Introduction:
Acquired this tiny FiiO D3 DAC not long ago. Given its low price and impressive 24bit 192kHz specification, does it deliver bang-per-buck?
![user posted image]()
Specifications...
- Maximum support: 192KHz/24Bit
- Power supply: DC 5V
- Output amplitude: 1.6V (0dB Fs)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz~20KHz
- Signal to Noise Ratio: ≥90dB
- Crosstalk: 75dB
- Total harmonic distortion: <0.01%(10mW)
- Size: 61.6mm×49.1mm×21mm
- Weight: 50g
Hardware...
This DAC is really small, and can easily fit in the palms of your hand...
![user posted image]()
The main I.Cs in this unit are...
- Wolfson WM8805 SPDIF receiver
- Cirrus Logic CS4344 24-bit 192kHz DAC
- Texas Instruments LMV358 low power opamp
The Wolfson SPDIF receiver and Cirrus Logic DAC will be familiar to HiFi enthusiasts. However the opamp used is not exactly HiFi class but given the unit's low price, I'm not surprised. This DAC target market is for users with LCD TVs which only has optical or coaxial audio outputs for external audio equipment. This is an older version of FiiO D3 series (ie. there's a newer version at the manufacturer's website here: FiiO TAISHAN D03K). However being a generic DAC, it can also be used for computers with SPDIF output. For those who are not satisfied with their soundcards or integrated audio solutions, this DAC would be the simplest solution.
Testing:
The test setup consist of my old PC with the following specifications...
- Processor: Intel Core i5 760 (stock speed)
- Mainboard: GigaByte GA-H55M-USB3
- Memory: 4GB Kingston DDR3-1333 ValueRAM (2GB+2GB in dual channel mode)
- Graphic card: Palit 9600GT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16
- Soundcard: Realtek ALC889 integrated HD audio
- CD/DVD drive: Lite-On SHW-160P6S 16X/8X/16X IDE DVDRW
- Power supply: AcBel E2 Power 470W
- Operating system: Windows XP Service Pack 3
As for storage, there are at least 1.6TB spanning multiple HDDs and not including external hot plug eSATA drives.
Methodology...
Source testing material are audio CDs and lossless audio files. Players used are Foobar2000 and Winamp. All audio tests are done at both 96kHz and 192kHz sampling rates with integrated ALC889 thru SPDIF optical connection. Refer to the image below on the settings...
![user posted image]()
The Realtek drivers will automatically upsample all 44.1kHz audio data to the specified output sampling rate. The Realtek integrated audio solution can also simultaneously output both SPDIF and analog Line out. Software upsampler/resamplers such as SoX and Audioburst FX are also used. Output resolution set to 24bit/32bit. Output device set to "Realtek HD Audio output", Kernal Streaming output and/or ASIO. For your information, for best quality audio avoid the "Primary sound driver" or Directsound (which is why I'm not using Windows Media Player).
Listening equipment...
Not exactly super high end stuff, but highly adequate for listening purposes.
- Philips SHP1900 headphones
- Edifier M3300 2.1 speaker system (already repaired and modified)
The headphones are a little shy on the low frequencies but not too shy on the high frequencies. The speakers are very sensitive to high frequency spectrum (literally can even pick up any spurious noise present from the inputs) and can be used to distinguish between my other soundcards (Creative Audigy SE, Creative SoundBlaster Live!, Yamaha XG, CMedia CMI8738, etc).
Listening results (compared to baseline integrated ALC889)...
Sometimes a bit more detail is revealed (depends on the music/audio being played). Certain music now has a little more "air" to it. However the high frequency spectrum is somewhat laid back (when compared with the integrated audio solution). Slightly finer trebles but not much presence. The middle frequencies such as vocals sounds normal (nothing special). The lows sounds fine though. IMHO overall the sound is somewhat "laid back".
Problems encountered and my modifications
This DAC is not without some hiccups which may not be noticeable or apparent to most users (those who are not picky on the audio quality, and/or have muddy sounding speakers).
Noisy AC-to-DC power adapter...
The DAC's power section has simplistic filtering and regulation. As a result, any power supply with noisy rails will affect the audio output. And sure enough there was noise. The issue can be heard easily on my speakers rather than on the headphones. There was significant buzzing and audible high frequency crackling.
The original (noisy) AC-to DC adapter...
![user posted image]()
The problem was solved by powering from USB port of my PC. The USB cable used has a ferrite bead which should filter most of the EMI as well as some high frequency ripples of the USB power supply line (refer to the image below)...
![user posted image]()
But that's not the end of the noise problems, see the next paragraph below....
Crappy main filter capacitor...
After changing the power source (switched to computer's USB port), the buzzing stopped but still noticed some low level hiss and high frequency crackling on the speakers. Thus decided to change the DAC's main filter capacitor...
The original (crappy) "Cheng" capacitor removed from the DAC...
![user posted image]()
The replacement Nippon Chemicon KZG capacitor (miniature ultra low ESR) from my old stock....
![user posted image]()
After this modification, the low level hiss and high frequency crackling has now disappeared. The baseline high frequency whine of my speakers (can only be heard by pressing the ear against the tweeters closely) has increased slightly, which means not all the ripple on the USB power supply line is fully suppressed. But still considered a very significant improvement (noise levels have dropped dramatically and almost inaudible).
Possible future modifications...
Perhaps some future modifications especially replacing those ceramics in the signal path or simply bypassing the opamp can improve it a little more. Also (DIY) dedicated USB power line filter is in consideration.
Disclaimer...
Please note that modifying any unit still under warranty will VOID the warranty!
Conclusions:
Considering its relatively low price, do not put too much high expectations.
The pros...
- Cheap and affordable 24-bit 192kHz DAC
- Has both optical and coaxial inputs
- Switch to select either inputs, can be used for 2 different audio sources
- Optionally can be powered using USB port on the PC (for those who lacked enough power sockets to plug in the AC-to-DC adapter)
- Plug and play, no drivers required
- Gold plated connectors
The cons...
- Does not sound significantly better than integrated audio solutions such as Realtek ALC889
- Line outputs cannot be used to drive headphones directly, inevitable since its using very low power opamp.
- Line outputs levels are a little low thus need to increase the speaker volume a bit more
- Noisy AC-to-DC power adapter
- Insufficient power filtering with crappy main filter capacitor
- For DIY modders, not easy to perform modifications due to SMD components plus enclosure's limited internal space
Acquired this tiny FiiO D3 DAC not long ago. Given its low price and impressive 24bit 192kHz specification, does it deliver bang-per-buck?
Specifications...
- Maximum support: 192KHz/24Bit
- Power supply: DC 5V
- Output amplitude: 1.6V (0dB Fs)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz~20KHz
- Signal to Noise Ratio: ≥90dB
- Crosstalk: 75dB
- Total harmonic distortion: <0.01%(10mW)
- Size: 61.6mm×49.1mm×21mm
- Weight: 50g
Hardware...
This DAC is really small, and can easily fit in the palms of your hand...
The main I.Cs in this unit are...
- Wolfson WM8805 SPDIF receiver
- Cirrus Logic CS4344 24-bit 192kHz DAC
- Texas Instruments LMV358 low power opamp
The Wolfson SPDIF receiver and Cirrus Logic DAC will be familiar to HiFi enthusiasts. However the opamp used is not exactly HiFi class but given the unit's low price, I'm not surprised. This DAC target market is for users with LCD TVs which only has optical or coaxial audio outputs for external audio equipment. This is an older version of FiiO D3 series (ie. there's a newer version at the manufacturer's website here: FiiO TAISHAN D03K). However being a generic DAC, it can also be used for computers with SPDIF output. For those who are not satisfied with their soundcards or integrated audio solutions, this DAC would be the simplest solution.
Testing:
The test setup consist of my old PC with the following specifications...
- Processor: Intel Core i5 760 (stock speed)
- Mainboard: GigaByte GA-H55M-USB3
- Memory: 4GB Kingston DDR3-1333 ValueRAM (2GB+2GB in dual channel mode)
- Graphic card: Palit 9600GT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16
- Soundcard: Realtek ALC889 integrated HD audio
- CD/DVD drive: Lite-On SHW-160P6S 16X/8X/16X IDE DVDRW
- Power supply: AcBel E2 Power 470W
- Operating system: Windows XP Service Pack 3
As for storage, there are at least 1.6TB spanning multiple HDDs and not including external hot plug eSATA drives.
Methodology...
Source testing material are audio CDs and lossless audio files. Players used are Foobar2000 and Winamp. All audio tests are done at both 96kHz and 192kHz sampling rates with integrated ALC889 thru SPDIF optical connection. Refer to the image below on the settings...
The Realtek drivers will automatically upsample all 44.1kHz audio data to the specified output sampling rate. The Realtek integrated audio solution can also simultaneously output both SPDIF and analog Line out. Software upsampler/resamplers such as SoX and Audioburst FX are also used. Output resolution set to 24bit/32bit. Output device set to "Realtek HD Audio output", Kernal Streaming output and/or ASIO. For your information, for best quality audio avoid the "Primary sound driver" or Directsound (which is why I'm not using Windows Media Player).
Listening equipment...
Not exactly super high end stuff, but highly adequate for listening purposes.
- Philips SHP1900 headphones
- Edifier M3300 2.1 speaker system (already repaired and modified)
The headphones are a little shy on the low frequencies but not too shy on the high frequencies. The speakers are very sensitive to high frequency spectrum (literally can even pick up any spurious noise present from the inputs) and can be used to distinguish between my other soundcards (Creative Audigy SE, Creative SoundBlaster Live!, Yamaha XG, CMedia CMI8738, etc).
Listening results (compared to baseline integrated ALC889)...
Sometimes a bit more detail is revealed (depends on the music/audio being played). Certain music now has a little more "air" to it. However the high frequency spectrum is somewhat laid back (when compared with the integrated audio solution). Slightly finer trebles but not much presence. The middle frequencies such as vocals sounds normal (nothing special). The lows sounds fine though. IMHO overall the sound is somewhat "laid back".
Problems encountered and my modifications
This DAC is not without some hiccups which may not be noticeable or apparent to most users (those who are not picky on the audio quality, and/or have muddy sounding speakers).
Noisy AC-to-DC power adapter...
The DAC's power section has simplistic filtering and regulation. As a result, any power supply with noisy rails will affect the audio output. And sure enough there was noise. The issue can be heard easily on my speakers rather than on the headphones. There was significant buzzing and audible high frequency crackling.
The original (noisy) AC-to DC adapter...
The problem was solved by powering from USB port of my PC. The USB cable used has a ferrite bead which should filter most of the EMI as well as some high frequency ripples of the USB power supply line (refer to the image below)...
But that's not the end of the noise problems, see the next paragraph below....
Crappy main filter capacitor...
After changing the power source (switched to computer's USB port), the buzzing stopped but still noticed some low level hiss and high frequency crackling on the speakers. Thus decided to change the DAC's main filter capacitor...
The original (crappy) "Cheng" capacitor removed from the DAC...
The replacement Nippon Chemicon KZG capacitor (miniature ultra low ESR) from my old stock....
After this modification, the low level hiss and high frequency crackling has now disappeared. The baseline high frequency whine of my speakers (can only be heard by pressing the ear against the tweeters closely) has increased slightly, which means not all the ripple on the USB power supply line is fully suppressed. But still considered a very significant improvement (noise levels have dropped dramatically and almost inaudible).
Possible future modifications...
Perhaps some future modifications especially replacing those ceramics in the signal path or simply bypassing the opamp can improve it a little more. Also (DIY) dedicated USB power line filter is in consideration.
Disclaimer...
Please note that modifying any unit still under warranty will VOID the warranty!
Conclusions:
Considering its relatively low price, do not put too much high expectations.
The pros...
- Cheap and affordable 24-bit 192kHz DAC
- Has both optical and coaxial inputs
- Switch to select either inputs, can be used for 2 different audio sources
- Optionally can be powered using USB port on the PC (for those who lacked enough power sockets to plug in the AC-to-DC adapter)
- Plug and play, no drivers required
- Gold plated connectors
The cons...
- Does not sound significantly better than integrated audio solutions such as Realtek ALC889
- Line outputs cannot be used to drive headphones directly, inevitable since its using very low power opamp.
- Line outputs levels are a little low thus need to increase the speaker volume a bit more
- Noisy AC-to-DC power adapter
- Insufficient power filtering with crappy main filter capacitor
- For DIY modders, not easy to perform modifications due to SMD components plus enclosure's limited internal space