Topping DX3 Pro+ Review (DAC & Headphone Amp)

[Toku]

Hello, I'm having a problem with the dx3pro+, in about two weeks it has happened to me 3 or 4 times, sometimes a noise (click) is heard and crash the screen shows "Err" and stops being heard, I have to disconnect the cable electrical and reconnect

I am using it with HP and High gain, dac, it has happened to me both in usb and bluetooth mode, the volume is high between -15 and -8

Anyone else has happened? is it an expected behavior or could it be defective and should be replaced? I'm a little worried, thanks.

To investigate the cause, do the following to check for changes in symptoms.

What happens if I disconnect the USB cable connected to DX3Pro + and operate it only with Bluetooth?
What happens if I connect only OPT or COAX?
What happens if I connect to another USB port?

 

[hdm]

To investigate the cause, do the following to check for changes in symptoms.

What happens if I disconnect the USB cable connected to DX3Pro + and operate it only with Bluetooth?
What happens if I connect only OPT or COAX?
What happens if I connect to another USB port?

Thanks guys, I'll try to follow your advice, I think some of the things you mention could be the cause

I used to get this occurring when there was an excess of DC offset in the incoming digital signal (I use my DX3Pro+s in a recording studio setting, so DC offsets can happen often)

I stopped it happening by incorporating DC highpass filters in my equalisation setups

I think you may be right, I should try this, thank you

 

[gael]

Any DX3Pro+ owner also has a pair of LETSHUOER S12? I'm getting LF interference (100Hz-ish) on a stock SE cable 3.5mm connected directly into DX3Pro+

 

[Walter]

12AWG oxygen free copper wire is cheap enough that there is no real reason to use smaller. Just make sure it is all copper. Avoid any that use aluminum.

 

[Gridlink]

Am I crazy for thinking about replacing a Gustard A20H with a DX3 Pro+? There isn't anything wrong with the A20H but the Topping measures meaningfully better than the Gustard. The loss of the balanced output is a shame but if the overall quality of the Topping is better than I can get a new cable made (or use adapter). I'll also be using it as a pre-amp with a PA3s to drive a pair of Paradigm Titans.

When I bought he A20H four years ago it was the only amp/dac that met my needs being balanced, remote controlled, and high end enough to be my end game (this was long before there were any measured reviews for it). It does have some feedback or buzzing sounds if not left on all the time, and it puts out a significant amount of heat making a noticeable impact on room temperature. Something with the form factor and quality of the DX3 Pro+ just looks to be a better fit for my needs now. A remote control is still a must have because the amp/dac will be across the room from me and is also used to drive my headphones when watching TV as well as listening to music on my PC.

My primary headphones are Focal Elears and Aeon Flow Closed. Both of which use a fraction of the power the amp in the A20H puts out in balanced mode. I think the volume knob goes to 60 and it's never above 10-15 for comfortable listening levels.

 

[xnor]

Am I crazy for thinking about replacing a Gustard A20H with a DX3 Pro+? There isn't anything wrong with the A20H but the Topping measures meaningfully better than the Gustard. The loss of the balanced output is a shame but if the overall quality of the Topping is better than I can get a new cable made (or use adapter). I'll also be using it as a pre-amp with a PA3s to drive a pair of Paradigm Titans.

If you don't use the balanced line-outs then no, it's not crazy, especially not if you can sell the Gustard. While the DX3 Pro+ measures better I highly doubt here will be any audible differences (except for the lack of buzzing you mentioned..).
And regarding balanced headphone jacks: unlike balanced line connections those bring no real benefits, imo.

 

[hdm]

@JohnYang1997

Thanks to the team for creating these toppings with very good value for money.

I would like to suggest a feature for future products, that bluetooth is also an "emitter", it is a feature that few are offering and that would be very useful, at least for me, in fact I would buy it, it is a necessity for me to be able to send from my pc music and sound in general by blueooth ldac to other devices such as hifiman deva to be able to have great sound quality at home while doing other things without cables-desktop.

Thank you from Spain : )

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

Look at this...
"the device cannot be returned for safety reasons as it contains flammable gases or liquids"

 

[Killingbeans]

It makes no sense

I have seen a coulple of users report the same when trying to return the product. They both got a total refund instead.

 

[sjeesjie]

It makes no sense

I have seen a coulple of users report the same when trying to return the product. They both got a total refund instead.

Oh nice! Free Toppings I see?

 

[Killingbeans]

I guess... if you're a terrible person

 

[BXLMatt]

I guess... if you're a terrible person

What a weird comment. Amazon is literally refusing returns on these DACs by incorrectly labelling them as dangerous items. You only get a refund if you insist on exercising your distance-selling rights.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

The amazon service representative said there was nothing she could do because the seller blocked the return.
The story ended with my friend,
who got the refund from amazon,
and can do whatever he wants with the device. So the employee...

 

[Killingbeans]

What a weird comment.

It just makes me sad when people go: "OMG, a glitch! Exploit it! Free stuff!"

 

[alekksander]

It just makes me sad when people go: "OMG, a glitch! Exploit it! Free stuff!"

it's called stealing.

 

[sjeesjie]

It just makes me sad when people go: "OMG, a glitch! Exploit it! Free stuff!"

I was actually a bit sarcastic but it sparks my imagination a bit… why won’t they just let you return it if anything’s wrong?

 

[gael]

Anyone tried powering dx3 from a power bank or something like that?

 

[Killingbeans]

To make it portable?

 

[gael]

To make it portable?

Well, generally yes. In my case, however, I have troubles with the mains in a very old apt building. Fixing it is possible but requires much effort. So I just thinking to cheat myself out of it and maybe just use a power bank. I can't seem to find any with 15V outputs so far though.

 

[staticV3]

Well, generally yes. In my case, however, I have troubles with the mains in a very old apt building. Fixing it is possible but requires much effort. So I just thinking to cheat myself out of it and maybe just use a power bank. I can't seem to find any with 15V outputs so far though.

You'd need a power bank with Power Delivery and support for the 15V version of that. Something like this.
Next, a Type-C Power Delivery trigger to make the bank output the correct voltage.
And finally, a way to hook up the trigger to your DX3Pro+.

It's definitely possible, but not without risk.