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Fosi Audio ZD3 Balanced DAC Review

Rate this DAC:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 4 1.6%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 5 2.0%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 67 26.2%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 180 70.3%

  • Total voters
    256
Thank you that’s very helpful

So, can I assume you would recommend I use USB from the Ultra to the ZD3?

Then I leave the ZD3 switch to off and control the bulge though that?

Finally about setting the Ultra output volume to 0db..do I do that here and just move the slider from 100% to 0?

Sorry for the noob questions but this is very new to me and I’m a bit bamboozled by it all

View attachment 416772
Checking that toggle on top should do the trick. And yes, I would start with usb output, fosi switch to off and you are all set
 
Checking that toggle on top should do the trick. And yes, I would start with usb output, fosi switch to off and you are all set
Thank you, but if I check the toggle at the top that sets the volume output to 100….is that correct, as I read earlier the output should be 0db…..or am I just being a bit stupid?

Thank you again
 
Is it really true the the optical and coax max rez output is 16/48? as per the app?
 
Thank you, but if I check the toggle at the top that sets the volume output to 100….is that correct, as I read earlier the output should be 0db…..or am I just being a bit stupid?

Thank you again
Yup, yup, just check the toggle, that will set the output to max
 
Does the ZD3 keep the USB device active (windows/linux/mac) when switching to another input (as opposed to SMSL SU-1)?
 
Does the ZD3 keep the USB device active (windows/linux/mac) when switching to another input (as opposed to SMSL SU-1)?
Not sure what you ment, but if I switch the input on zd3, to say, optical, it will not show on my rpi player until I switch back to usb.
 
Not sure what you ment, but if I switch the input on zd3, to say, optical, it will not show on my rpi player until I switch back to usb.
Yes exactly, the USB device looks like it's unplugged/gone, until you switch back to the USB input.
I'm starting to think this is a XMOS bug/feature/limitation.
 
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Yes exactly, the USB device looks like it's unplugged/gone, until you switch back to the USB input.
I'm starting to think this is a XMOS bug/feature/limitation.
They probably just shut it down or something.
 
I too have the TV turning on after the ZD3 is turned off problem (LG C2).

Regarding the trigger out, did anyone get this working? I'm trying to use it with the Audiophonics https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/diy-...v-230v-slave-power-supply-device-p-10661.html device which is supposed to accept only mono cable, but it does not work for me with either mono or stereo cable (ZD3 should be working with both).

The device works fine when connected to my Wiim Pro+ using mono cable.
 
I have a doubt about the 12V trigger-out: with the ZD3 switched On and nothing connected to the trigger-out I have 11.4 V but this output is very weak: if I do connected a load of 30Kohm the output already decreased to 9V.

The 12V trigger spec should be:

For inputs:
  • tolerate at least up to 15V
  • treat anything above 3V as logical "1" and anything below 1V as logical "0"
  • draw between 1 mA and 10 mA of current for any input you interpret as "1" (1.5-3 kOhm input resistance)
For outputs:
  • Output logical 0 as below 0.5V
  • Output logical 1 as 10-12V
  • Provide at least 100 mA of current.
  • Handle short circuits gracefully
I do want undestand if the trigger-out of my unit is working or it's defective

Can somebody help me?

Thanks a lot
 
No problem. Tell us how it went.
Ok, so I hooked it all back together today after updating the ZD3 to firmware 1.06

Ultra to ZD3 via usb - ZD3 switch to OFF - ZD3 to V3 Monos with XLR - QED cables to Dali Oberon 5’s

The sound was good, and balance I’d say ‘nicer’ or ‘fuller’ (if that makes sense) than without the ZD3 in the chain.

The only thing I don’t understand is why I now have to have the ZD3 volume set to around 45, which is over 50% if the ZD3 maxes out at 80…..to achieve the same sort of volume level I was getting with the Ultra going directly to the V3’s with the Ultra volume set to about 28 (out of 100)

Have I lost some gain (or something) somewhere?

I’m still feeling my way through this so please forgive me if it’s a dumb question or observation.

Thanks.
 
Just a heads up, the Fosi ZD3 was reduced in price by $27 on Amazon. I purchased mine at the full price less than a week ago but when I asked Amazon about it they gave me back the difference. If you recently purchased it might be worth the 10 minutes to chat with a human at Amazon.com.
 
Ok, so I hooked it all back together today after updating the ZD3 to firmware 1.06

Ultra to ZD3 via usb - ZD3 switch to OFF - ZD3 to V3 Monos with XLR - QED cables to Dali Oberon 5’s

The sound was good, and balance I’d say ‘nicer’ or ‘fuller’ (if that makes sense) than without the ZD3 in the chain.

The only thing I don’t understand is why I now have to have the ZD3 volume set to around 45, which is over 50% if the ZD3 maxes out at 80…..to achieve the same sort of volume level I was getting with the Ultra going directly to the V3’s with the Ultra volume set to about 28 (out of 100)

Have I lost some gain (or something) somewhere?

I’m still feeling my way through this so please forgive me if it’s a dumb question or observation.

Thanks.
Don't bother matching those, it's just different.
 
I picked up a package of four 1 inch rubber feet made by Everbilt that fit perfectly under my Fosi ZD3’s somewhat small feet.
Screws not needed, just a spot of blue-tak putty
Keeps the Fosi firmly in place and probably helps further isolate it from any vibration better than the stock feet.
Under four dollars from the home improvement store store, marked anti skid rubber feet for furniture

Image.jpeg
 
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I have audio dropouts where listening when connected to a TCL TV with an Apple TV. No audio dropouts when using a Marantz NR1200 instead of the ZD3.
I am in contact with Fosi Audio support to help me. Here is the question I asked them : Is it possible to change the DPLL setting ?
So the Fosi Audio support team sent me 1.07 firmware with the highest DPLL value.
I installed it and tested, but the problem is not solved. I can hear audio dropouts like before.
It starts at around 1 minute after hitting play on the Apple TV remote and then appears almost every 5 minutes.
If there is no other solution, I will have to send the ZD3 back to Amazon.
 
Being an audiophile oriented product, I wish it had LDAC support, and a sub out, although the RCA out might work as a sub out, if it is volume controlled, and active at the same time as the XLR out.
 
Being an audiophile oriented product, I wish it had LDAC support, and a sub out, although the RCA out might work as a sub out, if it is volume controlled, and active at the same time as the XLR out.
I agree, LDAC would be good. I'm using USB mainly though. I can confirm RCA works simultaneously with XLR and is volume controlled. I have RCA to active subwoofer and XLR out to pair of V3 monos. Very happy with it all.
 
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