Topping DX3 Pro+ Review (DAC & Headphone Amp)

[Staxxx]

Thank you for your inputs. I am getting it through a friend with the power supply. I have heavily downsized my system so am a little worried that it might be lightweight. Crossing my fingers that it will work well. I will be using a Teknik audio Memory Player as a source so the signal it will be fed should be very good.

 

[Palladium]

The DAC market as it stands currently I see no reason to settle for anything priced between the Jcally USB-C dongles and the D50 III, unless you need SPDIF or buy used (like my $60 E50).

 

[amanieux]

I basically agree, but the resale value of budget DAC should be next to zero and I don't expect that many improvements in such devices in the future.

i agree, dac tech dont improve that much but price do drop, plus reselling loss is lower on cheaper devices

 

[Limopard]

Another slight issue appeared today - I tested the bluetooth connection, using a Fiio BT11 dongle. The devices "agreed" on LDAC as a codec. Pairing was apparently successful, but no sound was playing. It worked when I disabled LDAC in the Fiio BT11, the codec was switched to aptx and sound was there.

It's not the dongle's fault, LDAC works well when a SMSL DL100 or Fiio BTR17 is on the receiving end. No big deal, but still a headscratcher. Anyone experienced similar things?

 

[Mordor]

Just to inform i have it connected to my TV, more than one year, and 0 problems.

I just dont understand sometimes why it conects the BT, despite optical glass is selected...

 

[Rick63]

Just to inform i have it connected to my TV, more than one year, and 0 problems.

I just dont understand sometimes why it conects the BT, despite optical glass is selected...

If you aren't using BT you can turn it off in the menu.

I've had mine for over 2 years and I've had zero issues as well (using only opt & coax inputs).

 

[Limopard]

I deleted every BT connection in the Fiio dongle and connected the DX3pro+ only. Now LDAC works properly, although the range is rather poor. Aptx works more stable.

 

[staticV3]

Now LDAC works properly, although the range is rather poor. Aptx works more stable.

As expected:

Source

 

[BradC]

just in case some of you use this for gaming, I've been running some latency tests after trying to play metal hellsinger and being off the beats a lot of times, and then seeing huge delay at the calibration options between the image and the audio.

USB: about between 95 and 110ms of audio latency, tested on 2 boards and a laptop on usb 2.0 + 3.x ports and 3 different cables.

optical cable: 70/75ms of audio latency, same computers

Integrated audio of the motherboards straight headphones to them skipping DX3: 70/75ms of latency, same as optical + dx3


so, if you plan to use this dac for tight gaming like competitive fps or just rythm games, be sure of use it with the optical input. 25/50 ms of extra latency is HUGE

It's a nonsense we still have to deal with latencies like that on windows and 99.9% of the games when humans are much faster at auditory reaction times than visuals, and at the same time we have monitors with a latency of 2ms on processing + showing it on the display

completely nonsense, but it is what it is. At least knowing that, you will be able to lower the latency a good 30/40% which is huge.

Out of curiosity did you ever have a chance to test latency more recently?

I heard some 2024 windows builds had some updates to the audio stack supporting lower latencies.

As a fellow gamer I am curious if this improved (i.e. was it windows), or if the dx3 itself is adding significant latency? It would be nice to pipe games through this device too....

 

[cofrca]

Hi all, first post here.
Just received Dx3 pro+ and I have a strange problem. Turning the volume up or down changes the input. If I continue to do this the item goes into standby and then enters the DFU mode.
To do something about it, I've downloaded the firmware update tool which identified the firmware as v1.00. I tried to flash the firmware v1.28. The app reports that the firmware upgrade was successful but current firmware is still v1.00.

Should I return dx3+ or try other solutions?

 

[Raven/Nadir]

Hi all, first post here.
Just received Dx3 pro+ and I have a strange problem. Turning the volume up or down changes the input. If I continue to do this the item goes into standby and then enters the DFU mode.
To do something about it, I've downloaded the firmware update tool which identified the firmware as v1.00. I tried to flash the firmware v1.28. The app reports that the firmware upgrade was successful but current firmware is still v1.00.

Should I return dx3+ or try other solutions?

Is it possible that your device's knob is stuck pushed in? Or rather reacts as if it was pushed in? I would return it anyway. Can you use the remote normally? Volume up and down and input changes? If so that is a hardware issue with the device, if the same happens with the remote it is some kind of software issue probably.

 

[cofrca]

Is it possible that your device's knob is stuck pushed in? Or rather reacts as if it was pushed in? I would return it anyway. Can you use the remote normally? Volume up and down and input changes? If so that is a hardware issue with the device, if the same happens with the remote it is some kind of software issue probably.

The knob is sending pushed action at every 2-3 clicks. I tried to gently pull it to see it would free itself, but it didn't work. The remote is working normally.

Thank you, I will return the unit today.

 

[Raven/Nadir]

Now a question from myself. I got a shiny new pair of Noire X with the dummer 4.4 balanced cable. And that's a problem since right now my main DAC/AMP is Topping dx3 pro+ which is 3.5mm unbalanced. Now since I have no way of replacing either, can you please advise if Linsoul DD HiFi DJ44C Mark II female 4.4 to male 3.5mm is a good choice for an adapter for the time being? It won't break or fry neither of the devices?

 

[staticV3]

Now a question from myself. I got a shiny new pair of Noire X with the dummer 4.4 balanced cable. And that's a problem since right now my main DAC/AMP is Topping dx3 pro+ which is 3.5mm unbalanced. Now since I have no way of replacing either, can you please advise if Linsoul DD HiFi DJ44C Mark II female 4.4 to male 3.5mm is a good choice for an adapter for the time being? It won't break or fry neither of the devices?

You can always safely adapt balanced headphones onto single ended headphone outputs.

But you cannot adapt single ended headphones onto balanced headphones outputs.

 

[sbsolarski]

Hello everyone, new account here.

I am having issues with my DX3 Pro+ when playing Metroid Prime 4 on the Nintendo Switch 2. I have already emailed Topping but am still awaiting an answer.

I use the dx3 in the headphone mode connected to headphones at a value of around -20db.

When playing the game, in certain areas, more often than not the dx3 sound cuts out and 'HP err' (High Pass Error) is displayed. It's super annoying. I heard there are ways to apply an EQ filter on PC's but I have mine connected to my TV and the sound source comes from the Switch 2 where no such thing is possible.

Is there anything I can do aside from turning down my volume (it gets too quiet if I do that).

Kind Regards,

 

[staticV3]

Is there anything I can do aside from turning down my volume (it gets too quiet if I do that).

If you're already using the latest firmware, then unfortunately no.

 

[Mordor]

Can someone tell me how to turn off the display info like volume?

My daughter did something and change values.....thanks in advance.

P.S. Nevermind...found it! )

 

[FelixKD]

How is the durability of this device, based on some longterm experiences? This is an unusual question, but did someone sometimes accidentally drop the Topping DX3 Pro+ onto the floor, e.g. by overestimating a short headphone cable or getting stuck on a cable with a leg, and it's still working?

 

[staticV3]

How is the durability of this device, based on some longterm experiences? This is an unusual question, but did someone sometimes accidentally drop the Topping DX3 Pro+ onto the floor, e.g. by overestimating a short headphone cable or getting stuck on a cable with a leg, and it's still working?

Would recommend something USB-powered if that's a concern.

The DX1 would be prime candidate.

 

[Mordor]

More one year working almost 4 hours a day, no problems...