Fosi Audio is a Chinese brand that has been well known for several years among hi-fi enthusiasts for the excellent quality/price ratio of its devices, almost all positioned in the entry-level or budget segment (although over time the company has been moving toward more sophisticated equipment, hinting at a shift toward higher-end ranges). The company’s new releases always attract a certain curiosity among those who want to take their first steps into the world of hi-fi, as well as among those who more generally want to build systems for satisfying listening without putting too much strain on their bank account.
After testing the V3 mono power amplifiers with great satisfaction, we also had the opportunity to try the Fosi Audio ZD3, the flagship DAC of the Chinese brand, sold at a very accessible price (currently under 200 euros).
The ZD3, like many recent Fosi Audio products, was designed taking into account user feedback and suggestions, as well as opinions from major online forums. This is an innovative and very interesting approach that sets the Fosi Audio ZD3 apart from other DACs in the same price range.
The ZD3 is a fully balanced DAC based on the ESS ES9039Q2M chip, a mid-range solution also used, for example, in the Topping D50 III and the SMSL DO100. In the ZD3 this chip is paired with audiophile-grade electronic components and, thanks to careful design, achieves top-level technical parameters: SINAD: 126dB, THD: ≥120dB, Dynamic Range: ≥123dB. While in our opinion one cannot rely solely on technical data of this type to determine how good a DAC is, the fact that such high results have been achieved reflects the care with which the ZD3 has been built.
The ZD3 is small but at the same time quite solid and sturdy. On the front panel there are no real buttons, only a small OLED display on the left and the volume knob (in a distinctive orange color) on the right. By pressing the volume knob appropriately, you can turn the device on and off as well as access other functions. However, for this purpose it is certainly more convenient and practical to use the included remote control, which is simple but very functional. On the rear we find balanced XLR outputs and unbalanced RCA outputs, along with as many as 5 different inputs: USB, optical, coaxial, HDMI ARC, and an antenna for Bluetooth reception. This really pleased us: nowadays it is not uncommon to see even more expensive DACs limited to a USB input only.
But music enthusiasts often want to connect much more than just a PC or smartphone: CD players, DVD players, consoles, televisions and who knows what else, and having 5 inputs is in our opinion extremely convenient. Under the unit there is a small switch that allows bypassing the preamplifier circuit and using the ZD3 as a pure DAC.
By opening the device, it is possible to replace the operational amplifier with others having different characteristics to alter the sound performance according to personal preferences. This is a feature that will delight more hands-on users. On the Fosi Audio website, five possible op-amps are listed along with the effects they may have on the final sound. The stock op-amp, the LME49720, is described as warm and musical, and this is exactly the characteristic we noticed during listening tests.
Having previously tested some budget DACs based on ESS Sabre chips, we expected a slightly bright sound signature. On the contrary, the ZD3 is extremely musical, with excellent low-frequency extension and a remarkable level of detail. It sounds good with almost all genres, even with recordings that are not particularly outstanding, and it never becomes fatiguing. The soundstage, although not huge, is stable and believable. Only when compared with devices costing more than twice as much (HifiMan EF400/EF600, Ifi iDSD 2) do some limitations appear in terms of instrument naturalness or subtle vocal nuances, but overall considering its performance and very affordable price, the ZD3 seems to us without a doubt an excellent deal.
In conclusion, Fosi Audio’s flagship DAC impressed us greatly both for its sound performance and for its ease and flexibility of use. As with the recently reviewed V3 mono, involving enthusiasts and taking user suggestions into account during the design phase proved to be, in our opinion, a winning move. The so-called ChiFi invasion (low-cost, high-performance Chinese hi-fi) has flooded the market with many products that have fairly similar features and prices, making it difficult to navigate. However, the Fosi Audio ZD3, thanks to its “audiophile” design, its five audio inputs and its tweaking possibilities, stands out positively from the rest, and we can only recommend it to anyone looking for a DAC in the price range around 200 euros.
Full technical specifications of the Fosi Audio ZD3 DAC
- Chip: XMOS XU316 + ESS 9039Q2M + QCC3031 + LME49720
- Maximum Sampling Rate: USB: PCM 32bit/768kHz; DSD512 – OPT/COAX: PCM 24bit/192kHz – Bluetooth: PCM 24bit/48kHz
- Output Level: XLR: 5Vrms RCA: 2.5Vrms
- Input Mode: USB, HDMI (ARC), Coaxial, Optical, Bluetooth
- Output Mode: XLR, RCA
- SINAD: 126dB
- THD: ≥120dB
- THD+N: <0.00008%
- Dynamic Range: ≥123dB
- Noise Floor: ≤2μV
- Bluetooth Version: 5.0
- Bluetooth Connection Distance: ≥13m
- Bluetooth Transmission Formats: aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC
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