I have a pair of JBL 305 MII and it sounds great on my PC (JDS atom lap+D30), and another pair of JBLs connect to my tv via 3.5 > XLR and the sound is not like the PC setup. It’s normal (and best practice) to max iTunes and computer output levels. That way, the DAC or amp is getting the best quality signal. If you start with lower volume up the chain then you need to turn up your amp more to compensate and that introduces more noise (the bad kind).

V5.30 driver for most of TOPPING DACs-TOPPING

Can I use the C200 as a pre amp. using the RCA out into one of the Line inputs on my Yamaha AS 501 amp ?

It's more like hobby than that it makes sense haha. The OPA1612A is already a really good opamp. I am guessing the improvement will be marginal but audible. I'm hoping to open up the soundstage a bit more. From what I've read the Sparkos discrete opamp is practically the best there is. And since the DAC is not really struggling with much else hanging behind a quality LPS and with the guys from topping knowing what they are doing. Rolling in a top notch opamp seems to be one of the improvements that can be made for a slightly different sound signature. I plug in my IEMs - Etymotic ER4XR or ER4SR. These give a far more satisfying result for me - better sound quality, much more isolation and in-the-game feeling. I use IEMs as they suit me better - I don’t do mic/chat - I’m too anti-social. It also comes down to synergy between devices. But in terms of detail the AKM hasn't dissapointed at all. It's my daily driver. I do will invest in getting myself a D50 too to play with it a bit more to replace my ES9018. As indicated by measurements directly from TOPPING and third-party testers, you can expect the DX3 Pro+ to have a wonderfully neutral and distortion-free sonic presentation. And that’s exactly what I hear while listening to Aaron Copland’s “Quiet City”. The dynamics are powerful – the details and subtleties are all revealed.

Topping DX3 Pro+ Review - Headfonia Reviews

I am perfectly happy with the Dragonfly as well! But I'm switching desks and a desktop DAC/Amp is going to look so much cleaner on my desk as opposed to a USB extension cable strung across the desk plugged into the Dragonfly. But, I will say, if you like the warmth and richness of the sound of the Dragonfly Red, the DX3 Pro+ is going to sound pretty thin and lifeless in comparison. So if you don't mind the form factor of the Dragonfly Red, then the Jitterbug might be the way to go. I did experience a burn in time with the DX3 Pro where it started off real strong and then got a bit dull and flat for quite some hours. After which it opened up again. I never am a big believer for burning in DACs or headphone amps... (Headphones and speakers with mechanical parts I do believe need to burn it) but this thing did seem to need some time to settle.. The unit also comes with a remote controller. It is not necessary to control the SMSL C200, as you can do it using just the volume knob, but it does make things easier and more convenient. It’s made of plastic and it has the following buttons: power, up, down, left, right, enter, input, FN (used to switch outputs and, when long pressed, to set the screen to automatically switch off), mute, raise and reduce volume. Features & Specs It's a different sound. The D50 was with an LPS so I need to wait to get my LPS for the DX3 Pro before I can do a more fair comparison. Also, the D50 had a few months of use and the DX3 Pro has only one day of use so I need to burn it in sufficiently.Now I have my fully tuned and customised ES9018 DAC next to it with dual AD828 opamps in class A. And i'd have to say the 9018 is wider in sound stage and has that typical ESS sparkle but less detail and depth. Less musical. The DX3 Pro is my easy choice to go to for daily listening. It's well balanced and maybe not having that sparkle that I've come to love from ESS chips but a solid well rounded ans detailed sound. TV optical or spdif out to a DAC headphone amp. This should give good stereo quality. Sony are not yet supporting 3D audio over the HDMI. So you lose out on the 3D audio Tempest engine until Sony allow it over HDMI Obviously, for testing purposes, I want something easy to access and swap and if I like it I'll solder it in more reasonably permanent as close to the PCB as possible. Yes, do test again with the LPS in place. You might be surprised. Apart from that. I do know what you mean by the DX3 Pro having a more centered sound and more pronounced vocals. The DX3 Pro+ is basically a plug and play device with both MAC and Windows computers. However, some ASIO functionality requires the installation of the customized Thesycon ASIO driver for Windows. Basic functions are easy to operate using the multi-function dial on the device while everything else is simply done via the remote.

DX3 Pro Plus - A Giant Killer DAC/AMP? - iiWi reviews Topping DX3 Pro Plus - A Giant Killer DAC/AMP? - iiWi reviews

The DX3 Pro+ comes in an understated, clean white box that’s almost bare apart from the TOPPING logo on the top. Inside the box, the DAC/Amp is seated securely in a soft foam insert with an additional foam pad on top. Plugging in the Moondrop KATO called for low gain mode and I spent most of my time between -38dB and -32dB. This is a wonderful pairing, resulting in a clean, dynamic and punchy sound brimming with musicality and detail. Switching to the FiiO FH5s reveals even more details and a wide, expansive soundstage. Conclusion Leave a Reply Cancel reply Did you like the review? Let me know! Please note that you should write in English, as comments in other languages will be deleted. Thank you! When it comes to output modes, the DX3 Pro+ can be used as a headphone amp, headphone amp + DAC, DAC, and preamplifier. This gives it a lot of versatility for the desktop, letting you drive not only IEMs and headphones but speakers as well. Based from what you say is it better to try the K5 Pro ESS then? Also another friend suggest if I like the Dragonfly Red just buy a Jitterbug and be done with LOL.Usage is around 90% on PC thru USB and 10% on gaming console thru optical. RCA possibly with turntable but it would be somewhat niche activity. PC usage includes roughly equal parts of gaming, movies and music listening from a very wide range of genres. The Topping D50 was more 'airy', had more detail and had a much bigger soundstage than the DX3 Pro. I was able to place instruments more accurately with the D50. The DX3 Pro sounds a bit more compressed but is a little more musical. It is able to bring the entire composition together better than the D50. I definitely feel right at home switching from the Dragonfly Red to the K5 Pro ESS, though. VERY similar tonality. I will say the soundstage feels wider on the Fiio, and the vocals have a lot more room to breathe. With the Dragonfly vocals feel closer and a little more in front of you, vs more enveloping with the Fiio. I have tested the SMSL C200 with various headphones, including the HiFiMAN Edition XS and the 7Hz Salnotes Zero. Also I remember you come from Dragonfly Red right? Do you feel right at home with the switch to K5 Pro ESS?