About the Audioengine D3
Get fantastic sound from your computer
The tiny plug-and-play D3 delivers sparkling clear sound from your computer to your headphones, stereo system, or powered speakers.
Get fantastic sound from your computer
If you're still listening to music files on your computer the old fashioned way — by plugging into its headphone jack — you should know about the Audioengine D3. This tiny, outboard digital-to-analog converter simply connects to one of your PC's USB ports like a thumb drive, bypassing your computer's built-in audio circuitry. By processing your digital music files outside the noisy environment of your computer, you'll hear more dynamic and detailed sound that you can really savor on your headphones, powered speakers, or stereo system. The D3's small size makes it an unobtrusive addition to your desktop, as well as a welcome traveling companion for high-quality listening on the go.
Make your headphones sing
A pair of good headphones can give you a real taste of high-end audio without breaking the bank. But you're unlikely to find high-end sound coming out of your headphones if you plug them straight into your laptop. That's because most computer manufacturers use low-cost, low-performance circuitry to power their headphone jacks. The headphone amp inside the D3 will quickly spoil you. It delivers richer, deeper bass and clearer highs while revealing layers of musical detail that ordinary headphone jacks obscure.
Easy plug-and-play operation
Adding the D3 to a system is simple — just plug it into any USB port on your PC or Mac®, where it will install itself and be ready for use in a matter of seconds. From there, just plug in your 'phones and you're done. Or, connect the D3 to your powered speakers or stereo using an optional stereo mini-to-mini cable or mini-to-RCA adapter for room-filling sound. The DAC's analog volume control is digitally operated right from your computer screen.
Praise for the Audioengine D3 from Sound & Vision
"Audioengine's D3 is the best stick-type USB DAC and headphone amp I've heard yet. It sports a nearly nothing form factor and blissful independence from cumbersome USB-driver installation and wall warts. Its five-star performance rating—relative to similarly priced products—is well earned. If you're looking for the easiest, cheapest way to make computer audio sound great through headphones, this is it."
— From Mark Fleishcmann's review in Sound & Vision, July/August, 2014
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"Seriously, what did we do before these tiny USB DACs came around?"
" I'm saying that for $189, you'll have something with the power to inspire that fits in your pocket. Maybe Audioengine should employ that as a campaign: Go around to coffee shops where lots of college students and young people hang out and let them plug in the D3 for a quick test drive. I guarantee their rinky-dink MP3s will come to life with the D3 plugged in, not to mention if you let them play some real hi-res music through it."
— From Spencer Holbert's review in The Absolute Sound, February, 2014
Read the full review
Product highlights:
- AKM AK4396 digital-to-analog converter for low-noise, high-fidelity stereo sound
- ultra-compact "USB flash drive" type design plugs directly into a computer's USB port
- powered by USB connection no need for external power supply
- built-in driver for USB connection, no downloads required
- asynchronous USB for reduced timing jitter and better sound
- 3.5mm stereo minijack provides:
- headphone output (minimum 12 ohm headphone impedance recommended)
- variable line-level output for driving powered speakers or audio system
- analog volume control (digitally controlled using your computer)
- incoming sample rate LED indicator for sampling rates above 48kHz
- supported sample rates: up to 96kHz native (sample rates above 96kHz are supported but down-converted)
- input bit depth: 16 bits, 24 bits
- frequency response: 10 to 25kHz (±0.5 dB)
- THD: less than 0.002%
- signal-to-noise ratio (DC to 20kHz): 110 dB
- dual master clocks used to minimize jitter
- low-noise, low-ripple power supply with two-stage power regulation and thermal management to prevent USB bus power variations from affecting audio quality
- durable injection-molded aluminum construction
- 10" mini-to-full-size headphone adapter cable and soft carry case included
- compatible with Mac® and PC
- 13/16"W x 7/16"H x 2-5/8"D
- warranty: 3 years
- MFR # D3 DAC
What's in the box:
- USB DAC/Headphone Amp
- 10" Minijack-to-1/4" adapter
- Cloth pouch
- Quick Start Guide
Customer reviews for Audioengine D3
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Average review:
4.5 out of 5 starsThanks for submitting your review
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More details on the Audioengine D3
Features & specs
Design | ||
---|---|---|
Type | --- | |
Built-in Rechargable Battery | --- | |
Built-in Headphone Amplifier | ||
Output Power | --- | |
Output Impedance (Unbalanced) | --- | |
Output Impedance (Balanced) | --- | |
Audio Specs | ||
Bit Depth (USB) | 24 | |
Max Sampling Rate (USB) | 192 kHz | |
Bit Depth (S/PDIF) | --- | |
Max Sampling Rate S/PDIF | --- | |
S/N Ratio (Unbalanced, in dB) | --- | |
S/N Ratio (Balanced, in dB) | 110 | |
THD (Unbalanced) | --- | |
THD (Balanced) | 0.022% | |
Supported File Types | ||
PCM | --- | |
DSD | --- | |
DXD | --- | |
MQA | --- | |
Inputs | ||
Total Inputs | 1 | |
USB | Type A | |
Optical Digital | None | |
Coaxial Digital | None | |
3.5mm Digital | None | |
Stereo RCA Analog | None | |
Stereo 3.5mm Analog | None | |
Stereo XLR Analog | --- | |
Headphone Outputs | ||
3.5mm Unbalanced | --- | |
1/4-inch Unbalanced | --- | |
4.4mm Balanced | --- | |
XLR4 Balanced | --- | |
Other Headphone Outs | --- | |
Line Level & Digital Outs | ||
RCA Line Out | None | |
3.5mm Line Out | None | |
XLR Line Out | --- | |
Subwoofer Out | None | |
Optical Digital Out | None | |
Coaxial Digital Out | None | |
Wireless Connectivity | ||
Bluetooth | --- | |
Wi-Fi | --- | |
Apple-compatible | --- | |
Android-compatible | --- | |
General Info | ||
Width (inches) | 0-13/16 | |
Height (inches) | 0-7/16 | |
Depth (inches) | 2-5/8 | |
Weight | 0.8 lbs. | |
Parts Warranty | 3 Years | |
Labor Warranty | 3 Years |
Product Research
Features
USB DAC/Headphone Amp: The Audioengine D3 combines a USB DAC and headphone amplifier for incredible audio performance in a portable design. Simply connect the D3 to a free USB port on your Windows PC or Mac computer and send high-quality music to your headphones or audio system. Setup is easy and no special software is needed, making the D3 a true plug-and-play solution for great audio sound from your laptop or computer.
24-Bit DAC: The Audioengine D3's premium AK4396 24-bit DAC (digital-to-analog converter) allows you to bypass your computer's soundcard/headphone output and send music directly through a USB digital connection for noticeably improved fidelity and a higher output. The AK4396 DAC is well regarded for its low noise and high fidelity. With it's high signal-to-noise ratio and low distortion, the D3 delivers sound quality generally heard only in more expensive DACs.
Asynchronous USB Port: The D3 features a integrated male USB (type-A) connector which plugs directly into a free USB port on you computer or laptop. The D3's asynchronous data transfer carefully controls USB streaming audio from any computer which greatly improves audio performance. The D3 is powered directly from the USB port and power is passed through two stages of regulation to ensure no USB power variations affect the audio quality. This low-noise, low-ripple power supply is located on a separate circuit board for extra isolation and thermal management.
Compatible Computers: The Audioengine D3 USB DAC/Headphone Amp is compatible with Windows PC and Mac computers.
Supported Sampling Rates: D3 will process digital audio at any bit depth up to 24 bits and any native sample rate to 96KHz. The D3 also has a sample rate indicator that shows sample rates above 48kHz so you'll know you're getting the most out of your HD music.
Headphone Amp: The D3's high-performance headphone amplifier (LME49726) was designed for a wide range of headphones (10Ω-10,000Ω) and will satisfy even the most demanding headphone enthusiast with its high output and revealing sound. The 3.5mm output of the D3 connects to headphones, Audioengine powered speakers, or most audio systems. The D3 also includes a 3.5mm-to-1/4" adapter for headphones which only have a standard headphone jack.
Volume Control: Volume is controlled from your computer's OS and is implemented in the D3 as a digitally-controlled analog volume control.
Compact Aluminum Design: The aluminum case of the D3 provides a rigid chassis that prevents any unwanted interference. Thanks to its compact design, the D3 can easily be taken where ever you go with your laptop.
Specifications:
- Frequency Response: 10 to 25,000 Hz (+/-0.5dB)
- SNR: 110 dB (DC to 20kHz)
- THD+N: <0.002% (1kHz FS 96 kS/s)
- Crosstalk: -110 dB
- Output Voltage: 2.0V RMS
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Customer Q&A
7 questions already asked
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The item seems to work pretty good with noticeable good sound difference. The item seems to run a bit hot in the beginning with noticeable cooling as time wears on with use. The item is a bit pricey and I wish Crutchfield could have offered a better sale price.
Patrick from California