 4.4mm to 2x XLR converters for connecting to balanced preamps, amps or speakers.

The reason I'm asking is because I think those factors are important to anyone considering the purchase.

 

[Hammeredklavier]

Can we get anyone who has a comment on the first page to add a note about the few things we've discovered, notably:

1. If using Exclusive playback mode, every time playback starts from silence or sample rate changes between tracks (including playing a DSD file after a PCM file), there is a short period of silence, followed by a fade-in of the audio to the listening volume. Issue doesn't show if you're not using Exclusive mode. Everyone has this issue.
2. Suddenly sound goes quiet and fades-in to previous volume. This issues occurs intermittently, not for all users, not for all devices (I have devices where this happens often, another one where it happens rarely, another where it doesn't happen at all). Based on comments in this thread, it's more likely to happen for PCs running Windows 11.
3. The balanced headphone output is grounded and can be used with 4.4mm to 2x XLR converters for connecting to balanced preamps, amps or speakers.

The reason I'm asking is because I think those factors are important to anyone considering the purchase.

Indeed. And by the by, my prehistoric Arcam rPAC USB DAC - designed before Windows 11 was even a glint in Satya Nadella's eye - works absolutely flawlessly.

 

[Viper780]

For all the users with this issues who has contacted them Fosi support and what was the feedback?

 

[Labjr]

For all the users with this issues who has contacted them Fosi support and what was the feedback?

I received a reply from my email to support. They supplied a Savitech USB driver for Windows. So far it's working well for Windows 10. No dropouts with DSD files. Fingers crossed. If anyone wants to try the driver PM me with your email.

 

[LtMandella]

Finally received my DS2 this morning after shipping fiasco. Next time will buy from Amazon.
Anyway, the DS2 has a very weird behavior playing with FOOBAR2000 or TIDAL sources, exclusive mode in WIN10 , volume button on DS2 held until max before starting streams. VERY weird behavior.
At the start of every track, the DS2 RESETS it's volume to 50%- confirmed by listening and actually viewing the device "levels" setting in windows sound properties for the device.
Very strange, and of course makes the device fairly worthless.
Why the hell would it do that???

 

[Viper780]

This is a well known behavior. Don't put it in exclusive mode and it works

 

[LtMandella]

This is a well known behavior. Don't put it in exclusive mode and it works

Understood, thank you.

 

[Hammeredklavier]

This is a well known behavior. Don't put it in exclusive mode and it works

It's all a bit iffy though isn't it, and it's certainly not a recommendable product.

 

[Viper780]

It's all a bit iffy though isn't it, and it's certainly not a recommendable product.

Depends on your Usecase.

I won't be using it with windows, no issues under Linux and Android

 

[MC_RME]

No issues either as I use it with Neutron on iPhone.

 

[Labjr]

I used the DS2 on an old Android phone with both Hiby and FiiO music app. Both seem to work OK but I didn't use them for long.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

It's all a bit iffy though isn't it, and it's certainly not a recommendable product.

Exaggeration. Works fine for me. YMMV. Sounds like some limited corner cases that have issues (is playing DSD of any SQ benefit?). Even the Win issues are resolved with a software driver.

 

[Labjr]

Exaggeration. Works fine for me. YMMV. Sounds like some limited corner cases that have issues (is playing DSD of any SQ benefit?). Even the Win issues are resolved with a software driver.

Is PCM of any benefit?

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Is PCM of any benefit?

Not to me it isn't. In this context I was under the impression that PCM is fine on this DAC?

 

[Psinet]

Not to me it isn't. In this context I was under the impression that PCM is fine on this DAC?

I have always only gone with PCM/FLAC. At the extremes of these formats, original recording quality and source are the limiting factor, so much more than anything else.

Update: DS2 arrived. I am ready to test it on my 3.8 kW mobile system, but I am waiting on a Topping PA 7 Plus to arrive (for the highs).

Sounds amazing on the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm

Edit: The DS2 will be used to play continuous music playlists (and sets) from an android phone on the above system, in a solely outdoor environment, for entertainment during camping, BBQs etc

 

[Hammeredklavier]

Exaggeration. Works fine for me. YMMV. Sounds like some limited corner cases that have issues (is playing DSD of any SQ benefit?). Even the Win issues are resolved with a software driver.

It clearly doesn't work properly on the dominant operating system. This is not my first or only USB DAC, they usually just work.

Looks rushed to market with inadequate testing, these flaws aren't hard to find.