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Symmetrical Versatility Design – Fosi Audio K7 Gaming DAC AMP

Fosi Audio K7 is a $229 USD gaming soundcard DAC / Headphone AMP with a CNC shell, AK4493SEQ DAC at the core, and OPA1612 LPF, and with Bluetooth connectivity. Today we will review the K7 and see how it fares in the busy market of upper entry-level DAC / AMPs, and also how good it is for gaming. 

 

Introduction

Fosi audio is slowly walking the steps of FiiO by producing countless high-quality products, reaching in more and more corners of the market. Today we review what could be considered one of the most impressive gaming DAC so far, the K7. Fosi Audio products are available for purchase on Amazon, select Chifi stores, as well as general electronics store in select countries.  

As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases, and using the purchase links in my reviews helps me maintain this website and Youtube Channel. Huge thanks to Fosi Audio for providing us with the sample for this review. 

 

Product Link

Amazon – https://amzn.to/4o5eTAf

Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_o2aKRQU

 

Build Quality – Design 

Fosi Audio K7 is designed for pure music enjoyment, but with a more aggressive design. It is supposed to have both an extreme power output and to render very low distortion at high volumes. It is compatible with PC, PS5 PRO, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. It is called a gaming DAC AMP because it features multiple enhancements like sound localization to improve the gaming experience it offers. 

With an audiophile DAC chip at the core, the AKM AK4493EQ, K7 promises a wide dynamic range and ultra-low noise, along with low latency and it features Coaxial input, Optical Input, USB Type-C input, and you need to use a DC 12V power input to power it. There’s a bluetooth antenna at the back, although that will have enough delay for it to not work well gaming and real-time content. 

Headphone output list includes a 3.5mm single ended headphone output, with a 600mW + 600mW or a 32 OHM impedance, and a 4.4mm balanced headphone output with a power rating of 2.1W + 2.1W for a 32 OHM impedance load. Fosi Audio K7 also has a 3.5mm microphone input with intelligent noise reduction. Bluetooth support includes aptX, aptX LL, aptX HD, AAC and SBC. This is all supported by the QCC3031 Bluetooth Chip, and we also have a 1.5″ LCD high definition display to check the current format, current input and EQ you’re using. 

To control the Fosi Audio K7, we have two multi-functional controllers, tactile shortcut buttons, and an angled ergonomic design. Fosi Audio has overload protection, overheat protection and overcurrent protection. We also have an RCA Line out at the back, and bluetooth version is 5.0.  

 

USB DAC – Subjective Usage

You have to select which output you’re using, which is very nice, as it allows you to switch from the output from headphones to the line out at the click of a button. Sync test comes back perfect, there is no added delay, and playback happens in real time with the K7 gaming DAC / AMP. This means it is adequate even for extremely fast games and watching music videos and live concerts. 

You can select between UAC 1 and UAC 2, on a short click on the power button, but K7 comes from the factory with the Bass and Treble both set to max, which is not ideal as it results in a very colored EQ being applied and it sounding different from most DAc AMPs. 

Input can also be quickly switched at the click of a button, and so can you bypass the treble / bass enhancements. Fosi K7 is very stable on my desk and looks cool and edgy, but it has hard edges all around, and they are rather sharp, being made of metal. The two wheels turn indefinitely, and there is no easy to understand acceleration to them, so one turn for the volume turns two levels, and turing it faster does not increase or decrease the volume faster. 

 

Sound Quality

Pairings – I have paired the new Fosi Audio K7 DAC AMP with a selection of earphones and headphones including KBEar Cepheus, Dunu Vulkan 2, Moritz Enzo, Unique Melody Mest Jet Black, Punch Audio Martillo, Crosszone CZ-10 Enhanced, NF Acous NE4, NfAudio NA2+, Rose Technics QT-X, Palma DHS-1, and RAPTGO LEAF D01. Just for fun I also brought in the HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled, and FiiO FT7, to see how K7 would handle actually hard to drive headphones, as it boasts about a 2.1W per channel driving power for a 32 OHM impedance. 

It has more than enough power for all the IEMS in this list, even on low gain, but on high gain it drives the CZ-10 Enhanced and Palma DHS-1 with ease. In fact, it can even easily handle HIFIMAN Susvara unveiled, and it has a strong, punchy sound with them. For IEMs, there is no loud audible background noise, although it may have a louder than average background noise with ultra sensitive IEMs. This being said, the 2.1W at maximum for the balanced output is overrated, it struggles keeping Susvara Unveiled loud even at its maximum volume, which is oddly 62, not 60, and not 100. 

Overall Signature – To really understand how K7 sounds like, I have disabled all enhancements, and found that it sounds rather neutral, with a slow and bloomy sound. It sounds better at lower and medium volumes, and can struggle to keep control at very high volumes, as there is an audible increase in distortion and noise floor. Sound is somewhat dynamically compressed, which is good for games, as it brings forth details and micro bits of information that would otherwise be hidden by the louder elements. This compression effect helps a lot with games, and it is audible even in bypass mode. 

Bass – Starting from the low-end, K7 sounds rather neutral, bright, with a very lean and flat bass. Increasing the bass does not result in a significantly better sub-bass, but more of a mid and upper bass increase. It is still welcome, especially for speakers, but will create more of a warmer sound rather than a deeper, more punchy sound. Bass speed is slow, it is soft and it is a laid-back bass with low impact and hitting power. 

Midrange – Especially at lower volumes, Fosi Audio K7 sounds revealing, crystalline, crisp and detailed, with an incredible resolution and clarity. It is super detailed, and has a clean signautre, but this changes if you brign it very loud, as you can hear the compression effect much more, and it becomes far more aggressive, but also with a higher THD or distortion. Overall, it is best if you listen at moderate and lower levels for the best sonic performance. 

Treble – With a soft and edge-free, fatigue-free treble, K7 extends nicely into the 20 kHz, but loses most power by 12 kHz, where it tries to become smoother and less aggressive. Adding more treble from the EQ / Effects setting increases the resolution, and clarity of the sound significantly. It becomes far more revealing, and sounds more like a high-end DAC AMP. I highly recommend that you try to enjoy it with treble set to max, if you want it to compare in resolution and technical revealing ability to other high-quality DAc AMPs, including Fosi’s own Fosi Audio ZD3. 

Dynamics / PRaT / Textures – Fosi K7 sounds soft, lacks edge and it is generally a relaxed sounding DAC AMP. It has a compression effect always, it goes for sounding rather smooth and edge-free, but this has the downside of making it a bit too loud always, and the increase in THD and distortion at louder volumes is more obvious and more noticeable this way. 

Soundstage – With a wide, and holographic soundstage, K7 sounds rather open, and generally enhances, and increases the perceived space in music, leading to a sound that is really open and airy. Instrument separation is not very strong, and it generally sounds blended together, layering also being more of the blended type rather than the fully separated type. 

 

Value and Conclusion

Considering the price point, that it has a Microphone input, EQ settings, and it is also compatible with both Windows and Consoles, I find Fosi Audio K7 to have a really strong value today, it has a mini display, beautiful design, edgy looks, but a softy sound, with many useful features. As it has no USB DAC delay, it is adequate for its main purpose, gaming and playing using it. 

At the end of the day, Fosi Audio created a really nice gaming DAC AMP, with EQ, line outs, good driving power, low background noise and it brings it all at a considerably affordable price point. Also considering that it is one of the very few DAC AMPs made for gamers and gaming, I highly recommend that you try the Fosi Audio K7 if you want to explore the fun side of the audiophile life. 

PROs

  • Practical, small, but potent 
  • EQ for bass and treble, can increase mid and upper bass, and treble clarity 
  • Line outs that are clean
  • Easy controls 
  • Microphone input
  • Good driving power for headphones 
  • Low noise for IEMs 
  • Soft and fatigue-free sound 
  • Compression that makes far and quiet sounds easier to hear in games, can give a tactical advantage while playing 
  • Great price performance ratio 

Cons

  • Needs a power converter that is always connected to it, adds to the clutter 
  • Soft and gentle sound not ideal for gaming 
  • Can distort at higher volumes 
  • Can struggle with HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled 

 

Product Link

Amazon – https://amzn.to/4o5eTAf

Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_o2aKRQU


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Full Playlist used for this review

We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature.  I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7

https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5

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