[Mimikozala]

@raabje

Thanks for sharing.
It is as you suspected the Zishan Z3 V0.5 FW.

It works in my Z3(ak4490) and in my Z3(CS43198), music plays, but I didn't compared the sound quality (I don't have time to listen now).
I don't have the Z3(ES9038Q2M).
We don't have the change log to know what changed beside the ES9038Q2M support.

Thank you for all your help and sharing your knowledge to me... I got my zishan fixed thank you very much..

 

[Merlin-PT]

Thank you for all your help and sharing your knowledge to me... I got my zishan fixed thank you very much..

Glad it's fixed, it was @raabje that did it.

 

[Graypike86]

I’m looking to buy the z3. What is the best model? And the best mods?

 

[raabje]

I don't think you have a choice, when you want to buy new.

After the AK factory fire Zishan switched to CS DAC, and shortly after this, to ES DAC. I think the old models you see on AE en Ebay in reality are not available.

 

[lushmelody]

it seems Z4 is out, guys

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...exp_id=c9092687-e8fd-4c33-acb8-a25acd12c496-2

...looks pretty nice and apparently no mods needed. i would like to know if the battery is LiPo (no swollen battery issue) and the screen is not LED (LCD is thousands better durability)

 

[numon]

hi
any one know how much volt given to opamp?i know zishan z2 has +12 volt to opamp.i need min 7.5 volt to discrete opmap.
thanks in advance.

 

[ExTubeGamer]

Is 256GB the hard limit for SD cards? Can fat32 formatted cards with more space work on a Z3?

 

[ExTubeGamer]

How does the new 9038 zishan z3 compare to the dsd? It seems like the main difference between the z3 and the dsd is the bigger screen and the balanced output.

 

[raabje]

I did some opamp testing and testing between devices, when I switched between my Z3 with 9038 en my DSD with 9038 (and also my CS 43198 DSD), same song playing simultaneously on both devices, same volume, a hot swap of the headphone. In my ears the DSD has a bit more 3D sound, and a bit more authority. The Z3 has a bit more 2D sound. Disclaimer is that from my experience, when you install a proper opamp, like Muses, or Burson, all high-end opamps sounds the same in Z3 and DSD. So I didn't hear a difference in opamp, I think I heard the difference between single and dual DAC.

But this difference between Z3 and DSD was only recognizable when I hot swapped my headphone, the difference is gone in a few seconds. When I just plug in my Z3 and play a song I don't miss anything.

For myself I am curious what other devices and brands give a (much) better sound than the Zishan DSD and Z3. I know you can mod the circuit but for sure I will burn the circuit with my solder skills so I don't go there. What is a step up from Zishan in the sound quality department, and what is the price-range of such devices?

 

[ExTubeGamer]

Just minutes ago I installed a OPA2228PA opamp in my Zishan Z3. Now I got a warm sounding DAP.

 

[maxxkur]

Just minutes ago I installed a OPA2228PA opamp in my Zishan Z3. Now I got a warm sounding DAP.

OPAx228 is optimized for closed-loop gains of 5 or greater, in Z3 only 2x

 

[numon]

hi
how can make usb dac function auto on without entering settings?i always enter settings and enable the usb dac .i use discrete opamp(reverse case open and enabling usb dac is more difficult.) thanks z3 firmware is 0.5
also sound level on z3 (es9038qm) set again level 60. i need to make z3 remenber sound level and usb dac settings.

 

[ExTubeGamer]

For some reason my 9038 Z3 messes up the track order in explorer view. Typically its listing tracks in order 4-1-2-3 instead of regular order. This behaviour only occurs in certain folders.

 

[ExTubeGamer]

Nevermind. I have actually found the solution. The Zishan Z3 sorts files by creation date. This only really works if you use exFAT sd cards. To do this correctly you need to use a software that copies folders and files alphabetically. My Z3 now works perfectly and all files are correctly in order.

Don't forget to use exFAT cards only with the new Zishan Z3 9038 version.

 

[numon]

hi
how can make usb dac function auto on without entering settings?i always enter settings and enable the usb dac .i use discrete opamp(reverse case open and enabling usb dac is more difficult.) thanks z3 firmware is 0.5
also sound level on z3 (es9038qm) set again level 60. i need to make z3 remenber sound level and usb dac settings.

edit: i found my problem solution
adjust volume and filter on player mode then connect to usb dac but dont click z3 buttons while in usb dac mode ,if you click buttons, filters and volume level get reset to default