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Today we are going to do a Topping DX3 Pro+ Review, their newest AIO, to see how it stacks up to other AIOs.
Designing some of the best DACs and AMPs in terms of cost-to-benefit ratio are these products. Dedicated engineers and audiophiles make up their R&D team. In addition, they have made significant investments in the most up-to-date audio testing equipment, such as the Audio Precision APx555.
We, of course, get better equipment as a result of this. The TP30 and NX1 are the two oldest Topping products I can recall using. I think it was 2013 at the time. I’ve used at least 25 of their goods over the years and never had a problem with any of them. According to my opinion, they’ve had a great track record in terms of results.
Specs of the Topping DX3 Pro+ Desktop DAC & Headphone Amplifier
With native decoding of PCM up to 32bit/768kHz and DSD up to DSD512, the Topping DX3 Pro+ is an affordable high-fidelity DAC/amp combo.
The ES9038Q2M premium-tier DAC from ESS Technology and Topping’s NFCA amplifier circuits power it. In addition, the QCC5125, Qualcomm’s top-tier Bluetooth chipset, fully supports LDAC on the DX3 Pro+. The DX3 Pro+ appears to be a full unit that is priced reasonably and will be difficult for rivals to match in features.
Topping DX3 Pro+ Review of Feature Highlights
Hi-Res Audio Wireless and LDAC certification: DX3Pro+ has been certified by Bluetooth 5.0 and LDAC. It makes use of the most recent QCC5125 chipset to support the LDAC/AAC/SBC/APTX/APTX LL/APTX HD protocols.. In order to improve Bluetooth sound quality even further, we connect the digital signal from the QCC5125’s built-in DAC to the ES9038Q2M for decoding.
A special version of the NFCA circuit in the DX3 Pro+ ensures the lowest possible levels of noise and distortion. In terms of compatibility, it works well with high sensitivity in ear monitors (IEMs) and high impedance headphones.
Headphone Amp, Headphone Amp+ Line out, DAC and Pre-amplifier modes are all available in the DX3 Pro+’s four output modes.
Looking at AIOs, see our comparison of the Schiit Magni 3+ vs Heresy Review
For DX3 Pro+, the optimum power amplifier is the PA3s, which features balanced RCA and TRS inputs. It is possible to use the TRS balanced input of the DX3 Pro+ with a different audio source. If you are looking for a speaker that can handle 80W x 2@4, 10 percent THD+N, or 65W x 2@4, 1 percent THD+N.
Packaging and What’s Included
When it arrives, you’ll find the Topping DX3 Pro+ packaged in a medium-sized white box. It’s as straightforward as it gets when it comes to the box. Only a little sticker with the unit’s name and barcode was included on the side of the box by Topping. To get a sense of what to expect, open the package and you’ll see foam encasing the gadget. Topping has properly put everything inside the separated portion after removing the foam cover.
The accessories match expectations. It includes a USB-A to USB-B data connection, a remote, a handful of instructions, an antenna, and a small power converter. The 15V adapter’s compact size is a big plus for me. This model’s accessories are of high quality, and the inclusion of a remote control is a nice touch.
Topping DX3 Pro+ Build Quality
When it comes to its dimensions (WxHxD), the DX3 Pro+ is a compact device that won’t take up a lot of room on your desk. Unlike the Topping E50, the D10B has a similar design and is smaller than the Topping E50. As with other Topping products, the unit’s build quality is excellent. The CNC-milled chassis looks great with Topping’s trademark orange text on the front.
With the same shiny black lacquer, the multifunctional volume knob is also aluminum and I found it to be a pleasure to touch. Taking a turn is an enjoyable experience because you can actually feel the steps.
Topping DX3 Pro+ Review – Design
For the design section of our Topping DX3 Pro+ Review we found it is similar to the D10 series with a few design changes, despite the fact that they all have a similar shape and size.
Front panel bolt sockets on the DX3 Pro+ are hidden rather than visible, as on the D10 series. The anodized matte finish looks better to me, and it’s a lot slicker. On another note, Topping also provides the device in silver color and it includes the same anodized finish as the black one.
Topping went for a 3.5mm headphone jack instead of the standard 6.3mm, which is unusual. Given a hobbyist, I don’t understand the reasoning behind this decision, as nearly everyone has a 6.3 to 3.5 converter. For whatever reason, Topping has made this choice. That is the only explanation I can come up with.
There are no front-facing I/O options except for the HP input. Right to left: RCA outputs; dual coax; optic; USB input. Additionally, we can observe that the DX3Pro+ is powered by 15V DC.
Power
The DX3 Pro+ may be small and portable, but it packs a powerful punch. A 32-ohm load receives 1.8 watts from the amp. When you consider the size of the DX3 Pro+, that’s an impressive amount of power. The device is capable of driving 600-ohm headphones. I had a set of 600ohm Byer DT 990‘s with me and it powered them up no problem. I also tried the Sennheiser HD 660 S before switching over to my Hifiman Sundara, they sound energetic yet subtle and smooth using the the DX3 Pro+. In high gain mode, I found myself listening to the music at a level of -25dB.
On the other hand, the HPO’s output impedance is quite low at 0.1 ohms, making it suited for IEMs and multi-BA earphones that are sensitive to impedance. Sensitive IEMs don’t have any hissing, so you can enjoy your music and the black background all to yourself. Topping’s designs are always awe-inspiring, especially when they can be purchased for a reasonable price.
Topping DX3 Pro+ Review Sound Quality
In the digital-to-analogue conversion arena, it has proven difficult to find faults in TOPPING DACs for some time. THD+N measurements have been steadily improving over time. That doesn’t, however, imply that DACs like the DX3 Pro+ lose their musicality or charm.
DSD files or streaming music from Tidal, the DX3 Pro+ sounds unified and expressive. To get the most out of a DAC like this, you’ll need to use high-quality files. However, you won’t be disappointed if you’re streaming files via Bluetooth. In either case, the DX3 Pro+ is a powerful tool.
The DX3 Pro+ has a wonderfully neutral and distortion-free sound presentation, as evidenced by measurements taken directly by TOPPING and third-party testing. The dynamics of our test tracks were strong, and all of the intricacies and minutiae are brought to light.
Looking to improve your gear, see our picks for Best Wired Headphones
My ears are completely immersed in the music as the soundstage is extremely focused with accurate instrument placement. It’s almost as if I’m sitting in a huge hall rather than a cramped living room.
Verdict and Results of the Topping DX3 Pro+ Review
At the price point it is hard to beat the Topping DX3 Pro+ in terms of sound quality, build and features. To get an improvement, you will need to spend a good bit more and even then depending on the rest of your setup may not have a noticeable improvement in sound quality. The main drawback I found is no 6.35mm jack.
I hope you have enjoyed my Topping DX3 Pro+ Review and if you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments below.
