Fosi Audio ZD3 $179 and Presale starts Sept 19

[avdoc]

Just received email from Fosi about presale for ZD3:

Fosi Audio ZD3 Fully Balanced Desktop DAC

Presents tailored DAC performance, ensuring superior audio quality for pure enjoyment with ease of use.

fosiaudio.com

Price is $179 for ZD3 alone and Fosi is offering 20% off during presale. They also have purchase options including 1 ($259) or 2 ($339) Sparkos SS3602 OpAmps), and you also get 20% off the OpAmps. Early purchasers will also receive the following items:

You'll also have a chance to get the following bonuses in the ZD3 pre-sale event:

- 3 pcs of JRC 4580D op-amps (for every set)

- 7th Anniversary Fridge Magnet (first 300 customers)

- 7th Anniversary Custom ZD3 Knob (first 300 customers)

- VOL20 Wireless Volume Knob (first 20 customers)

 

[C0mbat]

It's a knobfest! Sorry!

I'm interested to know whether people think there are any potential benefits in using this between the WiiM Ultra and the Fosi Audio V3 monos. XLR outputs and a ESS ES9039 Q2M instead of the ESS ES9038 Q2M DAC in the WiiM Ultra. Interestingly I googled the DAC differences and the Gen AI response was actually quite useful:

The ESS ES9038 Q2M and ESS ES9039 Q2M are both DACs with different features and capabilities:

• Data handling
  The ES9038 Q2M can handle up to 32-bit 384kHz PCM data, while the ES9039 Q2M can handle up to 32-bit 768kHz PCM data.
• Modes
  The ES9038 Q2M supports synchronous and ASRC (asynchronous sample rate conversion) modes, while the ES9039 Q2M supports master or slave timing modes.
• Sound signature
  The ES9039 Q2M has a fully programmable FIR filter with seven presets to support a custom sound signature

 

[JimBean]

I also got the email. I like the fact it has hdmi and a remote. Curious to see if it'll get reviewed here.

 

[gvl]

Nice connectivity for the price.

 

[surroundman]

One year after its release I still find the SMSL DL200, with its headphone amp, to be the best choice at those prices.

 

[VientoB]

Do different opamps really change the sound?

 

[Ropeburn]

Do different opamps really change the sound?

My rule of thumb is: if replacing them is directly advertised as a feature, they don't.

Seriously, I wish manufacturers would stop doing that. It makes a bad impression of their as-is product at best, and encourages laymen to fiddle with electronics and void their warranty at worst. If you ask me, the whole thing should end.

 

[tom_tom]

@Fosi Audio So there is a confirmation that it will be possible to use TV remote while on HDMI ARC to control volume, but will dac turn-on while powering tv and sending signal ?

 

[JSmith]

3 pcs of JRC 4580D op-amps (for every set)

So one gets 3 LME49720's in the device, then they encourage people to swap them out? All this does is make the user wonder if they have used the optimal op-amp... I wish they would stop encouraging this, as one doesn't customise sound by swapping op-amps;

JSmith

 

[vuittion]

I agree with the above.

 

[TonyJZX]

youre never going to get away from op amps as huge swathes of people out there beleive in it so what can you do

they arent going to not sell op amps if people want them

 

[Negatywny]

but why not swappable condensers or resistor, people believe in them too

 

[Ropeburn]

but why not swappable condensers or resistor, people believe in them too

At least it already supports swappable speakers. I hear those can make a big difference in sound.

 

[Totemis]

Hum.. Recently the Fosi MC351 was the worst Fosi product... this new ZD3 without Usb C Input, without headphone output (4,4 balanced and 3,5)... ok the design is not bad, the theorical specs are not bad... i am quite a bit perplex... i prefer the loxjie A40 with an amp 2x165w @4ohm include for the same level of price !

 

[VientoB]

It does seem odd that they've gone with the old-school USB type B 2.0 input port rather than type C. What was the thinking behind that? Also a digital output may have been appreciated by some people?

 

[JimBean]

Hum.. Recently the Fosi MC351 was the worst Fosi product... this new ZD3 without Usb C Input, without headphone output (4,4 balanced and 3,5)... ok the design is not bad, the theorical specs are not bad... i am quite a bit perplex... i prefer the loxjie A40 with an amp 2x165w @4ohm include for the same level of price !

I agree that using USB B instead of USB C is a bit of a weird choice. But I'm okay with no headphone output, it's a DAC, not a headphone amp. I do like the fact that it has HDMI input. I'll probably take advantage of the pre-sale 20% discount and buy one to replace my Schiit Modius.

 

[Ropeburn]

Isn't it funny? I've read the exact opposite numerous times: some people find USB-C kinda weird on stationary devices. The usual argument is that USB-B is more mechanically stable, with higher longevity.

Nominally, that's true, but personally I couldn't care less. What's good enough for years of daily unplugging and plugging on mobile devices, literally withstanding thousands of plug cycles without an issue, is good enough for a device that's just sitting there all year untouched. Both types have cables being readily available for cheap

But as said, some people "complained" about C. I guess that's why Fosi put a B socket.

 

[VientoB]

Isn't it funny? I've read the exact opposite numerous times: some people find USB-C kinda weird on stationary devices. The usual argument is that USB-B is more mechanically stable, with higher longevity.

Nominally, that's true, but personally I couldn't care less. What's good enough for years of daily unplugging and plugging on mobile devices, literally withstanding thousands of plug cycles without an issue, is good enough for a device that's just sitting there all year untouched. Both types have cables being readily available for cheap

But as said, some people "complained" about C. I guess that's why Fosi put a B socket.

Yeah, my phone is a Xiaomi POCO F1 which I've been using for over 5 years. The USB C port still works and that's after thousands of plugging and unplugging cycles, and also it has over time got blocked by crumbs from my pockets and I've had to use an old toothbrush to clean it out. It still works. So people complaining about USB C on a static device are being silly imo.

 

[TonyJZX]

i think you have to make an informed choice if this product suits you

the usb cable type i dont care too much about

they include the usb cable anyway and some people have heaps of that OLD type of printer scanner type cable that dates back 15-20yrs

the lack of headphone out - i'm ok with that... it was never sold as a dac hp amp anyway

for the same price you can get the DL100 DL200 if you need that feature set

 

[cobby]

Isn't it funny? I've read the exact opposite numerous times: some people find USB-C kinda weird on stationary devices. The usual argument is that USB-B is more mechanically stable, with higher longevity.

Nominally, that's true, but personally I couldn't care less. What's good enough for years of daily unplugging and plugging on mobile devices, literally withstanding thousands of plug cycles without an issue, is good enough for a device that's just sitting there all year untouched. Both types have cables being readily available for cheap

But as said, some people "complained" about C. I guess that's why Fosi put a B socket.

even the USB C plug is smaller then B, C its way higher rated in pretty much everything.