Would DX3 Pro+ be a decent improvement over my 2021 MBP for my HD 6XX

[Moustachio]

Hey there, total noob here!


My main use case is music production with virtual instruments. I have seen the measurement threads but to be honest, I don't know what any of those stuff means. I need some guidance here. The HD6XX sounds decent when driven by my macbook but I feel like it falls a bit flat. (Do bear in mind that I've never used a dac/amp before)

Would the DX3 Pro+ (or any dac/amp that has equal performance) bring in improvements in regards to critical listening? I am planning on getting it off of Ebay so, I don't think I can just try and decide here. I would be really interested in hearing your opinion! After all, at the end of the day, it is all very subjective.


Cheers!

 

[Doodski]

Hey there, total noob here!


My main use case is music production with virtual instruments. I have seen the measurement threads but to be honest, I don't know what any of those stuff means. I need some guidance here. The HD6XX sounds decent when driven by my macbook but I feel like it falls a bit flat. (Do bear in mind that I've never used a dac/amp before)

Would the DX3 Pro+ (or any dac/amp that has equal performance) bring in improvements in regards to critical listening? I am planning on getting it off of Ebay so, I don't think I can just try and decide here. I would be really interested in hearing your opinion! After all, at the end of the day, it is all very subjective.


Cheers!

I don't know exactly what the output power is of your MacBook although the power output of the DX3 Pro+ should be substantially higher than the MacBook. So you will have more headroom and can go louder and additionally with the extra power you can operate a software EQ/PEQ in the MacBook and that will create a major big improvement in the sound quality.
EQ/PEQ stuff is at this webpage.

EQ Software for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS/iPadOS and Android.

Any suggestions are welcome. Post suggestions here. I will gather the details and add them. Thanks. :D This will be organized as results come in. @sweetchaos made a guide for PEQ filter data input and operation. For crossover software go here. Windows: AutoEQ four easy steps to make your...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I recommend this EQ for a MacBook.

SoundSource - A Superior Sound Control

Access your Mac's audio devices, control per-app audio, and much more, all from the menu bar.

rogueamoeba.com

 

[Moustachio]

I don't know exactly what the output power is of your MacBook although the power output of the DX3 Pro+ should be substantially higher than the MacBook. So you will have more headroom and can go louder and additionally with the extra power you can operate a software EQ/PEQ in the MacBook and that will create a major big improvement in the sound quality.
EQ/PEQ stuff is at this webpage.

EQ Software for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS/iPadOS and Android.

Any suggestions are welcome. Post suggestions here. I will gather the details and add them. Thanks. :D This will be organized as results come in. @sweetchaos made a guide for PEQ filter data input and operation. For crossover software go here. Windows: AutoEQ four easy steps to make your...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I recommend this EQ for a MacBook.

SoundSource - A Superior Sound Control

Access your Mac's audio devices, control per-app audio, and much more, all from the menu bar.

rogueamoeba.com

Thank you for the reply!

According to apple, the macbook pro headphone jack apparently delivers 3 volts RMS for headphones with an impedance of 150 to 1k ohms. Should I except any improvement in regards to DAC quality? The macbook apparently shreds entry level dacs in terms of quality (I tried audient id4 and it honestly sounds so bad compared to it) but I couldn't find much info for ''middle of the road'' dacs such as dx3 pro+

I found this post which measures the dac/amp in the mbp but I can't interpret the graphs. also, can't speak chinese for that matter lol.

Measurements of Apple MacBook Pro M1 Max (2021) - L7Audiolab

台式设备 在2021年MacBookPro发布的时候，专门说了一下新款MBP的耳机插孔。当然，本站很有兴趣测量一下苹果“到底提供了怎样的耳机插孔”……可惜本站很穷……买不起…… T__T但是！穷人也能交到有钱朋友的对不对！于是一个网友直接定了一台给我……

www.l7audiolab.com

 

[Doodski]

MacBook M1@>
300Ω 30mW
68Ω 100mW
32Ω 150mW
16Ω 160mW

Those power output figures compared to the DX3 Pro+>
300Ω 257mW
68Ω NOT TESTED
32Ω 1.5W
16Ω NOT TESTED

As you can see the power output of the DX3 Pro+ is wayyy higher than the MacBook M1. A very substantial increase in power output. As per the DAC quality in the DX3 Pro+ it is top notch stuff. The DX3 Pro+ is really outstanding.

 

[audiofun]

DX3 Pro+ won't provide any improvement to your 2021 mbp, except the latter is not loud enough for you.

To me mbp is pretty loud with my HD 6XX.

 

[snake3276120]

DX3 Pro+ won't provide any improvement to your 2021 mbp, except the latter is not loud enough for you.

To me mbp is pretty loud with my HD 6XX.

Exactly, I'm usually listening to it at 25% - 50% volume. HD6xx Here too.

 

[snake3276120]

Thank you for the reply!

According to apple, the macbook pro headphone jack apparently delivers 3 volts RMS for headphones with an impedance of 150 to 1k ohms. Should I except any improvement in regards to DAC quality? The macbook apparently shreds entry level dacs in terms of quality (I tried audient id4 and it honestly sounds so bad compared to it) but I couldn't find much info for ''middle of the road'' dacs such as dx3 pro+

I found this post which measures the dac/amp in the mbp but I can't interpret the graphs. also, can't speak chinese for that matter lol.

Measurements of Apple MacBook Pro M1 Max (2021) - L7Audiolab

台式设备 在2021年MacBookPro发布的时候，专门说了一下新款MBP的耳机插孔。当然，本站很有兴趣测量一下苹果“到底提供了怎样的耳机插孔”……可惜本站很穷……买不起…… T__T但是！穷人也能交到有钱朋友的对不对！于是一个网友直接定了一台给我……

www.l7audiolab.com

Glad there's a measurement here! I'm switching between my MBP 2021 for work and a Topping EX5 for the rest. Great job there Apple!

 

[MikhailFia]

Just bought second-hand Topping DX3 Pro+ to pair with MBP M4... I did a quick comparison test between those two.. and can confirm that I did not notice any difference or it was negligible. This is very cool, of course. But why then I need Topping DX3 Pro+ then lol
Maybe will wait for heavier (Ohmish) headphones in future...
Btw, i was listening with AUNE AR5000, so, they are quite sensitive and are easily driven by MBP.