Fosi Multichannel DAC coming!

[ppataki]

Not sure if this was posted here already, if yes please delete this one

Apparently Fosi is developing a multichannel DAC - finally!!!

No other details yet but if this had a SINAD of 120+ and balanced connection then it would fill the void nicely that @TOPPING left by suddenly discontinuing their DM7 multichannel DAC.....

There is still no affordable non-pro-audio alternative to that, so fingers crossed....

 

[90sNintendoKid]

I’ve been planning on buying an Okto Dac 8 Pro. I’m going to wait for this and see how it measures.

Thanks for posting!

 

[ppataki]

I am not sure if Fosi is represented here on ASR, if yes somebody please tag them on this thread since they might (hopefully) find our comments useful for their product development
I had two suggestions in my previous post:
- 120+ SINAD
- fully balanced connections

And 8 channels at least but I hope that is obvious when designing a modern multichannel DAC

 

[gvl]

Add DSP with PEQ and x-over please while you’re at it.

 

[90sNintendoKid]

Add DSP with PEQ and x-over please while you’re at it.

Even if there isn't dsp, I'm going to output a Wiim Ultra via usb to a Raspberry Pi 5 with CamillaDSP and then via usb to this Fosi dac.

I tested this chain but with a Fosi ZD3 and it worked. I even got bitrate auto switching to work on CamillaDSP and the ZD3 was confirming the bitrate change.

 

[FERCSA]

Nice.
During holidays I had so much time I started designing my own multi-channel(8-32) modular dac because there was limited offers on the market. Now with this news I questioning that should I proceed further?
Anyways I guess Fosi still needs at least half a year to bring this dac into the market. Good thing is at least multi-channel stuff getting some traction!

Add DSP with PEQ and x-over please while you’re at it.

Not gonna happen. It needs a huge FPGA and Fosi didn't have any experience with FPGA based systems. Other option is relying on solely the usb input then the xmos chip will do the heavy lifting just like how okto or the d50iii did. This is why I questioning the big lcd display(B, C). Not make too much sense here.

 

[fatoldgit]

I am not sure if Fosi is represented here on ASR, if yes somebody please tag them on this thread since they might (hopefully) find our comments useful for their product development
I had two suggestions in my previous post:
- 120+ SINAD
- fully balanced connections

And 8 channels at least but I hope that is obvious when designing a modern multichannel DAC

- Balanced XLR connections!!!! not TRS (we are home audio geeks not pro audio geeks)
- PEQ (on all inputs)
- Maybe 4 and 8 channel models (why should you have to pay for 4 channels you dont want)
- mains level IEC power input/internal PS and not some wall wart
- large case (to support XLR and internal PS) and also allows for a larger screen
- web based interface as an option for remote setup (makes it OS agnostic for those that don't have windows/android/IOS devices plus you can see the GUI on a large montior given PEQ settings can be complex )
- USB B connector as a option for USB DAC (not stupid little USB C)
- Analogue outputs to be free to be configured in any way (i.e. not some dedicate subwoofer stuff)
- make it a premium product and don't cut corners... this is a niche market so get it right

Peter

 

[MCH]

I am not sure if Fosi is represented here on ASR, if yes somebody please tag them on this thread

@Fosi Audio

 

[mdsimon2]

I just love how everyone requests every feature known to man in these threads, lol. But of course, I'll join in.

-Don't worry about PEQ
-Balanced outputs
-Some way to clock sync with an external digital input (ideally through SPDIF or AES)
-Ability to receive a digital input (again SPDIF or AES), process in a USB host and output the processed signal to analog, basically the USB/AES mode of an Okto dac8 PRO

Michael

 

[MCH]

-Some way to clock sync with an external digital input (ideally through SPDIF or AES)
-Ability to receive a digital input (again SPDIF or AES), process in a USB host and output the processed signal to analog, basically the USB/AES mode of an Okto dac8 PRO

Michael

I am afraid you'll have to explain that with drawings

 

[johny_2000]

Apparently Fosi is developing a multichannel DAC

What is meant by the term "multi-channel DAC"?

One source (e.g. USB or Optical/SPDIF for stereo input from PC/streamer) and multiple outputs that can be used for different speakers with individual assignments and settings. Basically like the concept of miniDSP 2x4 / Flex devices.

Or multiple input sources (e.g. Digital In1, Digital In2, Digital In3....Digital In8) then passing through a DAC with a separate output (e.g. Out1, Out2, Out3....Out8). Basically like the RME ADI-2/4 Pro Class Compliant multi-channel mode: "With USB connected all digital and analog inputs (6 channels) are routed to USB recording. In the same way USB playback will feed all outputs separately (8 channels). In 6/8 channel mode all I/Os can be used separately."

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Generally, the latter.

 

[johny_2000]

I had two suggestions in my previous post:
- 120+ SINAD
- fully balanced connections

Achieving 120+ SINAD requires modern DAC chips, best Op Amps, multi-stage power supply circuits and optimized multi-layer PCB topologies. Such DACs exist in stereo output formats from SMSL, Topping, Gustard, EverSolo, Matrix. But multiplying this topology for multiple channels, such as 4-8 outputs, will double or quadruple the BOM, PCB, and optimization costs, as well as the device size.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

- Balanced XLR connections!!!! not TRS (we are home audio geeks not pro audio geeks)

Lots of XLR -- or XLR/TRS combo -- connectors would seem to favor the larger form factor.

 

[johny_2000]

Generally, the latter.

As RME previously explained, the presence of several analog outputs requires the use of a corresponding number of DAC chips, because each of them is capable of producing only one stereo pair of outputs. And to achieve SINAD 120+ dB, you most often have to switch them to mono mode on one output, which doubles the number of required DAC chips.

In the block diagram above, as an example, you can see that there are only two analog stereo outputs (1/2 and 3/4, according to the number of DACs), the remaining outputs are in digital format (5/6 and 7/8).

 

[Kal Rubinson]

View attachment 421659
As RME previously explained, the presence of several analog outputs requires the use of a corresponding number of DAC chips, because each of them is capable of producing only one stereo pair of outputs. And to achieve SINAD 120+ dB, you most often have to switch them to mono mode on one output, which doubles the number of required DAC chips.

In the block diagram above, as an example, you can see that there are only two analog stereo outputs (1/2 and 3/4, according to the number of DACs), the remaining outputs are in digital format (5/6 and 7/8).

I am unfamiliar with the ADI but there are several with multichannel (digital) input and discrete multichannel (analog) output. Currently, the Topping, that the Fosi is supposed to replace, was one.

 

[galego100]

@Fosi Audio any news about 8 channel dac?

 

[Sokel]

I would add to make sure it has every protection known to man.
This thing will be the last thing the amp sees and it will have to deal with multiple level signals so will either contain a MC DAC or multiple ones probably and levels will be probably controlled by their onboard VC (guessing,cost wise) .A hard limiter won't be the worst idea.

Also channels must be readily exposed to Windows,Mac,etc without extra fiddling with independent volume control for each one.
SINAD-wise I would guess a decent 100-105dB would be more than enough if we're talking fosi prices and comparing them to the Topping interfaces with their 100dB SINAD as well at cheap prices I would guess that the ballpark would be similar.

 

[Honken]

I'll pile on the wish list:
- Add a few unbalanced outputs as well, many subwoofers only have RCA which is annoying.
- Doing PEQ and channel mapping onboard might be quite tricky with any normal sized DAC screen and menu system. Perhaps glean at the way Okto did it for some inspiration. Or just don't bother at all, it's a feature likely wanted by technically inclined users who most likely have other solutions for that part of the equation.

 

[chnan]

1. HDMI (eARC) input (but I only need stereo digital)
2. more Digital Inputs (spdif, aes), USB as daw
3. balanced out 4V, SE 2V, 120+ SINAD
4. PEQ (including HPF, LPF of linkwitz -12/24 dB/oct, at-leaset 4 bands EQ each channel), channel mapping
5. fader group (volume control over multiple channels)
6. USB control, but can work standalone
7. OCXO built-in
8. final price <= 500 USD