Fosi Audio DS2 Portable DAC & Amp Review

[Alou]

I have topping devices as well and all preform superb.The question here is how something is implemented in a small dongle/stick specially the analog amp out part. The measurements are exceptional for most of them.And my instigation is to see if there is a distinctive difference (musicaly) between the 2 chip uses ESS or Cirrus,since on the engineering side specs are great fro both.All dongles i currently have are with Cirrus.I only have ESS with desktop or studio gear and ESS pro chips with BB or TI opamps!I know its not a an engineering thing to ask !!LOL!

 

[CedarX]

And my instigation is to see if there is a distinctive difference (musicaly) between the 2 chip uses ESS or Cirrus,since on the engineering side specs are great fro both.

If you believe there is a difference, chances are you’re going to hear differences. If you’re willing to invest time & efforts to do a proper ABX comparison of well implemented ESS and Cirrus dongles, no significant difference is going to be the outcome…

 

[Alou]

I dont believe just trying to find if similarities or differences.Most of them seem to be on the same architecture with minor changes.If there was going to be a difference, it could have only be with the opamps implementation ,since opamps sound different ,on the technical side there would be no difference!

 

[tccalvin]

The ESS chip is technically better but hardly anyone would be able to tell the difference 99% of the time. Still, it was a downgrade.

 

[Alou]

Yes thats true comparing todays dac chips is almost undetectable with naked "ears",its the hardware implementation of each manufacturer that makes a difference,as we also seen in tests here.Maybe in this range of products its a needle in the haystack .Whats the downgrade and is it in all the range?

 

[melowman]

The Topping DX5 II has a slight roll off in the very high frequencies. That could certainly change the perception, for the most capable and trained ears. (I for my part can hear 20kHz; so maybe I could hear a difference, or maybe not. I do hear DA filters distinctly though, at least Sharp roll off vs Slow roll off, on the good days).

 

[Viper780]

,since opamps sound different ,on the technical side there would be no difference!

Do they? If measured the same, the sound identical. But as with every thing different OpAmps have different requirements and the circuit needs to be adapted

The ESS chip is technically better

Which ESS chip and why? Just looking on some Datasheets.

The Topping DX5 II has a slight roll off in the very high frequencies.

0.3dB?
No you wouldn't hear that - specially over 12kHz the ear is not very sensitive.

I guess this is filter dependant and with any of the other 9 filters you wouldn't see it

. I do hear DA filters distinctly though, at least Sharp roll off vs Slow roll off, on the good days).

You are shure?

"I can hear them church bells pre-ringing!" - A (mostly) time domain investigation into DAC-like reconstruction filters

INTRO I've recently encountered a couple of posts about pre-ringing in linear phase reconstruction filters in DACs. Most claim the usual: How they can definitely hear the difference between filters, how that evil pre-ringing makes linear phase much worse and so on. Impressions from...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[melowman]

Ha, the “no you don’t hear that” police. Pretty quick to fire up as usual.

 

[tccalvin]

Which ESS chip and why? Just looking on some Datasheets.

The ES9038Q2M measures better, but the only reason why you would be able to (very rarely) tell a difference between that and the CS chips is because of this:

On the Distortion of Cirrus Logic CS431xx-Based Devices: A Comparative Review

TL;DR / Changelog [5/20/25] Eleven DAC/HP amp combo devices adopting either the Cirrus Logic CS43131 or CS43198 were tested, and seven of them were found produce the distortion dubbed a "Cirrus hump." Based on measurements from multiple sources (including this review), a list of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Then again, the implementation of the chips can flip the results depending on how good or bad it is.

 

[Alou]

I don't hear a major difference between DAC filters.Some claim to hear a difference ,i believe the might do but i don't.Even if there is minimal to detect.I usually never bother with these ,leave them at default.

 

[Alou]

The ES9038Q2M measures better, but the only reason why you would be able to (very rarely) tell a difference between that and the CS chips is because of this:

On the Distortion of Cirrus Logic CS431xx-Based Devices: A Comparative Review

TL;DR / Changelog [5/20/25] Eleven DAC/HP amp combo devices adopting either the Cirrus Logic CS43131 or CS43198 were tested, and seven of them were found produce the distortion dubbed a "Cirrus hump." Based on measurements from multiple sources (including this review), a list of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Then again, the implementation of the chips can flip the results depending on how good or bad it is.

I always felt that the conversion to analog and how its brought as a signal to the line/headphone out is critical.

 

[pioterd]

I always felt that the conversion to analog and how its brought as a signal to the line/headphone out is critical.

Well, it is; but wasnt it already mastered even in these small DAC/Amp devices?

It is a very generic dual CS43131 implementation with extra Output Buffers.

How do you know that? Are there any images showing PCB layout of DS2?

 

[Viper780]

The ES9038Q2M measures better, but the only reason why you would be able to (very rarely) tell a difference between that and the CS chips is because of this:

The datasheet is compareable - but the ES9038Q2M doesn't have a integrated amp-stage.
When you compare the meassurement from amirm for the Fosi DS1 with the DS2 the latter is the "winner"

 

[HalSF]

I own the DS2 and have been using it for a year. It’s been great.

I get alerts when there are new posts here and maybe I’m dense but I’m considering unwatching the thread because I have no idea whatsoever what most of the recent discussion has to do with this DAC/Amp.

 

[pioterd]

The DS2 is the latter kind. Also, carefully follow the instructions given in this post. You will be able to hear the distortion in the C Major test file at the onset of each iteration of the signal.

Ok then, @jkim could you please explain more what headphones/earphones are necessary to hear that clicks/distortion? Only VERY sensitive iEMs when playing music relatively quiet??? I use mainly headphones, for example AKG K712, 64ohm impedance, sensitivity 105dB/1V. I have DS2, and I have new Hiby FC4 with screen (both dual CS43131 without opamps). I downloaded test files - Song of the Sisters and your original file C Major. I was never able to hear any clicks on these tracks, playing with SPL around 75dB or louder. Hiby FC4 has an option DRE on/off - in both I was not able to hear any clicks. Slow/ fast filters - no clicks. NOS - no clicks. Fosi DS2 - as well I cannot hear anything wrong with these 2 files.

 

[GabrielPhoto]

Ha, the “no you don’t hear that” police. Pretty quick to fire up as usual.

I for my part can hear 20kHz; so maybe I could hear a difference, or maybe not.

Lol sure

 

[delta76]

I own the DS2 and have been using it for a year. It’s been great.

I get alerts when there are new posts here and maybe I’m dense but I’m considering unwatching the thread because I have no idea whatsoever what most of the recent discussion has to do with this DAC/Amp.

the rule of diluted discussion - the longer thread, the less helpful/informative it is

 

[Bleib]

0.3dB?
No you wouldn't hear that - specially over 12kHz the ear is not very sensitive.

Sometimes this would be an improvement, plenty of speakers have too much energy in the treble