Coming in at 3.2 ounces, the DS2 2024 feels effortlessly gentle. However don’t let that idiot ya, oh no! It’s CNC machined from stable steel, and Fosi claims it’s shock-resistant. I’m guessing they’re fairly assured as a result of not like many of the DACs I’ve examined lately, this one comes with a two-year guarantee, versus one yr.
Externally, you’ll get a pattern fee LED indicator on one facet. The three.5mm and 4.4mm ports are on the underside, and reverse these on the highest is the USB-C port. Left facet, you get impartial 60-step quantity controls, which give a satisfyingly clicky suggestions when pressed.
Internally twin Cirrus Log CS43131 DAC chips are powering these 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs.
Fosi Audio DS2: Options
(Picture credit score: Tshaka Armstrong)
The DS2 2024 isn’t a powerhouse of options, however most of what it does, it does effectively. It helps as much as DSD256 and PCM 32-BIT/385kHz decoding, pushing 510mw at 32ohms out of the 4.4mm, and a considerably anemic 130mw at 32ohms out of the three.5mm connection.
The highest face of the DS2 2024 has an LED subsequent to the Fosi Audio branding that tells you what you’re decoding. For PCM, something lower than 48kHz = Pink, 48-96kHz = Inexperienced, 96-384kHz = Yellow. For DSD, all pattern charges get the blue gentle.
(Picture credit score: Tshaka Armstrong)
My solely quibble is that the three.5mm port is a bit underpowered. My Campfire Audio Mammoths needed to be cranked up greater than with every other DAC I’ve used so far . Normally, I’ve to maintain my quantity slider round 10% of max to keep away from damaging my listening to with the Mammoths, that are fairly delicate. With the DS2 2024, I actually pushed the amount, and that doesn’t bode effectively for power-hungry IEMs.
Fosi Audio DS2: Sound high quality
(Picture credit score: Tshaka Armstrong)
This $60 DAC/Amp has spectacular sound for its value level! I’d characterize the DS2 2024 as a heat DAC/Amp that doesn’t sacrifice readability or element for that bump within the lows and mids.
I listened to a number of totally different playlists by way of Sennheiser’s HD660S2s and their chic IE900 IEMs. I additionally related Campfire Audio’s Mammoth IEMs and HiFiMan HE-4XX planar magnetic headphones. Charles Mingus’ “Moanin’” is an intricately detailed and combined huge band jazz romp that shines a light-weight on the DS2’s element and musicality. It reproduces that monitor with nearly analytic precision, permitting you to bask within the separation of the devices and the way they’re layered within the stereo picture.
The bass and mids aren’t earth-shattering, however they’re entertaining. On that very same Mingus monitor, the upright bass is current and assertive with out stepping on the horns or hi-hat. Skrillex’s “Mumbai Energy” and Huge Okay.R.I.T.’s “My Sub” growl and rumble with aplomb.
In listening to Paul Simon’s “Diamonds on the Souls of Her Footwear” and the Get Out OST monitor “Shikilinga Kwa XXXX,” you’ll uncover the closed-back headphone-like soundstage. To be clear, the vocals are vivid. On good headphones and with DACs that don’t clean out the mids and highs, Paul Simon’s vocals are only a hair shy of sibilant, as was the case with the DS2. The shrill horns I recurrently reference in Artwork Blakey’s “Moanin’” are expectedly shrill with the DS2.
General, it is a nice listening expertise for $60, and it’ll develop with you because of its inclusion of the 4.4mm balanced connection that ought to have adequate energy to drive all however probably the most extraordinarily demanding headphones and IEMs.
Fosi Audio DS2: Competitors
(Picture credit score: iFi Audio)
The competitors at $60 is nearly non-existent. There may be competitors in {hardware} from the HiBy FC4, Fiio KA13, and Fiio Ka3. All three share comparable options and have each single-ended and balanced outputs, however you’re going to pay $20 extra for them with no vital distinction in sound high quality.
Then there’s the iFi GO hyperlink, which can run you a similar $60 however received’t get you a similar options. You’ll get the three.5mm single-ended port however no 4.4mm, or 2.5mm balanced output and no on-device quantity controls.
Fosi Audio DS2: Do you have to purchase it?
(Picture credit score: Tshaka Armstrong)
You can purchase the Fosi Audio DS2 if…
You’re on a price range
You will have good headphones/IEMs with 4.4mm cables
You’re simply stepping into Apple Lossless
You should not purchase the Fosi Audio DS2 if…
You will have energy hungry 3.5mm cabled IEMs
At this value level, you received’t discover many choices with a 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced audio jack. For $59.99, the readability and element of the Fosi Audio DS2 2024 make this a wonderful selection for these simply diving into audiophile territory. It even gives sufficient bass and sub-bass to fulfill the bass heads amongst us.
With a stable construct high quality and a 24-month guarantee, the DS2 is a stable funding in having fun with hi-resolution audio.
Low value entry to audiophile-land!
For these simply stepping into Apple Lossless and Hello-Res Audio, the Fosi Audio DS2 is a good funding with no fear of getting “purchaser’s regret.”
