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Review: Fosi Audio Ds2 – The Little Powerhouse
An exquisite and light-weight mixture of plentiful energy and subtle sound.
Fosi Audio supplies excellent high quality house audio answers for budget-conscious audiophiles with a flexible product catalog. Their choices are technically relatively competent and quite inexpensive, offering a excessive performance-to-price ratio.
Maximum not too long ago, they have got begun their foray into the moveable dongle DAC/amp marketplace. Their first product was once the DS1. Whilst this can be a high-performing and strong dongle, the burden makes it a little impractical for portability. And that’s exactly the place the DS2 is available in.
Fosi Audio has created a calmer and extra composed sound presentation with the DS2 in comparison to the sooner smug DS1, and they have got succeeded relatively exemplarily. The very managed but fascinating sound is enriched much more by way of its excessive riding energy, making sure its suitability for a variety of transducers with various impedance and sensitivity. Even supposing I anticipated to listen to a definite distinction between the 2 energy ranges, it’s not a deal breaker.
- Top energy output with low battery intake
- Heat impartial tonality, rather clear, with great be aware weight
- Crisp notes with enough main points
- Fairly laid-back presentation with obtrusive regulate in the entire spectrum
- Rather excellent separation
- Smartly-rounded soundstage
- Small measurement, light-weight, and delightful aesthetics
- Just a little flat sound signature
- Intimate presentation
- The quantity button isn’t impartial and controls the supply quantity
- Variations in low and high energy modes don’t seem to be discernible
On paper, the DS2 guarantees a shocking quantity of output energy from an excessively compact and lightweight frame. And it appears to be like higher than its predecessor as effectively. Let’s take a more in-depth glance.
In This Article
Technical Specs
- Layout: Moveable DAC/amp
- Output Energy: 120mW(SE, 32Ω); 250mW(BAL, 32Ω)
- Impedance: 16-300Ω
- Enter: USB Sort c
- Output: 3.5mm + 4.4mm headphone
- Frequency Vary: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.5dB)
- THD: 0.0006%(32Ω SE); 0.001%(32Ω BAL)
- SNR: ≥108 dB
- Sampling Price: 32bit/768kHz
- DSD: DSD 64/128/256/512
- DAC Chipset: Twin ESS ES9018K2M quad DAC chips
- Subject matter: Tin Alloy
- Instrument Weight: 15g
Packaging
The flat packaging of the DS2 is similar to the DS1’s field. Inside of, the DAC/amp, equipment, and literature are organized inside of a foam cutout.
Within the field
- DS2
- Silicone sheathed type-c to type-c cable
- Sort-c to USB-a adaptor
Design
The DS2 is a looker. The metal grey frame with minimum curves appears to be like in reality stylish. Apparently Fosi has taken buyer comments in regards to the DS1 and stepped forward accordingly.
There aren’t any sharp corners, and the design is swish and tasty.
It’s considerably smaller and lighter (55x19x12mm, 15g) than the DS1 (50.8×25.4×25.4mm, 36g). In spite of the lesser weight, the construct nonetheless turns out forged.
The SE 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm headphone sockets are situated aspect by way of aspect at one finish, and the other finish homes the type-c port. The quantity buttons are on one of the most longer aspects, and a small LED is at the best.
Internals
It is a new DAC chipset for me. The ES9018K2M is reportedly a high-performance DAC providing a excessive dynamic vary and ultra-low distortion – the DS2 has two inside of.
The DS2 provides playback of 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 recordsdata in local mode.
The 108 dB signal-to-noise ratio in its respective charge vary turns out a little low. For instance, the Tempotec Sonata HD-V (123 dB), Shanling UA1 Plus (126 dB), and Moondrop Crack of dawn Professional (131 dB).
LED indicator
- Pink: Low stage, enjoying PCM
- Blue: Low stage, enjoying DSD
- Yellow: Top stage, enjoying PCM
- Pink: Top stage, enjoying DSD
Energy ranges
The DS2 provides a excessive energy output for the small measurement – as much as 120mW@32ohms SE and 250mW@32ohms balanced, enough to hide virtually all IEMs, earbuds, and a few full-sized headphones.
The DS2 has two other energy ranges, very conventionally named Top and Low – showing very similar to the low and high achieve modes in different fashions. Upon start-up, the default energy is ready to low. Concurrently urgent either one of the quantity buttons swaps the facility ranges.
I will no longer come across any exact bounce in quantity output from the low to excessive energy stage, without reference to the output load.
Battery intake
A conveyable dongle DAC/amp must have a low battery intake fee to be thought to be a competent on-the-go spouse. The DS2 proves itself worthy by way of handiest eating 3% of my telephone’s (Oppo Reno7 5G) battery (4500mAh) over 20 min, enjoying on-board 16/44 FLAC recordsdata, and attached to a couple of 32ohm IEMs by the use of the balanced output.
DS2 Sound
The magic of the DS2 lies in its substantial energy output and well-articulated impartial sound with a moderately heat contact.
Fosi Audio has a space sound. The DS2 carries a presentation very similar to that of its elder, the DS1. The adaptation lies in large part within the presentation of macrodynamics and (much less so) of microdynamics. The DS2 sounds noticeably extra managed than the DS1.
The DS1 is the boisterous celebration animal, while the DS2 is the studious gentleman.
The DS2 tonality remains to be impartial, with a moderately lesser heat contact because of its extra managed bass. The bass slam is relatively excellent, with a pleasing quantity of frame. Sub-bass rumble has a managed however particular presence. The portrayal of the notes is extra herbal than at the DS1 and does no longer sound driven ahead.
Drums, digital bassline, and upright bass sound complete and herbal, with textbook correctness.
The midrange may be very clear however well-bodied. The DS2 sounds moderately much less wealthy than the DS1, however nonetheless wealthy sufficient. Notes are moderately smoother, but the sides are correctly outlined. General, the midrange has an excessively pleasantly musical tonality with sufficient technicalities to fulfill.
The DS2 reproduces male vocals, tools, and feminine vocals in a quite impartial approach with out bias. The main points and textures are highlighted totally. The brilliance within the tracks is preserved relatively effectively.
The treble at the DS2 is glowing and wealthy. The tonality isn’t set off-balance by way of pointless heat. There’s quite a few subtle power to fulfill my style whilst no longer developing discomfort by way of accentuating the peaks. Readability is good enough and by way of the guide. The treble is performed find it irresistible is supposed to be.
The DS2 creates a very good, well-rounded headspace with first rate separation. Imaging is above reasonable in my view. For the associated fee, It’s exhausting to come back by way of any other dongle DAC/amp with such delightful technicalities.
The DS2 specializes in honestly reproducing the sound fairly than seasoning it with any particular sauce.
Comparability
Vs. Fosi Audio DS1
Bodily, the DS1 is much less sexy, considerably heavier, and susceptible to put on on account of its sharp edges. The DS2 appears to be like smarter and aesthetically extra gratifying, with delicate curves and a satin end. It’s a lot smaller and lighter, proving extra appropriate for moveable utilization.
Alternatively, relating to sound, the adaptation is distinct. It’s transparent to me why the DS1 has a moderately upper ticket (round USD $80) than its more youthful brother (round USD $60). The entire frequency spectrum sounds extra lively and higher outlined in a bigger house with a better solution at the DS1.
The DS1 has a vastly gratifying, toe-tapping, extremely dynamic (if a little uncooked) sound, whilst the DS2 is relatively the other, with a laid-back and smoother presentation. The DS2 sacrifices that spark of lifestyles for a tamer and extra intimate sound.
Each have distinct sound signatures with professionals and cons and serve other functions.
The place to Purchase
Conclusion
Fosi Audio has created a calmer and extra composed sound presentation with the DS2 in comparison to the sooner smug DS1, and they have got succeeded relatively exemplarily. The very managed but fascinating sound is enriched much more by way of its excessive riding energy, making sure its suitability for a variety of transducers with various impedance and sensitivity.
Even supposing I anticipated to listen to a definite distinction between the 2 energy ranges, it’s not a deal breaker.
The DS2 shape issue is a good facet. There are numerous very competent dongle DAC/amps which can be a little too giant or heavy to be thought to be pocketable – which is a number one requirement for me for on-the-go utilization.
The DS2 supplies stunning sound and abundant energy in an excessively compact and light-weight package deal – the most efficient of each worlds!
The fairly impartial tonality would possibly no longer please those that search for a distinct sauce – further color or enhancement in some frequencies. However, the DS2 remains to be a very good and protected selection at an excessively inexpensive charge as a starter package deal for a novice audiophile.
Allow 48h for review and removal.