Fosi Audio K5 Pro Gaming DAC Headphone Amplifier Mini Hi-Fi Stereo Digital-to-Analog Audio Converter USB Type C/Optical/Coaxial to RCA/3.5MM AUX for PS5/PC/MAC/Computer

I bought this product after viewing some YouTube videos saying that it is a great product. Curiosity got the better of me and I decided to order it. I liked the idea of a better volume control and the addition of bass and treble controls. I also wanted to see if this DAC was better than the DAC in my Sony CDP-XA20ES. It is! I opened the box and unpacked it and immediately noticed that the build quality felt very solid and the controls felt firm and precise. The volume control is a neat multifunction control for volume, power on/off and input selection. I connected it in literally about a minute. I started playing CDs by using the Sony player as a CD transport and using the optical digital output to feed the optical input on the Fosi. I am using Sony MDR-7506 wired studio monitor headphones. The quality of the sound was instantly better than the headphone output on the front of the Sony. I so enjoyed the better quality that I was testing many different CDs to hear the difference. This product is so worth the money [to me anyway]. I can only say if you are thinking about it do it as I cannot imagine you not being happy with this product. Great addition. Six stars please.

I have an Edifier T5 subwoofer connected to a pair of R1280Ts. When connected directly to the computer's 3.5mm output, the subwoofer was uncontrollable - it shook the house no matter what I did to the volume, EQs, whatever. I had to basically turn it off. Now, I run a USB cable from the PC to the K5, and RCA cables from the K5 to the subwoofer, and more RCA cables from the subwoofer to the speakers. After setting the low-pass filter on the subwoofer to just over where the speakers drop off, the sound is crystal clear with bright highs and thrumming lows (without dominating the whole sound). The fact that I can instantly control the bass and treble on the K5 is a huge plus. I am thrilled with the K5, and it was a very cheap solution to get the most out of my not-so-cheap speakers. edit: Okay so its not PERFECT. This is going to take some explanation. If you're planning on using powered speakers on a PC, this applies to you. Everything was fine until my GPU (RTX 2080) came into play (firing up a game). The computer began sending a ton of interference down the USB connection to the F5. More expensive units I'm told can filter this out, but the K5 can't. Now this isn't necessarily the K5's fault. Computers are electrically noisy, and if I replaced my PSU, motherboard, GPU, or all three, that might solve the issue. Since that would be insane, I instead opted to power the K5 through a source other than the PC (outlet will do fine) and use the optical input (toslink) for data. Since toslink uses light to transmit the data, it is immune to EMI interference. Perfect sound. The only downside is my audio is running through my Realtek onboard audio again now; which I'm not thrilled with, but really isn't a problem. If you're using headphones, this probably won't be an issue. And again, this really isn't a knock on the K5, they do say they're for headphones and not powered speakers (probably because they don't have the electronics to filter out the type of noise I'm describing), but if you're planning on using this device for speakers, just a heads up on the USB audio combined with a powerful GPU. On a final note, I did hack a USB cable, cut the power/gnd from the PC and connect that to another USB cable going to a separate power source. It did eliminate the GPU-related noise, but the PC was still noisy enough to introduce interference somehow (ground loop possibly? Doubtful since all power came from a single UPS). They do sell USB galvanic isolators, that might do the trick, but they're as or more expensive than the K5 itself. Optical connection will do fine. Edit2: turns out it was my speaker's issue with the aux input. I bought a separate speaker for my work computer and now I just do a direct USB connection to my computer and all interference is gone. I'd still prefer a separate power input from the USB data input in case you ran into interference from the motherboard, but I have 5o say it's perfect now

Any of these are going to greatly improve the sound over plugging your headphones directly into the mini-jack on a computer. Listening was done with a few different headphones but mostly with beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X Closed-Back Studio Headphones. Music source was a laptop connected to the DAC/Headphone Amp via USB. If an external power supply was included, I used that. If not, power came via USB. I've kept notes on my impressions brief and included comparisons amongst the DAC/Amp's in this list. They are listed below in my order of preference with my favorites at the top. If you want flowery vocabulary I'm sure in depth reviews are available out there on the web. Headphones make the greatest difference in sound - spend more on them, if necessary. The DAC/Amp is secondary but does add its own flavor to the music. --- iFi Zen DAC V2 | Desktop Digital Analog Converter (Listening only with "TRUEBASS" off.) Very good. Slightly better than the FiiO K7. Better vocal clarity and slightly fuller bass. I ended up comparing this with the FX-Audio DAC-X6 head to head, which continued to surprise me as I put it up against significantly more expensive competitors. Across several hours and many pieces of music, I prefer the iFi... but the difference is infinitesimal. Possibly the iFi has a little more punch to the bass? Maybe a bit more space ans separation? If you're working to a budget, get the FX-Audio and put the extra cash towards better headphones. FX-Audio DAC-X6 Mini HiFi 2.0 Digital Audio Decoder DAC This thing is good. Surprisingly good. I ended up putting it head-to-head with amps costing three times its price. Slightly warmer sound, with slightly less detail in the vocals than the iFi Zen Air, but more space in the music, and more enjoyable to listen to. Slightly better clarity than the Topping. FiiO K7 Full Balanced HiFi DAC Headphone Amplifier This is indeed better than the K5 version. Vocals are more lifelike. And a particular emphasis on the mid-treble heard in the K5 is absent. There is more separation between the instruments. Very close call with the iFi V2, with my preference going to the iFi for better vocal clarity and slightly fuller bass. iFi Zen Air DAC Not quite as good as the V2, but close. Closer than the FiiO K5 is to the K7. There is, again, a comparative emphasis in mid-treble and the vocals get a bit lost. The sound is slightly thin compared to rivals at this price point. FiiO K5 Pro Headphone Amps Portable Desktop DAC and Amplifier Not quite as good as the K7, but at half the price one cannot really complain. Vocals are not quite as lifelike and there is more mid-treble - but not in a good way. Topping DX1 Mini Stereo DAC Headphone Amplifier Combo Very good little unit. Bass is slightly overemphasized. Fosi Audio K5 Pro Gaming DAC Headphone Amplifier I thought this unit was DOA. Turns out that you must long press the volume knob to turn it on. (Short press to select input.) Not terrible, but not as musical as the others in this test. Also, the only one with bass and treble knobs. And only a mini-jack - no 1/4" jack. Pro-Ject Head Box S2 Digital This DAC/Amp had an issue that makes it unlistenable. The sound is very nice... but... there's some faint static. Only in the music, not in silence. A faint crackling.... Can't have that.

situation : malentendant, j'ai un casque filaire MEZE 105 Silva, avec un cordon DAC qui me permet, en le branchant sur le téléphone d'avoir une écoute améliorée en liaison avec le logiciel "amplification" d'Android. Mais pour la TV, c'est plutôt plus compliqué. TV SAMSUNG 65 TQ65S95D avec platine extérieure et ses connexions. J'ai commencé avec un SENNHEISER RS195, bon casque, connexion optique, mais le volume son est limité. Il me fallait donc une solution pour brancher la sortie optique de la TV sur un ampli DAC avec réglages séparés (aigus, basses, volume) sur lequel, je brancherai mon filaire. J'ai donc soumis chatgpt 5.2 à la question et après un prompt indiquant qu'il était important que je puisse entendre les voix correctement (problème de phonèmes), il m'a proposé 3 articles possibles, en me donnant un avis : sur l'utilisation réelle, la puissance, le rapport/qualité prix et ce modèle est sorti en 1er de son classement. J'ai donc essayé et le résultat est parfait. Je peux ainsi choisir en même temps l'utilisation du casque en vue : - d'obtenir le son du HP TV si une personne regarde une émission avec moi - idem pour le son de la barre de son SENNHEISER notamment pour le Dolby ATMOS (le Fosi ne prend en charge que le PCM sinon, ça ne fonctionne pas) ou le casque seul en optique. Ainsi, je maîtrise les réglages. Le FOSI est petit, il a des connexions en câble optique, en RCA et en coaxial. L'alimentation se fait par USB C 5V (ce qui correspond à la norme standard) Une seule réserve : les boutons de réglage me paraissent "fragiles". A voir dans le temps. Attention, on trouve ce matériel un peu à tous les prix ça va de 65 € environ à 145 euros, mais j'ai préféré choisir le fabricant plutôt qu'un illustre inconnu en terme de fournisseur. Rapport qualité/prix : bon Note globale : 9/10 - je recommande selon usage et déplacements

Excelente. lo conecté al puerto USB C, también trae adaptador para USB A-B, sin problemas. De inmediato se encendió. conecté el rca a mi amplificador. y ualá: Agudos finos, pensé que mis bocinas no daban eso, y sí , el DAC funciona! Se oye el fondo de cada instrumento, los instrumentos en sí usan un amplificador Monoaural, y se mezclan. Este DAC te deja notar ese detalle. Lo he probado con buenas mezclas, se nota la diferencia desde el primer momento. Es calidad de sonido. Para los que apreciamos la sutileza del sonido. apenas me llegó ayer, y es genial. aún falta probar lo en otros aspectos, pero por ahora, se nota en calidad de sonido. los aqudos son puros, transparentes. Se nota el DAc, de inmediato. lo uso con un amplificador fosi BT 10

Barato , cómodo y útil. Aparato bien construido y con sonido muy aceptable.

The packaging comes with optical, USB-C/A cable, 3.5mm jack splitter for mic and headphone. The DAC is well built just like other Fosi products, solid gunmetal aluminium enclosure. Front: All the aluminium knobs feel high quality. The tone controls have a midpoint tactile stop. The volume control uses a Taper-A pot, which also serves as a power and input switch. Back: The USB-C port was slightly offset and the connector was a bit difficult to insert. Consider enlarging the hole for the USB-C port on the backplate a bit so that the connector doesn't rub against i How does it sound? First, I compared the K5 Pro to the onboard audio on my Asus B550A motherboard (SupremeFX S1220A), which is already pretty decent. However, when I played games, the motherboard produced a ton of coil whine noise that originated from my GPU. The DAC completely eliminated the coil whine noise when I used both the optical and USB modes. As far as sound quality, I couldn't hear any difference between the S1220 and the K5 Pro when I used a QC25 headphone. I also tried switching between the optical and USB modes to see if I could hear any difference, but there was none. Some people don't like the tone controls because they affect the sound quality, but I found them very useful for adjusting the sound to my taste. I often tweak them depending on the content I'm listening to. The playback bitrate of 96kHz works with USB, and 192kHz works with the optical. I didn't test the Coax input because I don't have one. The maximum microphone recording bitrate is 1 channel, 24bit, at 48kHz. Room for improvement: I suggest keeping the naming short and just including the model and brand name, like the TB10D. No need to print the entire 'MINI STEREO GAMING DAC' on the front. It would be useful if the device could remember the last input mode when there is a power loss, as well as the last power mode. For example, if the device lost USB power while it was on, it should turn on again when the USB power is restored. Consider enlarging the hole for the USB-C port on the backplate so that the connector doesn't rub against it.

As a daily driver of the Fosi Q4 DAC (in combination with the BT30D amp) for my computer, and a BT20D for the bedroom it's safe to say I like Fosi gear. The K5 Pro is a fantastic upgrade and replacement for the Q4 in several aspects. 1. Build quality and design: the new design of Fosi products has made the old black boxes look more sleek and modern. The gunmetal grey is stylish and works with any mini hifi setup or room. It just so happens to match the metal in my headphones and stand. 2. Connectivity: the Q4 used a 5v micro usb for power, then a full-size usb type B to connect to a pc (the optical and coaxial are the same on both models). With the K5, one usb c is used for both power and signal. What impressed me is the lack of interference when using the same cable for both. Initially I was skeptical of this (without cutting the cable to see) but I can assume that there is a good degree of shielding of the individual cores to prevent any interference or cross talk. In addition the K5 Pro has added a 3.5mm microphone input next to the 3.5mm headphone output. This output can power headphones from 16 ohm to 300 ohm. This is a 100ohm improvement over the Q4 and as I have a pair of HD660s it makes a lot of difference. Just like the Q4 there is a RCA output to connect to speakers or a seperate amp unit. 3. The DAC chip: the K5 Pro uses the new Texas Instruments NE5532 op-amp chip. Especially noticeable through headphones there is precise and punchy bass control and incredibly clear highs while never muddling the mids. 4. Gaming: both the K5 and Q4 are advertised as gaming DACs. The K5 really improves over the Q4 because of the NE5532 chip. Using Dolby Atmos for headphones the positioning and soundstage was perfect for FPS gaming and immersion. I have only one gripe about the K5 Pro. It's the power button. To turn on and off you have to long press the volume knob. This means every time the K5 loses power you have to turn it back on manually. The Q4 had a point on the volume where as you turn the volume up the DAC turns on. Once left at a volume the Q4 just turns on and off without having to touch it. It is all down to my laziness but the quick press of the volume to change the input is a very nice to have. In summary the K5 is a clear upgrade over my Q4. Comparing my review to others they are saying similar things. If you just want something that sounds great and incredibly portable to power your headphones or to connect to your active speakers the K5 is a no brainer for the price. If you want the best of both worlds by using a pair of headphones and passive speakers like me the price is a steal and leaves plenty of budget for an amp.