Fosi Audio ZD3 Balanced DAC Review

[Viriatusrex]

Mine still powers on unintentionally with 1.07 (given by Fosi email support).

Again, this is Sony A9G, AppleTV, and Fosi as connected devices using both TV or Apple Remote as system wide HDMI power down.

Not a problem with Yamaha receiver or Sonos soundbars or Monolith HTP-1 or even the WiiM Ultra (except WiiM Ultra had hum on one channel for me)

Probably, with more and more people buying the ZD3 there will be several gear that will show compatibility issues with the DAC after user feedback, (which in turn will ask for further firmware updates).
I dont know how much "beta testing" modern tech goes through nowadays before release, but I suspect that maybe it's getting similar to the gaming situation, where a lot of stuff gets rushed out the door to meet deadlines, and only gets patched later... not enough testing, except for our patience, sometimes..
But like i said, Fosi does seem to care in providing support, which sadly can't be said about many makers nowadays.
Hope you will solve your issues soon!

 

[NeLey169]

Has anyone tried replacing the burson V5i opamp for the fosi ZD3? Can you tell me how it feels?

 

[F1 Fan]

I’ve replaced the standard opamps for the Sparko’s .. I can hear a difference between the two. Once paired with my Apollon Audio Mono blocks, it will be great

 

[Amperage]

By the way: considering this is using an XU316, wouldn't a USB 3.X or C cable have been a better choice as an interface for the DAC, or would it not be needed due to audio data transfer speeds?

 

[ManniX]

By the way: considering this is using an XU316, wouldn't a USB 3.X or C cable have been a better choice as an interface for the DAC, or would it not be needed due to audio data transfer speeds?

Speed is definitely not an issue or an advantage.
The USB-C connector is much more fragile and the cable brings 20 more pins, that you don't need.
Those additionals voltage and ground pins most likely, if something, will bring more noise toward the DAC if the shielding of everything around is not perfect.
What you need is a decent cable and a good isolator/noise filter.

 

[DanTheMan]

It’s definitely inconsistent. I have found that the Apple TV may be playing a role. If I just have my Sony TV and I just have the ZD3 it seems to be OK.

I also swapped my HDMI cable on the chance that it was too short. Fosi asked me to send them a video, but the problem is that it’s inconsistent. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it powers on 30 seconds later. Sometimes it powers on overnight.

I asked Fosi support if the unit looks exclusively for a HDMI wake command or if it’s looking for a PCM signal. No reply yet.

So it even turned itself back on when I turned off while on the Bluetooth input…. I’m going to just connect it to a remote outlet like I do my powered speakers. It’s probably the easiest way to ‘fix’ the problem.

 

[ManniX]

So it even turned itself back on when I turned off while on the Bluetooth input…. I’m going to just connect it to a remote outlet like I do my powered speakers. It’s probably the easiest way to ‘fix’ the problem.

Probably the best... hopefully they'll fix it.
I have no use now for the HDMI ARC but you never know in the future.

@GXAlan is your AppleTV a 4K 3rd Gen or else?

 

[GXAlan]

Probably the best... hopefully they'll fix it.
I have no use now for the HDMI ARC but you never know in the future.

@GXAlan is your AppleTV a 4K 3rd Gen or else?

Yeah. Current model. The TV is the Sony A9G which is not that old…

More importantly, it works fine with every other CEC device I have used…

 

[ManniX]

Not sure that I've done it right, hope so.
Filter effect on the various PCM and DSD rates.

Measurements with 1k Sine wave, unsurprisingly best at PCM 768 kHz
More or less excellent in any case except DSD64 of course

Spoiler

PCM96

PCM176

PCM192

PCM352

PCM384

PCM705

PCM768

DSD64

DSD128

DSD256

DSD512

 

[Amperage]

Speed is definitely not an issue or an advantage.
The USB-C connector is much more fragile and the cable brings 20 more pins, that you don't need.
Those additionals voltage and ground pins most likely, if something, will bring more noise toward the DAC if the shielding of everything around is not perfect.
What you need is a decent cable and a good isolator/noise filter.

Thanks for the quick reply! So I take it there's no advantage or need for a USB 3.X or C connection to the DAC, with 2.0 being enough.

 

[NeLey169]

Speed is definitely not an issue or an advantage.
The USB-C connector is much more fragile and the cable brings 20 more pins, that you don't need.
Those additionals voltage and ground pins most likely, if something, will bring more noise toward the DAC if the shielding of everything around is not perfect.
What you need is a decent cable and a good isolator/noise filter.

I bought it for about $20 for a 1m A to B, is it good enough?

 

[Thighsofsteel]

View attachment 428324

View attachment 428325

I bought it for about $20 for a 1m A to B, is it good enough?

Only if you plug it in by following the arrows or you will to stone.

 

[ManniX]

I bought it for about $20 for a 1m A to B, is it good enough?

By the looks of it seems more than enough but it's hard to tell.
Whatever fancy and sturdy material you use, a simple bad soldering can make it worthless.
For sure is inspiring confidence.

 

[NeLey169]

By the looks of it seems more than enough but it's hard to tell.
Whatever fancy and sturdy material you use, a simple bad soldering can make it worthless.
For sure is inspiring confidence.

I don't know if the weld is strong or not, I bought the wire already made from the manufacturer.

 

[ManniX]

I don't know if the weld is strong or not, I bought the wire already made from the manufacturer.

You have to try, it's not a very well known brand,
Could be great for the price or could be worse than a cheap one.
It's not that difficult to make a proper cable but it's very easy to buy a bad one.
If the photos are truthful it's more likely that it's at least a decent cable.

The best thing is to buy an audio interface to test yourself, at least a Focusrite Scarlett.
At the end, saved a lot of money and headaches.

 

[rdaow]

I purchased ZD3 before Christmas, but unfortunately returned and purchased a competition product.
The reason was:
* problem with HDMI and my LG TV - the device was turning on by itself - Fosi would replace the product, but again it had to be sent back to them (in my case the place where I bought it)
* low trigger out current - it would not turn on my power amp.. I did not find the current specified anywhere before purchasing the product, I guess it was it was designed to power on the Fosi amps only
* problem with audio - reading other people reports on this forum, I updated the firmware to (I guess) 1.06, but had to pull out my old Windows laptop for this, i.e. lack of network firmware updates
Other than that, I was pretty happy with it, sound wise and the rest of the stuff. The trigger current was the main problem that made me to return it and purchase something else.

 

[maxliii]

Excellent results and priced well. Thanks for the extensive testing Amir.

I must say though, this really irks me and something I wish @Fosi Audio would take a step back from and just focus on making excellent audio products that stand on their own merit;

View attachment 408347

Fosi Audio ZD3 Fully Balanced Desktop DAC

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

fosiaudio.com

I mean really, now recommending op-amp swapping based on genre? Apologies for being a little negative here in a review thread, but I feel this needs to be called out.


JSmith

Why hold a negative view on swapping op-amp is negative?

 

[maxliii]

LDAC not supported (QCC3031) ?
About LDAC measurements BTW : https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-bc3-review-bluetooth-receiver-bt-codecs.23740/


View attachment 408349





View attachment 408350

Why does the LDAC supporting is vital?

 

[JSmith]

Why hold a negative view on swapping op-amp is negative?

Ask in this thread;

Serious Question: How can Op Amp rolling improve the sound of an already well measuring device? Are that many confused? (Master Thread)

On OP-Amps and Op-amp rolling Another contentious topic. Manufacturers of DACs and Amps often socket op-amps to allow people to swap them with different types, with the aim of improving the sound - or getting a different “sound signature” (Whatever that might mean to you). We get it. It’s...

www.audiosciencereview.com

JSmith

 

[maxliii]

It should be nice stack with two mono V3s.

But V3 mono is an amp, but this one is a DAC and preamp