ROTEL DX3

Headphone Amplifier/DAC/Preamplifier. ESS Sabre 9028PRO DAC, PCM 32-bit/384kHz and DSD 4x. USB, coaxial, and optical digital inputs. RCA analog input. RCA and XLR analog outputs. Bluetooth aptX™ HD. Roon tested. Toroidal transformer. Selected components. Three gain levels for both the 4.4mm balanced and 6.3mm unbalanced headphone outputs. OLED front display. Dimensions (WxHxD): 215x76x247mm. Weight: 3.2kg.

Other Features

The Rotel DX-3 is a headphone amplifier that offers more than just that. It also features a DAC with the ESS9028PRO chipset and a complete preamp section for both balanced and unbalanced outputs.

The DX-3 is, first and foremost, a highly refined DAC, using the PRO version of the ESS 9028 DAC, with eight channels in a dual differential configuration.

It has USB inputs for PC/MAC (up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD 4X), coaxial and optical (24-bit/192kHz), Bluetooth aptX™ HD, and of course, analog RCA inputs. The integrated headphone amplifier is powered by a shielded toroidal transformer developed in-house by Rotel and uses high-current output stages to ensure dynamics and low distortion.

Three gain levels (Low, Medium, High) are selectable from the front panel to accommodate all types of headphones, with dedicated 4.4 mm balanced and 6.35 mm unbalanced outputs on the front panel.

Volume management is handled by the audiophile-grade NJW1195A analog controller, with precise 0.5 dB step adjustment.

The DX-3 can therefore be used as a standalone DAC or as a preamplifier in addition to a headphone amplifier.

Technical Specifications

Unbalanced Headphone Output Power: 765 mW (16 Ω) / 383 mW (32 Ω) / 41 mW (300 Ω)

Balanced Headphone Output Power: 2.8 W (16 Ω) / 1.4 W (32 Ω) / 150 mW (300 Ω)

Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.004%

Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz, (+0 dB, -0.2 dB)

Output Impedance: < 0.3 Ω / < 0.6 Ω

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: > 110 dB

Recommended Headphone Impedance: 16 Ω - 300 Ω

Output Level: 1.6/3.5 V

Digital Inputs: SPDIF LPCM 24-bit / 192k Hz, PC-USB USB Audio Class 2.0: up to 32-bit / 384k Hz, DSD (up to 4X, 11.2M Hz)

Roon Tested

Power supply: 230V, 50Hz

ST/BY-ON absorption: 0.5/30W

Dimensions (WxHxD): 215x76x247 mm

Weight: 3.2kg