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Fosi Audio DS3 Dongle DAC with "inverted virtual surround" capability

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pickyAudiophile

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I was hoping for something like an alternative to the fine Neutron HiFi DAC V1 , just for eample. ...Or devices by Qudelix, E1DA, FiiO, or late FC5 by Hiby.
- A dongle DAC with PEQ functionality written into EEPROM - "ready to go" on boot up - with no need of any Android "companion" apps or other EQ apps running - or programs like Equalizer Apo on Windows machines respectively. - PEQ functionality that's even working when data received in WASAPI exclusive mode there.

- However, they made a different choice. Now it's all about inverted virtual surround, and targeting gamers.
There's that Fosi specific "porthole", Fosi Orange edging, rather than a display, on top of the device. Specs so far not provided (by 16/11/2025) ...but ready to ship as it seems. Comes in at USD 96.00 with that active "EABF20" voucher code applied.
Honestly, I did not expect that kind of release.
Still, when it comes to non-existent software, Fosi Audio does not at all identify what I want ...as something their customers ask for.
https://fosiaudio.com/products/fosi-audio-ds3

Screenshot 2025-11-16 231317.png
Screenshot 2025-11-16 234756.png
 
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@pickyAudiophile
It now has three custom PEQ 8-band presets through a web-USB html file included with the last updater, look here:


The files are in the description, it works flawless with my Auto-Eq settings (i mostly use the http://autoeq.app site), just select "Custom Parametric Eq" and add three more stages, until the 8th, then deal it into the FOSI Web Interface. ^^
The only downside is, that you can only change the Eq's for now with the web-interface, but also a big plus is, that you can deactivate the blinking LED... :D
Greetings.
 
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Amazing DAC but completely useless for me as portable because they didn’t do Mic Support on 3.5…. Very strange specially for gaming target market
 
yoodog said:
Amazing DAC but completely useless for me as portable because they didn’t do Mic Support on 3.5…. Very strange specially for gaming target market
Click to expand...
Possibly it's for the ones, who don't speak... xD I have a Neumann TLM102 Studio (with spider) fed into an Arturia MiniFuse 2, and its fucking great. But on Headphones the MiniFuse doesn't sound great... :/ (i'am btw. someone who likes to build custom filters) ^^
 
yoodog said:
Amazing DAC but completely useless for me as portable because they didn’t do Mic Support on 3.5…. Very strange specially for gaming target market
Click to expand...
Fc1 and FC3 support Mic!! They don’t mention it

There is now fc3 display with updated AC Pro chip which has mic support integrated into it now, so I think should sound same as fc3 original
 
Not really interested in the surround thing, but it is a very good DAC chip that they're using. Interested in some user feedback/measurements. :)
 
The SNR of 122 dB is not good enough considering that the SNR of the ES9039Q2M chip is 130 dB. Maybe the XMOS Processor is adding noise?
 
I just got this DAC to replace my failed SMSL C200. I think there is a bug in the firmware causing distortion when EQ is on. I am using latest 1.5.14 firmware available right now.

When EQ is enabled and change the sampling rate while playing (ie enable a 129k resampling filter in foobar and confirm the DS3 switches from 44.1k to 192k in the web interface), it causing audible distortion. I am not good at describing it, but it is awful. Almost like a low pass filter. Vocals all messed up. Reverting back to the previous sample rate does not correct it, it just changes how the distortion sounds. Each sampling rate seems to have a slightly different distortioned sound. The only way to correct it once it happens, it to flick the EQ switch in the web interface panel off and on. Then it plays correctly at any smapling rate.

This has forced me to rely on software EQ to prevent the issue from occuring since sampling rates will change on my PC depending on the source. This would be a huge issue on my mobile device which has no way to access the web interface and change the DAC settings. It is obviously firmware relately if simply cycling the EQ on/off corrects it but it also making me thinking of returing back amazon while I can and get the Fiio KA15 instead.

Does anyone else have a DS3 to confirm this?
 
When I had issues with my ZD3 the FOSI support team were great (turned out not to be the ZD3 at fault...).
 
tccalvin said:
If you do end up getting the KA15, you might want to read the review thread since the EQ on that device is also buggy, but it's at least documented and fixable.
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Thanks good to know. I guess if other similar unit all have their own quirks, I might just as well stick to this one since it is cheaper.

Does Fosi have a rep on these forums? Either way, I sent them a message via the website contact with the details. I will update here on their response. Hopefully, they can replicate it. If they cannot, I may also consider returning it and buying another to at least confirm if it is a one off or not.
 
Good news. It seems they finally managed to replicate it and will be working on a fix. Here is a quote from their support team I just received.

After sharing all of the information and test results you provided with our technical team again, they have now confirmed that this behavior is caused by a firmware logic bug.

We have forwarded all of the test information, screenshots, and observations you provided to our engineering team so that they can use them as part of the investigation and firmware fix.

At present, the estimated time required to address this issue is approximately 1–1.5 months. Our engineering team is working on the firmware, although the actual completion time may vary depending on the development and verification process.
Click to expand...
 
therobin said:
Thanks good to know. I guess if other similar unit all have their own quirks, I might just as well stick to this one since it is cheaper.

Does Fosi have a rep on these forums? Either way, I sent them a message via the website contact with the details. I will update here on their response. Hopefully, they can replicate it. If they cannot, I may also consider returning it and buying another to at least confirm if it is a one off or not.
Click to expand...
Hi friend, I'm the product manager of the DS3 dongle dac. Pls DM me regarding the issue you encountered. :)
 
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