Fosi Audio ZD3 Balanced DAC Review

[jackdanyal]

Is it me or the DAC producess less power/vrms in preamp mode rather than bypass mode?

When I use it with ZA3 in preamp mode, I can get enough loudness on 45 out of 80 volume level (ZA3 on max volume). But when I switch ZD3 to bypass mode, I can get the same amount of volume when I put ZA3 volume know on 9 o'clock position. Bare in mind I use it with RCA cables (ordered XLR). What's interesting, Burson's preamp produces the same amount of power as ZD3's bypass mode. So, does it mean ZD3's preamp is weaker and Fosi did it intentionally? Or maybe I missed smth?

 

[jackdanyal]

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.

hey, I have the same issue, but not with Ultra, but rather comparing with different DAC (Burson Play 2)

 

[jackdanyal]

Don't bother matching those, it's just different.

how it could be different? It shouldn't be 2/4 vrms on every device should be 2/4 vrms. How is it possible that in one device we can get loudness with 25% of volume, but with Fosi only with 50%? there should be explanation of it. @Fosi Audio any idea what's going on?

 

[ManniX]

Is it me or the DAC producess less power/vrms in preamp mode rather than bypass mode?

I use the RCA output and bypass looks the same as volume at 80, max level, in non-bypass.
Didn't measure it but I hadn't any reason to. If there's a difference it's hardly noticeable.

 

[ManniX]

2/4 vrms on every device should be 2/4 vrms

I thought so as well until I started reading Amir's reviews

From the ZD3 review:
"Performance is noise bound. Competitors use 4.2 volt output which uses the best dynamic range of the audio analyzer. If Fosi had done that, it would probably extract another half a dB of SINAD."

I've seen up to 2.5/5.1 volt outputs in the reviews.

 

[taleoffice]

Have anyone tried to connect Wiim Ultra and Fosi ZD3? What connection do you use (usb, coax, optical or rca). What sounds the best and what cabel do you use?

 

[F1Fan72]

Have anyone tried to connect Wiim Ultra and Fosi ZD3? What connection do you use (usb, coax, optical or rca). What sounds the best and what cabel do you use?

I did..Simply USB ..

 

[Yersinia Bestmate]

Hello!

Does anyone know if Fosi ZD3 has an automatic on/off function when using usb input? Id est - does it power on when it detects input via usb and go to standby after a while once there's no input, like, for example, Topping E30II does?

edit: checked the manual, nothing there.

 

[F1Fan72]

Hello!

Does anyone know if Fosi ZD3 has an automatic on/off function when using usb input? Id est - does it power on when it detects input via usb and go to standby after a while once there's no input, like, for example, Topping E30II does?

edit: checked the manual, nothing there.

When I had one, only whilst using the trigger input

 

[Yersinia Bestmate]

When I had one, only whilst using the trigger input

Thanks!

Now I'm wondering if the ZD3 accepts 5V trigger or does it have to be 12V..

My preamp has only one trigger output which is currently in use for subwoofer amp and power amp with a splitter. It would be possible to power on the ZD3 with a usb-a-trigger cable but it only outputs 5 volts.

 

[F1Fan72]

Thanks!

Now I'm wondering if the ZD3 accepts 5V trigger or does it have to be 12V..

My preamp has only one trigger output which is currently in use for subwoofer amp and power amp with a splitter. It would be possible to power on the ZD3 with a usb-a-trigger cable but it only outputs 5 volts.

Look at post 232

 

[kauffman]

Have anyone tried to connect Wiim Ultra and Fosi ZD3? What connection do you use (usb, coax, optical or rca). What sounds the best and what cabel do you use?

i did
by coaxial digital cable (wiim ultra coax input for 24bit 192 settings) to ZD3 and from it RCA to fosi audio MC351
better sound against wiim DAC for sure in my opinion
cable coax from rocketfish high performance theater series
RCA focal ER1 cable

 

[Wmacky]

Did Fosi ever do any work to address the ZD3 displays brightness? Such as a dimming function or return to off memory? Secondly, I don't know if this is possible with a firmware change, but it sure would be nice to have a second display option when in Preamp bypass mode. It's a waste using all that display space on a non used volume indicator. Perhaps it could display the sampling rate / format in the center, and the input in the center while adjusting that? That stuff is just too small.

 

[ManniX]

Did Fosi ever do any work to address the ZD3 displays brightness? Such as a dimming function or return to off memory? Secondly, I don't know if this is possible with a firmware change, but it sure would be nice to have a second display option when in Preamp bypass mode. It's a waste using all that display space on a non used volume indicator. Perhaps it could display the sampling rate / format in the center, and the input in the center while adjusting that? That stuff is just too small.

No and there was never any indication they are willing to in the future.
Like all these very cheap products from China, the chances it will happen are slim to none.
As far as I know, they still haven't sorted out the HDMI ARC issues.
Just enjoy it like it is, keep your expectations low.

 

[F1Fan72]

No and there was never any indication they are willing to in the future.
Like all these very cheap products from China, the chances it will happen are slim to none.
As far as I know, they still haven't sorted out the HDMI ARC issues.
Just enjoy it like it is, keep your expectations low.

It was fixed in firmware 1.0.7

 

[ManniX]

It was fixed in firmware 1.0.7

Thanks for the info!

 

[komhst]

Did Fosi ever do any work to address the ZD3 displays brightness? Such as a dimming function or return to off memory? Secondly, I don't know if this is possible with a firmware change, but it sure would be nice to have a second display option when in Preamp bypass mode. It's a waste using all that display space on a non used volume indicator. Perhaps it could display the sampling rate / format in the center, and the input in the center while adjusting that? That stuff is just too small.

The bypass switch on the bottom of the device is just a hardware switch which bypasses (overrides) the volume control (attenuator) in hardware level. It doesn't interfere with the software. In fact the software doesn't "know" the actual position of the switch. That's why the software works exactly the same regardless the position of the switch. It still "tries" to control the volume although the hardware switch overrides the adjustment and sets the output to maximum.
I guess that the second display option when in preamp bypass mode you ask can not be implemented in a firmware update. Maybe it requires a redesign of the main board.

 

[ManniX]

I guess that the second display option when in preamp bypass mode you ask can not be implemented in a firmware update. Maybe it requires a redesign of the main board.

It doesn't necessarily have to switch automatically.
I'd be fine with a manual switch or even a different firmware to flash.
The input/codec info display with volume shown only on changes would be my preferred one even not in bypass mode.

It's pretty trivial to build a different UI and it wouldn't take that much effort.
But I understand Fosi, there's really no reason to do anything to push the sales of the ZD3.
It does have already a price/performance ratio which is outstanding and probably unmatched by competition.

 

[Wmacky]

It doesn't necessarily have to switch automatically.
I'd be fine with a manual switch or even a different firmware to flash.
The input/codec info display with volume shown only on changes would be my preferred one even not in bypass mode.

It's pretty trivial to build a different UI and it wouldn't take that much effort.
But I understand Fosi, there's really no reason to do anything to push the sales of the ZD3.
It does have already a price/performance ratio which is outstanding and probably unmatched by competition.

Yep. My idea is to show what ever is being adjusted at that moment in the center, then revert to sample rate in the center as default. For now were stuck with vol that many will never even use.

 

[ManniX]

Yep. My idea is to show what ever is being adjusted at that moment in the center, then revert to sample rate in the center as default. For now were stuck with vol that many will never even use.

Yes I think we all had the same idea more or less, it'd be so natural.
Let's hope @Fosi Audio will find some spare XP points for this development

But I guess, and I hope, they are working already on a successor model.
It'd be nice to have the same but less frugal, with options, LDAC, 5V/2.5V output and a real parametric EQ per channel.
Would be perfect to counter the Topping D50 III.