Fosi Audio ZD3 $179 and Presale starts Sept 19

[MaDeuce]

Would really appreciate if anyone could help. i have the za3 where i can use the xlr output of the zd3 but i also want to use my SE headphone amp with it. if there is an option for switching the output between xlr and rca, that would be great. simultaneous output to both xlr and rca would work as well. but if xlr takes priority when rca and xlr both are connected, that would be a problem for my case. if anyone knows anything about it please share. Thanks a lot.

 

[Kimbrough Xu]

Would really appreciate if anyone could help. i have the za3 where i can use the xlr output of the zd3 but i also want to use my SE headphone amp with it. if there is an option for switching the output between xlr and rca, that would be great. simultaneous output to both xlr and rca would work as well. but if xlr takes priority when rca and xlr both are connected, that would be a problem for my case. if anyone knows anything about it please share. Thanks a lot.

They simultaneous output to both xlr and rca.

 

[Bill in Nova Scotia]

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

A knobfest! Lol..that is funny!

 

[JimBean]

Not sure if I missed it somewhere on the Fosi website, but does anyone know when these start shipping?

 

[TonyJZX]

Shipping (Pre-order: Shipping starts October 12th.)

 

[JimBean]

Shipping (Pre-order: Shipping starts October 12th.)

Thanks, I knew I had to have missed it on their site. Or in the email Fosi sent me about their 7th year anniversary sale. Curious to see how it'll perform as a preamp compared to my Schiit Freya S. Probably just use it as a replacement for my Modius. I like having a display, and an HDMI input.

 

[Alexandre Delaforetnoire]

Unboxing and Opamp Swap !

 

[avdoc]

A British audiophile review of ZD3 and V3 monos (he recommended both):

 

[EJK]

Just got shipping notification last night

 

[VientoB]

A British audiophile review of ZD3 and V3 monos (he recommended both):

Hmm, he can hear differences with DACs.

 

[BDWoody]

Hmm, he can hear differences with DACs.

When you don't use any controls, that's almost guaranteed. Nothing new with people making unsupported claims.

 

[VientoB]

When you don't use any controls, that's almost guaranteed. Nothing new with people making unsupported claims.

Also he'd have nothing to talk about. I like that guy, though.

I'm perhaps in the minority but I don't like the look of the Fosi DAC particularly.

 

[Alexandre Delaforetnoire]

I play with the ZD3 (replacing Topping E30II) and my Za3 (for 9 months). The quality building is same as za3 : solid and clean.

I wanted to have a good bluetooth input when I move my audio stuff with smaller speakers for a week-end or at friends house and the quality of this one using APTXHD is flawless.

I tried same songs in optical then bluetooth and, at medium volume, I don't ear any difference between input. There is certainly a mesurable difference but I cant ear it.

Some pictures :

 

[Alexandre Delaforetnoire]

HD pic of the inside

 

[avdoc]

I play with the ZD3 (replacing Topping E30II) and my Za3 (for 9 months). The quality building is same as za3 : solid and clean.

I wanted to have a good bluetooth input when I move my audio stuff with smaller speakers for a week-end or at friends house and the quality of this one using APTXHD is flawless.

I tried same songs in optical then bluetooth and, at medium volume, I don't ear any difference between input. There is certainly a mesurable difference but I cant ear it.

Some pictures :


View attachment 399458

Any plans to swap the op amps?

 

[Alexandre Delaforetnoire]

 

[VientoB]

Oh come on!

 

[Alexandre Delaforetnoire]

Oh come on!

I think you will be alright with the message : in this situation, the swap doesn't improve anything, this is not an audiofoolish reaction.

 

[olywa]

Kinda bummed that it doesn't have a sub out. Any reason I couldn't use the RCA out for that? I would be using it with the V3 Monos.

 

[avdoc]

Kinda bummed that it doesn't have a sub out. Any reason I couldn't use the RCA out for that? I would be using it with the V3 Monos.

Yes, the ZD3 will output to both XLR and RCA simultaneously. However, there's no low pass or high pass filters.