Will a Topping DX3 Pro+ drive Dan Clark Aeon Core headphones suitably?

[Gruff]

(I think) I'd like to try a pair of Dan Clark Aeon Core headphones. Before I make what will be quite an expensive purchase for me I'd like to double check that my current dac/headphone amp is suitable... will my Topping DX3 Pro+, with P50 linear power supply, do them justice? Opinions and advice would be very welcome.

My usual source is Spotify (lossless) via LDAC Bluetooth from my phone to the DX3, so I thought I'd also buy a WiiM Mini and stream from that. Is there any reason this would be a bad choice, and would there be any reason to go for a more expensive WiiM streamer like the Pro or Pro Plus? Again, any advice appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[staticV3]

Hi @Gruff! Welcome to ASR.

The WiiM Mini's Optical output is bit-exact, so using Spotify Lossless it will transmit the artist's tracks with zero degradation:

Lossless Listening Arrives on Spotify Premium

It sounds great to me. Of course their previous 320kbps also sounded great too. I prefer to use Spotify over other services because their app is the best and their connect feature works with every device I have. I agree. As we have a family sub, with the other members using Spotify (various...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Therefore, if all that you need is digital audio output to your DAC, the WiiM Mini will do that at least as good as a Lumin U2 or something.

Plus the WiiM has Parametric EQ which even the Lumin doesn't have.

 

[Gruff]

Hi @Gruff! Welcome to ASR.

Thank you very much!

Zero degradation sounds as much as I would hope for from a streamer so I don't think I need spend any more, a WiiM Mini will do for me. I hadn't previously heard of the Lumin 2 so Googled it, I almost fell off my chair seeing the price.

I've just read a comment from Dan Clark in another thread saying that the Aeon Core is very efficient and can be driven well even by portable gear, so I'm going to assume my DX3 Pro+ will be up to the job.

Unfortunately, I've also just read that the small extra cost for the Noire X is money well spent, and then realised that if I'd be happy buying those, the Sennheiser HD800s are available at the same price and now I'm all confused again. Oh dear.

Thanks for your comments.

 

[HalSF]

I've just read a comment from Dan Clark in another thread saying that the Aeon Core is very efficient and can be driven well even by portable gear, so I'm going to assume my DX3 Pro+ will be up to the job.

My experience so far after a couple of weeks with the Aeon Core is that while it may not be especially hard to drive, it needs good amplification. The DX3 Pro+ will be plenty powerful enough. Portable DAC/amps like the Fosi DS2 or the Qudelix T71 do pretty well driving it utilizing the extra gain from their balanced output but the single-ended output from those devices can be challenged with quieter recordings or if you’re using volume-lowering EQ. Trying to use the Aeon Core straight out of something like a phone results in okay but anemic sound in my experience.

 

[Gruff]

My experience so far after a couple of weeks with the Aeon Core is that while it may not be especially hard to drive, it needs good amplification. The DX3 Pro+ will be plenty powerful enough.

Thank you for the comments.

 

[Redacted]

"while it may not be especially hard to drive, it needs good amplification"

What does this mean? Any figures to back up this gibberish?

 

[HalSF]

"while it may not be especially hard to drive, it needs good amplification"

What does this mean? Any figures to back up this gibberish?

What is wrong with you? What part of my comments about using different amps and registering perceived volume “in my experience “ is hard for you to understand? Did you skip Amir’s measurements and his review’s comment that “You need to have a headphone amp to get good dynamics out of [the Aeon Core]”?

Throwing “gibberish” around in this rude, hostile, completely uncalled-for way is just straight-up villainous.

 

[Redacted]

I'm ok with measurements, so give me figures that define "good amplification" and "hard to drive"

 

[HalSF]

I'm ok with measurements, so give me figures that define "good amplification" and "hard to drive"

I POINTED YOU TO AMIR’s MEASUREMENTS! Including a link! Go give yourself the figures, and stop being a cranky old Mean Mr. Mustand.

 

[Redacted]

"My experience so far after a couple of weeks with the Aeon Core is that while it may not be especially hard to drive, it needs good amplification."

You have "good amplification" - so we're happy with whatever that is.

 

[MbphotoX]

That always depends on listening levels and dynamic range of the recording..

these headphones are not crazy hard to drive, but you need 300+ mV (at 17 Ohm) to get 94 dB SPL out of them.

this helps judge whether your amp can drive them with full dynamics to your desired average listening volume.

Headphone Amplifier Power Calculator - The Audio Stuff

How much amp power your headphones need to hit any SPL. Live mW, RMS voltage, drive difficulty, and dB headroom against any DAC or amp.

theaudiostuff.com

my FiiO KA11 (usb dongle) can put out 245mW into 16 Ohms, which would be plenty enough to cover the Aeon Core at 85dB reference level reaching up to 103dB with classical music.