Fosi Audio Q6 DAC Review – Basic Design With Advanced Sound

Fosi Audio Q6 DAC Review – Basic Design With Advanced Sound

Fosi Audio Q6 is a $109 USD Desktop DAC with a practical design, and an AK4493S DAC at the heart. Today we review this entry-level Chifi DAC and put it up against the competition that usually plays in the entry-level range. 

Introduction

Fosi Audio makes great entry-level products, some of which are favorites of the fans, including their Fosi V3 Mono and Fosi ZA3 Balanced stereo Amplifiers. Their Better DAC is named Fosi Audio ZD3 and we already reviewed it, so it is time to see how the most affordable one to date sounds like. 

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Product Link

Amazon – https://amzn.to/4nr8MoU

Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oFGwL8J

Build Quality – Design 

Fosi Audio Q6 is a simple, mainly USB DAC, but with multiple inputs. It features a clean digital to analog conversion, and can work for multiple inputs, including PC Computer, TV and streamers. Fosi made the Q6 simple, minimalist, and it has a comprehensive list of inputs and outputs, including USB Type-C input, which always needs to be populated as this is the power input too, an optical input and a coaxial input. 

A testament to Fosi, it also has RCA Line Outs, and an RCA Subwoofer output. You can use Fosi Q6 to power a powered subwoofer via the subwoofer output, or via the RCA line out to power an amplifier that powers passive speakers, or a set of powered speakers. 

Fosi combined an AKM AK4493S DAC with an XMOS XU316 audio processor and an OPA1612 OP-AMP for the simplest, most efficient design. This setup supports a PCM rate up to 32 Bit / 768 kHz, and DSD512. Technically it has an ultra low distortion of 0.00012%, and a dynamic range of 121 dB, with a 121 SNR or Signal To Noise Ratio. We have seen this DAC implemented in just one product so far, namely SMSL C100. 

USB DAC – Subjective Usage

Fosi Audio Q6 has a large input selection wheel, a nice on off switch on the front, and it does not slide easily on the desk. There are no driver issues, no USB DAC delay and it works very well, being a simple and effective device. 

There is no volume control, no PRE only DAC function that outputs signal at max volume at all times. This being said, there is no USB DAC delay, and everything is instant with the Q6.  

Sound Quality

Pairings – I have used Fosi Audio Q6 in multiple setups, but it is intended for desktop usage. Still, I combined it with a Singxser SA-1 V2 to drive a set of HIFIMAN HE1000 Unveiled, with a pair of FiiO SA1 Active Speakers, FiiO SP3 BT Speakers, and a set of SVS Prime Wireless PRO Powered Speakers. For Stereo setups, I have combined Fosi Q6 with a set of Topping B100 Stereo Amplifiers to drive a pair of Elipson Heritage XLS 7 Speakers. 

Overall Signature – I’ve seen reviewers call the Fosi Q6 a steal compared to the market, and this seems to be what I hear as well, it is very impressive for the price, almost as detailed and crisp and clean as Surfans F28, Fosi Audio K7 and Shanling UP6 if using those as a DAC. This being said, the signature is very transparent, and it bears almost no tuning, which is ideal for a DAC, but it does have a fairly good technical performance with strong resolution and detail. 

Depending on what you’re coming from, Q6 can sound a bit cold and bright, but it is not bland, it has a strong dynamic range, and impact, and I have successfully paired it with multiple amplifiers where it allows the amplifier to do the coloration. Like most Fosi Audio and Entry-Level DACs, Q6 has the tendency to highlight the midrange a bit more than the treble or the bass, it doesn’t lose the bass and can deliver proper kick, but it also brings voices in a more central spot, giving them a clean, vivid presentation. 

Dynamic Range and Textures – With a highly transparent and clear sound and no tilt towards warm or cold, the texture and dynamic range is what you hear almost instantly. Q6 has a universal texture, it is clean, natural decay, towards ever so slightly fast, which means that it reveals textures and micro details rather nicely. There’s no bloom or bloat, and it is rather good at keeping the textures enjoyable even when rendering death metal and technical music styles. 

Loudness Saturation Gradient – There is no loudness saturation gradient, as there is no volume control, but I wanted to leave in this part of the review for the sake of mentioning that you should check the input voltage of your AMP. It is ideal for your amplifier to expect 2V or a bit more, as there is no way to control the output of the V6 and if the AMP expects a lower voltage it may lead to a bit of distortion. 

Soundstage – I like that Q6 has a natural, almost extended width to sound, it does not compress the soundstage, and as it has a natural texture and dynamic range, it has a very cohesive and natural imaging too. I am unable to hear a noise floor, but I am able to hear a good separation, better than what the price range usually offers. 

Value and Conclusion

Fosi Audio delivers a very simple but very straight-to-the-point DAC, efficient D/A conversion for just 109 USD. It has a clean output, no distortion, no extra fluff but an excellent sound for that price. I consider it to have an excellent price to performance ratio, and despite not doing that much in terms of features, it does what it is supposed to with top performance. 

At the end of the day, if you need a crisp, transparent, color-free sounding DAC with an outstanding performance, low price, simple but efficient design, which does not get hot, and has both RCA line outs and a subwoofer output, Fosi Audio Q6 will be an excellent music companion to use for years to come, for an entry-level setup. 

PROs

• Practical, small, efficient 
• Heat is limited and it works really well 
• Transparent and detailed 
• Clean sound with very little distortion 
• Subwoofer output is a huge plus 
• RCA Line out 

Cons

• No volume control, only input control 
• Not the most exciting sound 

Product Link

Amazon – https://amzn.to/4nr8MoU

Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oFGwL8J

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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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