Question Need advice for dac/amp

[Dreadbeard]

Hey! I've had a fiio olympus dac since 2018 and it's showing signs of aging, so I'm looking to replace it - I'm looking at either the fiio k7 or fosi k7 this is for gaming use and music use
My question is - what's the difference between them? As both listed are the same price

I've seen some people reccomend the fosi and the fiio for gaming so I thought I'd come ask here
thanks in advance

 

[Lutfij]

FOSI AUDIO K7 DAC Headphones Amplifier

The Fosi Audio K7 is a compact, high-performance DAC/headphone amplifier featuring an original design and quality components. It features an XMOS USB interface, an AKM AK4493SEQ DAC and a balanced amplifier circuit.

www.audiophonics.fr

FiiO K7 Desktop DAC and Headphone Amplifier

K7Desktop DAC and Headphone AmplifierThe FiiO K7 is an industry best-seller — and for good reason. This compact desktop-class USB DAC and headphone amplifier sets a new standard in its class with its truly balanced design, featuring dual high-resolution AKM DACs combined with dual THX AAA...

baybloorradio.com

They both use the same DAC's but the difference in their circuitries are the AMP modules.

Moved thread from Components section to Home Audio & Theater section.

 

[Dreadbeard]

FOSI AUDIO K7 DAC Headphones Amplifier

The Fosi Audio K7 is a compact, high-performance DAC/headphone amplifier featuring an original design and quality components. It features an XMOS USB interface, an AKM AK4493SEQ DAC and a balanced amplifier circuit.

www.audiophonics.fr

FiiO K7 Desktop DAC and Headphone Amplifier

K7Desktop DAC and Headphone AmplifierThe FiiO K7 is an industry best-seller — and for good reason. This compact desktop-class USB DAC and headphone amplifier sets a new standard in its class with its truly balanced design, featuring dual high-resolution AKM DACs combined with dual THX AAA...

baybloorradio.com

They both use the same DAC's but the difference in their circuitries are the AMP modules.

Moved thread from Components section to Home Audio & Theater section.

Oh I see! Wo which of them would.be more ideal for gaming?

 

[ThereAndBackAgain]

Don't overspend on a DAC with the idea that it will improve sound quality. As far as that goes, a DAC basically either works or it doesn't. Instead, pick one based on features, like inputs/outputs, controls, and anything else needed or desired.

 

[Dreadbeard]

Don't overspend on a DAC with the idea that it will improve sound quality. As far as that goes, a DAC basically either works or it doesn't. Instead, pick one based on features, like inputs/outputs, controls, and anything else needed or desired.

It's less of an improvement on sound as I'm running a dac but mine is dying out, however I am curious what the main differences are between the two I listed as iirc they are both amps as well and can make things sound more or less bassy? I'm not even sure honestly

 

[ThereAndBackAgain]

It's less of an improvement on sound as I'm running a dac but mine is dying out, however I am curious what the main differences are between the two I listed as iirc they are both amps as well and can make things sound more or less bassy? I'm not even sure honestly

Either one should do the job just fine for sound quality, and so would cheaper ones. But those do not appear to have knobs for controlling bass on them, so the bass will be unaffected, neither increased nor decreased. If you want to be able to boost bass with the DAC rather than using EQ, you should look for one with a bass knob, like this one (Fosi K5), or this one (Fosi Q4). I have not personally used any of these products, so I cannot guarantee their quality, but they should work fine.

 

[Dreadbeard]

Either one should do the job just fine for sound quality, and so would cheaper ones. But those do not appear to have knobs for controlling bass on them, so the bass will be unaffected, neither increased nor decreased. If you want to be able to boost bass with the DAC rather than using EQ, you should look for one with a bass knob, like this one (Fosi K5), or this one (Fosi Q4). I have not personally used any of these products, so I cannot guarantee their quality, but they should work fine.

If i remember right; the fosi k7 right know has a bass on it i just can't remember for sure

 

[ThereAndBackAgain]

If i remember right; the fosi k7 right know has a bass on it i just can't remember for sure

You're right, it does; it lacks a dedicated knob for it, but (it seems) the knob on the right side can be used in conjunction with the LCD screen (which I thought at first was merely a sticker) to control bass levels and other things.

 

[Dreadbeard]

You're right, it does; it lacks a dedicated knob for it, but (it seems) the knob on the right side can be used in conjunction with the LCD screen (which I thought at first was merely a sticker) to control bass levels and other things.

I wasn't sure i couldn't remember where I saw it lol! I'm guessing this one would likely be the better one then over the fiio

 

[ThereAndBackAgain]

I wasn't sure i couldn't remember where I saw it lol! I'm guessing this one would likely be the better one then over the fiio

If the FiiO is lacking that feature (I can't tell for sure) and you want it, then yes. But there are cheaper DACs that also have that feature.

 

[Dreadbeard]

If the FiiO is lacking that feature (I can't tell for sure) and you want it, then yes. But there are cheaper DACs that also have that feature.

I usually run by you pay for what you get, I don't like going too cheap because alot of the time they just break :/
My olympus lasted since around 2018

 

[ThereAndBackAgain]

I usually run by you pay for what you get, I don't like going too cheap because alot of the time they just break :/
My olympus lasted since around 2018

That's totally fair. More expensive equipment is more likely to be built with higher quality materials and last longer.

 

[Dreadbeard]

That's totally fair. More expensive equipment is more likely to be built with higher quality materials and last longer.

I will pickup the fosi k7 and see how it gets on, if not I'll return it and try the fiio I guess
Not sure if i should change my headphones tho, i know mine aren't the absolute best for gaming being the sennheiser HD 660s2

 

[ThereAndBackAgain]

I will pickup the fosi k7 and see how it gets on, if not I'll return it and try the fiio I guess
Not sure if i should change my headphones tho, i know mine aren't the absolute best for gaming being the sennheiser HD 660s2

Hope it works well for you! Those seem like great headphones and someone in a review I saw claimed they were wonderful for video games. I think you're good.

 

[Dreadbeard]

Hope it works well for you! Those seem like great headphones and someone in a review I saw claimed they were wonderful for video games. I think you're good.

Awesome well thank you thereandbackagain! Appreciate the help

 

[ThereAndBackAgain]

Awesome well thank you thereandbackagain! Appreciate the help

You're welcome. Not that I did much!