Fosi Audio ZD3 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

ZD3 from Fosi Audio is a great DAC and preamp all in one !Build quality is top notch , connectivity and ability to integrate with systems is awesome specially due to unique HDMI connection.I have used it thru Coax, Optical, USB and Bluetooth connections and ZD3 is producing great sound quality punching well above its price point , totally unthinkable just few years ago .I have it for 2 weeks now and after 50 hours of use it opened up to a really wide and deep soundstage with clean tonality and very musical presentation. Stock TI Op amps produce very clean and clear sound character while included NJR Opamps are more warm and lush in tonality . Both are great choices and picking one over the other maybe up to the rest of the system or room acoustics as deciding factors.Bass is almost sub sonic with TI op amps and NJR Opamps are more bloomed in mid bass making them a better match to some bookshelf speakers where mid bass is very important.Detail and resolution coming out of ZD3 is fantastic .I have to say that adding audio grade Linear Power Supply with 12V and at least 2amp of output really transforms ZD3 . I have Ali Express sourced 55usd LPS that allowed the soundstage to further open up , bass be more articulate and less bloated , highs have lost some shrill and are much cleaner and convincing as well , same for harmonics with all acoustic instruments that are even cleaner and better extended in timber and ring to them .I highly recommend Fosi ZD3 in it's stock form , further use of other dual op amps or discrete ones maybe the best way to tune it to your liking . Op Amp swap took me 5 minutes after watching the instructions on you tube , it is very easy , it really allows this DAC to be fine tuned to your system and sound type you like. Fosi Audio is highly praised for this design and unique ability to match up with your expectations .I look forward to listen and own more of their gear and will keep my eyes and ears wide open to their other products!!!Great job Fosi , keep it up .

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.

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.

Even though it didn't work in my situation. This is an excellent DAC/Pre-amp. It is an excellent pairing with the Za3 amp, which I will be keeping. Very rich and clear sound, easy to use, a lot of inputs including HDMI-arc.The things it needs for my setup is room correction and tone controls. I have a unique room with many challenges. I wish this would have worked, but it is boxed up nicely and comes "as new" so don't be afraid to grab it from the Amazon warehouse if you see it there in the next couple of days.

Fosi ZD3 is an excellent unit, easy to operate & set up. Sound is very clear & neutral, I have it set up with 2 of Fosi Audio's ZA3 amps in a mono block configuration, it has lots of punch to drive most speakers. These are very good value products at these price points!