Fosi Audio Debuts New Portable DACs at CanJam Dubai 2026
Fosi Audio used the weekend’s CanJam Dubai to showcase its latest thinking on portable digital audio, unveiling two new DAC and headphone amplification designs while presenting a broader snapshot of its expanding personal-audio range.
Held at the Conrad Dubai, the Dubai edition of CanJam continues to grow as a regional hub for headphone and personal-audio enthusiasts, and Fosi Audio’s presence signalled its intent to engage more directly with that global audience.
At the centre of the company’s stand was the new MD3 Magnetic Portable DAC/Headphone Amplifier, a pocket-sized design aimed squarely at listeners seeking high-resolution performance without desktop bulk. Built around ESS’s ES9039Q2M DAC and four ES9603Q headphone amplifier chips, the MD3 uses a fully balanced circuit topology and incorporates aluminium shielding to minimise electrical and magnetic interference.
Despite its ambitious internal architecture, the MD3 remains unapologetically portable. Weighing just 50 grams, it is housed in a CNC-machined aluminium chassis with a MagSafe-style magnetic rear plate designed for secure attachment to smartphones. A 1.28-inch rotatable LCD screen enables on-device control, supported by features such as dual USB-C ports for simultaneous charging and playback, a 100-step digital volume system with memory, and a dedicated physical control button intended to simplify daily use.
Alongside it, Fosi Audio also debuted the DS3 Portable DAC and Headphone Amplifier, billed as the world’s first XMOS-powered DAC/amp in a battery-free dongle format. Co-developed with XMOS, the DS3 is built around a 16-core XMOS processor running at 1.6GHz, aiming to deliver precise clock management and low power consumption without relying on an internal battery.
The DS3 again employs the ES9039Q2M DAC and supports PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz alongside native DSD512, with output power quoted at up to 220mW. Fosi Audio positions the unit not only for music listening but also for gaming, with hardware-level 7.1 spatial audio processing that operates without drivers or companion software. A dedicated Game Mode enables UAC 1.0 compatibility on consoles such as PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. At the same time, selectable sound profiles including an FPS-focused mode enhance positional audio cues.
Firmware development appears to be ongoing, with future updates expected to introduce web-based parametric EQ control implemented at the hardware level, avoiding additional signal processing stages.
Beyond the two new DACs, Fosi Audio used the show to highlight several established products from its portfolio, including the i5 open-back planar magnetic headphones, IM4 in-ear monitors, the ZH3 balanced DAC and headphone amplifier, and the K7 Hi-Fi gaming DAC/amp.
Reflecting on the weekend, founder and CEO Ryan Huang described CanJam Dubai as an important opportunity to engage directly with the headphone community, positioning the event as a platform to demonstrate both new developments and the company’s broader approach to accessible, feature-rich personal audio.
With CanJam’s Middle Eastern presence continuing to expand, Fosi Audio’s appearance in Dubai suggests the brand sees growing international relevance for compact, high-spec DAC and headphone solutions, particularly as portable listening increasingly overlaps with gaming and multi-platform use.
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 | Gaming / Simulators
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