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

[Jakub]

Mine just shipped today. Just need to wait the week or two before they arrive. I can’t wait!

 

[RScheckmate]

(edited for compactness as per mods)
impressive two days shipment from China but now waiting for typical goofy Canadian Customs delay.

My Plan:
I will be testing this DAC on my desktop with Roon from my laptop USB out to the ZD3 then XLR into my ZA3 (original 5332 Op Amps) then to my Totem Dreamcatcher desktop setup with a Kef 10B sub. My comparison is vs my current OPPO105 USB input/XLR output for my "pre-amp/DAC" (OPPO105 is a discontinued audiophile grade Bluray with XLR out for mains)
I generally run high Res Flac files from Qobuz etc, upsampled as needed to 176/192 khz converted to 24 bit etc (Roon is awesome) ... with Parametric EQ after that, I generally can get a super sound for my near field setup. I have faith Fosi won't disappoint ... will report soon.

 

[Jimbob54]

ok I'm "waiting patiently" lol
It was a decently quick few days shipment from China, then a typical goofy Canadian Customs delays ... hope their is no duty fees (shouldn't be any).

My Plan:
I will be testing this DAC on my desktop with Roon from my laptop USB out to the ZD3 then XLR into my ZA3 (original 5332 Op Amps) then to my Totem Dreamcatcher desktop setup with a Kef 10B sub. My comparison is vs my current OPPO105 USB input/XLR output for my "pre-amp/DAC" (OPPO105 is a discontinued audiophile grade Bluray with XLR out for mains)
I generally run high Res Flac files from Qobuz etc, upsampled as needed to 176/192 khz converted to 24 bit etc (Roon is awesome) ... with Parametric EQ after that, I generally can get a super sound for my near field setup. I have faith Fosi won't disappoint ... will report soon.

"Your package has shipped from the originating country and is en route to its destination.
2024-10-20 07:38:11 (GMT-06:00) 2024-10-18 18:32 Canada,
"The bill of lading on which your parcel is located has not been released by the customs, please wait patiently."
2024-10-17 19:44 Canada, Your parcel had been recovery from Airline
2024-10-17 01:53 CN, International flight has departed
2024-10-16 21:43 CA, International flight has arrived
2024-10-16 18:46 CN, Arrived at the origin international airport
2024-10-16 15:16 Mainland China, CN, Shipment is in transit to next facility
2024-10-15 07:32 Mainland China, CN, Departed from sort facility
2024-10-15 07:26 Mainland China, CN, Arrived at origin facility
2024-10-14 12:01 Shipment information received"

Not sure the membership need the detailed tracking info from your shipment thanks .

 

[Jakub]

Mine just says “USPS awaiting item” for tracking. Cannot wait for this. My UMK-2 mic came in and I just bought the Dirac Live multi + bass license.

 

[Parky]

I have had mine for two days hooked up to hdmi arc and then to a za3. It seems that even though hdmi arc can change volume and turn off the dac zd3 and then using 12v trigger. But the arc does not turn on the zd3 does any know if this is a known issue?

 

[joqueval]

I have had mine for two days hooked up to hdmi arc and then to a za3. It seems that even though hdmi arc can change volume and turn off the dac zd3 and then using 12v trigger. But the arc does not turn on the zd3 does any know if this is a known issue?

I think it will depend on the device and cabling configurations.
In my case with a Samsung TV, I made the connection with a wonderful HDMI compatible with 8K and 120 HZ and I got no sound.
I changed the cable for a standard HDMI and the connection worked ok.
On some video platforms it has presented some silence solved by changing the platform.

 

[am_dew]

I got mine a couple days ago. So far it sounds good. My setup is:

Amazon Link (coax out) > Fosi ZD3 (coax in) -> ZD3 RCA out (bypass mode) -> Kenwood KA-7300 integrated amp AUX input -> KA-7300 pre amp RCA output -> Fosi V3 Stereo -> custom made JBL speakers (15" D130 and JBL 075 tweeters)

I am using the ZD3 in place of my Schiit Modi 3 DAC. The ZD3 is very similar sounding with a very slight increase in upper mids and maybe a little less low end compared to rhe Schiit. But I like the ZD3 better since it also has Bluetooth, unlike rhe Schiit. One less component to clutter up the space and connections.

 

[mags65]

Happy surprise - got mine today and it turns out I was so early that the VOL20 was included.

 

[froyo]

I also received mine today, but I have a rather frustrating issue with it. I bought it mainly for the HDMI ARC feature, but if I use it with my LG CX TV using ARC, when I power it off, it would power itself on after a few seconds. If the Auto Power Sync option is enabled on the TV, it would power on the TV as well, after I've just shut it down. The only "solution" seems to be that I need to change the input to something else, like Optical before I shut down the DAC so that it stays shut down.
@Fosi Audio, is this a general issue or is my unit defective?

 

[RScheckmate]

(edited for compactness as per mods)
impressive two days shipment from China but now waiting for typical goofy Canadian Customs delay.

My Plan:
I will be testing this DAC on my desktop with Roon from my laptop USB out to the ZD3 then XLR into my ZA3 (original 5332 Op Amps) then to my Totem Dreamcatcher desktop setup with a Kef 10B sub. My comparison is vs my current OPPO105 USB input/XLR output for my "pre-amp/DAC" (OPPO105 is a discontinued audiophile grade Bluray with XLR out for mains)
I generally run high Res Flac files from Qobuz etc, upsampled as needed to 176/192 khz converted to 24 bit etc (Roon is awesome) ... with Parametric EQ after that, I generally can get a super sound for my near field setup. I have faith Fosi won't disappoint ... will report soon.

Summary:
In short...this a great Preamp/DAC!


I received mine today... (no wireless volume but extra op amps and special knob). I set this up and my initial impressions are very positive with original op amps.
I hear little difference vs my past setup via my OPPO105 USB in...and that is a good thing... because my past setup was fabuluos to me. I now go from my Laptop USBC out to ZD3 then XLR to the ZA3. I set my laptop volume about 10-30%, ZA3 at 3 oclock and ZD3 volume to balance . This setup is all the power I ever need through my Totem Dreamcatchers and Kef 10B sub...easily push over 100dB in my near field which is too loud for me to sustain. Remote control works great. My laptop audio output has been set to 32 bit 384 Khz (my max). When my Laptop/ZD3/ZA3 sound levels were all set to 100 there is zero noise or hiss from any speaker when playing with ZD3 voluem from 0-80 (which is max)

I setup my ZD3 on the bottom with the ZA3 on top ... think it's better for disappating ZD3 heat (which is very modest) ...

No Laptop issues at all (using USB in and tested some Bluetooth..received as APTX on dsiplay from my S24 Ultra) (slight very very small sound soft pop on switching back to USB). I have ZD3 trigger-out connected to ZD3 trigger-in works like a charm for both units via remote or long press on ZD3 volume...only a quick few seconds to turn sound on get laptop back connected again with audio.

All my test tracks sounded super. Most were high res and at least FLAC 44.1/16. This desktop setup easily matches my enjoyment versus my Kef LS50II/10b listening room or my Focal Electra/Devialet D-Premier main room. It's just awesome and such a lovely small footprint for my Den.

There is no Shrillness from my Dreamcatchers...I am thinking the sound detail did come down a little in detail/crispness from my past setup but it's subtle and actually still sounds great to me . I think this is a better setup for extended listening and less fatigue in my desktop for listening for hours on end. This setup is "SMOOTH" and "PUNCHY" if I had to describe it. I would not say it's as super crispy detailed as my OPP105 DAC but that could still be power supply and an op amp tweak away. I also would say lower frequency response is more pronounced than my past setup (turned down my sub to balance some tracks vs what I am used to.)

When playing through Roon I adjusted max upsampling rate to 768kHz/32 bit (OPPO was lower at 384)

1. Norah Jones' "Don't Know Why" had no shrillness when she starts in each phrase...sounded sweet.
2. Tin Pan Alley (stevie RV) was clean and smooth and I'd say fast/responsive... to me the ZD3 sounded smoother than my OPPO but still with good detail. Bass was full and the Kef 10B carried alot of relative weight sv past setup.
3. Hotel California (live MTV '94) was as fun as always ... separation was great on opening ... well balanced
4. No Sanctuary here was just awesome.
5. Long After You're Gone (Chris Jones..) was warm and carried a deeb bottom end . Very enjoyable
6. Closer (Ane Brun) was soft and her breathy voice was easy to listen to (not shrill)
7. La Vie En Rose (Halie Loren) had her central voice very clearly annunciating her lyrics with no shrill at all....and with full deep base. Piano was balanced wide .
8. Du sk fa Lov (Sofuia Karlsson) was the good test for her unique female voice on the intro with black backgroundof nothing but her slight echo inbetween phrases .. super.
9. Keith Don't Go (Live) was clear and precise and when his vocal came in it sounded warm and the high guitar at 3:20 was clear and easy to listen to.
10. Duende (Bozzio Levin Stevens) intro was next. I get more punch and clarity in my Focal Electra 1028's plus subs with Devialet D-Premiere but thats expected . Throgh my desktop little Totem speakers its was very well balanced. That is word that I keep coming back to.
11. Fever (Music Nuda) ... could listen to this all day . Clear voicing and intruments .
12. Money For Nothing (Album Version) ...when cracked on intro like everyone does ...was just fun. The guitar start at 1:35 was super...as was the drum and base intro following. Rocks sounds like Rock should !
13. Heaven (MTV unpluged Bryan Adams) was clear and echo-y on opening. The acoustic guitar sounded great.
14. Autumn Leaves (Tony O'Malley) intro piano was beautiful and open. His voice on entry was detailed and clear. Sound was very very good also via Bluetooth APTX !
15. Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd) source at 196/24 on Roon pushed out on bluetooth APTX from S24U was perfect (plenty loud too btw) ... . I'd say just slightly better via USB ! Bluetooth sounded that good.
16. Main Theme (from Crimson Tide .Till Bronner) was beautiful and powerfully orchestric if thats a word (I'm a trumpet player and his trumpet sounded once again smooth)
17. Lovely Day (Bill Whithers) had a clear distictive into and each instrument was clearly separate in each channel ...Lovely!

I Can See Clearly Now By Holy Cole sounded absolutely excellent ... I ended with that ...and smiling

Overall I think the quality of sound is excellent in thsi setup ... I think the new ZD3 DAC vs my OPPO 105 is an excellent desktop change for me. To me it seems like a shift towards more smoothness vs super detail which I am very much ok with. Stereo separation was not issue in my near field setup. There was less fatigue in the sound vs what I had prior for sure. I wonder if more destinctive Op Amps are worth the cost. The experience now is new and refreshing so I need to let it soak in for while longer before deciding. For the value and clean desktop setup this ZD3 is a fantastic pair with my ZD3

Now for some linear power supplies and possible an op amp switch in my ZA3 I would think that would be more helpful first vs the ZD3 .. .tell me if that is the wrong assumption.

 

[Jakub]

Mine just came in. Quite an upgrade from my Dennon S920. I paired it with Fosi Audio V3 mono amp. Only thing left is to get Dirac Live working, which hopefully will be soon.

 

[Snuffalo_Bill]

For people who have the unit: how does the screen look? Are there brightness settings?

 

[froyo]

For people who have the unit: how does the screen look? Are there brightness settings?

No brightness settings as far as I can tell. You either leave it on by default or turn it off from the remote. I think that by default the screen is a little too bright and it may impact the oled screen in the long rung so I turn it off after I set the volume. Unfortunately every time you change the volume / inputs, it will turn itself on.

 

[TonyJZX]

yeah i suspect dead screens are a possibility.... i think the screen is largely a waste given you could probably have done the same thing with a row of leds...

 

[Parky]

Happy surprise - got mine today and it turns out I was so early that the VOL20 was included.

View attachment 401513

I just missed that but I did the kickstarter for it.

 

[GXAlan]

I think it will depend on the device and cabling configurations.
In my case with a Samsung TV, I made the connection with a wonderful HDMI compatible with 8K and 120 HZ and I got no sound.
I changed the cable for a standard HDMI and the connection worked ok..

With your Samsung, does the hdmi CEC volume and power on and off work? What year is your Samsung?

 

[mags65]

Have been testing out mine over the last couple of days - swapping out the RME, not other changes. One disconcerting thing is a quite audible POP at the start of tracks when the source material changes format between tracks. Happens randomly and not every time. Any one else notice this?

 

[joqueval]

With your Samsung, does the hdmi CEC volume and power on and off work? What year is your Samsung?

Hello.
The HDMI-eARC works ok. It turns the ZD3 on and off.
I have it connected via HDMI and optical in case any video platform has a problematic codec.
I think it's a 2023 model - QE65Q75BATXXC

 

[skcheng]

My ZD3 and ZA3 amp arrived today. Haven't unboxed everything and this was ordered before I purchased the RMD ADI-2/4 PRO. Just having too much fun listening to tunes with my dongle and new Mega-5EST IEMs.

 

[JimBean]

Mine arrived today. Came with a 4XL tshirt. Not all of us Americans are that big, Fosi. Also got 3 OpAmps, not sure what to do with them. Sell em, I suppose. Haven't hooked it up yet, will do so this afternoon. DAC feels nice, similar build quality as the ZA3.