It is evident that Topping was also designing a non-pro version of DX3 that uses AK4490 Chips, and they designed it in a way that they can use the same enclosure and PCB. On the top there is an option to use AK4490 instead of AK4493. On the right the version info has DX3/DX3 Pro.
Seems the only change they need to make is to swap the AK4493 chips with the 4490 ones, and desolder two resistors and add one resistor.
I don't know if they abandoned the idea or will release it soon. IMHO it won't impact the manufacturing cost at all --- the price difference between two ak4493s and two ak4490s is negligible : 2*(5-2.5) = $5, and the performance difference is also negligible. But on the market ak4490 DACs are sold at much lower price (for instance, SMSL Sanskrit 10) If the final price is below $150 it would be a real bargain, and virtually kills all desktop combo products.
Seems the only change they need to make is to swap the AK4493 chips with the 4490 ones, and desolder two resistors and add one resistor.
I don't know if they abandoned the idea or will release it soon. IMHO it won't impact the manufacturing cost at all --- the price difference between two ak4493s and two ak4490s is negligible : 2*(5-2.5) = $5, and the performance difference is also negligible. But on the market ak4490 DACs are sold at much lower price (for instance, SMSL Sanskrit 10) If the final price is below $150 it would be a real bargain, and virtually kills all desktop combo products.
