Topping DX3 Pro+ Review (DAC & Headphone Amp)

[jonwb]

Hey DX3 Pro+ owners... upon startup, does the unit hold your previous settings automatically? Say if it's set to "Coax, Hi Gain, DAC+HP and their previous volume levels" and I power the unit off via a power strip... will those settings appear again when I turn it back on?

 

[GotchARABBIT]

Greetings fellow audio folks

I am having an issue with the topping DX3 pro+ I've just purchased and was hoping maybe someone here with more experience might be able to help.

I have purchased the Topping to be able to drive my Beyerdynamic DT1770pro (first generation 250ohm) on a second work desk. On my primary desk I am running a schiit stack (modi2 and magni2).

Now, what surprised me a lot, is the sound is actually quite different and I have to admit, I prefer the sound of the schiit stack by a lot.
I am no Audiophile, and I am only listening to spotify on a windows machine (no fancy high-res or ASIO stuff). For me its hard to describe the differences, since I am no Headphone-guy, but I would say the Topping sounds WAY sharper and more zingy and klicky, so things like Horns, high hats or female voices start to hurt my ears at way lower listening levels, which overall I would describe as way more "annoying" somehow.
Something else I have noticed, I can only describe as the Music being more "claustrophobic"...like as if everything is happening in a way smaller room. The third topic is the sound of the bass is very different: Where, for example Kick-drums seems to have more initial impact on the Topping but less overall volume and seem to lack in the very low ends. It feels like a lack of "authority" somehow

Overall I have to say, I am a bit puzzled by my listening test, as I expected both to sound pretty much the same. I am a firm believer in measurements so I am wondering what could be going on here? Listening to some of my favorite test tracks, somehow this "goosebumps-effect" where you just think to yourself "Damn, this sounds sooooo great" is completely gone on the Topping.

-As the topping seems to measure pretty perfect, could it be that the schiit stack is actually "sounded" in a way, that I just happen to prefer on the DT1770?

- Is it possible that the roughly 2x output power of the Magni2 make a difference in the tonality / bass response?

-Could the Topping be "underpowered" for a 250ohm DT1770 ?

-Could there be a windows (11) issue, making the two DACs sound differently? (I've deactivated the "enhance sound" on both and played with the sampling rates)

Thanks guys...I would hate to send the Topping back, especially as the Schiit stuff is almost not available or crazy expensive in europe currently

Hello Again. Since I am "sceptical" myself when it comes to audible differences between the Topping and the Schiit stack, I decided to do some redneck style measurements myself, to see if there are any significant measurable differences, I would be able to find. Just used REW and my Umic1 (with cal file) directly into the left can of my Beyerdynamic TD 1770 PRO and just carefully switched the plug between the two devices.

What can I say? As expected SPL and phase looks pretty much the same on both units.

At least I can assume now there is no "hidden" EQ fumbling with the signal in the Windows audio path.

Still I am wondering If the differences, that I seem to hear so clearly, are either hallucinations or might there be other effects when listening to music, that wouldn't show up in these "artificial" measuring sweep scenarios?

 

[staticV3]

or might there be other effects when listening to music, that wouldn't show up in these "artificial" measuring sweep scenarios?

If you're curious, simply play the same track through both stacks and record the output via your UMIK + Audacity.

Load the two recordings into Deltawave and it'll plot the difference in phase, frequency response, etc.

There's even a built-in ABX comparator so you can test your hearing in a controlled manner, free of biases.

 

[unibomber]

Which is a better choice? This unit or a smsl d12?

 

[staticV3]

Which is a better choice? This unit or a smsl d12?

D12 is USB-powered and has way less output power as a result.

Amir's D12 measurements are below, so you can directly compare to the measurements here:

SMSL D12 DAC & Headphone Amp Review

This is a review, listening test and detailed measurements of the SMSL D12 stereo USB DAC with Bluetooth support. It was sent to me by the company and is selling for US $126. The D12 deviates from typical SMSL DAC by using a 7 segment display. It is white and get hyper bright (there are many...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Haze]

My DX3 Pro+ has weirdly low volume output. Even on easy to drive cans I having to be in the -30s on low gain to get to a comfortable listening level. Even my most sensitive IEMs never go lower than the -40s? Is this normal? My European apple dongle is putting out more volume than Pro+ on low gain.

 

[staticV3]

My DX3 Pro+ has weirdly low volume output. Even on easy to drive cans I having to be in the -30s on low gain to get to a comfortable listening level. Even my most sensitive IEMs never go lower than the -40s? Is this normal? My European apple dongle is putting out more volume than Pro+ on low gain.

You can use a basic $10 multimeter to measure your DAC's output voltage and to ensure that it is in good working order.


For this purpose, use the 60Hz test tone attached below.

On line Calculator by Reference Audio Analyzer

reference-audio-analyzer.pro