Fosi Audio ZH3 Makes Hi-Fi Affordable with Desktop DAC/Amp
Fosi Audio has announced the ZH3, a compact desktop hi-fi hub that rolls DAC, headphone amplifier, and preamp functionality into a single, affordable unit.
Coming in at a lick under USD $200, the Shenzhen-based brand says the ZH3 is designed to bring high-end performance into everyday setups — whether that means powering serious headphones such as Fosi Audio’s I5, which we reviewed back in April, partnering with active speakers, or adding fidelity to gaming consoles.
Ryan Huang, Founder and CEO of Fosi Audio, told StereoNET:
“Our goal with the ZH3 was to take the kind of sound quality usually reserved for high-end systems and make it available in a product anyone can enjoy. Compact and powerful, it is perfect for driving high-impedance headphones, pairing with active desktop speakers, or serving as the centrepiece of a complete HiFi setup.”
Beneath its compact frame, the ZH3 employs an AKM 4493SEQ DAC, XMOS XU316 processor, and four OPA1612 op-amps, supporting PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512 over USB. Output is equally ambitious for the price: the 4.4mm balanced connection delivers up to 2,570mW per channel into 32Ω with a claimed THD+N of just 0.00018 per cent, while the 6.35mm single-ended output still musters 640mW with a noise floor as low as 1.9µV.
Connectivity has been given equal attention. Alongside USB, optical, coaxial, and RCA inputs, there are 4.4mm balanced, 6.35mm single-ended, XLR, and RCA pre-outs, letting the ZH3 act as a flexible hub for both desktop and living-room systems. Listeners can tailor playback with bass and treble controls, select from six digital filters, or bypass EQ altogether for a purist signal path. Compatibility with both UAC 1.0 and UAC 2.0 means it moves easily between high-resolution computer audio and consoles.
Fosi has also worked on the everyday experience. A crisp LCD and multifunction knob keep operation straightforward, while remote control and 12V trigger inputs allow the ZH3 to slot neatly into more elaborate systems. And when paired with the brand’s ZD3 DAC and ZA3 amplifier, it becomes the heart of a compact yet ambitious hi-fi stack.
The Fosi Audio ZH3 will be available from September 25, 2025, priced at US $199.99.
For more information visit Fosi Audio
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Jason Sexton
Jason joined StereoNET in 2025 and now serves as ANZ Editor, bringing decades of experience in marketing, brand development, and specialist hi-fi retail. His listener-first approach delivers grounded insights that cut through the noise. Outside audio, he’s into cars, trail riding, 80s nostalgia, and guitar.
Posted in: Hi-Fi | Headphones
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