Audio
Review: Fosi Audio’s K7 DAC/amp delivers hi-fi sound for gamers
It offers high-quality sound, seamless microphone integration, and Bluetooth streaming, all on a budget.

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- Great soundstage
- Faithful sound reproduction
- Inexpensive device
- Diverse range of uses
- Works with PS5!
- No dust cover included
- No backlights on front buttons
If there’s one thing the folk at Fosi Audio like to do these days it’s aim high. The brand built its reputation on affordable hi-fi and audio components that more often than not outperform their price tags.
Now it wants a slice of the ‘gamer-audiophile’ market with the Fosi Audio K7, a Kickstarter-funded DAC/amp that promises proper hi-fi sound with microphone support and Bluetooth streaming.
At around $175, it undercuts a lot of established names on the compact DAC landscape, so of course I had to plonk one on my desk and see if it lives up to the hype. Spoiler: there’s a lot to like here. Let’s dive in and, as always, keep it simple.
What’s in the box?

For once we actually need to cover the contents. Here’s what you get in the black, minimalistic box:
- Fosi Audio K7 DAC/amp
- 24 W external power supply (12V/2A)
- USB-C cable with Type-A adapter
- 3.5mm Y-splitter
- Bluetooth antenna
- User manual
That’s it. No carry case or flashy extras, but you have everything you need to get up and running. Plug the power cable into the back, connect the antenna if you plan on streaming via Bluetooth, and you’re off.
The finest-looking Fosi yet!
Fosi’s K-series products have always favoured substance over style, but the K7 is arguably the brand’s most eye-catching desktop unit yet.
It’s still compact; the anodised aluminium chassis measures roughly 155 x 90mm, and because the top panel slopes from front to back the height varies from 32mm at the front to 38mm at the rear.
It weighs in at around 530g, so it’s weighty enough to stay put on your desk but small enough to sit alongside your keyboard without hogging space.
The black aluminium body feels much more premium than the plastic boxes Fosi used to build. Two large knurled knobs dominate the top panel; the left dial controls volume and gain, while the right dial adjusts bass, treble and microphone level.
Both dials have an orange light on the top to indicate position, and orange dial markers around the perimeter of the knobs. Between them sits a 1.5-inch orange-on-black LCD that displays sample rate, input source, gain mode and tone settings.

A row of slim buttons underneath lets you switch power/UAC mode, cycle through USB-C, coax, optical and Bluetooth inputs, toggle between headphone and line-out outputs, bypass the tone EQ and change the right knob’s function.
None of the buttons are backlit, so you rely on the screen for feedback, but the layout soon becomes second nature.
Up front you’ll find three 3.5mm sockets: one for a microphone, one for a single-ended headphone output and one for a 4.4mm balanced headphone output.
Around the back there are RCA line outputs, coaxial and optical digital inputs, a USB-C input, the Bluetooth antenna port and the DC power socket.
Four soft rubber feet keep the unit stable. The overall aesthetic is minimal yet modern; black with orange accents and wouldn’t look out of place next to a gaming PC or studio monitors.
The K7 does not feel flimsy or cheap in any way thanks to its anodised aluminium chassis.
A look at the specs
Here’s the technical lowdown distilled for non-engineers. The K7 is a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and headphone amplifier.
It takes digital audio from your computer or game console and turns it into high-quality analogue sound, then boosts it to drive headphones or speakers. Under the hood you’ll find serious components:
DAC chip | AKM AK4493SEQ |
USB controller | XMOS XU208 |
Amplifier chips | OPA1612 op-amp and TPA6120 headphone amp |
Bluetooth | Qualcomm QCC3030 chip supporting SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD and aptX LL |
Inputs | USB-C, coaxial, optical, Bluetooth and a 3.5mm mic input |
Outputs | 3.5mm single-ended headphone; 4.4mm balanced headphone; RCA line-level pre-out. |
Sampling rates | Up to 32-bit/384 kHz PCM and DSD256 via USB, 24-bit/192 kHz via coax/optical and 24-bit/48 kHz over Bluetooth. |
Power output | 2100mW per channel from the balanced output and 600mW per channel from the single-ended jack (both at 32Ω). |
Noise and distortion | Balanced output SNR 121dB and THD+N <0.0002 %; single-ended SNR 122dB and THD+N 0.0005 % |
Tone controls | Hardware bass and treble adjustments ±10dB via right knob and bypass button. |
Compatibility | Works with Windows, macOS and Linux (drivers only needed for hi-res on Windows) and supports PS5, Switch and other consoles through UAC 1.0/2.0 modes. |
In layman’s terms, the K7 decodes high-resolution audio formats, outputs a lot of clean power for demanding headphones and lets you fine tune the bass and treble without needing any software.
Power meets perfect performance

So, on to its performance, then. I have to say, I loved using the Fosi K7 for a number of reasons.
Ease of use
Setting the K7 up is a breeze. Because it has its own power supply, it doesn’t rely on USB power, so you simply connect the DC plug, plug the USB-C cable into your laptop or console, twist the left knob to wake the unit, and choose your input.
The plug-and-play nature means Windows and macOS recognise it immediately with no drivers for basic use.
The “mini control centre” front panel–push-to-mute for the mic, input and output selectors, tone control and gain toggle–makes sense even for non-techy users.
It’s intuitive to operate and everything is right where you’d expect, so you’re up and running in minutes. The inclusion of UAC 1.0 and 2.0 ensures compatibility with music devices, games consoles like the PS5, and PCs.
Sound quality
Let’s get to the bit KnowTechie readers really care about: does it sound good? In a word: Yes.
The AKM/TI hardware combination produces a neutral-to-warm sound that is detailed without being clinical. In my listening, the soundstage feels wider and more accurate than many other budget DAC/amps I’ve tried.
The signature is detailed and analytical with a warm note. Everything sounds coherent and adjusting the tone controls lets you tailor brightness or warmth to your taste.
It’s so enjoyable that it could easily become your reference DAC/amp for testing other gear.
The K7 offers a neutral-warm sound with smooth treble and deep sub bass and presents a wide soundstage with clear imaging.
The bass control can add a little extra thump without muddying vocals, and the treble control helps tame bright headphones. Male and female vocals sound rich and natural; there’s depth and body to voices with a slight warmth that makes them emotional but still clear.
What surprised me most is the power output. The 4.4mm balanced output delivers over 2000 mW per channel, easily driving high-impedance headphones, while the single-ended jack pushes 600 mW at 32 Ω.
Background hiss is essentially nonexistent, making the unit suitable for sensitive IEMs and there’s a low-gain mode specifically for that. You’ll hear details in your games, music and movies that your PS5 or PC’s soundcard would simply gloss over.
Features and flexibility

A big selling point for the K7 is its versatility. The addition of a 3.5mm microphone input with adjustable gain makes it ideal for streamers and gamers; the built-in noise reduction noticeably cleans up your mic and lifts your voice.
Having separate jacks for mic and headphones means you can use whatever headset you like, and the included splitter supports headsets with combined TRRS connectors.
Wireless fans aren’t left out either. Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX LL and aptX HD offers low latency streaming for gaming and CD-quality playback for music.
In practice, range is around 13 m before sound breakup; the removable antenna ensures stable connectivity and can be folded out of sight when not needed. When using RCA outputs you can feed powered speakers or another amplifier, turning the K7 into a standalone DAC.
There are, of course, a few minor nit-picks. The LCD is small and the buttons aren’t illuminated, so you need decent lighting to see what you’re doing.
There’s no software app or PEQ like you’ll find with some competitors; if you want complex equalisation you’ll need to use software on your computer.
And although the design is attractive, some people might prefer a slimmer unit with rear-mounted jacks so the cables don’t clutter the front of their desk.
These moans are minor at this price point and don’t detract from the overall experience.
Value for money

For around $175, the K7 faces stiff competition from established desktop DAC/amps like the FiiO K11 and Creative Sound Blaster G8. Yet it holds its own.
Compared with Fosi’s earlier K5 Pro, the K7 offers an upgraded DAC chip, balanced output, Bluetooth and vastly improved build quality.
Fosi has made giant steps in design and functionality compared to the K5 Pro, and the K7 combines gaming features with proper hi-fi sound to the point that it made my day.
When you factor in the generous power output, flexible input options and tone controls, it’s hard not to feel you’re getting more than your money’s worth.
Get one for your desktop, now
Fosi has taken what could have been a simple gaming DAC and turned it into a bona fide hi-fi desktop all-rounder. It’s compact yet powerful, built like a tank, works with everything from PS5s to laptops, and sounds way better than it has any right to at this price.
The inclusion of a mic input and tone controls makes it perfect for streamers and Zoom warriors, while the warm-neutral tuning and high-resolution capabilities will satisfy music lovers.
Yes, there’s no flashy app or RGB lighting, but do you really need that when the core audio performance is this good?
For KnowTechie readers looking to step up from their computer’s sound or ditch a noisy USB dongle, the Fosi Audio K7 is a superb choice.
It punches well above its price with clean, powerful sound and thoughtful features. If you want a budget-friendly DAC/amp that can handle gaming, music and calls with equal aplomb, the K7 should be at the top of your shortlist.
Fosi Audio K7 DAC/headphone amplifier offers premium desktop audio. You get balanced 4.4mm and single-ended 3.5mm outputs, Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX support, multiple digital inputs, hardware tone controls, and compatibility with PS5, PC, and mobile devices in a compact aluminum chassis.
- Great soundstage
- Faithful sound reproduction
- Inexpensive device
- Diverse range of uses
- Works with PS5!
- No dust cover included
- No backlights on front buttons
Are you tired of poor audio quality from your PC or gaming console? Have you been looking for an affordable way to get true hi-fi sound without breaking the bank? The Fosi Audio K7 DAC/amp could transform your audio experience. Share your audio setup struggles in the comments below or tell us via our Twitter or Facebook.
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