Fosi Audio ZD3 Balanced DAC Review

[Miser_Audioman]

I needed my SU-1 in another system, this seems to have the same performance and the preamp gives me the possibility to move a reduced system to the living room when the wife is on travel. The discount provided by Fosi made the sale for me, thanks!
As far as op amp swapping, seems way too subtle for my 54 year old ears to detect…

 

[JeffB1961]

got my ZD3 from amazon 2 days ago . only hooked up to the hisense H9G 65 using HDMi and no problems with the handshake and the remotes work across both devices . mine came with extra op-amps but no 7Th dial . i need to do the 1.06 update to fix the momentary echo every now and then but so far i'm very happy . i'm an audiophool not a audiophile so i'm not worthy to comment on it's sound . hahahaha .

 

[CedarX]

i'm an audiophool not a audiophile so i'm not worthy to comment on it's sound .

You said it all! Good DAC such as ZD3 are audibly transparent, and no comment on its sound is needed.

 

[Aivan]

I’ve been using the Fosi ZD3 DAC for a while now, and I’m really happy with its performance. I have it connected via USB to a Raspberry Pi running Moode Audio, everything works flawlessly—no pop sounds during startup or bitrate changes, and no sound dropouts.

I’ve also tested it with my LG TV via Toslink, and again, zero issues.

In terms of sound quality, the ZD3 delivers a well-defined output with a hint of warmth. I’ve paired it with both a Fosi ZA3 amplifier and an older Kenwood KAF-3010R. Surprisingly, I might even prefer the sound from the Kenwood; it has a certain character that’s hard to beat. However, the Kenwood is showing its age, so I’m planning to swap some op-amps on the ZA3 to see if I can achieve a similarly warm sound.

Overall, the ZD3 is a solid performer, I'm pretty happy with it.

 

[TonyJZX]

like we know the ESS IMD hump was a thing going way back but how is it still present in the normal current 9039???

strange

also i assume this is fixable in firmware???

 

[CedarX]

I’ve been using the Fosi ZD3 DAC for a while now, and I’m really happy with its performance.

Since it’s your first post, welcome to ASR!

Glad you like your ZD3… Now, be ready to be challenged on statements like this:

In terms of sound quality, the ZD3 delivers a well-defined output with a hint of warmth.

What does a “hint of warmth” mean for you?

A perception? That’s totally fine, but please give some hints, qualifiers, that it is your opinion, how you hear it, etc.

You believe that’s how ZD3 sound (“warm”)? What would be the measurable parameter(s) characterizing this? Is it because of a unique freq. response? Do you have data to support it? Is it because of some kind of euphonic distortion? Same thing, where is your data?

I’m planning to swap some op-amps on the ZA3 to see if I can achieve a similarly warm sound.

What makes you think that swapping op-amps will change the sound of the ZA3 amplifier? I know that Fosi is promoting this path in the case of the ZD3… But what subsystem inside the ZA3 will make the sound “warm” and how the op-amps are going to affect this?

To me, the only thing making a huge difference is: no op-amp = no sound. Besides that, please explain your findings bring your measurements, blind test results… or any other data supporting your claims about changing the sound of the ZD3-ZA3 chain.

Hope I don’t come as “exhausting” and steer you away from ASR (aka you can perfectly choose to ignore me and not reply!)

 

[Aivan]

It's all kinda subjective, isn it? Without any equipment, I could mesure joy for example. It's good 7.2 out of 10 units of joy on my Joy scale. In my system and in my badly acousticly treated room.

Jokes aside, I just wanted to briefly share my experience. It's more than a decent dac, it won't give you chills with how good it is, but it also will not disappoint. Kinda jack of all trades master of none thing.

But yeah, I'll go back to read only mode. Thanks.

 

[RCS]

This unit has had an intermittent audio "Echo". The latest 1.06 firmware fixes this. If you got your unit before December first I'd upgrade.

https://support.fosiaudio.com/attachments/token/yJRy6lhf3GWYzbZXXRN524vz9/?name=ZD3+Software+Upgrade+Steps-spdif_stable.rar

I haven't experienced the echo, but did update the firmware. Pretty straight forward process with my laptop.

 

[Miser_Audioman]

Mine arrived Saturday. I immediately updated the firmware, so no echo testing. I have tested rca and xlr outputs, and coax, toslink inputs. Tested in bypass and preamp mode. Zero issues for my use cases and it sounds great. It came with the JRA op amps, which apparently are lower spec than the installed ones… Review link I have 3 motorcycles in need of maintenance, so they will get my mechanical attention vs op amp swapping lol…

 

[Tks]

These guys picked up the slack that Topping left behind (they really don't like selling DAC-AMP combo's seemingly due to the more work required, and less profits on all-in-one devices such as them). Great work Fosi

 

[dpuopolo]

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio ZD3 balanced stereo DAC. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $179.99.
View attachment 408318
The ZD3 manages at the same time to look elegant/modern and cute! The choice of round display is smart as is displaying the level the largest in the center. Feature set is rich with inclusion of trigger in/out (for powering downstream amp/devices) and HDMI ARC:
View attachment 408320
It is especially nice to have "discrete" buttons on the remote to select inputs. Again, this lends itself to nice automation in addition to being easier to use than going in menus or sequential selection.

Fosi Audio ZD3 Measurements
Starting with balanced output, we immediately see signs of competent implementation:
View attachment 408321

View attachment 408322
View attachment 408323
It easily achieves transparency even in unbalanced output:
View attachment 408324

I am now able to measure HDMI ARC which nicely shows same performance as USB on ZD3:
View attachment 408325

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. Here is the dynamic range to indicate that:
View attachment 408326

Performance naturally improves a bit if we go to max output of nearly 5 volts:
View attachment 408327

Multitone performance is excellent and approaches state of the art where our hearing is most sensitive:
View attachment 408329
For compatibility with reviews elsewhere, here is the output with 50 Hz tone driven into unrealistic 600 ohm load:
View attachment 408330

There is some inconsequential jitter components as indicated by spikes near our 12 kHz tone:
View attachment 408331

Likewise, linearity is a hair off in one channel:
View attachment 408332

Only one default filter is provided which is just fine with me:
View attachment 408333
View attachment 408334

We see a hint of ESS DAC IMD Hump which is more than acceptable:
View attachment 408335

Wideband frequency sweep shows excellent response:
View attachment 408336

Conclusions
The ZD3 nails the look and importantly, feature set of what one wants in a low cost DAC. It provides full transparency with excellent noise and distortion. And makes this reviewer happy with such features as single button input selection and large (relatively speaking) volume level display. Company is clearly in tune with its customer needs. Its entrance is enriched by that knowledge and excellent engineering. Really, the growth of Fosi as a company in this desktop category is just amazing.

It is my pleasure to recommend the Fosi ZD3 balanced stereo DAC.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150

 

[dpuopolo]

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

I installed a Sparkos opamp in the RCA outputs. It is an improvement, though not "amazing" like so many exclaim. I hear a distinct improvement in the high frequencies (over 3 kHz) and I believe the soundstage might be a bit better. Is it worth it? For the cost of one opamp, yes - though I'm not sure I'd buy two more for the XLRs.

 

[pandasonic]

OLED is the incorrect choice for a static display. I will likely be unreadable within 6 months.

Martin

Also, the information displayed in the four positions on the circumference is so small it's unreadable from 5 feet away.. a device which has a remote is absolutely designed for use from longer distances. So this is annoying.

@Fosi Audio The remote's display button could work as a display toggle, to cycle between all the current information if short pressed (long press could then turn off the display). Also, when the input has been changed it would be nice if it is confirmed in large in the centre of the display (the volume value can be displayed again after 2 seconds).

 

[pandasonic]

FYI here's the user manual: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2251/7913/files/ZD3_User_Manual.pdf

If the input mode is set to "HDMI" then CEC can turn the ZD3 on/off. If set to another input it will only turn on/off automatically through the 12v trigger.

My questions and Fosi's replies are below. Hats off to them for a timely and meaningful response.

Questions:
*** Will the ZD3 turn on/off and switch to the HDMI input through CEC controlled by a television?
*** Can the ZD3 be set to switch automatically to any input with an active signal?
*** Can the ZD3 remember separate volume levels for each input?
*** Does the ZD3 have signal sensing both for turning on and for entering Standby mode?

1. Only in HDMI (ARC) Input Mode: Synchronized power control can only be initiated by the device sending the signal. The ZD3 cannot control the power of the output device synchronously.
2. You will need to switch modes either using the unit itself or the remote control.
3. It does not have a volume memory function for each input.
4. No, you can use the trigger output from an external device to turn on the ZD3 automatically.

I'm facing some HDMI-CEC issues with my new Fosi ZD3. @Fosi Audio, could you please help?

1.) When the ZD3 is on HDMI input, it does turn on when I turn the TV on, and it also does turn off when the TV is turned off, BUT AFTER 10 SECONDS the ZD3 switches on again, on it's own, automatically. I turn it off, manually using the Fosi remote, and it comes on again, 10 seconds later, without any reason.

I have to change the input using the Fosi remote to anything else, only then does it stay switched off. But this additional work and incorrect behaviour negates the convenience I was seeking when choosing the ZD3 for it's HDMI ARC and HDMI-CEC functionality.

2.) When the ZD3 is in HDMI input mode, it won't allow me to change the audio output from my TV. If I manually select any other audio output (optical, built-in speakers, bluetooth) from the TV using the TV's remote, after 1 second, it somehow switches the TV's sound output back to HDMI ARC.

I've checked all the settings on the TV and my streamer and they are correct.



Please let me know what to do or what I might be doing wrong. Thanks.

 

[pandasonic]

I tested my ZD3 by connecting my PC's motherboard DisplayPort via a DP to HDMI 2.1 converter to my LG 42C4 TV, and then connecting the TV to the ZD3 via HDMI ARC.

In this setup, the ZD3 does not display the sampling rate, even though the PC's sound source is 32-bit 192kHz. All sound output from the PC and LG TV through the ZD3 HDMI ARC connection works well, but it is limited to the TV's PCM output configuration. The sampling rate for the TV's embedded apps, such as Netflix and Apple TV, displays as 44 or 48kHz on the ZD3.

According to the HDMI ARC specification, it supports a maximum sampling rate of 24-bit 192kHz. However, I think this depends on the TV manufacturer's ARC configuration and the app's output sampling rate.

I prefer using a USB connection with my PC for sound clarity, so I just tested with HDMI ARC. The HDMI ARC input is useful for TV remote volume control, which is very handy. However, the DAC's full performance is limited by the TV's output configuration. Additionally, the latest firmware (v1.06) still has HDMI CEC issues (unintended power on with ZD3 and LG TV).

Tested Setup:

• PC HDMI or DisplayPort (via DP to HDMI 2.1 Converter) >> LG TV HDMI1 port
• LG TV's HDMI2 ARC >> ZD3 HDMI ARC

My current setup is as follows:

• PC >> ZD3 USB @ 384kHz
• TV >> ZD3 HDMI ARC @ TV's PCM 2CH output
• Chromecast Audio mini Toslink >> ZD3 Optical
• ZD3 RCA Output >> Tube Preamp RCA >> ZA3 RCA
• ZD3 XLR Output >> ZA3 XLR

I have an LG TV too and can confirm I'm having the same HDMI-CEC issue - ZD3 powers on automatically, unintended, even when the TV is off, @Fosi Audio.

I got my ZD3 exactly a week ago.

 

[pandasonic]

This unit has had an intermittent audio "Echo". The latest 1.06 firmware fixes this. If you got your unit before December first I'd upgrade.

https://support.fosiaudio.com/attachments/token/yJRy6lhf3GWYzbZXXRN524vz9/?name=ZD3+Software+Upgrade+Steps-spdif_stable.rar

Hi. I've also got this issue/heard this glitch.

I wouldn't necessarily call it an echo.. it almost feels to me like the speakers go from 100% simple stereo mode to 100% DSP induced surround mode.. my LG TV has something that produces a similar sonic effect; it's called DTS Virtual:X. Feels like the sound is coming from everywhere around me, mostly the high frequencies. It happens for a second and then returns to working normally, seemingly randomly.

I got my ZD3 unit a week ago and this was an issue that made me jump up the first two times I heard it. Almost like a glitch in the ...

From an engineering and technical point, I'd be really fascinated to hear or learn what is causing this and what exactly is happening..

 

[pandasonic]

This unit has had an intermittent audio "Echo". The latest 1.06 firmware fixes this. If you got your unit before December first I'd upgrade.

https://support.fosiaudio.com/attachments/token/yJRy6lhf3GWYzbZXXRN524vz9/?name=ZD3+Software+Upgrade+Steps-spdif_stable.rar

This is very strange. Should we be alarmed?!

Found this in a text file inside a "doc" folder, after extracting the firmware update RAR file you shared for the ZD3 - mentions of SPY TOOL.

Could someone explain, please.




TUSBAudio - Thesycon USB Audio 2.0 Class Driver for Windows

Revision History


-----------------------------------------------------
V5.68.0 (February 5, 2024)
-----------------------------------------------------

* Fix: Fixed a vulnerability in MSI installer, see CVE-2024-25376.
The MSI installer allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary
code with SYSTEM privileges via the msiexec.exe repair mode.

* Fix: Deadlock during wake up


-----------------------------------------------------
V5.62.0 (September 26, 2023)
-----------------------------------------------------

* New: API version 5.12

* New: Installer improvements

* New: update Spy tool

* Fix: unit descriptor parsing in audio control interface

* Chg: updated projects to Visual Studio 2022

* Chg: documentation


-----------------------------------------------------
V5.58.0 (March 28, 2023)
-----------------------------------------------------

* New: Installer improvements

* New: audio interface class code can be configured


-----------------------------------------------------
V5.57.0 (February 20, 2023)
-----------------------------------------------------

* New: API version 5.11:
- some API functions added
- up to 24 TUsbAudioStatsDevice and TUsbAudioStatsAsioHost in statistics struct supported

* New: fields on control panel info page can be hide via configuration

* Fix: USB buffer size was not correctly set after start and ASIO instance change

* Chg: TL-Installer 2.0

* Chg: version resources of the self-extractor for the .msi files are patched now

* Chg: ASIO instance selection in control panel is now only visible if more than one ASIO instance is configured

* Chg: clock source is now restored by default at driver start

* Chg: Spy icon updated

* Chg: switched to EWDK_W11_22000_210604

 

[alloallo]

This is very strange. Should we be alarmed?!

Found this in a text file inside a "doc" folder, after extracting the firmware update RAR file you shared for the ZD3 - mentions of SPY TOOL.

"It is a very powerful tool for measure the quality of audio data transmission via USB in the current hardware setup and software settings." https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...ents-of-new-topping-d50s-dac.7914/post-360194

 

[TonyJZX]

this has all the paranoia of being alarmed if your neighbor is running a wifi router with the name "FBI surveillance van"

If a company is brazen enough to name an app spy tool then they arent smart enough to actually do any real 'spy work'

 

[Graham849]

For us Aussies, alarm bells go off. ASIO is the spy/spooks organisation here...