Topping DX3 Pro+ Review (DAC & Headphone Amp)

[rarewolf]

Hola proud owners of DX3 Pro+, have you heard a mobile DACamp that matches the sound quality of this unit's headphone output? I've been looking, but none the match so far

It could be whatever IEMs or headcans you’re trying to drive. For example, my Sennheiser IE 600s are efficient enough to sound equally technical with either my DX3P+ or my L&P W2 dongle… not so much my Letshouer S12 set unless I use the L&P’s balanced output.

 

[gael]

Letshouer S12 set unless I use the L&P’s balanced output

That's exactly the phones I mostly use with my Dx3 pro+. And best dongle I heard so far was DH80S, and yes, same story here - balanced output sounds significantly better than SE. But still, Dx3 pro+ is better. Man, I just really miss its sound when I'm on the go.

 

[Schwedenkreuz]

Just got my DX3 Pro+. How to use it as DAC only for my amplifier? I've managed to change to m-d in the settings and saved the setting. But still...the display shows the volume and the volume is adjustble, which I guess means that the unit is used as pre amp? Thanks for help!

 

[staticV3]

@Schwedenkreuz you need to also change the output mode to Line out. As long as it's set to Line out + Headphone out, the volume stays adjustable, even with m-d enabled.

 

[Schwedenkreuz]

@Schwedenkreuz you need to also change the output mode to Line out. As long as it's set to Line out + Headphone out, the volume stays adjustable, even with m-d enabled.

Thanks...found it....it was only possible using the remote. Tested the DAC vs Cambridge Audio CXA-81 internal DAC. The CXA was way better.

 

[BigSweeny]

Thanks...found it....it was only possible using the remote. Tested the DAC vs Cambridge Audio CXA-81 internal DAC. The CXA was way better.

I'm curious in what way you found it "way better"? Can you elaborate?

 

[Schwedenkreuz]

I'm curious in what way you found it "way better"? Can you elaborate?

Topping too harsch, to bright, less punch and bass.

 

[artburda]

Topping too harsch, to bright, less punch and bass.

Uh-huh. Was it a night and day difference? How much time passed when switching from one dac to the other?

 

[Schwedenkreuz]

Uh-huh. Was it a night and day difference? How much time passed when switching from one dac to the other?

20 seconds or less ;-)

A/B many times. But.....I think it says more about the CXA81 DAC than Topping. I also have a Bluesound Node N130 and I found that quite similar to the topping - which is a great result for the Topping.

 

[Schwedenkreuz]

and...the Topping ran hot...didnt expect that....

 

[artburda]

20 seconds or less ;-)

A/B many times. But.....I think it says more about the CXA81 DAC than Topping. I also have a Bluesound Node N130 and I found that quite similar to the topping - which is a great result for the Topping.

How did you make sure that the levels were matched? Slight volume differences, even less than 0.5dB, can make an impact. Did you try it blinded? So that someone else changed the dacs and you weren't aware which one was playing? Otherwise cognitive biases come into play.

 

[biohazard_area]

Hello, my topping dx3 pro just broke and the same thing happens to me as in this video that I found, does anyone have a solution???? The product is no longer under warranty. Thank you

 

[spigot]

Hello, my topping dx3 pro just broke and the same thing happens to me as in this video that I found, does anyone have a solution???? The product is no longer under warranty. Thank you

If it's being detected you could try to rewrite or update the firmware. Unlikely to work, but there aren't many non-technical options.

 

[biohazard_area]

If it's being detected you could try to rewrite or update the firmware. Unlikely to work, but there aren't many non-technical options.

Thanks for the help, but there is no firmware for topping dx3 pro on the official page, only drivers. I am also testing it only connected to the electric current and the remote does not work either.

 

[The Masked Onion]

Could it be the power supply?

Do you have a spare adapter that you could test with?

 

[rarewolf]

Hello, my topping dx3 pro just broke and the same thing happens to me as in this video that I found, does anyone have a solution???? The product is no longer under warranty. Thank you

I suppose it could be the remote’s battery…

 

[biohazard_area]

Could it be the power supply?

Do you have a spare adapter that you could test with?

I have tried with the multimeter and it shows me 15V

I suppose it could be the remote’s battery…

The control is like new and it is not the battery since it does not go with the wheel either

 

[pioterd]

Topping too harsch, to bright, less punch and bass.

Since DX3pro+ is considered neutral, then maybe CXA81 is not and it enchances lower frequencies or softens highs. Are you absolutely sure you had volumes matched when you compared both?

 

[Schwedenkreuz]

Since DX3pro+ is considered neutral, then maybe CXA81 is not and it enchances lower frequencies or softens highs. Are you absolutely sure you had volumes matched when you compared both?

Yes, perhaps I just like the CXA sound better. Yes - volumes matched.

 

[Fendooz]

I've recieved my DX3 pro+ today, I'm unable to access the settings menu. The instructions state:

"press and hold the knob first when the power is off, and then power up to enter the setup menu"

If I do as it says, it just loads "DFU" screen. I'm not ale to cycle to any other options. It becomes totally unresponsive and I have to pull the power chord to get it back to working state.
Can anyone advise?