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I bought a DX3 Pro Plus, have I made a horrible mistake?

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by BadMusicVideos, Nov 18, 2023.

  1. BadMusicVideos

    BadMusicVideos New

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    I ordered one of these for $100 used, seemed like a good price, after googling and coming up with some glowing Youtube reviews.

    Then after more digging, I found some pretty bad reviews on this forum of the previous revision of this unit (Normal "Plus" version from 2019). I quote:

    "I don't apologize to the happy owners of Topping. They should be unhappy with their purchases cause I'm pretty sure that this thing prevent them from enjoying music and they'll be in constant search of new headphones\cables\recording etc. Everything but not listening to music."

    Now all I want is a decent listenable combo Amp/DAC all-in-one unit for simplicities sake, should I have ordered the Fiio equivalent instead?

    This "Plus" version on the upside seems to be revised, with a new Sabre chip, if that makes any difference, and some cursory reviews online seem to point that this revision is better than the previous version.

    However I'd like to know if anyone has heard this new version and likes it...for $100 is it listenable or avoid it like the plague. I'm not an audiophile by any means but I also would like to know if it will prevent me from simple musical enjoyment.
     
    BadMusicVideos, Nov 18, 2023
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  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Just avoid the cheap Chi-Fi stuff. If you really want to go Topping, the L50/E50 combo is decent (review forthcoming), not great, and not what I would consider value. In general, I'd avoid the likes of Topping, Fiio, iBasso, Douk, Monoprice, based on past experience with them. There is some really fantastic Chi-Fi, but you will have to pay a bit more, in many cases Western vendor kind of prices.

    With respect to ESS Sabre, it depends not on the chip or tech, but upon the engineers and audio designers. Weiss, MOTU, Schiit, Apogee have done amazing things with ESS.

    Wait a one week or at most two weeks. There are two AIO coming out, both I really loved. One should be sub $200 the other will be well above that, maybe triple.

    Or just continue in the endless cycle of sub-entry level gear.
     
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2023
    purr1n, Nov 18, 2023
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  3. BadMusicVideos

    BadMusicVideos New

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    Thanks for the tips. So basically I should just invest in a Schitt Magni/Modi stack and be done with it? Or is there any all-in-one unit worth looking at? Any tips as to what to look for would be useful.
     
    BadMusicVideos, Nov 18, 2023
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  4. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Re-read that third paragraph. Wait a couple weeks.

    But you're way out in Hawaii and I know that shipping/import/etc limits your options out there. Stick to things that are easily recyclable for other gear without losing much money until you develop a sense of what to shoot for when you eventually "upgrade".
     
    Armaegis, Nov 18, 2023
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  5. BadMusicVideos

    BadMusicVideos New

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    Sorry, it took me awhile to figure out what AIO stood for. Will do with waiting for a bit :)
     
    BadMusicVideos, Nov 18, 2023
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  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Solutions for AIO:
    1. iFi Go Bar. Not cheap, probably above your implied price range. This little sucker needs to be plugged into a laptop. It will drain your phone or iPad like crazy. Don't let the small size fool you. Lots of modes and options (gain and filters) to tailor the sound. FWIW, I own one and love it.
    2. iFi Griffin. I know, even more expensive. Check used?
    3. https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...it-magni-unity-review-and-measurements.13965/ (this may be the only thing in your implied price range)
    4. (Long shot because probably going to be the most expensive): https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...maximus-optimus-prime-review-the-touch.13957/
    BTW, what headphones?
     
    purr1n, Nov 24, 2023
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  7. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    In all seriousness, and despite a blatant appeal to (my own self prescribed) authority, the Magni Unity AIO has me seriously excited given the stupid tube amps and waaay too big DACs I've accumulated. Piety got my curiosity; Magni Unity has my attention.
     
    yotacowboy, Nov 24, 2023
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