Fosi AudioZD3 Desktop DAC Preamp, Fully Balanced Digital to Analog Audio Converter with ES9039Q2M for Home Stereo Amplifier, Bluetooth/USB/Optical/Coax/TV HDMI ARC Input, XLR/RCA Output with Remote

I bought the ZD3 to replace an Allen and Heath mixer I used to feed my powered Peavey PV215D loudspeakers. The XLR outputs allow a direct connection to the speakers without going through the mixer. RCA output is also supported.I previously could only listen to CD's on that system. Now I can listen to my CD player (optical), TV (HDMI) and Laptop (USB) all routed thru the ZD3. I have not tried Bluetooth.CD sound quality is noticeably better using the ZD3 DAC over my Sony DVD carousel that is showing its age. The Sony supports SACD but I do not know if the ZD3 can accept that via the optical input. I was able to play .dsf files using Foobar2000 on my laptop connected via USB. Those sounded the best. Youtube from the TV provides an inifinite source of great performances and sounds great via the HDMI ARC input.The ZD3 is solidly built and the connectors seem substantial. The volume control is notched and weighted which gives it an analog feel which is greatly appreciated. The remote is generic but works fine. The display is small and hard to read from a distance.The ZD3 was a perfect fit for me. It simplified my powered speaker setup and offers amazing input flexibility plus audiophile sound quality all for $180.

To begin with, let me get the sound out of the way up front. This ZD3 sounds wonderful! In my system, the addition of the ZD3 (and I have 8 other DAC's by the way) introduced a much more "airy" sound quality to the music. It's as if one more sonic veil had been lifted, allowing me to hear right through to the music. As for the bass response with the stock op-amps, I noticed a bit less heft with regard to the lower bass and dynamic capabilities. It's nice to see that in this case, Fosi steered away from using the typical NE5532 stock op amps used in 95% of ChiFi audio components, and used the LME49720 version. I've had good experiences with that particular IC-based op amp. However, based on other experiences, I've come to prefer the discrete versions from either Burson or Sparkos Labs. In this case, I inserted the Sparkos Labs SS3602's and I found the bass to be tighter and deeper.I believe the ZD3 is in a class of its own. I've read a few articles now (and some videos) where the reviewers stated that hearing differences between DAC's is ridiculous - that they basically all sound very similar. I'm sorry, but that couldn't be further from the truth. The very first thing I noticed with the ZD3, was it's increased openness (meaning much more "air" around and between the instrumentation), its superb midrange and treble capabilities (smooth and textured), and a greatly expanded sound-stage. In addition, the overall body of musical performances had a fuller feel to them. The problem with some reviewers is that they rely purely on measurements alone - that is, the "tangible" areas that can be measured. However, for audiophiles, there is so much more involved with good music reproduction. There are the "intangible" areas, meaning those variables that cannot be measured (i.e. how do you measure "immersive"), yet make a huge difference in how we perceive our involvement with sound reproduction.So yes, this is a wonderful DAC unit, along with a very nice preamp section.SUGGESTION TO FOSI: As an aside, just recently, Douk Audio released their diminutive A5 amplifier that features a revolutionary, simple lift-up glass top case/lid that makes changing op amps very convenient. I was wondering why other manufacturers haven't followed with similar designs? Changing op-amps in that Douk A5 took only seconds - and what a convenience that was. Why do manufacturers advertise having op-amp swap-out capabilities when the user has to jump through hoops unscrewing cases, pulling off knobs - and in the case of the ZD3, having to also disconnect wires also? Fosi - why don't you make access to the op-amps a simple solution?Although the ZD3 costs a bit more than most budget oriented DAC/Head-amp units, it's well worth the cost for such a quality-made, and excellent performing unit.

I got this unit because I really wanted an ESS chip DAC (but not a harsh one) to complement my R2R and AKM DAC collection. This unit is affordable and high quality and has all the digital ins and analogue outs I wanted. In addition it allows for op-amp rolling on both the RCA output (I used a single Dual-Sparkos S3602) and the XLR outputs (I used 2x Burson V7 Vivids). Out of the box the unit sounded great already and I only rolled the op-amps out of audiophile curiosity, not out of necessity. With the Sparkos and Burson op-amps the unit sounded even better (especially when used as a variable volume preamp), but unless you have a really resolving audio system, you don't really need to do it. I also added an upgraded power supply to the unit (12V) to see if an extra silent and/or linear power supply made a difference. Again, yes there was a slight improvement in my high end system, but the stock 12V wall-wart power supply was fine to begin with. Thus unit out of the box is very good and expensive upgrades in upgraded op-amps and power supplies made a difference but probably not worth the investment unless you're really into the hobby. I'd say that unless you plan to use the unit as both a DAC and a preamp as well there's no need to go through the trouble. Recommended!

This DAC is excellent. I've been using a different DAC for a number of years, but it was having issues. I decided to try the ZD3 as an upgrade and it's such a huge improvement. The sound is much smoother, yet more detailed than my old DAC, and there is a noticeable reduction in noise. My only gripe is that when you use the switch to defeat the volume control, the volume display number still works. The volume doesn't change, but the volume display functionality is still active. I would have preferred that they just hide the volume number when the volume function is disabled. It's a really minor gripe, and should not discourage anyone from buying this excellent DAC.