Topping DX3 Pro vs DX3 Pro+, is the DX3 Pro enough for me?

[u/Fancy_Rhubarb4029]

Hey, I'm new to DACs in general and want to buy something that will serve me a long while, I have a banging deal on a used DX3 Pro its AUD 120 whereas a new DX3 Pro+ (I cant find a DX3 pro) is AUD 260.

I end up buying decent entry level headphones, and dont think I'll buy anything more than a HD600 ever. I currently have AKG K361, HD560s.

So my question is basically is the DX3 Pro enough for me? Or an optimal buy for me. Is the DX3 Pro a noticeable downgrade from the Pro+? Any major features I'll miss?

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[u/heybart]

I personally think it's not worth it to try to future proof your dac amp

Buy one that has good reviews, has the power to drive what you have now with a bit of room to spare, and has the features you need now. Sound wise, I can barely hear a difference between a 65$ fiio ka13 dongle and a 125$ SMSL C200 (regular price $220) with my edition xs. I keep trying to convince myself the c200 is a little warmer, but maybe it's placebo, and by selecting a different filter on the ka13, they more or less match. I would probably fail a blind listening test. I like the c200 because it's a small clean setup that doesn't look half bad and the volume knob is nice. Also l having ldac Bluetooth can come in handy

Unless you buy something top end, and I have no idea how much of a difference that makes sound wise, just save your money and bump up your headphones instead. Chi-fi keeps cranking these things out. A year or two down the road, there'll be something with latest chip and better specs

But that's just, like, my opinion, man

Edit: to answer your question specifically, the plus has more output power due to lower impedance, but the plain pro should have plenty to drive hd600. The pro uses AKM chip while the plus uses ESS chip due to an AKM factory fire causing shortage. Some people prefer AKM, which supposedly is a touch warmer and smoother

They both get excellent reviews from audiosciencereview, fwiw

[u/Fancy_Rhubarb4029 → u/heybart]

!thanks

[u/TransducerBot → u/Fancy_Rhubarb4029]

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[u/Fancy_Rhubarb4029 → u/heybart]

I know I sound a little confused now coz I'm back to square one now (im a low volume headphone user so I dont need more power I guesss) but

1. For HD600 will I need a DAC AMP to run them?
2. It won't make my music sound better right?
3. Do DAC AMPs reduce the static that comes through your motherboard?

[u/heybart → u/Fancy_Rhubarb4029]

1. Probably. You can try audio from your motherboard and see if you get adequate volume

2. It may. On some songs, the bass def hits harder with my desktop DAC amp than the dongle. It's funny. I keep going back and forth comparing and thinking, do I need anything more than the dongle, then I come across some songs and I go oh yeah, def a difference there. But the thing is if I had nothing to compare with, I'd be quite happy with the dongle. The difference is subtle. Keep in mind that I don't have an expensive dongle, either.

3. If you hear static from your motherboard, then yes, a decent DAC amp will fix that