Topping DX3 Pro+ Review (DAC & Headphone Amp)

[MartinSwe]

No.


Also no

Thanks!

 

[Steel Squirrel]

Interesting, I remember reading about this now. I'm going to order the JDS Labs UAC1 Fallback Cable to connect the PS5 directly to my DAC and see if that works & go from there.

Did this work?

 

[Wesseling Audio Lab]

I'm using mine in Pre amp mode for an external amp with the screen sleep feature enabled, maybe that's the difference?

In preamp mode is there any audible noise from loudspeaker?

For my 3rd system dac I'm considering DX3 pro with bluetooth

 

[AnalogSteph]

In preamp mode is there any audible noise from loudspeaker?

Not usually, I'd say. Output noise computes to about 2.7 µV, with a 29.5 dB power amp behind it that still means less output noise than most any integrated amp you could buy, or <-90 dB ref. 2.83 V. With any normal-sensitivity speaker there'll be absolutely nothing to worry about. Anything big with horns may be a different story, but I doubt that's what you'd have in a tertiary system.

 

[TheZebraKilledDarwin]

What makes me a bit suspicious about buying the Topping is, that Amazon nowhere is selling it itself. Only marketplace sellers. Has this always been the case? Too bad quality?

 

[TheZebraKilledDarwin]

What makes me a bit suspicious about buying the Topping is, that Amazon nowhere is selling it itself. Only marketplace sellers. Has this always been the case? Too bad quality?

No longer important, I have ordered another DAC.

 

[AdrwM3]

Has anyone compared this dac/amp with the k5 pro ess? Is it a considerable upgrade?

 

[Killingbeans]

Depends on what part of the performance you're looking to upgrade.

 

[pacorabanna]

Hey everyone, I recently picked up a used Topping DX7 Pro+ on Amazon, which I didn’t realize until after the purchase. It’s not a huge issue, but the real problem is that the seller didn’t include the remote control. Without it, I’m unable to access the menu for settings like Gain, Output Mode, Bluetooth, etc. I'm trying to evaluate whether to keep the unit, but not being able to switch through these options is making it hard to fully test it out.

Does anyone here know if there's a way to access the menu or adjust these settings directly on the DAC without the remote? Or is the remote the only way to control these features? Any help is really appreciated!

 

[staticV3]

Hey everyone, I recently picked up a used Topping DX7 Pro+ on Amazon, which I didn’t realize until after the purchase. It’s not a huge issue, but the real problem is that the seller didn’t include the remote control. Without it, I’m unable to access the menu for settings like Gain, Output Mode, Bluetooth, etc. I'm trying to evaluate whether to keep the unit, but not being able to switch through these options is making it hard to fully test it out.

Does anyone here know if there's a way to access the menu or adjust these settings directly on the DAC without the remote? Or is the remote the only way to control these features? Any help is really appreciated!

Hi @pacorabanna! Welcome to ASR.

Have you read the user manual?
It lists the settings which are accessible via the volume knob and those which require the remote control.

Btw, you can purchase the remote separately.
It's the Topping RC15A, RC21, RC22.

 

[pacorabanna]

Hi @pacorabanna! Welcome to ASR.

Have you read the user manual?
It lists the settings which are accessible via the volume knob and those which require the remote control.

Btw, you can purchase the remote separately.
It's the Topping RC15A, RC21, RC22.

Hi, thanks for your reply. I did read the manual, and it seems the settings I need the most, are only accessible through the remote control (headphone amp Gain, Output Mode, Bluetooth). I don’t want to pay separately for it, as I purchased the unit with accessories, which should include the remote. Before deciding to return it or not, I’d like to test it out, but it seems impossible since certain features (mentioned above) can’t be accessed with the knob—unless I'm misunderstanding something, which is why I’m asking here.

P.S. The reason I need to test the headphone amp gain is that my HIFIMAN HE6se headphones sound really quiet. I thought this unit would have enough power to drive them properly, but it seems I might have been mistaken.

 

[staticV3]

I thought this unit would have enough power to drive them properly, but it seems I might have been mistaken.

Or the unit might be set to Low gain.

If you're curious, a basic multimeter is all that you need to test whether it is in Low gain or High gain.

 

[pacorabanna]

Or the unit might be set to Low gain.

If you're curious, a basic multimeter is all that you need to test whether it is in Low gain or High gain.

The device appears to be set to low gain, as indicated on the display, and I'm trying to figure out how to change this setting. I'm sure it would be easy with a remote, but as I explained in my previous post, I don't have one. Perhaps someone familiar with this DAC could share their knowledge.

 

[frha]

I know it's common wisdom now to say a DAC in a laptop is just as good as say the DX1, but in some back and forth testing I noticed some difference between the two and I'm wondering why. The DAC is at 32 bit 384khz mode and the laptop is at 24 bit 48khz if that makes a difference (although I've seen stuff which suggests that it doesn't). In some ways the DAC sounds different (but not necessarily better). It's as if it's adjusting the audio somehow but I can't figure out how. Perhaps this is due to DAC design?

Edit: I was meant to post this in the DX1 thread, but it's still relevant perhaps.

 

[Killingbeans]

Perhaps this is due to DAC design?

More likely the difference happens in the software on the laptop (assuming it's not placebo).

 

[frha]

More likely the difference happens in the software on the laptop (assuming it's not placebo).

What software settings though? I'm pretty sure it's all default besides disabling Windows sound effects for both the laptop and DAC.

It might be placebo but I'm not convinced.

 

[Killingbeans]

Good question. I imagine it has something to do with the software doing unintended signal processing along with the upsampling (or downsampling?), but I can only guess.

And yes, 32 bit 384khz is nuts. 192 dB dynamic range and 192kHz frequency extension is what that gives you. No human ears need anything remotely close to that, IMO.

 

[gpunique]

if i paired this with a fosi za3, how do i switch between the speakers and headphone outputs? do i have to menu scroll each time?

 

[nsfgp]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I did read the manual, and it seems the settings I need the most, are only accessible through the remote control (headphone amp Gain, Output Mode, Bluetooth). I don’t want to pay separately for it, as I purchased the unit with accessories, which should include the remote. Before deciding to return it or not, I’d like to test it out, but it seems impossible since certain features (mentioned above) can’t be accessed with the knob—unless I'm misunderstanding something, which is why I’m asking here.

P.S. The reason I need to test the headphone amp gain is that my HIFIMAN HE6se headphones sound really quiet. I thought this unit would have enough power to drive them properly, but it seems I might have been mistaken.

Indeed you misunderstood. You just need to get into Settings mode: Power cord unplugged. Pressed in button while you plug in power cord. You should be in settings mode. If not try again until you do.
Then you cycle thru each settings with one press. Turn the know to select the value you need. Press/hold knob to save/exit.

 

[frha]

Does the DX3 work well with low impedance headphones? The first post says: "This was a good test of the microprocessor controlled protection circuit which kicked in at the lowest impedances. This had been a sore point with the older DX3 Pro and Topping has gone aggressive with active monitoring here."

Would that change the sound at all?