Fosi Audio ZD3 Fully Balanced Desktop DAC

Fosi Audio ZD3 Fully Balanced Desktop DAC, the newest flagship DAC from Fosi Audio.

The Fosi Audio ZD3 follows the release of Z series as the digital-to-analog converter & pre-amp component of the audio system, with a more modern and less-retro look than the recent MC331 and GR40.

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Fosi Audio ZD3 Fully Balanced Desktop DAC Review

Tests & Scores

Accessories & Packaging

The DAC comes inside a more stylish looking packaging than most Fosi Audio products.

The unit comes bundled with:

• USB cable
• Audio cable
• Bluetooth antenna
• IR remote
• PSU

^3.75_/5

Design

One of the first impressions that many might have is that the Fosi Audio ZD3 has a similar vibe to the Fosi Audio ZA3; this is not a casual resemblance.

In fact, the brand has created the Fosi Audio ZD3 to be a perfect companion for a seamless audio rack when paired with the ZA3; allowing users to build up an aesthetically matching system.

It is worth noting that the Fosi Audio ZD3 has a substantially larger footprint than other devices from the brand (such as the Fosi Audio MC331, Fosi Audio GR40, Fosi Audio P3), which will make some buyers think that this DAC has a built-in power supply like the SMSL PA40, SMSL DO300EX and SMSL AO200 MK2; instead, the Fosi Audio ZD3 has an external power supply – quite small to be honest.

From a design view, the ZD3 is a clean and stylish looking DAC with a smooth, nearly-unibody shell with an all-black finish and a nice metallic-orange main knob.

Of course, a detail that you have already noticed, is that the front panel includes a rounded display screen on the left side.

All connectors of the device and the Bluetooth antenna are equipped on the rear panel of the case, adding up to the clean and elegant design.

^4.5_/5

Operation & Control

The Fosi Audio ZD3 does not only inherit the aesthetic feel of the ZA3 but also includes a similar, simplistic one-knob control system.

Basically, the unit can be fully operated with the combination of the single orange-colored knob which is also a multifunction button; this knob has a particularly light resistance and a subtle tactile but silent feedback – a bit of extra resistance could be better to avoid accidentally over rotating it and giving a feel of finer control.

Moreover, unlike the ZA3, the Fosi Audio ZD3 incorporates also a wireless infrared control through the included IR remote. This remote has the same qualities as seen on the recently reviewed Fosi Audio MC331, which is a much better remote than older devices from the brand, that includes many dedicated buttons for each function and an, even faster and more intuitive use than with the multifunction knob.

As you might imagine, the neat rounded display is the main reference for navigation, status information and all fundamental menu, display and settings visualization. This screen is of a modern 1.5″ OLED display type which results in excellent viewing angles, sharpness, definition, brightness and contrast.

^4.25_/5

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Construction & Build

As we usually highlight with all Fosi Audio devices reviewed so far, the brand does a very good job in the construction and build department in all the ranges and categories of audio devices manufactured, using as much as metal as possible and less plastic than on other similar priced competitors – Hidizs, FX-Audio DAC M1, FiiO K11, SMSL 100 series (DO100, HO100, AO100, Topping)

In fact, the DAC has nothing to envy to other more expensive audio components from FiiO, xDuOO, SMSL DO300EX, FX-Audio, Burson Audio, and even $3000+ devices from Mytek.

Internally, the Fosi Audio ZD3 is powered by a Sabre ES9039Q2M DAC chip, XMOS XU316 core, LME49720 op-amp and a multi-LDO regulator design.

To power the wireless connectivity, the ZD3 sports a Qualcomm QCC3031 chip.

^5_/5

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Connectivity

This Fosi Audio ZD3 has a friendly price but offers a substantially larger variety of input/output connectors, that are not easy to find in this price/tier category.

The main I/O of the Fosi Audio ZD3 are:

Inputs
• USB in (32bit/768kHz PCM, 512 DSD / PC DAC operation)
• Optical in (24bit/192kHz PCM)
• Coaxial in (24bit/192kHz PCM)
• Bluetooth (lossless codecs: aptX HD, SBC, AAC, aptX)
• HDMI ARC in (24bit/192kHz PCM / TV setups)
• Trigger in
• Power in

Outputs
• 2X balanced XLR out
• 1x Stereo RCA output
• Trigger out

The endless number, types and styles of connectors in the Fosi Audio ZD3 allows it to be a highly versatile and adaptable component of an audio system, compatible and matchable with all sort audio devices.

^5_/5

Sound

To obtain the most typical system that the ZD3 will be part of, we decided to test the DAC with the Fosi Audio ZA3 as the power amp of the rack and making use of the fully balanced XLR connections.

The high-performing audio components inside the Fosi Audio ZD3 proved, during our tests, to offer excellent sound and performance at this price-point.

Some of the best and more noticeable superior qualities of the ZD3 over other audio devices tested so far included pristine audio signal with noise-free, hiss-free output that resulted in a clean final sound quality that matched very well the faithful, detailed and smooth musical flavor of the DAC.

We then proceeded to measure the frequency response of the Fosi Audio ZD3, which resulted in an impeccably flat measured response with no dip nor spikes across all the spectrum.

Moreover, our measurements confirmed that the ZD3 replies with remarkable channel balance and, also, great soundstage and separation from the real-life audio tests.

On top of that, the Fosi Audio ZD3 has been designed with swappable op-amps, so users can fine-tune and tailor the sound and nature of the device from a hardware level by the using different op-amps. Also, the ZD3 can be set to bypass or not the internal preamp.

Regarding annoying issues such as scratch from the potentiometer and pop noises, the ZD3 does not suffer from any of these (in fact, the unit includes dedicated noise canceling circuits and a digital potentiometer)

^5_/5

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Fosi Audio ZD3 Fully Balanced Desktop DAC Scores

Accessories - 7.5/10
7.5/10
Design - 9/10
9/10
Operation & Control - 8.5/10
8.5/10
Construction & Build - 10/10
10/10
Compatibility - 9/10
9/10
Screen - 8.5/10
8.5/10
Connectivity - 10/10
10/10
Sound - 10/10
10/10
Features - 9/10
9/10
Value for Money - 10/10
10/10

Summary

Pros

✅ Rugged build

✅ Swappable op-amps

✅ Clean sound

✅ Fully-Balanced

✅ Plenty of I/O connections

✅ Excellent value for money

Cons

❌ Not as compact as other DAC with external PSU

❌ Can get a bit hot

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9.2/10

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Fosi Audio ZD3 Fully Balanced Desktop DAC

9.2

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9.2/10

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Fosi Audio ZD3 Fully Balanced Desktop DAC – Review

Fosi Audio ZD3 Fully Balanced Desktop DAC

Fosi Audio ZD3 Fully Balanced Desktop DAC Review

Tests & Scores

Accessories & Packaging

Design

Operation & Control

Construction & Build

Connectivity

Sound

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Fosi Audio ZD3 Fully Balanced Desktop DAC Scores

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Fosi Audio ZD3 Fully Balanced Desktop DAC

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