FOSI Audio Q6 Stereo DAC Review

[salmo]

I'm a fan of mechanical switches and stuff, so I quite like its appearance. The problem here is a price, we can get SMSL SU-1 new for like 65-70$ now? So $90 is a bit much nowadays for such a simple DAC.

 

[Jimster480]

Great! One more garbage DAC to pollute our planet. And not for $30 - $50 but $90!

Topping E30 II Lite with remote and volume control for $99 (and much lower price with discounts) is technically superior and more useful product in every possible way. Just like SMSL SU-1 & C100 or the newer SMSL PS200 for the same/similar price.

A big disappointment from Fosi!

I kind of agree here, I had forgotten about the E30 II Lite. It does have volume control and a screen for the same price... with the same DAC chip basically.
This DAC has an LPF summed sub output but no volume control.... so I couldn't use it with my Subwoofer anyway...

 

[salmo]

Some close-ups on a PCB stuff:

 

[xanalog]

Thank you for the review, @amirm,
Wouldn't this box have been more useful if FOSI substituted the sub-out as a full-range aux-out?

Weird that the control knob is not similar to that of the P4 (with a dimple instead of a white stripe).

I think, I may be partly to blame for that: I had suggested that FOSI dab some white-paint inside the dimple, for visibility.

 

[KTN46]

Are there any DACs that have a HPF built in and a sub out? Feels like Fosi got so close to something I actually wanted and then stopped just short of making it useful.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Are there any DACs that have a HPF built in and a sub out? Feels like Fosi got so close to something I actually wanted and then stopped just short of making it useful.

Luxsin X9.

 

[KTN46]

Luxsin X9.

Ah - I should have specified a price range. I was thinking more about budget ones that I might be able to afford haha.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Ah - I should have specified a price range. I was thinking more about budget ones that I might be able to afford haha.

miniDSP has a few options with digital input and analog outputs that are less expensive than Luxsin X9 and still feature full bass management.

 

[kazuviking]

But yeah, LPF sub outs have never sense to me on ANY consumer product.

Guess i'm one of those weirdos who needs a sub out as i have subs with active crossover and volume that i set once then forget. Using open backs with L and R subs which helps a lot in the the bass which was neutered by the crossfeed.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Guess i'm one of those weirdos who needs a sub out as i have subs with active crossover and volume that i set once then forget. Using open backs with L and R subs which helps a lot in the the bass which was neutered by the crossfeed.

The point is not that people don’t need a sub out—it’s that they don’t need one with low pass filter. What they really need is high-pass filter on the main/speaker out instead (in conjunction with a sub out, which is perfectly fine being full-range).

 

[sabih]

Why this DAC has VRMs of 2.4 volts. Does it mean that it will be louder than other DACs???

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Why this DAC has VRMs of 2.4 volts. Does it mean that it will be louder than other DACs???

It will be somewhat louder, but it will also have a potentially lower noise floor. Many DACs offer an option of 2.5/5 (single-ended/balanced differential) voltage output besides the standard 2.0/4 volts. Seems maybe this one simply defaults to the higher option and does not offer the lower/more common option. The Geshelli JNOG3's output is 3/6 volts. It is not truly standardized.

 

[salmo]

Fast measurements of my unit with E1DA Cosmos ADC and Atom Amp 2 as a buffer:

 

[ThsM]

Just having an output to connect the subwoofer is useful. And since you will use the filter in the powered sub under 150hz, most likely 80hz, it will not interefere with practical use of the powered subwoofer.

But how do you keep the volume of the rca and sub out in sync with this unit?

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

But how do you keep the volume of the rca and sub out in sync with this unit?

Digital volume control from the source.

 

[ThsM]

Digital volume control from the source.

Sometimes it is just that simple Thanks

 

[Hayk]

What THD+N would deliver at -60db 16bit 44.1khz ?

 

[sabih]

Anybody know any fosi audio DAC which has cirrus logic chip?
I am looking for a good cirrus logic chip DAC

 

[Thiago]

Queria usar o Q6 em conjunto com os V3 mono e um subwoofer ativo. O que eu sugiro usar para ter um controle geral de volume?

 

[ThsM]

Queria usar o Q6 em conjunto com os V3 mono e um subwoofer ativo. O que eu sugiro usar para ter um controle geral de volume?

You could use the Fosi Audio ZP3.