Fosi Audio DS2 Portable DAC & Amp Review

[pickyAudiophile]

Rumor says DS3 is incoming with these specs. Will it be available this year?

As it seems...ready to ship, coming in at USD 96.00 with that "EABF20" voucher code applied. https://fosiaudio.com/products/fosi-audio-ds3

 

[OK1]

https://m.facebook.com/groups/fosiaudio/permalink/1307015754223754/?

Rumor says DS3 is incoming with these specs. Will it be available this year?

Model: DS3
• DAC Chip: ESS ES9039Q2M
• USB Audio Interface: XMOS Beyond Power
• Max Sampling Rate: PCM 32bit/768kHz, DSD512
• USB Audio Class: UAC1.0 / UAC2.0 dual mode
• Outputs: 3.5mm single-ended, 4.4mm balanced
• Output Level: 2Vrms (SE), 4Vrms (BAL)

Sure if one does not already have a decent DAC, this would be interesting. A bit pricy, but justified, cos of the nice "recent" DAC chip.

 

[jkim]

Sure if one does not already have a decent DAC, this would be interesting. A bit pricy, but justified, cos of the nice "recent" DAC chip.

And the mere fact that a recent DAC chip is used does not necessarily mean it should measurably outperform another until it's actually tested by a 3rd party using a right measurement setup.

 

[OK1]

And the mere fact that a recent DAC chip is used does not necessarily mean it should measurably outperform another until it's actually tested by a 3rd party using a right measurement setup.

Sure I value what AudioScienceReview and similar sites to. Hold manufacturers to account, but its impossible to test every single product. At some point in time, I would hope that we can trust whatever their published product specs are, in a similar manner to the pro-audio world where thousands buy these products, purely based on what the manufacturer publishes. In the professional audio/music world, the reviewers like Sound on Sound Magazine editors, and contributors, will never be able to review every audio interface that's out there for sale. Somehow, in that industry one has come to trust the published specs.

Hope the same happens in the consumer space. Me, I've come to trust the specs published by the major companies, SMSL, Topping, Shanling and the like. No way will all the reviewers get round to test all their products. So we have to learn to trust them. The very existence of ASR, and other reviewers with test tools, and the risk that they could be found out, for misrepresentation, should be enough of a deterrent.

 

[fws]

Sure if one does not already have a decent DAC, this would be interesting. A bit pricy, but justified, cos of the nice "recent" DAC chip.

I paid $30 for ES9039Q2M and similar 2/4Vrms output specs dongle from Aiyima.

 

[OK1]

I paid $30 for ES9039Q2M and similar 2/4Vrms output specs dongle from Aiyima.

Now that is a bargain. Congratulations. I typically had the impression that the ESS based devices would be much more expensive than the CS43131 based Dongle DACs. I am really happy with my current set of DACs, but you know how it is. Recently I was tempted by FOMO, wondering - Hmm what it would be like to hear the "ESS" sound. Had to talk myself out of gear lust., and be content with what I have. Besides I cannot listen to 2 DACs at a time.

We remain curious.

I have had a really tortuous journey with consumer audio, going down many rabbit holes, trying to figure out what is significant, and what is negligible, especially as it is so hard to translate what people say about gear with what one hears. But it's getting better. At this time, I consider that while different DACs may still provide audible advantages over others, the audible differences for most purposes are either difficult to hear or probably not audible, or these differences, beyond a certain minimum threshold of device quality, don't matter that much. Now if I was Beyonce's music producer or audio mixing engineer, I'd have no problem chasing the latest and greatest, just in case it may give me that "edge".

The reviews on ASR, and contributions from those who participate in chats here, have been very helpful. Truly a lifesaver.

 

[delta76]

I already have hidisz s9 pro and JM20 max. I am not very fond of s9 pro because it requires the usb cable to be in correct connection and sometimes it causes terrible static noise. In what realistic terms would I need this DS2 over JM20 max? Because it is on sale and one can't never have too many dongles ...

 

[Tassin]

Because it is on sale and one can't never have too many dongles ...

What are you waiting for? You just gave yourself 2 reasons.

With 43 mW (vs 13.6) into 300 Ohm and 172 mW (vs 53) into 33 Ohm the DS2 offers more power.

 

[delta76]

What are you waiting for? You just gave yourself 2 reasons.

With 43 mW (vs 13.6) into 300 Ohm and 172 mW (vs 53) into 33 Ohm the DS2 offers more power.

yes of course, but I wonder if any IEM which needs that power . Rocking with a Truthear Zero Red and JM20 is more than enough

 

[Aperiodic]

A relevant spec for me would be SINAD at 33 ohms unbalanced but this seems not to have been tested.

 

[melowman]

It looks like Santa heard you… https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...s2-portable-dac-amp-review.57063/post-2133032

 

[delta76]

It looks like Santa heard you… https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...s2-portable-dac-amp-review.57063/post-2133032

anyone knows if that bug is fixed . I suspect it hasn't, but want to confirm

 

[melowman]

Not AFAIK. I got in touch back then, and they just said: it is what it is.

 

[paologramaglia123]

Sure if one does not already have a decent DAC, this would be interesting. A bit pricy, but justified, cos of the nice "recent" DAC chip.

Good day! Best bargain of my entire audio life. Clearly better than fiio 17 (costing four times as m.) on Philips fidelio3, noticed substantial improvement during one year (bit maybe its the headphones!), sounds Better of connected 24/7 to an old phone charger. Timing impeccabile, bass line singing, voices full of life, and that left hand...

 

[paologramaglia123]

Sure if one does not already have a decent DAC, this would be interesting. A bit pricy, but justified, cos of the nice "recent" DAC chip.

Sorry, I meant kuang pai 3, 40 euros.