Fosi ZD3 -Balanced DAC (ESS 9039Q2M) - First Look!

[Guddu]

 

[Guddu]

forgot to add.... STUNNING!

 

[fredreadrick]

Any release update on this?

 

[Rednaxela]

Looks nice, but the world needs DSP!

 

[TonyJZX]

fully size usb is a choice

the hdmi is a good thing since it seems ESS seems to be allergic to hdmi

i'm guessing $199?

i'm hoping the BT supports current codecs

 

[Guddu]

Fosi have just released ZD3 product page, with loads of information:

Fosi Audio ZD3 Fully Balanced Desktop DAC

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

fosiaudio.com

@Fosi Audio Some additional information might be helpful on the product page:

The product page has loads of information, however adding the following might be helpful as well:

• Does HDMI ARC input works with HDMI 2.1 eARC connections as well> This might be important as all new TVs now have HDMI 2.1 eARC than normal ARC.
• Does HDMI ARC input support volume control by TV (or TV remote)?
• Does Oprical input support volume control by TV (or TV remote)?
• "USB compatible devices" section is missing Android, it might be useful to confirm if it works with android.
• BYPASS mode - It is worth mentioning what does it bypasses, like pre-amplifier section, volume control? Will ZD3 have same output levels in BYPASS mode?

 

[TonyJZX]

not kickstarter?

my question would be that given this is one of their first products like this... would you compare it to the competiton... mainly SMSL who are more established in the dac market?

 

[Saponetto]

Disregarding about performances, have to say... latest Fosi style management is a -big- leap forward.
Great look and feel, imho.

 

[avdoc]

I can't wait for the reviews on this! I need a balanced DAC/preamp to pair with my V3 monos. I'm holding off purchase and am hopeful the ZD3 will fit the bill. I also have ZA3s, and like that it matches them.

 

[TonyJZX]

Bonuses for the pre-sale event:
1. 20% Early Bird Discount
2. 3 pcs of 4580D op-amps
3. 7th Anniversary Fridge Magnet
4. 7th Anniversary Custom ZD3 Knob
5. VOL20 Wireless Volume Knob


this seems like amazing value

$179 rrp

$143 on discount... i mean you'd be crazy NOT to buy it????

 

[Snowzy]

@Fosi Audio

Hello, based on the description, it is cool

Ideally, I would like to have an EQ added, for example through an app.

Personally, I always need to fine-tune the sound to my preference

 

[VintageFlanker]

View attachment 388829

@Fosi Audio understood how to properly display the volume : big, clear and readable from a certain distance, way more important than sample rate, or input selected. What SMSL took quite a long time to figure (and what's still not fixed with certain DACs of them).

 

[KaeliKoo]

I would not expect the ARC input to support eARC as this price point. Another miss is no LDAC support, only Apt/x HD. The display and form feature of the ZD3 is very appealing, totally agree it blows most SMSL displays at same price completely away.

 

[TonyJZX]

well you have to accept the styling and the fact they have to fit it into Fosi Z footprint

if not then you can go with the boring staidness of the DL200... which is fine... like I have no objection to boring black boxes that do the job

i believe the BT chipset is the standard QCA3000 which tapes out at AptX HD

they should have gone with the 5000 that adds LDAC but eh.... its an edge feature i dont care about

 

[SMen]

Bonuses for the pre-sale event:
1. 20% Early Bird Discount
2. 3 pcs of 4580D op-amps
3. 7th Anniversary Fridge Magnet
4. 7th Anniversary Custom ZD3 Knob
5. VOL20 Wireless Volume Knob


this seems like amazing value

$179 rrp

$143 on discount... i mean you'd be crazy NOT to buy it????

It is coming up as rather more expensive for me ...

 

[TonyJZX]

ahh i think $215 is the standard non pre order price

$179 / $216 = ~ 80%

still $179... I will probably preorder

its the cheapest 9039

 

[Guddu]

Someone pointed me to a youtube pre-release review, and it was kind of disappointing to me.
Hope this product is better than what he showed… Thambaar!

 

[Fox _ Mulder]

 

[avdoc]

Can't wait to get everyone's thoughts on this. I'm planning to purchase 19SEP unless someone feels there are better options for about the same price.

 

[TonyJZX]

i'm absolutely fine with this

like it has everything i'd expect for $215 and it has those classic Fosi idiosyncracies like... we give you replaceable op amps but you have to dismantle it down to atomic level to install them!

as i say i dont care about op amps anyway

but everything else looks fine for the money

the competiton is the DL100/DL200 and the various SMSL units at $200 like the D6S whatever

i would kind of rather waste my $179 with Fosi then other companies right now

SMSL looks like a cold hard industrial design, which is ok but I like the silly sort of design flair Fosi is doing right now

ALSO since pre order addons like the BT Vol knob... I mean... you may as well...