FOSI ZD3- THIS One Is Worth A Look! You Get So Much...
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- Опубліковано 26 вер 2024
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Fosi Audio ZD3：bit.ly/fosiaud...
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A feature that is missing in fosi's products (and a lot of other brands) is a way to set a crossover point where you can high pass the upper freqs and low pass the lower ones (to a sub). I'd rather have this in the end point (amps) but it can also be had on the source (like the wiim ultra for example). It doesn't have to be software managed, some units actually have a knob or switch with high pass options. To me it's THE FEATURE that is missing as most people will use these lower cost products with lower cost (and smaller) speakers, so in most cases using a subwoofer will always be a good option and a lot of people use one (or two 😅) I guess i'll wait for the next incremental step and hope this will be it. Also, launching an analog preamp only unit (with a remote) would be a nice move as a lot of people already have a dac and need a preamp to connect to other fosi units that basically function as power amps like the new monos.
I completely agree, more crossover control for the speakers would be fantastic. Let the speakers do what they do best and let the subs handle the rest.
100%. Inexcusable in 2024 to market a desktop preamp without bass management.
@@MattCoykendall1 easily fixed with a wiim pro streamer for example 😊
People complain and yet it’s cost is ?
@@jd2plus2 exactly
The little guy is becoming the big boy. Love it!
Hey Matt, I ordered one of these ZD3 DACs yesterday, got the preorder deal with the goodies and 20% off with free shipping. This Fosi gear is pretty impressive. I already have a pair of their ZA3 amplifiers in mono powering my Magnepan LRS+ speakers. I cannot get over how well these ZA# amps pair with the Maggies, much better than my Class A/B amps I have in the house. Something about Class D and Maggies... I have no clue what I am going to do with this DAC, but figured for the money, it should be something fun to play with. Keep the reviews coming!
Matt, Love the channel and great content. One little gripe on your last couple of videos is when you zoom in you get a lot of camera jitters. Not sure if it is you, your camera, etc.. They sale mini steadicam mounts that really help smooth things out. Just a suggestion.
Yes your spot on, I am building out my new recording space so my slider that provides the really smooth panning shots is tucked away at the moment. I will have everything back in action soon!
Did the pre-order. Thanks!. Very interested in how well this works till I get my J2.
Hmm, no sub preout is really disappointing. The za3 has one and most people are wanting to run a powered sub/subs. The WiiM ultra its sitting on is a better choice by far. Thank you for the informational review.
The Vol20 knob is only included for the first 20 customers so that offer is probably finished already. I note you say in another comment that it will sound different in one system to another, that is true of course and down to the speakers and amp used. But it would still be interesting to know how it sounds in YOUR system compared to a different DAC or an internal DAC in a CD player or streamer for instance. To say it will sound exactly the same as a DAC with similar chips is a bit of a copout. Why do Fosi offer Op amp swapping if it isn’t going to make a difference in sound. Would also be interesting how it performs as just a straight through DAC with the bypass switch activated compared to a combined DAC and preamp. I have ordered one anyway within 2 hours of the presale going live, think I was still to late to get the Vol20 knob thrown in though.
_"Why do Fosi offer Op amp swapping if it isn’t going to make a difference in sound."_
Because their customers demanded it and they would lose sales if they didn't.
Seriously, it's got almost nothing to do with sound quality... it's about selling more units and selling more op-amps.
Ask yourself why they wouldn't use the 'better" chips in production if they actually were better...
The bypass/off sounds the same either way in my opinion, the biggest advantage of the switch is for different configurations. When its used in my configuration in the video I have the DAC potentiometer disabled passing straight through allowing the wiim to work as the pre amp for volume control. The same could be accomplished maxing out of the volume on the ZD3 but this is a cleaner and more streamlined solution that I do appreciate them adding. Its nice to be able to disable something like that, gives you more options if you want the control at the ZD3 or further down the line at the amplifier. Hope you get the Vol20 as well, its a fun little add on.
@@MattCoykendall1one thing I forgot to mention which your reply has reminded me of, it’s good that Fosi have put the bypass switch out of the way on the bottom, they have been criticised on past products for placing little used switches on the front display, so Fosi show once again that they are listening to customer input 👍
Nice stuff 👍👍
Thanks for swinging by!
Christiansen Shore
Nobody is using XLR outputs. What about Bluetooth quality?
HDMI ARC: what about CEC? Can the TV control the volume? (Obviously, not the input selection..)
Watch to the end ... he demonstrates it.
Can I ask how you connected the VOL20 to the Wiim Ultra? Did you connect to it directly as a bluetooth remote (instead of a Wiim remote) in the Wiim app or via a phone/tablet and have the Wiim app open with the screen unlocked?
The only setup was pairing it to my iPhone, it took over the volume control from that point.
i have the za3 where i can use the xlr output of the zd3 but i also want to use my SE headphone amp with it. if there is an option for switching the output between xlr and rca, that would be great. simultaneous output to both xlr and rca would work as well. but if xlr takes priority when rca and xlr both are connected, that would be a problem for my case. if anyone knows anything about it please share. Thanks a lot.
Nice review. Unpleasant is the moving camera.
Asking a stupid question
I can plug this into my marantz model 50 right
Using the AUX line level input .... yes you can.
Good day, thnx for your videos ! I bought Audez Maxwell headphones, I want to use them with a computer for games and listening to music, I subscribed to Qobuz and Spotify, but I connected the headphones via WiFi and did not hear any difference)
I understand that I need a DAC and connecting my Maxwell only via a cable to the DAC, so that I could hear the difference?
Am I understanding everything correctly?
And if possible, which DAC within 200 +- dollars would you recommend for my setup.
Thank you.
I just checked the heaphones... they're Blue Tooth headphones. AS long as you're getting connected to your computer or game box, you're already getting the "as good as it gets" sound quality. You will not be able to use a DAC/AMP with them since they have no hard wired connections. The USB-C cable is just for charging.
@@Douglas_Blake_579 but they Have - AUX Input 3.5 mm analog port ) i am whaching on it right now)) or this port does not help me ?)
@@Aleksey_Odessa
I must have missed that on the product page... Sorry.
So yes you can use a USB DAC on your computer.... best to get one that is a combination of DAC and Amplifier. There are several very nice ones at reasonable prices available from most online vendors. You may also need a cord adaptor to fit the 3.5mm jack on the headphones.
I also see from reading a little further that you can use a USB-C cable directly with your computer or game box, which might give you the best bang for your buck.
I feel badly. I'm not here to spread bad information. I hope this makes up for it.
@@Douglas_Blake_579 Thank you very much for your answer, I just wanted to understand for myself the sound that I now get via Bluetooth /USB-C cable directly to my computer, and after i bought a DAC + Amplifier for 200 USD +- ... will I be able to feel this difference in sound quality or will it just be a toy for beauty?) or to really feel something I need a DAC + Amplifier for 500-1000 usd ?) or in general my MAXWELLS play well and nothing will help them) and to improve the sound I need to sell them and buy other headphones?)
If possible, offer a couple of DAC+ Amplifier options for 200-300-400 USD)
From what I found as an amateur, just looking through different reviews:
Fiio K7
Topping g5
xDuoo XD-05 Plus2
@@Aleksey_Odessa
You're welcome. I usually try to fix my mistakes.
As for the "which is better" question... I've seen all kinds of variants in the answer.
First, you should know that BlueTooth is a digital audio system. The transfer from computer to headphone is digital not analog so it's unlikely to have much effect on sound quality. That will hinge on the electronics and drivers in the headphones.
The same will be true of the USB-C cable. Again the data flowing into your headphones is digital, not analog and sound quality will depend on the electronics in your headphones. (In practice USB and BT should sound the same.)
The variable will come when you switch to the analog inputs on your headphones. Here the signals fed to the headphones are going to be analog created either on your motherboard or from an external DAC.
Motherboard sound (on laptops and desktops) has come a long way lately. Gamers and music lovers demanded better and the motherboard manufacturers responded, cleaning up noise, jitter and distortion problems quite nicely.
External DACs can be very good. I use one (FX03) in my main system and it's way better than the headphone jack on the computer. But are they better than modern motherboard chips? That is a complete hit/miss thing sometimes they are, sometimes not but mostly they're more alike than different; so only you will be able tell which you prefer.
My best suggestion in these cases is usually "Try all the free stuff first but keep your expectations reasonable".
Way way WAY too many "audiophiles" have gone down some very deep rabbit holes looking for some kind of sonic Xanadu that simply does not exist. I have a friend who owns a wonderful $10,000 stereo setup. But I can also tell you that my $1,000 system mops the floor with his... and even he admits it. His mistake was going after "unobtanium", spending and spending until he finally realized there's no such thing.
Also consider things like convenience, cost, complexity and durability...
Ask: "Is this BT hookup convenient and good enough?"
Ask: "Does the $12.00 Aux cable sound better?"
... Before you start draining your bank account.
You will thank yourself later.
Matt the Flash!!!
Im here, I'm there, I'm everywhere
😁
Tesktop :D
Is there a way to trigger the dac to go on when I turn on my wiim pro plus? I now have my wiim pro plus with a trigger out connected to my za3 but I would like to use an external dac that turns on and off together with the wiim and amp
I think I could connect a trigger out to the trigger in on the dac and then a trigger out from the dac to the amp?
Wiim trigger out to ZD3 trigger in ... ZD3 trigger out to ZA3 trigger in.
Also if you do a search for "ldblake music" (watch for the DB logo) you will find DIY plans for a very simple 4 port trigger hub that would control everything.
You can use a mono splitter, I use them to trigger multiple devices. Amazon sells them. Just make sure they are "MONO", not stereo. Stereo splitters, cables, etc., will not work, must be mono.
@@michaelwright1602 thanks. I would think that it would also work by creating a chain with the trigger in and out on the dac?
@@tjeerdkruidhof5808 Yep! A simple chain. I use the mono splitter when there is only a trigger input on a device and I need to trigger another device.
My only issue with the ZD3 is no headphone output. My current DAC offers headphone output and not having it at my desk while I work, to be able to switch to headphones to stop annoying my wife is a must.
I get that, I switch between passive speakers and headphones a lot as well.
This review focuses on features, but what about the sound quality details. I’m not buying a product with a lot of great features that sounds horrible. Being that you mentioned nothing about how it sounds, I’m guessing it’s not very good.
It’s going to sound essentially like every other 9039 implementation that is done properly. The sound is good but that’s in the eye of the beholder, also I have no idea what your setup entails, just the speaker differences alone make that impossible to say how this sounds on my system vs yours. Features and usability are very important on products in the budget realm.
Got it but it’s definitely useful to hear your perspective on Sound Quality as it you have a reference system then that provides your followers with an idea of how it’s going to sound comparatively to other DACs on your reference system.
That’s fair, I will keep that in mind for future videos.
And no RCA inputs, subwoofer output or tone controls.
Yet again .... another near miss.
One of these days they are going to catch you off guard and nail it haha
@@MattCoykendall1
😎Oh happy day ... And I might even buy one!
Seriously ... they always seem to miss something that "yer average user" would consider important. Fine to sell it as a DAC ... not fine to sell it as a preamp without subwoofer outputs to compliment the power amps. There's always something.
Oddly enough, with vintage stuff I often find myself putting dust caps over unused inputs and outputs... THEY understood that a preamp is the hub of the system, it needs all the inputs for your various sources and outputs for your amps and subs. Why does this elude this new generation of designers? One of each type input simply doesn't get the job done.
Just think how incredible a properly flexible system could be with the new technologies...
@@Douglas_Blake_579 maybe RCA and XLR out can work in parallel feeding to main amp and active sub/s.
@@Exgol2005
Good thought ... but that would have to be tested.
That is reserved for the upcoming pro model in a few months.
Volumio Motivo? R U having fun with it
It’s certainly interesting, it feels like it should live table side with its tablet like appearance but really doesn’t function in that regard.
Yep the screen needed flip up capabilities, my best guess is NEAR FIELD!! But Volumio it self has excellent tweak factor after you activate LINEAR mode.
I'll be waiting for UR review my neighbor has one.
fak fosi audio they are selling POS