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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
How do you use the ZD3 with an LG TV on HDMI ARC? I'm not getting any output from the ZD3. On optical it works perfectly.
I turned off the CEC functionality to avoid that power on bug, but it shouldn't be related to the audio part, or is it? Do you use eARC? What settings do you put on the TV exactly? I have a LG G2.

Found this on the LG site if it helps (http://kr.eguide.lgappstv.com/manual/w23_mr3/global/Apps/w23_mr3_us05/u_enga/settings.html#)


Using eARC Supported Audio Device

Settings
All Settings icon
Sound Advanced Settings eARC Support

eARC is a technology that can send and receive more sound information faster thanks to its wider bandwidth than that of the conventional ARC. You can enjoy TV sound with higher quality than ARC through a connected audio device.

  1. Connect an audio device that supports eARC to the HDMI (eARC/ARC) port.
  2. Go to Sound Out Use Wired Speaker and choose HDMI(ARC) Device.
  3. Set eARC Support to On.
 
Does anybody know if it’s possible to upgrade the firmware via a Mac?
 
OLED is the incorrect choice for a static display. I will likely be unreadable within 6 months.

Martin
My Nikon z6 was purchased in 2018 and its oled top display is just fine. Same with the z8 which is a couple years old now.
 
Has anybody been able to resolve the power on bug with a LG Tv?
 
Fosi say they have a fix, but the ZD3 needs to be replaced. I've sent mine to where I purchased from.thanks
Thanks, so it’s a hardware fix!
 
Looking to buy a new TV (TCL) so this shouldn’t be a problem anyway :)
 
Can confirm, no issues with my new TCL Tv.. unique to LG. And, installed a pair of Sparkos Opamps earlier;)
 
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After reading everything I could about DACs and streamers, I chose this one to be hub of my stereo home theater. Does anyone have any insight into what happens if I use the eARC CEC with just a stereo? Am I better off just using the optical connection and the devices remote for volume?
 
Got a ZD3 today to replace the Topping D50s which I need elsewhere.
Connected via RCA to a Yamaha AS-700.

It's a slight upgrade over the D50s, they both sound similar and extremely good to me.

The ZD3 was also a good occasion to use the Sparkos SS3602 op-amp which was taking dust.
Couldn't feel any difference replacing the factory one, as with the other DACs.
The ZD3 is a bit more clean, measurements with MTA against the D50s confirmed it.
Excellent with noise, the Scarlett interface noise floor limit gets hit.
Overall happy; same as the other DACs, I prefer the DSD256 output over PCM.

Good surprise the remote is supported by the Logitech Harmony database already.
 
Mine just arrived and my initial impression is very positive. Sounds perfect, looks great, feels great, and the HDMI/CEC works perfect right out of the box. LOVE it! Thank you @Fosi Audio! You guys are really bringing your "A" game lately and I appreciate it immensely.
 
Found this on the LG site if it helps (http://kr.eguide.lgappstv.com/manual/w23_mr3/global/Apps/w23_mr3_us05/u_enga/settings.html#)


Using eARC Supported Audio Device

Settings
All Settings icon
Sound Advanced Settings eARC Support

eARC is a technology that can send and receive more sound information faster thanks to its wider bandwidth than that of the conventional ARC. You can enjoy TV sound with higher quality than ARC through a connected audio device.

  1. Connect an audio device that supports eARC to the HDMI (eARC/ARC) port.
  2. Go to Sound Out Use Wired Speaker and choose HDMI(ARC) Device.
  3. Set eARC Support to On.
I don't have my ZD3 connected to my LG B4 but I have had many issues with HDMI CEC via my Denon, Apple TV, and PS5. More so with the Apple TV. On my Sony and Samsung tvs, no issues whatsoever. Searching online - tons of user reported issues with LG's handling of HDMI CEC.
 
Mine just arrived and my initial impression is very positive. Sounds perfect, looks great, feels great, and the HDMI/CEC works perfect right out of the box. LOVE it! Thank you @Fosi Audio! You guys are really bringing your "A" game lately and I appreciate it immensely.

What’s weird is that my HDMI CEC worked great day one and then a few days later is when I had problems. I still haven’t figured out why.
 
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