88%
Fosi Audio Fosi Audio GR40 Tube DAC Headphone Amp Preamp
- Multifunctional DAC Preamplifier: The GR40 is a versatile tube DAC preamplifier and headphone amplifier in one, it supports Bluetooth/USB/Optical/Coaxial inputs and active speakers/3.5mm headphone output, with a priority mode for headphones.
- High-Resolution Decoding: With the ESS9028Q2M DAC chip, the preamplifier offers superior audio quality and flexibility. The USB sampling rate supports 32Bit/384kHz and DSD256, making an effective noise reduction to ensure lossless audio every time.
- Advanced Bluetooth with Low Latency: Featuring the QCC3031 Bluetooth module, it supports aptX, aptX-HD, and aptX-LL codecs to provide detailed and clean audio sound. Also, you can get a relaxed experience with low latency when watching movies.
- Compact yet Creativity: With its compact form and a combination of preamp volume, bass, and treble controls, the stereo preamplifier produces a sweeter, more organic sound while preserving the midrange and treble frequencies that make music.
- User-Friendly Design: The digital-to-analog audio converter GR40 is designed with user convenience at its core, allowing you to toggle between different audio inputs and restore Bluetooth—a real Plug-and-plug DAC preamplifier without any driver.
Manual
WATT RECOMMENDS
Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.
Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.
Professional Reviews 88/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
85/100
Build Quality
78/100
Features Usability
91/100
Value for Money
95/100
The Fosi Audio GR40 pairs clean separation and tube-smoothed clarity with an effortlessly airy, natural presentation. Passion for Sound found its DAC/preamp performance remarkably refined for the money, while ZPProductions highlights its spacious, relaxing musicality. USB, optical, coaxial and Bluetooth connectivity complete a seriously versatile desktop hub.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Natural, clean and beautifully separated sound combines DAC clarity with smooth tube character.
Airy, large-scale and relaxing presentation with pleasing low-end rumble.
Excellent value as a DAC/preamp, with extensive digital inputs and Bluetooth support for its price.
&
Cons
Sensitive IEMs can reveal audible hiss, and the volume control may have channel imbalance at very low settings.
Bass is rounded and less punchy than neutral alternatives; soundstage is not especially wide.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 85/100
Reviewers find the GR40 clean, naturally musical and notably airy for such an affordable DAC/amp, with convincing separation and smooth tube character. Its main sonic trade-offs are softer bass impact, a soundstage that is not especially wide, and some hiss with sensitive earphones.
Transparency Resolution
91/100
Passion for Sound hears strong clarity, resolution and separation, describing the presentation as clean and beautifully separated. The ESS DAC's clarity is said to combine especially well with the tubes' smoother character, without sacrificing detail.
Tonal Balance Musicality
92/100
Both reviewers praise an airy, smooth and highly enjoyable presentation. ZPProductions calls it warm, big and relaxing, while Passion for Sound finds it natural rather than overly thick or warm, with an appealing timbre.
Dynamics
82/100
Low-frequency rumble is described as pleasing, and the GR40 keeps a focused, lively-enough presentation. However, ZPProductions finds bass rounded rather than sharply punchy, with less impact than the Cayin comparison.
Noise Floor
76/100
ZPProductions reports audible low-level hiss with a sensitive earphone. The noise is not heard with the 64 Audio Solo or DCA Stealth, so it appears mainly relevant to more sensitive loads rather than ordinary full-size headphone use.
Headphone Compatibility
83/100
The GR40 is reported to work quietly with the 64 Audio Solo and DCA Stealth, and its airy, smooth character remains intact across those pairings. Sensitive earphone hiss limits its suitability as a universally quiet option for IEM listeners.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
78/100
The supplied reviews say little about chassis construction, controls, socket quality or long-term durability. No reviewer identifies a specific build flaw, but there is also little direct evidence about craftsmanship.
Features Usability
91/100
For a compact unit, the GR40 offers a capable integrated DAC with PCM up to 384 kHz and DSD256 support, plus USB, optical, coaxial and Bluetooth inputs. It also provides RCA preamp output and aptX HD, aptX Adaptive and aptX LL Bluetooth support, although LDAC is absent.
Value for Money
95/100
At roughly $120, both reviewers consider the GR40 unusually compelling. ZPProductions calls it very good for the money, while Passion for Sound describes it as "insane for the price" and says it is difficult to overlook as a pure DAC.
Reviews
Online Reviews & Mentions
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
All Dealers
Zoom out the map to see more dealers
Authorized dealers for Fosi Audio Fosi Audio GR40 Tube DAC Headphone Amp Preamp
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Altitudo Audio — online and in-store — Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (website)
- Apos Audio — online and in-store — Oakland, California, United States (website)
- Audeos — online and in-store — Żywiec, Województwo śląskie (website)
- Audio 46 — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Audio Domain — online and in-store — Stadtbezirke I, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany (website)
- Audio Magic - EU — online and in-store — Wola, Województwo mazowieckie, Poland (website)
- AUDIOPHONICS — in-store — Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France (website)
- AV Cables — online and in-store — Hornsyld, Denmark (website)
- B&H Photo — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
and 13 more verified dealers