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BeautifulHose4019 5.2K Views
Feb 17, 2025 11:40 PM

Fosi Audio ZD3 Desktop DAC Preamp $152.99

$153

$190

19% off
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Fosi Audio ZD3 Desktop DAC Preamp, Fully Balanced Digital to Analog Audio Converter with ES9039Q2M for Home Stereo Amplifier, Bluetooth/USB/Optical/Coax/TV HDMI ARC Input, XLR/RCA Output with Remote




https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHXH9RLZ

QA Note: "Exclusive Prime price"
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Fosi Audio ZD3 Desktop DAC Preamp, Fully Balanced Digital to Analog Audio Converter with ES9039Q2M for Home Stereo Amplifier, Bluetooth/USB/Optical/Coax/TV HDMI ARC Input, XLR/RCA Output with Remote




https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHXH9RLZ

QA Note: "Exclusive Prime price"

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Pro
Feb 18, 2025 2:07 PM
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cvp33
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Feb 18, 2025 2:07 PM
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OK deal here for delivery today however:

1) It was $135 yesterday from Fosi direct with free shipping and no tax.

2) It's $135.59 before tax on AliExpress during their Spring Sale. 3.6 delivery.

3) It's a great little pre-amp and price is OK if +$18 is worth getting it quickly.

Last edited by cvp33 February 18, 2025 at 06:11 AM.
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Pro
Feb 18, 2025 2:37 PM
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Joined Sep 2014
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Pro
Feb 18, 2025 2:37 PM
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Quote from cvp33 View quoted comment :
OK deal here for delivery today however:

1) It was $135 yesterday from Fosi direct with free shipping and no tax.

2) It's $135.59 before tax on AliExpress during their Spring Sale. 3.6 delivery.

3) It's a great little pre-amp and price is OK if +$18 is worth getting it quickly.

Thanks for the heads up.

In other words this isn't really a deal with the higher price and sales tax.
Pro
Feb 18, 2025 3:13 PM
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cvp33
Pro
Feb 18, 2025 3:13 PM
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Quote from SavingsSamurai View quoted comment :
Thanks for the heads up.

In other words this isn't really a deal with the higher price and sales tax.
Exactly. That's why it's being voted down to -3 so far.

There's a lot of deals on Fosi, Aiyima, Fouk and Nobsound on AliExpress right now with their Spring Sale. Many shipping from US warehouses so fairly quick deliveries.

Just picked up the following:

*Aiyima A80 pro for $69 delivered after tax and TC 6% rebate

*Aiyima A8 preamp for $58 also free delivery after tax and rebate

*Aiyima A80 PFFB w/48v5a power supply for $186 same as above

*Aiyima 48v5a GaN power supply $24

*Nobsound VU3 PRO $111

These prices are 35-50% lower than Amazon, Temu or even buying direct as prices above in tax and delivery. Don't forget to use your favorite rebate site for 6% rebate.






Last edited by cvp33 February 18, 2025 at 07:20 AM.
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Feb 18, 2025 4:04 PM
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Joined Nov 2011
makhanakaFeb 18, 2025 4:04 PM
781 Comments
Quote from cvp33 View quoted comment :
Exactly. That's why it's being voted down to -3 so far.

There's a lot of deals on Fosi, Aiyima, Fouk and Nobsound on AliExpress right now with their Spring Sale. Many shipping from US warehouses so fairly quick deliveries.

Just picked up the following:

*Aiyima A80 pro for $69 delivered after tax and TC 6% rebate

*Aiyima A8 preamp for $58 also free delivery after tax and rebate

*Aiyima A80 PFFB w/48v5a power supply for $186 same as above

*Aiyima 48v5a GaN power supply $24

*Nobsound VU3 PRO $111

These prices are 35-50% lower than Amazon, Temu or even buying direct as prices above in tax and delivery. Don't forget to use your favorite rebate site for 6% rebate.






Not sure if there is a A80 Pro. Do you mean A08 Pro, which i am interested in but showing $77.46 and less clarity if it includes power supply.
Can you please share link ?
Pro
Feb 18, 2025 7:25 PM
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cvp33
Pro
Feb 18, 2025 7:25 PM
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Quote from XDecker View quoted comment :
While you are correct that Fosi had those items on sale for cheaper, those deals are gone. The Amazon price is the best one at the moment for the ZD3.

As far as your shameless Aiyima shilling, the T8 uses an older DAC chip and doesn't have balanced outputs. It isn't even close to comparable despite being cheaper.

Aiyima doesn't even have any standalone DAC/preamp in their line that even comes close to the Zd3. Topping and SMSL both do if someone is looking for alternates to Fosi.

Edit: the a80 is an integrated amp w a DAC. It uses the 9038q2m whereas the zd3 uses the 9039q2m.

My WiiM Ultra already has a 9038q2m- I'm not looking to cross grade
Technically shameless deal posting is kinda the point on Slick Deals. Aiyima, Fouk, Nobsound, Fosi…….don't care whom you go with. Dont know another way to get 300w per channel with the Ti chipset for under $100. WiiM is a great streamer plus amp for $300. I already have 2 terabytes of music and a laptop so I don't need a dedicated streamer. Tons of deals on AliExpress right now.

UPDATE - I see the mods removed your inappropriate post. Think next time XDocker.
Last edited by cvp33 February 19, 2025 at 06:25 AM.
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Pro
Feb 18, 2025 7:32 PM
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cvp33
Pro
Feb 18, 2025 7:32 PM
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Quote from makhanaka View quoted comment :
Not sure if there is a A80 Pro. Do you mean A08 Pro, which i am interested in but showing $77.46 and less clarity if it includes power supply.
Can you please share link ?
https://slickdeals.net/f/18126679-aliexpress-spring-sale-great-deals-on-mini-amps-dac-s-and-pre-amps-69

Got excited about the A80 PFFB coming out next week. $229 with battery + $22 tax = $251…..or follow the thread link above and follow the steps mine was $170 delivered with coupons, coins and rebate site.
Feb 18, 2025 8:27 PM
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XDeckerFeb 18, 2025 8:27 PM
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Quote from cvp33 View quoted comment :
Technically shameless deal posting is kinda the point on Slick Deals. Aiyima, Fouk, Nobsound, Fosi…….don't care whom you go with. Dont know another way to get 300w per channel with the Ti chipset for under $100. WiiM is a great streamer plus amp for $300. I already have 2 terabytes of music and a laptop so I don't need a dedicated streamer. Tons of deals on AliExpress right now.
A) the WiiM ultra is a streamer + DAC + preamp. It is not a power amplifier.

B) the zd3 is a DAC + preamp using the q9039q2m DAC chip. The preamp can be bypassed.

C) that a80 pffb looks interesting enough if you need a DAC + preamp + stereo power amplifier with the TI chip and PFFB. I like the display on it too.

HOWEVER, nothing you've talked about here is comparable to the ZD3 as a standalone DAC/preamp. That T8 uses an old DAC chip and does not have balanced outputs.

I have 2 Fosi v3 Monos on order to replace the power amplifier component of my current system. I was considering ordering the zd3 ( or maybe the topping d50 iii, or the smsl raw mda1) as comparable (or probably even better) Dac/preamps.
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Pro
Feb 18, 2025 10:46 PM
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cvp33
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Feb 18, 2025 10:46 PM
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Quote from XDecker View quoted comment :
A) the WiiM ultra is a streamer + DAC + preamp. It is not a power amplifier. DISAPPOINTING given it's cost, but it does look pretty

B) the zd3 is a DAC + preamp using the q9039q2m DAC chip. The preamp can be bypassed.

C) that a80 pffb looks interesting enough if you need a DAC + preamp + stereo power amplifier with the TI chip and PFFB. I like the display on it too. HERE's SOMETHING WE AGREE ON. GREAT VALUE at $174 IF YOU FOLLW MY DEAL POST

HOWEVER, nothing you've talked about here is comparable to the ZD3 as a standalone DAC/preamp. That T8 uses an old DAC chip and does not have balanced outputs. WRONG - see above and below

I have 2 Fosi v3 Monos on order to replace the power amplifier component of my current system. I was considering ordering the zd3 ( or maybe the topping d50 iii, or the smsl raw mda1) as comparable (or probably even better) Dac/preamps.
I stand corrected. So the WiiM is less capable and higher priced. The deals I posted are active now above and below and in the linked thread. The Aiyima A08 Pro and the new A80 both use the very capable Ti 3255 chipset and can be driven at 48v for 300w x 2.

So in summary, I think we figured out who is likely shilling for WiiM. My last 3 threads featured FOSI, Aiyima and Nobsound so I think maybe you've been found out.

Here's the link again if you want to buy and SAVE $26

$147 sale
-$12 coupon
- $8 rebate
$127 NET vs $153

IFosi Audio ZD3 Bluetooth Desktop DAC Preamp ARC Input, ES9039Q2M Fully Balanced Digital for Home Stereo Amplifier with Remote
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mNE1P7z
Last edited by cvp33 February 18, 2025 at 03:16 PM.
Feb 18, 2025 11:41 PM
3.2K Comments
Joined Nov 2007
XDeckerFeb 18, 2025 11:41 PM
3.2K Comments
Quote from cvp33 View quoted comment :
I stand corrected. So the WiiM is less capable and higher priced. The deals I posted are active now above and below and in the linked thread. The Aiyima A08 Pro and the new A80 both use the very capable Ti 3255 chipset and can be driven at 48v for 300w x 2.

So in summary, I think we figured out who is likely shilling for WiiM. My last 3 threads featured FOSI, Aiyima and Nobsound so I think maybe you've been found out.

Here's the link again if you want to buy and SAVE $26

$147 sale
-$12 coupon
- $8 rebate
$127 NET vs $153

IFosi Audio ZD3 Bluetooth Desktop DAC Preamp ARC Input, ES9039Q2M Fully Balanced Digital for Home Stereo Amplifier with Remote
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mNE1P7z
The 3255 is a power amp chip. It is not a DAC.

The WiiM Ultra is a VERY capable streamer + DAC + preamp. It uses the 9038q2m as its DAC chip, which is newer and better than the 9018 that's used in your beloved T8. It is the same DAC chip as in the A80 pffb. It does not have a power amp section.

Like I said, the a80 PFFB is interesting enough if you want an all in one DAC + preamp + stereo power amp. The a80 also uses the 9038q2m as its DAC, plus it has the 3255 with pffb for its power amp section.

If you want an all in one, that's a perfectly fine option.

I'm trying to build a stack of separates using Fosi v3 monoblock power amps (which, by the way, use the 3255 power amp chip with PFFB) .

I do not NEED a separate DAC because my WiiM has one, but it does not have balanced outputs. Hence why I was looking at the zd3 or d50 or mda raw. Those three use the 9039q2m (the newest) DAC chip and have balanced outputs- and the topping and smsl use DUAL 9039q2m. We have different use cases.

Thank you for posting the savings on the zd3 from Ali express. You did NOT mention that previously only the Aiyima stuff. I will look and see if the same discounts apply to the d50 or the mda raw.

Edit: I am currently using my Yamaha Aventage a740 as a power amp only, so my system is already technically "complete". But I am looking to see if I can build out separate components, so I ordered the Fosi v3 monos to replace that one piece.

Edit2: I am not shilling for Fosi. As a matter of fact, I am leaning towards the d50 at the moment if I can get the right deal.
Last edited by XDecker February 18, 2025 at 05:55 PM.
Pro
Feb 19, 2025 3:19 AM
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cvp33
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Feb 19, 2025 3:19 AM
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Sorry, I didn't mean to offend, but I don't take kindly to people like XDecker that accuse me of shilling when clearly:

1) I posted a better price than the OP
2) I posted multiple brands - Fosi, Nobsound, Aiyima and Fouk
3) I posted several options that actually cost at least 1/2 the price of the WiiM and frankly outperform it.
4) At no time did I claim my components did what the WiiM does. CrossDucker brought that up. I posted the AliExpress link to save $28 vs. the OP.
5) I also posted a bunch of other components at prices 30-50% less than Amazon and company-stores.
Last edited by cvp33 February 19, 2025 at 12:52 AM.
1
Feb 19, 2025 2:12 PM
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XDeckerFeb 19, 2025 2:12 PM
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Quote from cvp33 View quoted comment :
Sorry, I didn't mean to offend, but I don't take kindly to people like XDecker that accuse me of shilling when clearly:

1) I posted a better price than the OP
2) I posted multiple brands - Fosi, Nobsound, Aiyima and Fouk
3) I posted several options that actually cost at least 1/2 the price of the WiiM and frankly outperform it.
4) At no time did I claim my components did what the WiiM does. CrossDucker brought that up. I posted the AliExpress link to save $28 vs. the OP.
5) I also posted a bunch of other components at prices 30-50% less than Amazon and company-stores.
Why are you obsessed with the WiiM? I brought it up to demonstrate to you what my needs were and now you're fixating on that as the crux for your argument.

ANYWAY, I already thanked you for showing the Ali express discount for the zd3. I missed it the first time-sorry about that.

And +18 is possibly worth it for Amazon return policy + faster shipping, but I'm not even sold on getting the zd3 yet.
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Pro
Feb 19, 2025 2:22 PM
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cvp33
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Feb 19, 2025 2:22 PM
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Less than $125 for DAC, VU meter, Ti 3255 chipset, 300w x 2 amp and tons of eyeball, if you followed my links yesterday.

Or you can spend $153 for a DAC and still need an amp.

Feb 19, 2025 2:37 PM
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XDeckerFeb 19, 2025 2:37 PM
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Quote from cvp33 View quoted comment :
Less than $125 for DAC, VU meter, Ti 3255 chipset, 300w x 2 amp and tons of eyeball, if you followed my links yesterday.

Or you can spend $153 for a DAC and still need an amp.

Dude…. Once again, that DAC isn't even remotely comparable to the zd3.

How many times do I have to tell you? Our needs are obviously different. I am willing to spend a bit more money on higher quality stuff.

And FYI… you would have been better off just buying the a80 PFFB. You'd have better quality components than whatever that stack is.
. 🤷 ♂️
Last edited by XDecker February 19, 2025 at 06:40 AM.
Dec 23, 2025 3:07 PM
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stasisDec 23, 2025 3:07 PM
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Last edited by stasis December 23, 2025 at 07:13 AM.

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