Fosi Audio DS1: The Perfect Balance Between Dynamic Energy and Fine Detail
The Fosi Audio DS1 delivers bold, vibrant sound while maintaining a level of refinement.
For music lovers who enjoy traveling, a DAP (digital audio player) is often not the most convenient choice. They are bulky and not easy to carry, and even high-quality DAPs are often on par with regular smartphones in terms of sound, but they are less portable. DAC/amp converters, on the other hand, can provide sound quality comparable to mid-range DAPs, making them an ideal choice for on-the-go use. Although they consume battery quickly, a portable power bank can easily solve this issue.
The Fosi Audio DS1 is compact and sturdy, but it has a few drawbacks. The metal shell is prone to scratches and dents, and while its weight is a bit heavy for its size, the design is rather plain and not very stylish. The included cables feel somewhat cheap as well. However, these issues are completely overshadowed by its excellent sound quality. The DS1 delivers bold and powerful output, and its overall performance is impressive, particularly in balancing both macro and micro dynamics, which is truly remarkable.
As demand for dongle DAC/amps has grown, many brands have entered the market, and Fosi Audio is one of them. The DS1, their first product, has garnered attention thanks to its outstanding sound quality and great value for money.
Technical Specifications
Format: Portable DAC/amp
Output Power: 120mW(SE); 220mW(BAL)
Terminating Impedance: 16-300Ω
Input Mode: USB Type C
Output Mode: 3.5mm + 4.4mm Headphone
Frequency Range: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.5dB)
THD: 0.0006%(32Ω SE); 0.001%(32Ω BAL)
SNR: ≥120 dB
Sampling Rate: 32bit/768kHz
DSD: DSD64/128/256/512
DAC Chipset: ES9038Q2M
Material: Tin Alloy
Device Weight: 38g
Packaging
Fosi Audio has kept the packaging to a minimum, and I quite like that. A small cardboard box with foam cutouts houses the DAC/amp, accessories, some literature, and that’s it.
In the box
DS1
Braided type-c to type-c cable (120 mm)
Type-c to USB-A adaptor
Design
The DS1 is not much of a looker. The design is very ordinary and industrial looking. It feels surprisingly heavy for its small size – which instills confidence in the sturdiness of the build. The sharp edges, though, could be more user-friendly and are prone to wear.
The 3.5mm and 4.4mm ports are housed side by side at one end, and the opposite end houses the type-c port. The volume buttons are located on one of the longer sides, and a small LED is on the top.
I understand the bump accommodates the 4.4mm port without increasing the overall bulk, but it still negatively affects the aesthetics.
DS1 Sound
The DS1 injects ample raw energy into the sound, making the presentation alive and kicking.
As soon as I played the first song, I was immediately surprised by how much more dynamic it sounded! The tonality leans towards warm-neutral with an abundance of sparkle – making it quite pleasant yet somewhat flashy.
Bass slams hard and fast, with thick notes. Compared to other dongles in a similar price range, the bass notes are a bit bulkier but remain unobtrusive due to their speed. Midbass packs a strong punch, and sub-bass has a deep guttural response. The textures are plentifully pronounced as well.
Drums sound quite fun – powerful and snappy. Bass guitar and upright bass produce highly textured and authoritative rumbles that induce instant goosebumps!
The DS1 makes the midrange very rich sounding. The notes gain more body and depth, while the edges get accentuated as well. The result is a full-bodied midrange with detailed and crunchy notes.
The lower-midrange is the area where it gains the most body. Male vocals sound full, deep, and rich. The gritty textures become easily noticeable. Guitar, lute, and violin notes become full and sparkling. Female vocals are wonderfully zestful, and the weight feels realistic.
I have not encountered any other dongle DAC/amp that makes the midrange so vibrant and rich.
Cymbals gain a slightly forward presence, and they extend well enough. They might sound forced occasionally, but never too piercing.
The treble region has a healthy dose of energy and is full of brilliance and details. The notes have a noticeable bite that makes the presentation quite stimulating. However, they sometimes seem to lose refinement and come off as a bit raw.
The DS1 is technically reasonably competent, and textures are nicely reproduced. Details are highlighted, but due to the slight lack of refinement, they might occasionally sound forced. Soundstage has a decent width with decent depth and height. Imaging is well done as well.
The background is clean and dark. Separation and space between the notes are distinctly enhanced. But most importantly, the highly dynamic sound makes the DS1 an instant hit.
Conclusion
The DS1 is a surprising performer in a very compact and sturdy package – but with caveats. The metal build is prone to nicks and dents along the sharp edges. The weight is relatively high, considering the small size. The design is unimaginative and industrial, not exactly chic. The bundled cable feels low quality.
But all of these negative aspects are overshadowed by the sound output quality. The DS1 makes music bold and vigorous, with no major compromises. Despite a slight lack of refinement, the whole presentation is amazingly captivating. It is rare to have both macrodynamics and microdynamics enhanced in such a balanced way.
Fosi Audio has really hit it out of the park with the DS1. I am hard-pressed to suggest another portable DAC/amp under USD $80 that is so enjoyable, not to mention its impressive power output via the balanced output – which makes the DS1 ideal for higher impedance/lower sensitivity loads.
The DS1 is a little powerhouse from Fosi Audio, and I love the complete package it delivers, with all its merits and demerits.
