In this review, we take a close look at the Fosi Audio SK02, a compact desktop DAC/Headphone amp, selling for just $120,99 USD.
Disclaimer: the Fosi Audio SK02 was provided to us, free of charge, by the brand in exchange for our honest opinion. You can check their website through this link directly.
Fosi Audio
Founded in 2017, Fosi Audio may be a newcomer compared to some of the industry giants, but that didn’t stop them from making waves in the audio community. How ? By focusing on what really matters for most audiophiles: good sound, compact designs, and ultra-aggressive pricing – Chi-Fi spirit through and through.
Specialized in desktop gear, Fosi quickly built up a solid reputation for their budget-friendly DACs, headphone amps, and power amplifiers, offering serious value in the entry-level space, and even above. A good example being the tiny but almighty powerful V3 Mono amp, that I previously got for review; two little boxes, able to output no less than 240 Watts per channel (@4ohms) making them able to push even big boxes like the JBL L100 Classic – just got a pair for my office room, and the result have been more than impressive paired together.
An amp that I use daily and now consider as the best power amp combo, in the sub-$500 bracket, even when compared to the likes of WiiM and their (awesome) Amp (didn’t try the new Vibelink Amp though), or SMSL and their extensive range of power amp.
But, packed with my last Fosi sample shipment, was another box containing one more surprise: the Fosi SK02, a tiny desktop DAC, USB-Powered, that I could either use for my headphones, or with the Mono V3 duo.
Is it any good? Time to find out!
Fosi SK02
Casing
Small and sturdy, the Fosi SK02 falls right in line with the rest of the brand’s catalog.
A pocket-sized box, rectangular in shape, built from thick CNC-milled aluminum panels, and topped with a full set of LEDs and numerical indicators on the upper face. A setup that feels both minimal and unapologetically geeky — reminiscent of the old-school gaming sound cards era, when Creative’s Fatal1ty line proudly brought knobs and lights to every desk.
An impression further reinforced by the case’s compact dimensions — 121mm long, 51mm wide, and 35mm tall — and the inclusion of a large volume knob up top, not unlike a mini JDS Labs Element. And when compared to the Mamoritai Euphony, a high-end preamp built by Fosi under a different banner, the contrast couldn’t be more striking: where the Euphony is bold, glossy, and heavy, the SK02 is subtle, matte, and featherlight.
It’s a stealthy design that immediately brought to mind SMSL’s DO/HO series, or xDuoo’s knack for tall and narrow gear. Some users might prefer flatter units like the FiiO K11, but in terms of overall footprint, it’s hard not to praise Fosi for delivering such a compact, desk-friendly DAC/amp combo.
I like that.
Build Quality
Again, if the Fosi SK02 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 380 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.
The finishing is consistent across all surfaces, and the matte anodized body gives the SK02 a stealthy, utilitarian vibe. No gaps, no sharp edges, and every contact point — from the tactile volume knob to the headphone outputs — feels cleanly assembled, with no flex, creaks or visible screws. The LED display is also surprisingly crisp and easy to read, even from a distance, giving a clear view of the sampling rate and active inputs without feeling overdone.
Everything feels designed with purpose, from the oversized volume wheel — smooth and well-dampened — to the recessed 3.5mm + 4.4mm headphone outputs, which sits flush with the chassis. Same goes for the rear panel where you’ll find the two digital inputs and one digital/analog output, that’ll allow you to use the Fosi SK02 as a full-fledged pre-amp, or DAC.
Obviously it may not feel quite as refined as some pricier alternatives – I still consider Shanling to be king in that aspect – but for the asking price, it’s hard to complain: everything you interact with on a daily basis feels solid and responsive.
On that good note, let’s check the layout.
Layout
As expected, the Fosi SK02 Power Amp comes 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 3.5mm single-ended output
- 1x 4.4mm balanced output
At the back 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 3.5mm combo line out/optical out, so that you turn the SK02 as a pure DAC, or an pre-amp for another setup (like the V3 Mono Amp)
Finally on top, you’ll see:
- A majestic, clickable, volume knob
- 2x buttons, one for the Gain settings, the second to switch between the two digital inputs
- A set of LED on the left that’ll display the gain level, and PCM bitrate
- Another set of LED on the right, that’ll show DSD rate, and if the volume level is clipping (in case you’re pushing the amp a bit too hard)
So far so good, so let’s set up the Fosi Audio SK02 and see how it goes.
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