I recently received the Fosi Audio ZD3 flagship DAC/Preamplifier for a full objective review and sound test in my own system.
The device arrived very quickly and safely (5 days!) and I was very happy to unpack it. Here are the full contents of my package.
Package Contents: 1: Zd3 Dac
2: Wall Power Supply
3: USB Cable
4: 3pcs Jrc 4580D Op Amps (for rolling)
5: Remote Control
6: 12V Trigger Cable
7: User Manual.
From the very first moment, it was clear that the device was very well built, the housing was very solid when held it in my hand. Thick, stable housing made of aluminum. We get the elegant shapes and quality surface treatment that we are used to from Fosi Audio with this device. There is a generous set of connectors on the back.
List of rear connection sockets: XLR outputs. RCA outputs. 12 volt trigger in/out. HDMI ARC. Optical input. Coaxial input. USB input. Bluetooth antenna and 12v power in.
We can connect all our important digital devices to it. Many people miss at least one analog RCA input,
But it is important to note that this is a digital device with a preamp mode, and the preamp is not its primary function. Since I have several analog devices, one analog input would not have been enough for me anyway. I have a multi-channel tube preamp, so this was not a shortcoming of the zd3 for me. I filled in the inputs and outputs that I used.
The remote control is well thought out, ergonomically designed and I tried it from practically every impossible angle, the device detected it well from everywhere and turned on immediately without thinking. Of course, it is plastic, but this is common with many other companies and is not a problem at all.
I connected the ZD3 to two Fosi Audio V3 monoblocks with XLR connectors. The dual output of the Zd3 is very good because the XLR and RCA outputs work simultaneously. For example, I can power cassette decks, reel-to-reel tape recorders, another amplifier or any device with RCA inputs from the ZD3 RCA output, while I can power two V3 monoblocks from the XLR output. I can also connect other sources to the V3 mono RCA inputs, for example from my other 4-channel preamplifier, thereby increasing the number of devices that can be used simultaneously. The ZD3 is ready to use in less than 2 seconds after switching on. The OLED display is informative and sharp. It cannot be dimmed, but it can be turned on and off.
The chipset used (XMOS XU316 + ESS 9039Q2M + QCC3031 + LME49720)
These and the technical data and other details of the device can all be found on the Fosi Audio website, so instead of dry data, let's look at my own experience with it. First, I downloaded the ZD3 driver from the Fosi Audio website, installed it and the device worked immediately. I connected my CD player (Technics SL-PS7) to it via the optical input. I tried my mobile phone with Bluetooth connection and flac files. I connected my laptop to it via USB. It handled any resolution of the files I used on the USB input well, be it high-resolution dsd or wav, flac or whatever. The connection to my phones was fast and stable via the Bluetooth input. The sound quality of the Bluetooth transmission is very good. The internal DAC of my CD player used on the ZD3's optical input is audibly weaker than the ZD3. The optical connection is completely seamless. (This freed up an RCA input on my other preamplifier, because now the CD signal goes to the zd3 via optical.) I couldn't try it with the coax and hdmi arc inputs, because I don't have the equipment for it at the moment. This is what the V3 mono and Zd3 look like paired.
The sound quality of the Zd3: Instant smile on my face.. I listen to a wide variety of music from acoustic guitar + vocals, rock, blues, pop, reggae, techno and disco to lighter jazz. I was satisfied with the Topping e30 I used so far, which I powered from a power bank. But this ZD3 is completely different. I don't know how much more could be gotten out of it with a linear power supply, but what the ZD3 brought in terms of sound quality far exceeded my expectations. Airy, clean, light and dynamic sound, large space and very pleasant sound for all styles. Almost with holographic spatial representation. It has a uncolorized, very clean and calm detailed sound. It can be listened to for a long time. For the price of the ZD3, we get a higher-class sound. New details, better space, beautiful and lifelike instrument sounds appear. There is more of almost everything. Accurate bass, beautiful and airy clear mids and highs. More highs sound than my older (e30) Dac, but not toomuch. For me it's like putting a missing brick in the wall, chain... Something that fits exactly. All this with the help of the factory installed op amps. The replacement is no problem for me, I tested more in v3. Interesting, but I don't feel this is necessary for the ZD3. With a much better power supply and, for example, more expensive Spark op amps, you can definitely go much higher.
I'll just write as an interesting fact that after unpacking, I first felt that the combined volume/on-off/input selector button seemed unstable. (But it's not..) It was also strange that the volume button mode was infinite and adjusted the volume a little slowly. Changing the input mode with the button also seemed unstable. However, after a few days I got completely used to it and even loved it. Switching inputs is much easier with the remote control. I just wanted to write that what you don't like at first is just different, not bad. By the way, I prefer the physical volume control. However, with the physical one you can't change the input, for example. You can change the DAC/Preamp mode with the bypass switch on the bottom of the case. I can only write one negative experience here, if it counts at negative... The volume control does really not work when switched to direct mode, but the volume change is still visible on the display. But it doesn't affect the actual volume. All in all, for a price of around $180, we get a very well-built and very good-sounding DAC/PREAMP, which spoils us with beautiful sounds. In addition, it can be tuned even further. I would definitely recommend it because she has a fantastic voice! If you like to listen to your music with a smile and you like to do it at an affordable price, choose the Fosi Audio ZD3!
Pros: Adequate number of digital inputs.
Dual audio output
Very good and solid construction.
Thick strong aluminum housing.
Spectacular oled display.
Very nice design.
Stable solid input connectors.
Additional tuning is possible.
Full-function remote control that works from all angles, no need to aim it.
The sound quality far exceeds its price. Wide, airy, accurate, dynamic, clear and
very detailed sound reproduction.
Cons: Perhaps the volume control could be a little shorter way.
It is strange that the volume level indicator on the display also works in bypass mode.
No dimmer.
It could also be an automatic shutdown, similar to the za3 and v3 mono.
The small user manual is also very small in font, so it is difficult to read.
The device arrived very quickly and safely (5 days!) and I was very happy to unpack it. Here are the full contents of my package.
Package Contents: 1: Zd3 Dac
2: Wall Power Supply
3: USB Cable
4: 3pcs Jrc 4580D Op Amps (for rolling)
5: Remote Control
6: 12V Trigger Cable
7: User Manual.
From the very first moment, it was clear that the device was very well built, the housing was very solid when held it in my hand. Thick, stable housing made of aluminum. We get the elegant shapes and quality surface treatment that we are used to from Fosi Audio with this device. There is a generous set of connectors on the back.
List of rear connection sockets: XLR outputs. RCA outputs. 12 volt trigger in/out. HDMI ARC. Optical input. Coaxial input. USB input. Bluetooth antenna and 12v power in.
We can connect all our important digital devices to it. Many people miss at least one analog RCA input,
But it is important to note that this is a digital device with a preamp mode, and the preamp is not its primary function. Since I have several analog devices, one analog input would not have been enough for me anyway. I have a multi-channel tube preamp, so this was not a shortcoming of the zd3 for me. I filled in the inputs and outputs that I used.
The remote control is well thought out, ergonomically designed and I tried it from practically every impossible angle, the device detected it well from everywhere and turned on immediately without thinking. Of course, it is plastic, but this is common with many other companies and is not a problem at all.
I connected the ZD3 to two Fosi Audio V3 monoblocks with XLR connectors. The dual output of the Zd3 is very good because the XLR and RCA outputs work simultaneously. For example, I can power cassette decks, reel-to-reel tape recorders, another amplifier or any device with RCA inputs from the ZD3 RCA output, while I can power two V3 monoblocks from the XLR output. I can also connect other sources to the V3 mono RCA inputs, for example from my other 4-channel preamplifier, thereby increasing the number of devices that can be used simultaneously. The ZD3 is ready to use in less than 2 seconds after switching on. The OLED display is informative and sharp. It cannot be dimmed, but it can be turned on and off.
The chipset used (XMOS XU316 + ESS 9039Q2M + QCC3031 + LME49720)
These and the technical data and other details of the device can all be found on the Fosi Audio website, so instead of dry data, let's look at my own experience with it. First, I downloaded the ZD3 driver from the Fosi Audio website, installed it and the device worked immediately. I connected my CD player (Technics SL-PS7) to it via the optical input. I tried my mobile phone with Bluetooth connection and flac files. I connected my laptop to it via USB. It handled any resolution of the files I used on the USB input well, be it high-resolution dsd or wav, flac or whatever. The connection to my phones was fast and stable via the Bluetooth input. The sound quality of the Bluetooth transmission is very good. The internal DAC of my CD player used on the ZD3's optical input is audibly weaker than the ZD3. The optical connection is completely seamless. (This freed up an RCA input on my other preamplifier, because now the CD signal goes to the zd3 via optical.) I couldn't try it with the coax and hdmi arc inputs, because I don't have the equipment for it at the moment. This is what the V3 mono and Zd3 look like paired.
The sound quality of the Zd3: Instant smile on my face.. I listen to a wide variety of music from acoustic guitar + vocals, rock, blues, pop, reggae, techno and disco to lighter jazz. I was satisfied with the Topping e30 I used so far, which I powered from a power bank. But this ZD3 is completely different. I don't know how much more could be gotten out of it with a linear power supply, but what the ZD3 brought in terms of sound quality far exceeded my expectations. Airy, clean, light and dynamic sound, large space and very pleasant sound for all styles. Almost with holographic spatial representation. It has a uncolorized, very clean and calm detailed sound. It can be listened to for a long time. For the price of the ZD3, we get a higher-class sound. New details, better space, beautiful and lifelike instrument sounds appear. There is more of almost everything. Accurate bass, beautiful and airy clear mids and highs. More highs sound than my older (e30) Dac, but not toomuch. For me it's like putting a missing brick in the wall, chain... Something that fits exactly. All this with the help of the factory installed op amps. The replacement is no problem for me, I tested more in v3. Interesting, but I don't feel this is necessary for the ZD3. With a much better power supply and, for example, more expensive Spark op amps, you can definitely go much higher.
I'll just write as an interesting fact that after unpacking, I first felt that the combined volume/on-off/input selector button seemed unstable. (But it's not..) It was also strange that the volume button mode was infinite and adjusted the volume a little slowly. Changing the input mode with the button also seemed unstable. However, after a few days I got completely used to it and even loved it. Switching inputs is much easier with the remote control. I just wanted to write that what you don't like at first is just different, not bad. By the way, I prefer the physical volume control. However, with the physical one you can't change the input, for example. You can change the DAC/Preamp mode with the bypass switch on the bottom of the case. I can only write one negative experience here, if it counts at negative... The volume control does really not work when switched to direct mode, but the volume change is still visible on the display. But it doesn't affect the actual volume. All in all, for a price of around $180, we get a very well-built and very good-sounding DAC/PREAMP, which spoils us with beautiful sounds. In addition, it can be tuned even further. I would definitely recommend it because she has a fantastic voice! If you like to listen to your music with a smile and you like to do it at an affordable price, choose the Fosi Audio ZD3!
Pros: Adequate number of digital inputs.
Dual audio output
Very good and solid construction.
Thick strong aluminum housing.
Spectacular oled display.
Very nice design.
Stable solid input connectors.
Additional tuning is possible.
Full-function remote control that works from all angles, no need to aim it.
The sound quality far exceeds its price. Wide, airy, accurate, dynamic, clear and
very detailed sound reproduction.
Cons: Perhaps the volume control could be a little shorter way.
It is strange that the volume level indicator on the display also works in bypass mode.
No dimmer.
It could also be an automatic shutdown, similar to the za3 and v3 mono.
The small user manual is also very small in font, so it is difficult to read.
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