TOPPING DX3 PRO Reviews Compendium

Compendium updated February 16th, 2021

A one-and-done DAC/amp at an entry-level price should pique any budding audiophile's interest. At $249, the TOPPING DX3 Pro sits within striking distance of the most popular entry DAC/Amps: the Schiit Modi/Magni stack, the AudioQuest Dragonfly, and the SMSL 200.

We’ve compiled reviews from across the web for your reference. What you’ll find here are the TLDR versions of the full reviews (which you can access with the provided links). We’ll continue updating this compendium as reviews come in. 

 

From Audio Science Reviews' review of the TOPPING DX3 PRO, first published on October 25th, 2018:

"Since the Topping DX3Pro is both a DAC and headphone amplifier, I am going to show performance using both output starting with the DAC section:

 "We have our nice nominal output of 2 volts. Distortion/SINAD is very good, and solidly in "tier 2" ranking of DACs I have tested:

 "So not state-of-the-art but very competent nevertheless.

 

"As usual, Topping shows that it uses proper measurements and engineering talent to design its products. As with their other products, it is next to impossible to find many flaws in anything I measure. Yes, it is not state-of-the-art in all measures and falls just shy. But it makes up for it with its superb headphone stage with very low distortion levels, perfect channel matching, and lots of power coming from such a small package and power supply to feed it.

"The switch from ESS to AKM has provided relief from intermodulation distortion that we have been seeing in so many DACs. Yes, there is a slight rise in noise as levels get down, impacting linearity measurements. That is a very worthwhile trade off in my book and I am glad Topping has made the change.

"All in all, the DX3Pro does not obsolete every DAC and headphone amplifier out there. But it comes darn close and nails the functionality and performance needed in a moderately low cost unit. Add to that the attractive industrial design and it easily becomes one of my favorite desktop products. As such, I recommend the Topping DX3Pro wholeheartedly."

 

From Joshua Valour's review of the TOPPING DX3 PRO, first published on February 11th, 2020: 

 

“If you have a lot of digital sources that you need to send to a lot of devices...this is a great option.” 

 

From Z Reviews' review of the TOPPING DX3 PRO, first published on July 7th, 2019:

 

“It’s a great unit--not a glowing [unit].” 

 

From iiWirviews review of the TOPPING DX3 PRO, first published on November 29th, 2019:

“Topping DX3 pro is a highly specced device. You get great built and lots of functions, very good headphone output too. I think I might be comfortable recommending it to headphones only listeners that will not use its line out. On the other hand, for the same amount of money, I’d rather go with Schiit Modi + Magni combo. If used as a DAC too – hooked to your amp and speakers, DX3 pro is simply an underwhelming performer.”

 

From The Guru Choice's review of the TOPPING DX3 PRO, first published on August 19th, 2020:

“Pros

• Neat and smooth design
• LED system looks fresh and attractive
• Stable Bluetooth connection
• Very portable and compact
• Lots of useful features to perform your sounds
• Package includes a remote control
• Includes a lot of inputs and outputs
• Clean and detailed sound

“Cons

• Complaints that the device goes in standby from which you can’t turn it on again.
• Sound over line-out is sometimes unstable”

 

Editor’s note: Emphases ours.