Fosi Audio DS2 Portable DAC & Amp Review

[Crook]

Hi, I’ve had the Ds2 a few months, it replaced a FiiO dongle when I moved from lighting to usb-c on iPhone. Love it, sounds really great on the go. Set up question please. Amazon music app on iPhone 15 to Ds2. Light is always red, so I assume I’m getting 44.1 cd quality. Is it the iPhone down sampling higher rates in Amazon? Amazon is set to hi-res in the app. Does not impact use at all, but I’m curious. Thanks.

Fixed, so if anyone else has the same issue. iPhone settings/apps/amazon music and turn off the microphone. I can’t hear a difference but the light is now the correct colour

 

[fws]

Ok so the pictures are misleading, however some sellers offer DS2-2025 and DS-2024 that's what confused me

It is an old trick used by many AliExpress sellers - they put the current year into the title or option box, so a customer who compares offers might start to worry there is a new version and he will be buying an old one elsewhere It is more common with handheld emulation consoles, and other products, but it does happen with audio from time to time. Especially if there is some small difference between batches, say a new batch has a different shade of paint, it can be a good excuse

 

[Overseas]

So... so... this looks like the absolute category killer, right ?
I got Fiio KA11 (no reviewed by Amir...) for price and convenience (DS2 not available on my local market) but looking for a discount to get DS2.

 

[HalSF]

So... so... this looks like the absolute category killer, right ?
I got Fiio KA11 (no reviewed by Amir...) for price and convenience (DS2 not available on my local market) but looking for a discount to get DS2.

I’ve been loving mine. It’s currently available for $59 on Amazon U.S. which is where I bought it in February.

 

[volkRX]

I’ve been loving mine. It’s currently available for $59 on Amazon U.S. which is where I bought it in February.

are u all experiencing DS2 without the fade-is's issue? so there are people withou this issue?

 

[Labjr]

are u all experiencing DS2 without the fade-is's issue? so there are people withou this issue?

Who cares? I hear it sometimes but it doesn't bother me. This performs better than anything that used to cost thousands.

 

[Overseas]

are u all experiencing DS2 without the fade-is's issue? so there are people withou this issue?

What is the problems, interruptions ?

 

[volkRX]

What is the problems, interruptions ?

For me is only "fade-in" starts. Tracks don't start imediatly on full volume. It does a 1sec paned fade in. More ppl here claiming the same
If I have both tidal and spotify opened, plays fine, no "fade-in", just direct start. Like if DS2 is already prepared since there's a different a source of audio opened ...

 

[Viper780]

On android I don't have any fade in

 

[volkRX]

On android I don't have any fade in

I have also on android

 

[Overseas]

Probably you can work something in settings , re. fade in option.
Should be in the streaming app settings.

 

[volkRX]

Just got an answer from FOSI AUDIO support:
"
Thank you for reaching out.

This is still Jaimy from FOSI AUDIO,
I just had a face-to-face discussion with the engineers at FOSI about this issue.
The reason is related to the product design. To avoid popping sounds or noise when playing, pausing, or skipping tracks, we use a mute circuit. As a result, the volume gradually increases over about one second when playback starts.
This does not affect normal use. Sometimes, I also notice this happening when I connect my phone to Apple earphones to listen to music.
This is normal and not a quality issue. I hope you understand.
"

 

[Overseas]

SO does it mean you cannot listen gapless, is it the same thing ?

 

[volkRX]

SO does it mean you cannot listen gapless, is it the same thing ?

I hear gapless on continuously listenings. Though, begginings fade-in wenhever I press play. So, not catching 1st second on "cool start" musics. just that

 

[mc.god]

The issue was discussed a lot in this and other CS43131 based devices threads, you will find many posts searching for "ramp-up". It only affects very first samples of played track starting from pause\stop, and IMHO it can be an annoyance mainly if you use the dongle on pc and want to hear OS system sounds and with pc\smartphones notification sounds.

 

[Overseas]

I hear gapless on continuously listenings. Though, begginings fade-in wenhever I press play. So, not catching 1st second on "cool start" musics. just that

I see, well I could live with that.

 

[Overseas]

Just got an answer from FOSI AUDIO support:
"
Thank you for reaching out.

This is still Jaimy from FOSI AUDIO,
I just had a face-to-face discussion with the engineers at FOSI about this issue.
The reason is related to the product design. To avoid popping sounds or noise when START-playing, pausing, or skipping tracks, we use a mute circuit.
"

one important clarification above, then

 

[Overseas]

So, basically, to benefit of max performance I should use a balanced cable for my headphones ? Do you have a recommendation, balanced with jack ?

 

[CedarX]

So, basically, to benefit of max performance I should use a balanced cable for my headphones ? Do you have a recommendation, balanced with jack ?

What made you conclude that a balanced cable maximize performance?
It gives you more available power… if you need it…

 

[Overseas]

Right. Just looking for a bloody balanced cable. Nothing more.