Replace Marantz AV amp with DAC (Fosi or SMSL)?

[isimpson]

Hi all,
Looking for advice if I should update my simple TV audio setup, mostly to save space on the av amp I have as I am relatively happy with the audio quality.

Current setup:
- Source LG C3 TV
- Old Marantz NR1602 AV amp pre-amp out to speakers, HDMI arc to TV
- Genelec 8030a active speakers

I want to replace the amp with a DAC, looking at either the Fosi ZD3 or SMSL DO100 pro as both have HDMI arc input support.

Any advice on this kind of setup or does anyone have experience running Genelec active speakers directly from one of these DACs?

Cheers.

 

[bachatero]

I have the Fosi ZD3 and it's really good for what it does. However, I don't know how Genelecs would be specifically with it, but anything with XLR inputs would work similarly because the connectors and voltages are so well standardized. Hope this helps

 

[isimpson]

I have the Fosi ZD3 and it's really good for what it does. However, I don't know how Genelecs would be specifically with it, but anything with XLR inputs would work similarly because the connectors and voltages are so well standardized. Hope this helps

Thanks, if you don’t mind sharing what’s your setup with the zd3?

 

[ManniX]

I'm quite happy with the ZD3, would avoid SMSL.
The DO100Pro looks really good on paper but the company is a disaster.

The ZD3 had some issues with HDMI ARC but seems they were resolved.
Just looking at SMSL's product page makes me shiver:

Doesn't look promising at all...

Anyway switching from the Marantz to any of these with balanced XLR is probably going to be a decent upgrade.
Since the source is a TV the main constraint will be the quality of the content, you'll need to make an effort to find something to appreciate it.