Fosi ZD3

[OldJBL]

I figured I would start a new thread since there isn't one dedicated to the Fosi ZD3 DAC. I purchased one for $152 shipped to my door and have been running it through its paces for about 14-15 hours. I won't go through all of its features but it has HDMI ARC, optical, coax, USB and Bluetooth connections, XLR outputs, remote control and volume control via the remote and volume knob. I like that the remote has dedicated buttons for easy, fast access to each input and that the display can be turned off. There is a switch to defeat, and bypass, the volume control if desired. Build quality is very good and on par with the ZA3. In fact, the ZD3 appears to have the same basic design, along with the same width, depth and height dimensions as the ZA3.

I am fairly new to the world of DACs. For the past couple of years, I have been using a SMSL C100 which I purchased as an economical way to connect digital sources to my vintage receivers and integrated amps. Through using the C100, I have come to know the value a DAC can bring to the sound quality of a system. I bought the ZD3 because I am using a pair of ZA3 amps in mono mode and it seems like these components were designed with each other in mind. I have found the ZA3s to be an incredible value and they punch way above their price point. Also, Fosi has been on a roll lately and the ZD3 has received good reviews.

As for my review of the ZD3, it didn't take long to figure out it is a much better DAC than the C100. I am using the XLR connections and this is likely part of the reason for the better sound quality. The ZD3 has a great sound stage which extends out beyond the speakers (JBL L100t3s) in width and height. It is as if the speakers' location can't be pinned down definitively. There is also somewhat of a depth aspect to the sound. The imaging is very good as is the detail. The SQ seems to have a slightly warm texture to it and isn't at all fatiguing. I don't plan on swapping the stock op-amps for the JRC ones Fosi provided as an option. Overall, I am very pleased with the the ZD3 as it is a substantial upgrade over the C100. Fosi really has a winning combo with the ZA3 paired to the ZD3. I would expect it to perform just as well with other pre-amps/amps. If there is one thing I don't like about it then it would be the screen. About the only thing it is good for is indicating the volume level. Any other information is presented in text that is too small to be seen from any more than a couple of feet away. Luckily, the remote makes up for this by allowing direct access to choosing each input and other functions.

To summarize, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the ZD3 to those who are looking for a very good DAC at a very good price point. I think this DAC could even fit into systems that are well above its price point. Especially considering it has swappable op-amps to mold the sound to personal taste.

Edit: Below is a link to a very thorough testing of the ZD3 where it scored quite well.

Fosi Audio ZD3 Balanced DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio ZD3 balanced stereo DAC. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $179.99. The ZD3 manages at the same time to look elegant/modern and cute! The choice of round display is smart as is displaying the level the largest in the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[SWL3600]

Glad to hear that you're liking it. I love mine. It's a perfect match with the ZA3 but it's also worked great with every other amp/preamp combo I've tried it with.

 

[OldJBL]

Glad to hear that you're liking it. I love mine. It's a perfect match with the ZA3 but it's also worked great with every other amp/preamp combo I've tried it with.

It has well exceeded my expectations. It is just another purchase that I have made the past year that shows Fosi, and a few others, have really upped their game over the past two years. I have less that $400 into the two ZA3s and the ZD3. The level of sound quality for these three components is incredible.

 

[RVT1K]

I have two Fosi V3 stereo units and am very happy with them.

I'm currently using a Schiit MODI DAC but the ZD3 looks really nice and is priced low enough to make experimenting enticing..

Any thoughts on why they went with the old-school-printer USB input? Simply more robust than the USB-C?

 

[OldJBL]

I have two Fosi V3 stereo units and am very happy with them.

I'm currently using a Schiit MODI DAC but the ZD3 looks really nice and is priced low enough to make experimenting enticing..

Any thoughts on why they went with the old-school-printer USB input? Simply more robust than the USB-C?

I have seen this as a reason it is still being used. There are no royalties for using USB C so cost isn't an issue. Fosi does provide a fairly long cable in the box. In the past, I too mostly saw this connection used on printers for some reason. Out of curiosity I did a Google search on why USB B connections are used. The results are below.

• Stable connection
  USB Type-B connectors are used for devices that require a stable connection, like printers and scanners.
  
• Prevent incorrect connections
  The unique shape of USB Type-B connectors prevents users from connecting two host devices together, which could damage hardware.
  
• • Durable
    USB Type-B connectors are more durable than USB Type-A connectors, and can withstand more plug-unplug cycles.
    
  • Universal cables
    Most printer USB cables are universal, with a USB Type-A connector on one end and a USB Type-B connector on the other.
    

USB Type-B connectors are also used for other devices that require a stable connection, such as:

• • Musical equipment like synthesizers, mixers, and MIDI controllers
  • External hard drives
  • Industrial equipment in factories or medical labs
  • Networking hardware like network switches and routers

 

[Gigantic]

I'm curious if they designed it with op amp rolling in mind, like the ZA3. I'd be tempted to pick one up for my 2nd system, if that was the case. Like you, I'm quite pleased with my ZA3.

 

[OldJBL]

I'm curious if they designed it with op amp rolling in mind, like the ZA3. I'd be tempted to pick one up for my 2nd system, if that was the case. Like you, I'm quite pleased with my ZA3.

You can roll the op-amps. There are three in total. For me, it sounds great out of the box so I don't plan to change them.

 

[Apreggiator]

The Fosi ZD3 is a very good affordable DAC. The user interface is also well thought out, and the included remote nice. I think that it gives it a mark above it's competitors (there sure are many DACs out there..).

And as already stated; Yes, you can roll op-amps!
I'm not decided on the topic, think that Fosi did a good job with the standard op-amp chips in the ZD3.
I'm inclined to look at the op-amps that top scoring DACs use, your rolling experience is welcome.

P.s. Also good to know is that the DAC chip (that you cannot replace without serious surgery to the DAC of course..) is the ESS 'Sabre' ES9039Q2M.
ESS posted their chip specs here: https://www.esstech.com/products-overview/digital-to-analog-converters/sabre-audiophile-dacs/

P.p.s; Edit: Fosi's own take on the subject:

Fosi Audio ZD3 Balanced DAC Review

Looks like it is only a matter of time (hopefully short) before Fosi releases a matching headphone amp to pair with this in terms of looks. Probably the most improved brand in term of price:performance:looks:function

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[SWL3600]

The only thing I dislike about this DAC is the display screen. In my room....actually both rooms, because I bought a second one I liked it that much....it's too bright and distracting. You can't dim it but luckily you can disable it and that's what I do 100% of the time.

 

[OldJBL]

The only thing I dislike about this DAC is the display screen. In my room....actually both rooms, because I bought a second one I liked it that much....it's too bright and distracting. You can't dim it but luckily you can disable it and that's what I do 100% of the time.

I disabled it immediately after I looked at how it operates. Since most of my content is played through the computer and I use its volume control and only use the DAC volume control when playing CDs from my Denon DVR 2910 player. Another reason I leave it off is that the less it is used, the less chance of it having an issue down the road.

 

[SWL3600]

It has well exceeded my expectations. It is just another purchase that I have made the past year that shows Fosi, and a few others, have really upped their game over the past two years. I have less that $400 into the two ZA3s and the ZD3. The level of sound quality for these three components is incredible.

At first I thought it was Tidal but occasionally since I got this DAC the music will give off a real 3D effect for a second or two (at the most) and that's it. It actually sounds cool and at first I thought it was part of the song but it's obviously some kind of timing issue with my Bluesound Node 2i streamer.....I think.

I messed with the settings but this still happens every once in a while. Doesn't bother me but if it gets worse it definitely will.

Just wondering if your DAC did this at any point?

 

[OldJBL]

At first I thought it was Tidal but occasionally since I got this DAC the music will give off a real 3D effect for a second or two (at the most) and that's it. It actually sounds cool and at first I thought it was part of the song but it's obviously some kind of timing issue with my Bluesound Node 2i streamer.....I think.

I messed with the settings but this still happens every once in a while. Doesn't bother me but if it gets worse it definitely will.

Just wondering if your DAC did this at any point?

I haven't noticed anything really obvious but now that you mention it I'll try to see if it is there. Does it happen at the start of a song or randomly? Also, about 99% of my listening time is from a computer via USB. What type of connection are you using from your streamer?

 

[SWL3600]

I haven't noticed anything really obvious but now that you mention it I'll try to see if it is there. Does it happen at the start of a song or randomly? Also, about 99% of my listening time is from a computer via USB. What type of connection are you using from your streamer?

That's funny....it just did it as I started typing this.

As far as I can tell it's randomly. I've had countless other DACs played with the Node 2i and never experienced this before.

I'm doing toslink out of the Node into a DEQ2496. Out of the DEQ2496 toslink goes to another system and coax goes to this system with the ZD3. Been doing this for about 15 years. Works great.

 

[OldJBL]

That's funny....it just did it as I started typing this.

As far as I can tell it's randomly. I've had countless other DACs played with the Node 2i and never experienced this before.

I'm doing toslink out of the Node into a DEQ2496. Out of the DEQ2496 toslink goes to another system and coax goes to this system with the ZD3. Been doing this for about 15 years. Works great.

I will keep an ear out for it and report back if I hear it.

 

[sfox52]

I have a ZD3, using it as a preamp and feeding two V3 monos via coax. I have not noticed this issue with my rig. I have not changed the op-amps in the ZD3, though I have installed TDA 1656 op amps in the V3 amps. I had a Topping E30 Lite in the system before the ZD3 (now in my office system).

 

[SWL3600]

ZD3 L/R Phase (or Timing?) Issues

My ZD3 is acting a little oddly. It functions perfectly the majority of the time but occasionally the left and right channels will sound as though they have been pulled apart sideways by about 10 feet. This will happen roughly every 15-20 minutes. I haven't timed the interval but I plan to...

community.fosiaudio.com

 

[SWL3600]

Apparently I'm not the only one...

 

[OldJBL]

I haven't noticed any glitches but it might have happened when I wasn't paying attention. Also, I use the USB connection almost exclusively. Based on the posts at Fosi's website, it seems the problem mostly occurs with the HDMI connection. I went ahead and updated the firmware from 1.04 to 1.07 so I am hoping this will fix any issue I might have in the future.

 

[SWL3600]

I haven't noticed any glitches but it might have happened when I wasn't paying attention. Also, I use the USB connection almost exclusively. Based on the posts at Fosi's website, it seems the problem mostly occurs with the HDMI connection. I went ahead and updated the firmware from 1.04 to 1.07 so I am hoping this will fix any issue I might have in the future.

Can you tell me how you updated the firmware?

 

[OldJBL]

Can you tell me how you updated the firmware?

In the Fosi thread there are a couple of links to download the files necessary to install firmware. The first one linked below downloads an RAR file containing the installation software and firmware version 1.06. The second link is where you can download firmware version 1.07. The first link has a PDF file that tells you how to install the firmware and this procedure is pretty straightforward. When you browse to find the firmware file in the installation program, choose the 1.07 version as it is the most current. The second link prompts a direct download of firmware 1.07. Downloading from the first link is from a Google folder and I got a warning of a potential virus which is probably due to the RAR file containing a PDF file. I got an option to continue the download and affirmed that I wanted to continue. I got no warning of a virus when I extracted the file so it is safe. The third link will take you directly to the Google download folder and should allow you to bypass the first link. To download, click on the download link in the upper right of the page. Edit: The last link below should let you download the installation PDF.

https://support.fosiaudio.com/hc/en-us/articles/41533797670041-Experiencing-digital-glitches-or-echo

https://support.fosiaudio.com/attachments/token/qUN9gjmFxlkxz2YbfuCBx9NUB/?name=update_1.0.7_zd3_dpll_value.bin

ZD3 Software Upgrade Steps-spdif_stable.rar

drive.google.com