In this article we review the Fosi Audio Q6, a compact desktop DAC, currently selling for $109 USD.
Disclaimer: The Fosi Audio Q6 was sent to us, free of charge, by the brand in exchange for our honest opinion.
Fosi Audio
Founded in 2017, Fosi Audio has made a name for itself among the new wave of affordable-yet-excellent audio brands, sharing the scene with names like WiiM, SMSL or Moondrop.
Their goal ? To deliver straightforward, well-built, compact gear at affordable prices – or Chi-fi if you prefer simple terms.
And, since their launch, Fosi products have become an easy recommendation for audiophiles seeking bang-for-bucks devices.
From power amps like the Fosi V3 Mono Amp, to DACs such as the SK02 or even headphones, with the mighty new Fosi i5, the brand kept on delivering bangers over bangers.
Here’s an excerpt of my own review of the V3 for example:
“Long story short, the Fosi V3 Mono Amp is one of the best power amplifier I ever reviewed to this day.
A nifty device with the level of control and refinement you’d expect from brands like SMSL or FiiO, offering a quality/price ratio I never hoped for. Build quality is excellent, I/O is great, form-factor is perfect and, all-in-all the device is just flawless.”
Full review available here:
And so, when the brand gave me chance to review their latest DAC – the Fosi Audio Q6 – I jumped at the occasion.
Fosi Audio Q6
Casing
Small and sturdy, the Fosi Audio Q6 falls right in line with the rest of the brand’s catalog – especially the V3 mono.
A small-sized, rectangular box, built from thick CNC-milled aluminum panels, topped with a single knob on the front face, and your usual on/off switch on the middle left.
A setup that feels both minimal and unapologetically chi-fi, following the lines set by Topping and SMSL with their cheap-but-great catalog of mini DACs.
An impression further reinforced by the case’s compact dimensions — 142 mm long, 105 mm wide, 35mm tall — and the lack of any screen or distinctive marking on the sides, not unlike the JDS Labs Atom+ we reviewed previously.
And when compared to the Mamoritai Euphony, a high-end preamp built by the brand under a different banner, the contrast couldn’t be more striking: where the Euphony is bold, glossy, and heavy, the Q6 remains subtle, matte, and featherlight.
Okay, It’s not as stealthy as the SK02 could be, but even compared to the SMSL’s DO/HO series, this remains one impressively short desktop DAC.
Of course, some users might prefer flatter units like the FiiO K11, or wider set like the SMSL DO400 that could be used as a screen stand, but in terms of overall footprint, it’s hard not to praise Fosi for delivering such a compact, desk-friendly DAC.
Build Quality
Again, if the Fosi AuTu audio Q6 won’t turn heads with flashy materials or extravagant lines, it still manages to feel like a very solid piece of gear.
Machined from thick aluminum panels, the case feels solid in hand and inspires confidence, especially when compared to the usual plastic shell usually seen in this product range – even though most chi-fi brands favor aluminium nowadays.
And, at 700 grams, the unit feels reassuringly dense gripping right onto my desktop (helped with some anti-slip pads), something that my old FiiO K3 can’t even dream of.
Same goes for the finishing, consistent across all surfaces, the matte anodized body giving the Q6 a stealthy, utilitarian vibe. No gaps, no sharp edges, and every contact point — from the source knob to the RCA outputs — appeared cleanly assembled, with no flex, creaks or visible screws.
Everything feels designed with purpose, from the oversized source wheel — to the rear panel where you’ll find the two digital inputs and one digital/analog output, that’ll allow you to use the Fosi Q6 as a multi-source DAC.
Obviously it may not feel quite as refined as some pricier alternatives – I still consider Shanling and FiiO to be king in that aspect – but for the asking price, it’s hard to complain: everything you interact with on a daily basis will feel solid and responsive.
On that good note, let’s check the layout.
Layout
As expected, the Q6 came with a minimalistic I/O. But, that doesn’t mean the brand didn’t put some interesting features here and there.
Upfront, you get:
- 1x power switch
- 1x source knob with three possible options : USB, Coaxial, Optical
Meanwhile at the back, from left to right, you have:
- 1x USB-C port that work both as a power input, and a digital input (you’ll need to keep it plugged)
- 1x Toslink input, for those who’d like to connect their desktop computer to the Fosi
- 1x Coaxial input, same as the Toslink
- 1x Line out (RCA) allowing to feed your pre-amplifier, or powered speakers with a fixed level stream
- 1x Subwoofer out (RCA) to match with your powered subwoofer – for us, bass lovers
So far so good, so let’s set up the Fosi Audio Q6 and see how it goes.
The article continues on Page two, after the click here, or after the jump
Page 1: About Fosi, design and build quality
Page 2: UI & Usage, specifications
Page 3: Sound performances, Conclusion, Summary
