Fosi DS1 Portable DAC & Headphone Amp Review

[amirm]

I mean technically. A "balanced" phones connection has four conductors, iiuc, so how do we use that with our devices that have only three? Does it work? I really don't know. And what difference in performance should be expected, if any.

The unbalanced output likely produces 2 volts which translates to quarter power at 300 ohm.

 

[sejarzo]

I have not noted the issue with my iPhone. I have not used it with Windows or Android.

Martin

Do you know how many steps are available on the volume control? I have the Tempotec Sonata Pro HD and there are too few for my liking. Thanks!

 

[Martin]

Do you know how many steps are available on the volume control? I have the Tempotec Sonata Pro HD and there are too few for my liking. Thanks!

Google AI says it has 60 steps but I haven’t found where it’s pulling that information from. I’ll check once I have it back.

Martin

 

[sejarzo]

Google AI says it has 60 steps but I haven’t found where it’s pulling that information from. I’ll check once I have it back.

Martin

Thanks because that's obviously many more than on the Sonata.

 

[Lieglein]

Can someone explain to me how it can be that the distortion in the singletone analysis is higher than in the multitone analysis?

 

[amirm]

Can someone explain to me how it can be that the distortion in the singletone analysis is higher than in the multitone analysis?

Multitone amplitude for each tone is lower so less distortion.

 

[jkim]

I’ve been enjoying the DS2 for a couple of months now, but of course would like significantly more power for challenging headphones. I’m just not sure if the DS1 is more powerful enough to justify a switch from the later model given how happy I’ve been in general.

I would not switch. Under 32 ohm loads, there is only a less than 2dB difference in max outputs. And the DS2 is a better device in terms of other performance measures except for the slightly lower max output. If you NEED more power, use an external headphone amplifier to obtain a meaningful difference.

 

[Jimster480]

These little DAC's have gotten to be so good. This looks to be similar to the FiiO KA13 which I use. Has a bit less power output but near the same measurements.
Gone are the days of Dongle DAC's only being able to drive IEM's.... these things can drive lots of full size cans!
Fosi has just been on fire with producing lots of affordable and transparent audio equipment.

 

[johny_2000]

The channel mismatch is something that really bothers me. I haven't seen this on other dongle DACs.

would have been better if Ch2 had the same performance as Ch1

@amirm This was not a random or instrumental measurement error, was it?

 

[amirm]

@amirm This was not a random or instrumental measurement error, was it?

It seemed to be the nature of the device. This sample at least. Ch2 has higher distortion and hence the lower SINAD.

 

[johny_2000]

It seemed to be the nature of the device. This sample at least. Ch2 has higher distortion and hence the lower SINAD.

Ok, thanks for confirming. I think @Fosi Audio should respond to that.

 

[Zek]

A "balanced" phones connection has four conductors

4 pin TRRS jack you connect it to the "balanced" 4.4 mm

In fact, a balanced connector has 5 connections on it.

 

[JSmith]

It is on kind loan from a member and is on sale for US $68.

Not bad at all. Thanks for the testing and to the member who kindly sent it in for review.

Pics;

JSmith

 

[mc.god]

In fact, a balanced connector has 5 connections on it.
View attachment 439985

ahahaha, you got me

 

[CedarX]

In fact, a balanced connector has 5 connections on it.
View attachment 439985

In case someone is tempted to play with adapters, the “Ground” is not always wired internally—don’t know in the case of the DS1…

 

[Multicore]

In fact, a balanced connector has 5 connections on it.
View attachment 439985

What is the ground for?

 

[MC_RME]

- Compatibility for balanced to unbalanced headphone adapters
- Giving ground (Pin 1) in a Pentaconn to 2 x XLR adapter cable
- Some more less important stuff...

 

[Fosi Audio]

Thank Amir for the detailed measurements and review.

 

[dtaylo1066]

$68 for this performance level. Standing O!

 

[johny_2000]

Okay, I believe in science and engineering, as I do. So I ordered the E1DA 9039S dongle to compare the performance.
Let's let the fun begin!