I recently had the chance to check out the Fosi Audio SK02, a new DAC/amp combo that Fosi Audio sent over for me to review. It's currently priced at $99.99 and you can grab it here. In this review, I'll be sharing my honest thoughts and experiences with the SK02, aiming to give you a clear picture of what this device has to offer. Let's dive in and see how it stacks up!
Starting with Packaging:
The SK02 is packaged minimalist. Inside the box, you'll find the DAC amp nestled alongside necessary cables (USB Type-C to Type-C, with fused Type-A Adapter) The packaging is very straightforward.
Affordable, All Rounder Desktop Dac Amp
Priced competitively, the Fosi Audio SK02 provides excellent value. It excels as an all-rounder DAC amp, offering solid sound quality, feature richness, and a sturdy build. For those seeking a potent DAC amp for IEMs that require high power, such as planar, it can drive any headphones on the market due to its high power output.
- 3.5mm Output:
- High Gain: 280mW @ 32Ω, 130mW @ 64Ω
- Low Gain: 90mW @ 32Ω, 50mW @ 64Ω
- 4.4mm Output:
- High Gain: 1100mW @ 32Ω, 550mW @ 64Ω
- Low Gain: 350mW @ 32Ω, 180mW @ 64Ω
Other Specifications:
>Inputs: USB, Optical (OPT)
>Outputs:
- 3.5mm Headphone
- 4.4mm Headphone
- 3.5mm Line Out/OPT
>Frequency Range: 20Hz-20kHz
>THD: ≤0.001% @ 1kHz
>SNR:
- 3.5mm Headphone:
- Low Gain: 116dB
- High Gain: 120dB
- 4.4mm Headphone:
- Low Gain: 110dB
- High Gain: 115dB
>Headphone Matching Impedance: 16-300Ω
>PC-USB Sampling Rate: 32Bit/384kHz DSD256
>OPT Sampling Rate: 24Bit/192kHz
>DAC Chip: ES9038Q2M
>Power Supply: 5V, USB Type-C
Functionality Details:
Buttons and Knob: •Volume knob: It's smooth and precise, doubles as play/pause with a press, and powers on/off when held. While it's good, there are some cons with this type of smooth volume knob, like accidentally turning the volume up too high. • Left Button: Toggles between high and low gain settings, ideal for different headphone types. • Right Button: Switches between USB and line out modes, catering to various audio sources.
LED Indicators: • Gain Setting: Indicates selected gain level (high or low). • Input Mode: Shows active input mode (USB or line out). • Format and Sample Rate: Displays PCM or DSD format and sample rate. • Power: Indicates power state. • Volume Level: Displays relative volume via LEDs on the knob.
Disclaimer: I received a review unit from Fosi Audio; however, my review is impartial and reflects my honest appraisal.
Sound Signature:
This DAC/amp has a neutral-ish sound signature that's very transparent, though in my opinion, it's a bit on the dry side. I do sense a slight touch of warmth in the midrange, but it's not too prominent. Overall, it delivers a clear and detailed sound, which some may find a tad analytical. It's great for revealing nuances in music, but if you prefer a warmer, more lush sound, or bright more energetic sound, this is not the one.
Fosi SK02 Sound Signature by Genre:
The SK02's balanced sound signature lends versatility across different music genres:
Bass-Heavy Genres (EDM, Hip-Hop): ♪ The SK02's balanced bass suits these genres well, delivering deep bass extension without overshadowing the mids.
Note, its neutral character means bass may not be as pronounced as with bass-boosted amps, ideal for those preferring a less thumping low-end.
Acoustic Genres (Folk, Jazz, Classical): ♪ The SK02's slight touch of warmth adds body to instruments and vocals, enhancing the natural sound of acoustic music. It ensures clarity and detail, preserving the subtleties of the music.
Balanced presentation ensures clear vocals and instrument separation.
Rock and Pop: ♪ The SK02 offers lively performance for rock and pop. Guitars retain their energy, vocals clarity, and controlled bass without muddiness.
Its neutral signature preserves the artist's intended sound.
Metal: ♪ Metal benefits from impactful bass, and while the SK02 delivers solid bass presence, it may not satisfy those seeking aggressive lows.
Nevertheless, it maintains clarity, crucial for separating instruments in complex metal mixes.
The SK02 DAC chip is renowned for its neutral and transparent sound signature, which pairs well with various IEMs:
Tri i3 MK3: The Fosi SK02 complements the Tri i3 MK3 effectively with its 4.4mm jack delivering 1100mW, meeting the MK3's high power demand and unlocking its true potential. The SK02's neutral and clean sound preserves the overall sound signature of the Tri i3 MK3.
Dita Project M: The SK02's balanced sound and slight warmth in the midrange help to mitigate the brightness of the Dita Project M, renowned for its emphasis on the upper midrange and treble. This results in a more pleasant and controlled listening experience despite the SK02's transparent nature.
BQEYZ Wind: The Wind benefits from the SK02's clarity and transparent presentation, although it can make the IEMs' sound signature feel a bit dry. Nonetheless, this enhances the overall naturalness of the listening experience.
BQEYZ Cloud: The SK02's neutral and clean sound helps to balance out the Cloud's bright signature, making it less fatiguing for extended listening sessions, but it feels like the airiness of the treble and vocals diminishes slightly.
Additional Info:
The SK02 supports plug-and-play on most devices, requiring no additional drivers for Windows or macOS. For mobile use, it doesn't work with all phones somehow, my LG v60 is doing just fine, but Poco M4 Pro it doesn't work at all, also for phones user you should note that it may drain batteries significantly due to its power demands.
Phone Battery Drain:
> Phone Battery Capacity: Most phones have a battery around 5,000mAh (or 5Ah at 3.7V, which is roughly 18.5Wh).
> SK02 Power Consumption: The SK02 uses about 2W.
> Phone Power Consumption: Phones typically use around 3W.
Calculation:
> Total Power Consumption: 3W (phone) + 2W (SK02) = 5W
> Battery Life (in hours) = Battery Capacity (in Wh) / Total Power Consumption (in W)
-For the phone: 18.5Wh / 5W = 3.7 hours
So, if you're pairing the SK02 with your phone, you might see your battery life drop to around 3.7 hours, This is just an estimate. Actual battery drain will depend on things like:
The specific phone model and its battery health, How you use it (volume level, high vs low gain), other tasks running or what else you're doing with your phone, examples using mobile data, and streaming the music makes the phones drain a lot faster though, etc.
+Solid Build: The SK02 is constructed with durability in mind, suitable for both home and portable use.
+High-Quality Sound: It offers a balanced sound profile featuring deep bass, warm midrange tones, and natural highs, delivering detailed clarity across a wide range of musical genres.
+Ample Power: Boasts high output power to effectively drive even the most demanding headphones and IEMs, ensuring clear and powerful audio playback.
+Feature-Packed: Includes versatile connectivity options such as USB and Optical inputs, dual headphone outputs, and user-friendly controls like the versatile volume knob.
+Supports High-Resolution Audio: Capable of handling high-resolution audio formats up to 32Bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256, catering to audiophiles seeking enhanced sound fidelity.
-Neutral Sound Signature: While its neutral sound profile is great for accuracy, it may not appeal to users preferring a warmer or more toward energitic or bright-is sound.
-Limited Phone Compatibility and also drain much battery: Not universally compatible with all smartphones due to power requirements, potentially causing significant battery drain during use. Its desktop DAC amp design makes it less suited for mobile applications.
-Volume Knob Sensitivity: The smooth-operating volume knob, while precise, could lead to unintended volume adjustments, which might be a minor inconvenience.
Overall:
The Fosi Audio SK02 is a great DAC/amp combo that offers solid value for its price. It packs a punch with its high power output, versatile connectivity options, and support for high-resolution audio formats. The sound is neutral, transparent, and detailed, making it perfect for various music genres. However, if you prefer a warmer or more energetic sound, this might not be your cup of tea. It's well-built and easy to use, but it doesn't play well with smartphones and can drain your phone battery quickly due to its power demands. Overall, it's a reliable and affordable desktop DAC/amp solution with excellent audio fidelity and plenty of power.
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