The Fosi Audio DS1 supplies daring and colourful sound with out compromising finesse.
DAPs will not be optimum for musical nirvana whilst at the cross. Area, bulk, and weight constraints limit them from getting used on a whim. A DAP with excellent high quality sound is steadily the scale of an ordinary smartphone, and wearing each to your individual turns into impractical.
And that’s exactly the place dongle DAC/amps are available. In my enjoy, they may be able to produce sound related to midrange DAPs, making them a default selection for on-the-go. Their battery intake will also be a subject matter, however having an influence financial institution looks after that.
The DS1 is a shocking performer in an excessively compact and durable package deal – however with caveats. The steel construct is susceptible to nicks and dents alongside the pointy edges. The burden is reasonably prime, bearing in mind the small measurement. The design is unimaginative and commercial, no longer precisely elegant. The bundled cable feels low high quality. However all of those unfavorable facets are overshadowed by means of the sound output high quality. The DS1 makes tune daring and energetic, with out a main compromises. Regardless of a slight loss of refinement, the entire presentation is extremely charming. It’s uncommon to have each macrodynamics and microdynamics enhanced in this type of balanced means. Fosi Audio has truly hit it out of the park with the DS1.
- Strangely tough energy output with low battery intake
- Impartial to heat tonality, extremely clear, however no longer skinny sounding
- Crunchy notes with distinguished main points
- Nice sound with impactful however blank bass, dynamic mids, and glowing highs
- Enhanced separation and airiness
- Soundstage expanded somewhat neatly in all instructions
- Small measurement and durable construct
- Moderately heavy given its small shape issue, greater than two times of its friends
- Quantity keep watch over isn’t impartial – it controls supply quantity
- Seems are very commercial, no longer elegant in any respect
- Sharp edges are susceptible to put on with common utilization
- Fairly unrefined notes, a bit of uncooked
- The cable feels affordable
Dongle DAC/amps are actually in prime call for, and lots of big-name corporations and quite new manufacturers are available in the market to get a proportion of that cake. Fosi Audio is a type of new names; their first access is the DS1 dongle.
In This Article
Technical Specs
- Structure: Moveable DAC/amp
- Output Energy: 120mW(SE); 220mW(BAL)
- Terminating Impedance: 16-300Ω
- Enter Mode: USB Kind C
- Output Mode: 3.5mm + 4.4mm Headphone
- Frequency Vary: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.5dB)
- THD: 0.0006%(32Ω SE); 0.001%(32Ω BAL)
- SNR: ≥120 dB
- Sampling Charge: 32bit/768kHz
- DSD: DSD64/128/256/512
- DAC Chipset: ES9038Q2M
- Subject matter: Tin Alloy
- Software Weight: 38g
Packaging
Fosi Audio has stored the packaging to a minimal, and I somewhat like that. A small cardboard field with foam cutouts properties the DAC/amp, equipment, some literature, and that’s it.
Within the field
- DS1
- Braided type-c to type-c cable (120 mm)
- Kind-c to USB-A adaptor
Design
The DS1 isn’t a lot of a looker. The design could be very extraordinary and commercial taking a look. It feels unusually heavy for its small measurement – which instills self belief within the durability of the construct. The pointy edges, regardless that, might be extra user-friendly and are susceptible to put on.
The three.5mm and four.4mm ports are housed aspect by means of aspect at one finish, and the other finish properties the type-c port. The quantity buttons are situated on some of the longer aspects, and a small LED is at the best.
Internals
I’m no stranger to ESS DACs within the price range bracket, such because the ES9218P, ES9218PC, ES9281PRO, and so on. I used to be nonetheless ready to enjoy the ES9038Q2M, which I had prime hopes for coming from the ES9038PRO of the Shanling M7. Therefore, the DS1 is a welcoming addition to my assortment.
The DS1 provides playback of 32-bit/384 kHz PCM and DSD512 information with sampling frequencies of as much as 5.6MHz.
The 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio is aggressive in its respective worth vary.
The DS1 provides a prime energy output for the small measurement – 120mW @32 ohms SE and 220mW @32 ohms balanced. Moderately spectacular, and it must quilt virtually all IEMs, earbuds, and a few full-sized headphones.
Battery intake
The battery intake of dongle DAC/amps is a notable facet in their usability – you do not need your telephone to expire of juice too quickly whilst taking part in musical nirvana.
Whilst attached to my 3 years outdated Samsung Galaxy M31S (6000mAh), taking part in on-board 16/44 FLAC information, and attached to a 32 ohm IEM/earbud, the DS1 handiest consumes 3% of my battery over 20 min – somewhat promising!
DS1 Sound
The DS1 injects considerable uncooked power into the sound, making the presentation alive and kicking.
Once I performed the primary music, I used to be instantly stunned by means of how a lot more dynamic it sounded! The tonality leans in opposition to warm-neutral with an abundance of sparkle – making it somewhat delightful but reasonably flashy.
Bass slams challenging and speedy, with thick notes. In comparison to different dongles in a equivalent worth vary, the bass notes are a bit of bulkier however stay unobtrusive because of their velocity. Midbass packs a robust punch, and sub-bass has a deep guttural reaction. The textures are plentifully pronounced as neatly.
Drums sound somewhat a laugh – tough and snappy. Bass guitar and upright bass produce extremely textured and authoritative rumbles that induce speedy goosebumps!
The DS1 makes the midrange very wealthy sounding. The notes achieve extra frame and intensity, whilst the perimeters get accentuated as neatly. The result’s a full-bodied midrange with detailed and crunchy notes.
The lower-midrange is the world the place it positive aspects probably the most frame. Male vocals sound complete, deep, and wealthy. The gritty textures grow to be simply noticeable. Guitar, lute, and violin notes grow to be complete and glowing. Feminine vocals are splendidly zestful, and the burden feels practical.
I’ve no longer encountered another dongle DAC/amp that makes the midrange so colourful and wealthy.
Cymbals achieve a somewhat ahead presence, they usually prolong neatly sufficient. They could sound pressured sometimes, however by no means too piercing.
The treble area has a hearty dose of power and is stuffed with brilliance and main points. The notes have a noticeable chunk that makes the presentation somewhat stimulating. Then again, they infrequently appear to lose refinement and are available off as a bit of uncooked.
The DS1 is technically rather competent, and textures are effectively reproduced. Main points are highlighted, however because of the slight loss of refinement, they could sometimes sound pressured. Soundstage has a tight width with first rate intensity and top. Imaging is definitely achieved as neatly.
The background is blank and darkish. Separation and area between the notes are distinctly enhanced. However most significantly, the extremely dynamic sound makes the DS1 an speedy hit.
Comparisons
Vs. Hiby FC4
The Hiby FC4 is every other ESS-based dongle DAC/amp, the usage of two ES9219 chips this time. It provides playback of PCM as much as 768kHz/32bit and as much as DSD256 local. There may be an LED standing indicator for the kinds of information being performed, not like the DS1, which handiest signifies its working standing.
The FC4 has an extended however noticeably a lot lighter design (21g vs. 38g). The impartial quantity keep watch over of the FC4 is some distance awesome to the supply quantity keep watch over of the DS1. On paper, the FC4 provides a somewhat decrease energy by means of SE (110mw) however considerably upper energy by means of the balanced output (340mw).
Soundwise, each are beautiful related. The DS1 is extra full of life, with a darker, cleaner background and a bit of extra degree intensity, however it is usually somewhat peaky. The FC4 is laid again when put next and no more blank, with a smidge extra degree width. It sounds extra subtle than the DS1 however much less alive.
Vs. Shanling UA3
An AK4493SEQ DAC chip and twin Ricore RT6863 amps energy the Shanling UA3. It helps playback of DSD512 and PCM as much as 32bit/768kHz. The LED standing indicator signifies the kinds of information being performed, not like the DS1.
The UA3 is somewhat shorter than the FC4 however is longer, wider, and reasonably thicker than the DS1. Regardless of the girth, it’s lighter than the DS1 (20.5g). The UA3 additionally makes use of supply quantity keep watch over however comes with an extra play/pause button this is somewhat at hand.
The facility output of the UA3 is very similar to the DS1 (125mW @32Ω thru 3.5mm SE, 210mW @32Ω thru 4.4mm balanced).
The UA3 sounds extra subtle than the DS1, with a somewhat extra spacious degree. The DS1 wins in macrodynamics – making the tune extra a laugh. Treble has a bit of extra power at the DS1, however the UA3 has a bit of extra natural tonality, making the notes fuller sounding. Each are similarly spectacular for various programs.
The place to Purchase
Conclusion
The DS1 is a shocking performer in an excessively compact and durable package deal – however with caveats. The steel construct is susceptible to nicks and dents alongside the pointy edges. The burden is reasonably prime, bearing in mind the small measurement. The design is unimaginative and commercial, no longer precisely elegant. The bundled cable feels low high quality.
However all of those unfavorable facets are overshadowed by means of the sound output high quality. The DS1 makes tune daring and energetic, with out a main compromises. Regardless of a slight loss of refinement, the entire presentation is extremely charming. It’s uncommon to have each macrodynamics and microdynamics enhanced in this type of balanced means.
Fosi Audio has truly hit it out of the park with the DS1. I’m hard-pressed to signify every other moveable DAC/amp underneath USD $80 this is so stress-free, to not point out its spectacular energy output by means of the balanced output – which makes the DS1 excellent for upper impedance/decrease sensitivity lots.
The DS1 is a bit of powerhouse from Fosi Audio, and I really like the whole package deal it delivers, with all its deserves and demerits.
Allow 48h for review and removal.