Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
You can always rely on iMore.
Our team of Apple experts has years of experience testing all kinds of technology and gadgets, so you can be sure our recommendations and critiques are accurate and helpful. Learn more about our testing.
You regularly hear tales of the audiophile life being prohibitively expensive, but that’s not necessarily the case. For $60, you can get a well-made, well-equipped DAC/Amp in the Fosi Audio DS2 2024, and you have plenty of money to spend on quality headphones or IEMs.
Fosi Audio DS2: Price and availability
You can purchase the Fosi Audio DS2 2024 directly from Fosiaudio.com or Amazon for $59.99. You won’t find many portable DACs/Amps at this price point that have both a 3.5mm and 4.4mm port. The closest competition is around $80.
Fosi Audio DS2: Dry and match
Coming in at 3.2 ounces, the DS2 2024 feels effortlessly light. But don’t let that fool you, oh no! It’s CNC machined from solid metal, and Fosi claims it’s impact resistant. I guess they’re pretty confident, because unlike most DACs I’ve tested recently, this one comes with a two-year warranty as opposed to one.
Externally, you will get a sample rate LED indicator on one side. The 3.5mm and 4.4mm ports are on the bottom, while the USB-C port is on the front. On the left side, you get a 60-step independent volume control, which gives satisfying click feedback when pressed.
Internal dual Cirrus Log CS43131 DAC chips power those 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs.
Fosi Audio DS2: Features
DS2 2024 isn’t a powerhouse of features, but it does most of what it does well. It supports DSD256 and PCM encoding up to 32-BIT/385 kHz, pushing 510 mV into 32 ohms from a 4.4 mm connection and a slightly anemic 130 mV into 32 ohms from a 3.5 mm connection.
On the top of the DS2 2024, next to the Fosi Audio branding, is an LED that tells you what you’re decoding. For PCM, anything below 48kHz = Red, 48-96kHz = Green, 96-384kHz = Yellow. All sample rates for DSD receive blue light.
My only quibble is that the 3.5mm port is a bit flimsy. Compared to my Campfire Audio Mammoths, I had to crank it higher any other DAC I’ve used to date. Usually with Mammoths, which are quite sensitive, I have to keep the volume around 10% of maximum to avoid damaging my hearing. With the DS2 2024, I really cranked up the volume, which doesn’t bode well for power-hungry IEMs.
Fosi Audio DS2: Sound quality
This $60 DAC/Amp has impressive sound for its price point! I would characterize the DS2 2024 as a warm DAC/Amp that doesn’t sacrifice clarity and detail for that punch in the lows and mids.
I listened to a few different playlists through Sennheiser’s HD660S2s and their awesome IE900 IEMs. I also paired Campfire Audio’s Mammoth IEMs and HiFiMan HE-4XX planar magnetic headphones. “Moanin'” by Charles Mingus is an intricately detailed and intricate big band jazz performer that shines through the DS2’s detail and musicality. It reproduces this track with almost analytical precision, allowing you to enjoy the separation of the instruments and how they are layered in the stereo image.
The bass and mids aren’t earth-shattering, but they’re fun. On that Mingus track, the upright bass is present and assertive without overwhelming the horns or hi-hat. Skrillex’s ‘Mumbai Power’ and Big KRIT’s ‘My Sub’ hum and hum with humility.
When listening to Paul Simon’s “Diamonds on the Souls of Her Shoes” and “Shikilinga Kwa XXXX” from the Get Out OST, you’ll discover a soundstage similar to a closed-back headphone. To be clear, the vocals are brilliant. In good headphones and with DACs that don’t smooth out the mids and highs, as with the DS2, Paul Simon’s vocals are just a hair shy of sibilant. The tinkling horns I regularly refer to in Art Blakey’s Moanin’ are expected to feature in DS2.
Overall, it’s a great listening experience for $60 and will grow with you thanks to the inclusion of a balanced 4.4mm connection with enough power to drive all but the most demanding headphones and IEMs.
Fosi Audio DS2: The Competition
The $60 competition is almost non-existent. HiBy FC4, Fiio KA13 and Fiio Ka3 hardware have competition. All three share similar specs and have both single-ended and balanced outputs, but you’ll pay $20 more for them without any significant difference in sound quality.
Then there’s the iFi GO link, which will run you the same $60, but won’t get you the same features. You’ll get a 3.5mm single-ended port, but no 4.4mm or 2.5mm balanced output and no volume control on the device.
Fosi Audio DS2: Should You Buy It?
You should buy the Fosi Audio DS2 if…
- You have a budget
- You have good headphones/IEMs with 4.4mm cables
- You simply log into Apple Lossless
You should not buy the Fosi Audio DS2 if…
- You have 3.5mm wired IEMs that need power
At this price point, you won’t find many options with a 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced audio jack. At $59.99, the Fosi Audio DS2 2024’s clarity and detail make it a great choice for those entering audiophile territory. It delivers enough bass and sub-bass to satisfy even the bass heads among us.
With solid build quality and a 24-month warranty, the DS2 is a solid investment for enjoying high-quality audio.
Cheap entry to the land of audiophiles!
For those new to Apple Lossless and Hi-Res Audio, the Fosi Audio DS2 is a great investment without worrying about “buyer’s remorse.”
