DACs Amps Sony cheapie vs Fosi Audio DS2?

 (Disclosure)

I am not an audiophile, I do not have fancy (expensive) test equipment, only a fairly well trained ear and a very limited budget . I used to sell and install some very high end audio equipment long ago, but now I spend time listening to my IEMs (In Ear Monitors, ie. earphones)

I follow several reviewers that I like on YouTube, particularly Crinacle, and I purchased my budget earphones from Headphonezone.in, since I live in India and my Fosi DS2 from Amazon.

For a succinct and very clear explanation of what a DAC and Amplifier for earphones is, please look at the owner of Headphonezone's video, he really knows his stuff and how to clearly present it.

https://youtu.be/GOxui9NV0fU?feature=shared 

Crinacle, an IEM reviewer and creator of the largest comparative IEM ratings list in the world had this to say about the Apple USB-C DAC Amp here:

https://youtu.be/a3moaaOpYZM?feature=shared

If you want a more technical review of the FOSI DS2 DAC/AMP, please search on YouTube and you will find quite a few.

A brief overview of what a DAC/Amp can do for your listening pleasure follows:

  1. Power   Increases available volume, adds clarity and opens up the perceived soundstage (ex: where each instrument is mentally placed in front of you)
  1. Sampling rate   Low sampling rates from your phone, laptop or tablet tend to leave out the finer nuances of the music you listen to. Volume will not help that. Its like a person screaming incoherently at you on the street, as opposed to a teacher clearly explaining what is precisely wrong with what you just said and ensuring that you have that needed clarity of understanding.
  1. Bit Depth   No, not how deep to drill your screwhole, but a higher bit depth allows your earphones to hear both the quietest and loudest portions of the music without distortion and ear fatigue.
  1. Audio Quality   A CD has a quality of 16-bit/44.1kHz which is adequate for most consumers. A higher rate, like 192kHz allows much higher resolution, captures more detail and nuances and that is what a recording studio will use originally. The difference is subtle, but once you compare you will hear it. Example: at low sampling rates, when a cymbal is struck, you will generally only hear the "sizzle" of the strike. At high sampling rates, you will hear the drumstick hit, the sizzle and then the decay of the sound. A richer, fatter, more detailed sound, especially notable in bass notes.

If you only listen to music on an IEM while commuting to work, working out, walking and you do not own an over-ear headphone, then the Sony is for you.
If you do all of the above, as well as spend time at home carefully listening to music on your IEMs and a headphone, then the Fosi DS2 is for you.


My IEMequipment list, none are over $20 US and two were donated to me:
Tangzu Wan'er
Moondrop Chu II
Moondrop Quarks II 
Salnotes Zero
QCY T17 (Bluetooth)

Sources:
Neutron Pro, USB Pro Audio, Spotify Pro, YT Premium, Soundbound & Wavelet

Fosi Audio DS2 DAC/Amp specs    

Works on any USB-A or USB-C

Outputs on 3.5mm or 4.5mm headphone (Balanced)

Output format is 24bit/192kHz

Powered by device

Twin high-end Cirrus Logic chips

Has 60 step inline volume control

Very light weight portability

3.5mm 120mW IEMs

4.5mm Balanced 250mW (headphones)

Rs 6,300+-

 

Sony USB-C DAC/Amp specs                                                

Only works on USB-C ports, not USB-A                                

Output is only on 3.5mm (small jack)                                      

Output format is only 24bit/48kHz                                            

Powered by device                                                                     

Chipset is basic                                                                          

No inline volume control                                                           

Extremely light weight portability                                             

Power output 3mW (no headphones)                                         

Rs 900+-                                                                                     





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