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

[tyanlion]

Does anyone know if I can just change only 2 of the op amps in the zd3? For instance if i change only the 2 that outgo to the xlr outputs and keep the rca as the stock op amps. I do not use the rca, so I can save money by only changing just 1. Will there be any issues if I do this?

 

[Aivan]

Does anyone know if I can just change only 2 of the op amps in the zd3? For instance if i change only the 2 that outgo to the xlr outputs and keep the rca as the stock op amps. I do not use the rca, so I can save money by only changing just 1. Will there be any issues if I do this?

Yes, you can. I did the same thing, no issues.

 

[Aisman]

Hi guys, @Fosi Audio, I can confirm that the firmware update (from v1.04 to v1.06) did not fix this sonic issue (glitch/echo) for me.

LG TV HDMI ARC to Fosi ZD3 HDMI input > RCA output to amp.

Day two of listening to/using it after the firmware update and I heard that glitch/echo on both days (once in about 2 hours of listening).

HDMI-CEC issues still persist too (turns on automatically some 15-20 seconds after I turn the TV off; doesn't stay switched off unless I change the ZD3's input to something other than HDMI; doesn't let me change the sound output on my LG TV to something else (internal speaker, optical, bluetooth) if the ZD3 is on and connected via HDMI).

I must definitely add that the Fosi Audio support team has been really good. Very responsive, very understanding, very helpful and genuinely seem like they care and want to help; unlike the sad state of affairs with most modern day tech and electronics companies.

When the ZD3 works, it's really good. The sound is way cleaner, clearer and well separated compared to the DAC I had before.

I have the exact same issue. FW 1.06 did not fix the sound glitch and the zd3 turns itself on again after turning off the tv.
LG TV -> ZD3 with HDMI ARC -> via XLR to 2 ZA3s

I really dont want to send it back, it sounds very good. @Fosi Audio can we expect further support with this? thank you

 

[bytek5]

I have the exact same issue. FW 1.06 did not fix the sound glitch and the zd3 turns itself on again after turning off the tv.
LG TV -> ZD3 with HDMI ARC -> via XLR to 2 ZA3s

I really dont want to send it back, it sounds very good. @Fosi Audio can we expect further support with this? thank you

Same here

 

[TheToby]

I have the exact same issue. FW 1.06 did not fix the sound glitch and the zd3 turns itself on again after turning off the tv.
LG TV -> ZD3 with HDMI ARC -> via XLR to 2 ZA3s

I really dont want to send it back, it sounds very good. @Fosi Audio can we expect further support with this? thank you

Ya I'm also still having issues on 1.06.

 

[Sleven]

I have the exact same issue. FW 1.06 did not fix the sound glitch and the zd3 turns itself on again after turning off the tv.
LG TV -> ZD3 with HDMI ARC -> via XLR to 2 ZA3s

I really dont want to send it back, it sounds very good. @Fosi Audio can we expect further support with this? thank you

Reach out to their support, I was sent a new Fosi ZD3 which fixed the LG TV issue.

 

[hyperknot]

How do you use the ZD3 with an LG TV on HDMI ARC? I'm not getting any output from the ZD3. On optical it works perfectly.
I turned off the CEC functionality to avoid that power on bug, but it shouldn't be related to the audio part, or is it? Do you use eARC? What settings do you put on the TV exactly? I have a LG G2.

 

[Guddu]

How do you use the ZD3 with an LG TV on HDMI ARC? I'm not getting any output from the ZD3. On optical it works perfectly.
I turned off the CEC functionality to avoid that power on bug, but it shouldn't be related to the audio part, or is it? Do you use eARC? What settings do you put on the TV exactly? I have a LG G2.

I think I saw on Amazon page them mentioned issues with LG tv.
I am also aware of ZD3 ARC issues with Hisense tv as well.

 

[hyperknot]

I've read it here that there are CEC related errors, but first I'd like to get some kind of sound out. It's totally mute.

 

[pandasonic]

I've read it here that there are CEC related errors, but first I'd like to get some kind of sound out. It's totally mute.

Could you explain in detail your whole setup and the settings and modes you have selected so I can maybe help you.

I have an LG TV with the ZD3 too. I get sound from both the HDMI and optical inputs. I do get some sonic glitches and echos while using the HDMI input mode that I don't get when using optical.

I also face the auto power on and HDMI-CEC issues with my LG TV and ZD3.

 

[GXAlan]

Reach out to their support, I was sent a new Fosi ZD3 which fixed the LG TV issue.

Which glitch? That it would turn on accidentally after a CEC power off?

 

[pandasonic]

Reach out to their support, I was sent a new Fosi ZD3 which fixed the LG TV issue.

Hey, same question as the previous post - which glitch did it fix with the LG TV?

 

[shorage]

Same issue here with 2 ZD3s. 2 different tvs via HDMI.
Short burst echo every 20 minutes or so. Went to upgrade firmware with ver 1.0.6 and noticed mine came with that version.

Have not noticed issue with opt or usb. Have not tried bt or coax.
Any word from FOSI? Really love it otherwise but this issue really kills the experience. I hope they look real hard at this issue.

Frank-

 

[GXAlan]

Same issue here with 2 ZD3s. 2 different tvs via HDMI.
Short burst echo every 20 minutes or so. Went to upgrade firmware with ver 1.0.6 and noticed mine came with that version.

Have not noticed issue with opt or usb. Have not tried bt or coax.
Any word from FOSI? Really love it otherwise but this issue really kills the experience. I hope they look real hard at this issue.

Frank-

They do have 1.07 out. If you email support they will send it to you. They gave it to me to try to fix the intermittent waking up (didn’t fix).

What TVs are you using? Would help to make a list. The ZD3 is 99% perfect except for these reliability issues.

 

[shorage]

Hisense and a sharp.

 

[shorage]

Hisense and a sharp.

They do have 1.07 out. If you email support they will send it to you. They gave it to me to try to fix the intermittent waking up (didn’t fix).

What TVs are you using? Would help to make a list. The ZD3 is 99% perfect except for these reliability issues.

Found a link for v1.07
https://support.fosiaudio.com/attac...CBx9NUB/?name=update_1.0.7_zd3_dpll_value.bin

 

[GXAlan]

Hisense and a sharp.

Do you have a Sharp made by Hisense or an actual Sharp made by Sharp.

Found a link for v1.07
https://support.fosiaudio.com/attac...CBx9NUB/?name=update_1.0.7_zd3_dpll_value.bin

Interestingly, the one they emailed me was just called: update_zd3_revert.bin

At least with my Sony, I haven’t had the echo issues… it just powers on by itself.

 

[shorage]

Do you have a Sharp made by Hisense or an actual Sharp made by Sharp.


Interestingly, the one they emailed me was just called: update_zd3_revert.bin

At least with my Sony, I haven’t had the echo issues… it just powers on by itself.

Hisense 75
Sharp Sharp 55

Can u send your firmware to me? I can hash em and see if their the same file.

 

[alloallo]

They send the firmware with highest DPLL setting to me but it did not fix the droupout problem. Contact them to if they have a solution for you. For me, no solution :
“I sincerely apologize, but there is no alternative. You can initiate a return, and we can offer you a discount if you need another product. We will continue to improve our products.”
So I had to return it (very easy via Amazon). Otherwise, I really liked the ZD3.

 

[shorage]

That is super disappointing. The ZD3 is really nice other than these stupid little issues, especially with HDMI, its key differentiating feature.
1.06 did not fix the echo issue for me. I am now trying 1.07. So far so good. will report.