Help with choosing a balanced DAC (Fosi ZD3 vs Sabaj A20d)

[paulzhere]

I would like to add a balanced DAC to my chain. I have a Hypex based NCore class D amp which accepts both RCA and balanced XLR inputs. The source is a WiiM Pro streamer streaming HiRes audio from internet services. After some research, I found two very well regarded balanced DACs, the Fosi Audio ZD3 and the Sabaj A20d 2022 version both having excellent measurements on the ASR website (maybe with the Sabaj a hair better than the Fosi). Now the Sabaj has full MQA decoding which I don't care for since I don't see myself decoding MQA audio in the near future. The Sabaj is around double the price of the Fosi ZD3. My question is, is the Sabaj really worth that much money over the Fosi in terms of sound and performance. Or is it just the premium for MQA decoding that one has to pay?

If you have other recommendations, I'd like to consider those too. Thanks for your help.

Cheers
Paul

 

[isolar8001]

I would like to add a balanced DAC to my chain.

Cheers
Paul

Why ?
What's wrong with the DAC in the WiiM Pro ? After all, that what WiiM is charging for.
DAC Fever runs deep in the pool of AudioPhoolery.

 

[infoisthub]

I would like to add a balanced DAC to my chain. I have a Hypex based NCore class D amp which accepts both RCA and balanced XLR inputs. The source is a WiiM Pro streamer streaming HiRes audio from internet services. After some research, I found two very well regarded balanced DACs, the Fosi Audio ZD3 and the Sabaj A20d 2022 version both having excellent measurements on the ASR website (maybe with the Sabaj a hair better than the Fosi). Now the Sabaj has full MQA decoding which I don't care for since I don't see myself decoding MQA audio in the near future. The Sabaj is around double the price of the Fosi ZD3. My question is, is the Sabaj really worth that much money over the Fosi in terms of sound and performance. Or is it just the premium for MQA decoding that one has to pay?

If you have other recommendations, I'd like to consider those too. Thanks for your help.

Cheers
Paul

It depends on your budget Both devices have received positive reviews for their performance. However, the audible differences may be minimal, especially if MQA decoding isn't a requirement for your listening preferences. I think for u Fosi Audio ZD3 appears to be a good choice.

 

[PENG]

I would like to add a balanced DAC to my chain. I have a Hypex based NCore class D amp which accepts both RCA and balanced XLR inputs. The source is a WiiM Pro streamer streaming HiRes audio from internet services. After some research, I found two very well regarded balanced DACs, the Fosi Audio ZD3 and the Sabaj A20d 2022 version both having excellent measurements on the ASR website (maybe with the Sabaj a hair better than the Fosi). Now the Sabaj has full MQA decoding which I don't care for since I don't see myself decoding MQA audio in the near future. The Sabaj is around double the price of the Fosi ZD3. My question is, is the Sabaj really worth that much money over the Fosi in terms of sound and performance. Or is it just the premium for MQA decoding that one has to pay?

If you have other recommendations, I'd like to consider those too. Thanks for your help.

Cheers
Paul

For half the price, the Fosi is a better value especially if you can find use of the HDMI/ARC input.
Both have the ESS flagship DAC IC that is quite expensive, the Fosi uses the newest version, the ES9039Pro but I am not sure what is its advantage over the ES9038Pro that has the same SINAD spec.

The Sabaj 2022 version did measure a touch better on ASR, the 2023 version that uses the AKM flagship DAC IC measured just a touch better. If the price for the 2023 version is the same, imo it might be a better choice.