Fosi Audio SK02 DAC & HP Amp Review

[ode361]

I'm using this Y cable for a USB device. On one side I have power, I use a very normal 5V power bank and on the other the phone.

let's say if i use SK02 with ibasso splitter cb19 and plug it to normal pwoerbank will it works ?

or does i need some usb hub and DC 5V charger ?
its more convenient for me to stream with phone so id love to know.

 

[ThsM]

I think I did not get it completely. Do I need to install a driver to use the device with Win10/11 or is it plug&play as usual DACs?

 

[Slash/]

My screenshot three posts ago shows the default Microsoft USB driver in use for a Fosi SK02 connected to a Win11 PC.

 

[Conscious]

Do the volume knob change the volume of the 3.5 port on the back? I'm curious how this would work with the v3. Can I leave the v3 connected at all time? Does inserting a 3.5/4.5 in the front mute the back port? Currently using an apple dongle for a dac and I'm mostly listening to the speakers or IEMs, but it seems like I get enough volume on my fidelio x2 even through the dongle.

Also, how important is the high pass filter really? Seems like most sounds generated by a source would include a bunch of ultrasonic noise. Could one use peace apo to just EQ it down to nothing?

@Fosi Audio I also had the same question. If i leave speakers plugged in via the 3.5 in the back, how is the volume controlled? And what happens if both the front and back 3.5 are plugged in at once? Thanks.

 

[Slash/]

I just tested this with my SK02. Headphones plugged in to front, a set of powered desktop computer speakers plugged into 3.5mm Aux in back. Both outputs are active. Volume is applied equally to both outputs. Volume changes are handled by the wheel on the SK02. Those volume changes are applied to both outputs equally. Windows volume control (including mute) is useless with the DAC plugged in (which makes logical sense, since the DAC is handling the analog audio, not Windows, which is just feeding digital to the DAC).

 

[ThsM]

My screenshot three posts ago shows the default Microsoft USB driver in use for a Fosi SK02 connected to a Win11 PC.

Thanks!

 

[jaspervanbrian]

Hey guys, I'm playing Margareta Hallin's (2015) version of Mozart's Requiem (DSD128) on Foobar2000. I'm getting a minor stuttering on the track. I'm using `foo_input_sacd` v 1.6.4, and `foo_dsd_processor` v 1.3.4 as I'm typing this. Is this mainly software or just the limitations of the SK02?

For reference, on my Burson Conductor GT4, it doesn't stutter, but I use the ASIO+DSD (`foo_out_asio+dsd`) component for it.

 

[andymcbain]

State of the art it may not be, but this little thing is doing an excellent job of driving my HD650s from a spare optical output. Absolutely smoking my audio interfaces in terms of clarity and punch. I feel a little embarrassed waiting this long to drive the HD650s properly! Amazing value at £90.

 

[ThsM]

Also got one for my HD560S. Very happy with the purchase (70€ direct from China).

 

[scolfaro]

Mine is going strong connected to an RME Babyface pro fs, eqd for a great sundara mobile setup. Super worth for my out of studio time.

 

[flarkit]

My HD6XX's are singing beautifully on my 2-day old SK02, from my PC.

The only little niggle in my mind is whether an optical cable would have any audible benefit?

 

[Conscious]

My HD6XX's are singing beautifully on my 2-day old SK02, from my PC.

The only little niggle in my mind is whether an optical cable would have any audible benefit?

Yes, on my SK02 the optical input sounds quite different from the usb c.

 

[JeremyFife]

My HD6XX's are singing beautifully on my 2-day old SK02, from my PC.

The only little niggle in my mind is whether an optical cable would have any audible benefit?

There's absolutely no technical reason why different digital options would sound different (unless you get ground problems with usb, but that would be obvious).

Simple, cheap and harmless to experiment with though. Be aware that you are almost certainly hearing cognitive bias at work.
As I said though, it's harmless to play.

 

[flarkit]

There's absolutely no technical reason why different digital options would sound different (unless you get ground problems with usb, but that would be obvious).

Simple, cheap and harmless to experiment with though. Be aware that you are almost certainly hearing cognitive bias at work.
As I said though, it's harmless to play.

Wellp, I got a 1m optical and tried out a few of my favorite tunes, switching back and forth between USB and optical and my old ears can't really pick up any difference. The optical almost seems a touch louder/clearer, but that may just be mind-tricks

Thanks for the input

 

[Braddock95]

Hello, thank you for your feedback. We have now resolved the issue of audible hump. Additionally, our R&D team is still investigating and working on a solution for the ultrasonic attenuation problem.

@Fosi Audio
How was the ESS audible hump resolved? Has the ultrasonic suppression issue been resolved? How can I apply your fixes, is there a software update available?

 

[burkm]

Would be great, if there was a "fix" for this, but still wondering, how it could be applied by a software update, because the firmware might be sitting within a ROM...

 

[Chowchilla]

Does anyone else's unit make a popping sound before a track plays? It's connected to the PC via USB.

 

[flarkit]

Does anyone else's unit make a popping sound before a track plays? It's connected to the PC via USB.

I've just tested a few different MP3's from my PC, and the SK02 set to "USB". No pops before the music starts here

 

[klirren_65]

Three days ago I got this piece with orange knob for little money from Ali Express.
I will use it to watch movies. The listening power is sufficient and more with the Sennheiser 150 Ω.
The additional optical output is the cherry on the cake for 58 € incl. shipment.

Thumbs up.

 

[klirren_65]

Short and sweet

Linux is my OS but is there anybody, who let it run with Windows 7?