About the Rotel DX-3
Product highlights:
- high-performance desktop headphone amp with built-in digital-to-analog converter
- Class AB amplification
- recommended headphone impedance: 16 to 300 ohms
- Bluetooth with aptX™ HD and AAC
- front panel features large volume knob, source selection button, and full-color TFT display
- THD: less than 0.004% at 32 ohms (balanced)
- frequency response (headphones): 20-20,000 Hz (-0.2dB)
Audio features:
- compact all-metal chassis and panels minimize vibration for clean playback
- custom high-current toroidal transformer
- balanced circuitry throughout reduces noise and distortion
- premium ESS ES9038PRO 32-bit DAC for detailed, dynamic sound
- asynchronous crystal oscillators help minimize timing jitter
- plays PCM digital audio files up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD files up to 11.2MHz
- coaxial and Toslink optical inputs support up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution for PCM
- 3-stage gain switch to help match the impedance and sensitivity of your headphones
Inputs:
- USB (Type-B) input for connecting a computer
- digital audio inputs: one optical (Toslink) and one coaxial
- 1 pair unbalanced RCA inputs
Outputs:
- 1 balanced 4.4mm headphone output
- 1 unbalanced 1/4" headphone jack
- 1 pair balanced 3-pin XLR and 1 pair unbalanced RCA preamp outputs
- for connection to a separate amplifier or compatible audio component
Other Info:
- detachable AC power cord
- includes remote control
- 8-1/2"W x 3"H x 9-3/4"D
- weight: 7.1 lbs.
- warranty: 5 years
- MFR # FR01794
- Item # 440DX3SL
What's in the box:
- Headphone amplifier (silver)
- Remote control (RR-DX1)
- 2 "AAA" batteries
- 4' AC power cord (IEC C-13 3-prong)
- 5' USB cable (USB-B on one end and USB-A on other end)
- Battery compartment opening tool
- USB flash drive containing Owner's Manuals and driver
- Warranty and Registration card
- Important Safety Instructions
More details on the Rotel DX-3
Features & specs
| Design | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Desktop/Component | |
| Built-in Rechargable Battery | No | |
| Built-in DAC | Yes | |
| Amplifier Output Specs | ||
| Output Power | 2.8W Bal 16ohms | |
| Output Impedance (Unbalanced) | < 0.3 ohms | |
| Output Impedance (Balanced) | < 0.6 ohms | |
| Audio Specs | ||
| Bit Depth (USB) | 32 | |
| Max Sampling Rate (USB) | 384 kHz | |
| Bit Depth (S/PDIF) | 24 | |
| Max Sampling Rate S/PDIF | 192 kHz | |
| S/N Ratio (Unbalanced, in dB) | 100 | |
| S/N Ratio (Balanced, in dB) | 110 | |
| THD (Unbalanced) | < 0.006% | |
| THD (Balanced) | < 0.003% | |
| Supported File Types | ||
| PCM | Up to 768kHz | |
| DSD | DSD 256 | |
| DXD | --- | |
| MQA | Yes | |
| Inputs | ||
| Total Inputs | 5 | |
| USB | Type B 2.0 | |
| Optical Digital | 1 | |
| Coaxial Digital | 1 | |
| 3.5mm Digital | None | |
| Stereo RCA Analog | 1 | |
| Stereo 3.5mm Analog | None | |
| Stereo XLR Analog | None | |
| Headphone Outputs | ||
| 3.5mm Unbalanced | None | |
| 1/4-inch Unbalanced | 1 | |
| 4.4mm Balanced | 1 | |
| XLR4 Balanced | None | |
| Other Headphone Outs | --- | |
| Line Level & Digital Outs | ||
| RCA Line Out | 1 | |
| 3.5mm Line Out | None | |
| XLR Line Out | 1 | |
| Subwoofer Out | None | |
| Optical Digital Out | None | |
| Coaxial Digital Out | None | |
| Wireless Connectivity | ||
| Bluetooth | Yes | |
| Wi-Fi | No | |
| Apple-compatible | Yes | |
| Android-compatible | Yes | |
| General Info | ||
| Width (inches) | 8-1/2 | |
| Height (inches) | 2-15/16 | |
| Depth (inches) | 11-3/4 | |
| Weight | 7.1 lbs. | |
| Parts Warranty | 5 Years | |
| Labor Warranty | 5 Years | |
Product Research
Features
Overview: The Rotel DX-3 is a premium headphone amplifier with a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to turn your personal audio sources into an immersive sound experience. The headphone amp features five inputs, including Bluetooth, plus an analog input for your legacy audio sources. The DX-3 has single-ended (1/4" / 6.35mm) and balanced (4.4mm) headphone outputs on the front panel, as well as XLR Balanced and RCA outputs on the rear for connecting an amplifier. Volume is controlled by a large front panel rotary knob or by the included, full-function remote control. The DX-3 is available in silver or black.
ESS Sabre DAC: The DX-3 features the ESS Sabre ES9028PRO digital-to-analog converter (32-bit / 768 kHz) for converting your digital music files. The 8-channel DAC renders music via PC-USB up to 32-bit / 384 kHz and DSD (Direct Stream Digital) up to 4X (DSD 256 / 11.2 MHz). The DX-3 is certified Roon Tested, which means that Rotel and Roon have collaborated to make sure Roon software works with this unit through the PC-USB input. From S/PDIF sources (coaxial and optical digital), the unit supports files up to 24-bit / 192 kHz. The DX-3 can play music from your Bluetooth sources, including those with aptX HD and AAC codecs. Internally, the printed circuit boards (PCBs) are designed with Symmetrical Circuit Traces that ensure the precise timing of the music is maintained and faithfully recreated.
Sources: The headphone amplifier lets you select from a wide variety of sources using the Source button on the front panel or the remote control to toggle through the available sources. The rear panel offers the following input source connections:
- PC-USB: The unit supports USB Audio Class 2.0 signals through the PC-USB input (USB Type B). USB Audio Class 2.0 requires installation of the Windows PC driver that is supplied on the included USB Flash Drive. Mac computers do not require a driver for PC-USB 1.0 or 2.0 audio. Once the driver is installed, you may have to select the Rotel audio driver from the audio/speaker setup on your computer. The PC-USB input supports audio up to 32-bit /384 kHz.
- Digital Inputs: Digital signals from sources such as CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray players, gaming consoles, and TVs can be input to the DX-3 through the coaxial (RCA) or optical (Toslink) connections. The unit is capable of decoding PCM signals up to 24-bit / 192 kHz.
- Bluetooth: You can wirelessly stream audio via Bluetooth from your mobile phone, tablet, computer, or digital audio player. The unit features a Bluetooth antenna on the rear panel for improved signal reception. The RX-3 supports traditional Bluetooth, and those with AAC and aptX HD codecs.
- Analog (AUX): The DX-3 is equipped with an analog stereo RCA input for connecting components such as a CD player or other device with an analog audio output. High quality RCA cables should be used for best results.
Headphone Amplifier: The DX-3 headphone amplifier can be used to bring out the best performance from your headphones. It offers balanced (4.4mm) and single-ended (6.35mm or 1/4") headphone outputs on the front panel. The headphone amp works best with headphones with an impedance of 16Ω to 300Ω. The front panel Gain Selector lets you match the sensitivity and impedance of your headphone to ensure the audio is clear and undistorted. Options include Low (-12dB), Medium (-6dB), and High (0dB). You can adjust the volume in precise 0.5dB steps via the audiophile-grade NJW1195A analog rotary controller.
Preamplifier: The versatile DX-3 can also perform as a standalone DAC and preamplifier that can send audio to a separate amplifier, receiver, or a pair of powered speakers. It has both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) outputs.
Display: The full-color front panel display shows the source selected, the volume level, and the stream format, if using a digital source. You can set the brightness of the display to low, medium, or high, using the included remote control.
Remote Control: The RX-3 comes with a full-featured handheld IR remote control made of extruded aluminum. In addition to basic functions (power, source, volume, mute), you can use the remote to configure the headphone amplifier through a full setup menu. The remote is powered by two "AAA" batteries (included).
Setup Menu: The Setup Menu gives you access to various screens on the front panel display to configure the unit to your system:
- Source: You can customize the name for each source for easier reference: "CD Player" instead of Optical or "TV" for Aux. If there are unused source inputs, you can disable that input so that it doesn't appear in the list of available sources. For each source, you can designate the volume output as variable (controlled by the headphone amp) or fixed (controlled by the source).
- Audio: You can choose the way the unit outputs the analog audio signal. As a headphone amplifier the audio is output through the front panel 4.4mm or 6.35mm (1/4") jacks. As a DAC, the audio is output through the XLR and RCA stereo pairs on the rear panel. Maximum volume settings can be set for the unit, both at power on and overall.
- Display: The Display setup lets you set the brightness of the display (high, medium, low) and of the Power LED when on (high, medium, low). The volume level can be shown on a numeric scale or dB scale.
- System: The System menu displays the current versions of the font software, PC-USB processor software, and the main software. You can choose the duration of the Auto Power Off feature (20 mins, 1 hour, 2 hours, 5 hours, 12 hours, or disabled). The language of the on-screen display can be set to one of 11 languages. The unit can also be reset to its original settings as when it left the factory.
Power: The DX-3 runs on 120V 60Hz AC power. It has a removable 4' IEC 3-prong power cord. Internally, the headphone amp has a highly regulated power supply with a custom, in-house manufactured shielded toroidal transformer and high current drivers to deliver your music with a wide dynamic range and ultra-low distortion of less than 0.004%. In addition to the front panel power button, the unit has a master power rocker-type switch to completely turn off all power to the unit. The IEC C14 power inlet is fused to protect the internal circuits.
Specifications
Headphone Output Section:
- Power Output (THD+N<1%):
- Single-ended (6.35mm): 765mW (16 ohms), 383mW (32 ohms), 41mW (300 ohms)
- Balanced (4.4mm): 2.8W (16 ohms), 1.4W (32 ohms), 150mW (300 ohms)
- Total Harmonic Distortion (32 ohms, 1 kHz):
- Single-ended: < 0.008%
- Balanced: < 0.004%
- Intermodulation Distortion (60 Hz: 7kHz, 4:1):
- Single-ended: < 0.01%
- Balanced: < 0.006%
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz (+0dB, -0.2dB)
- Output Impedance:
- Single-ended: < 0.3 ohms
- Balanced: < 0.6 ohms
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted):
- Single-ended: > 100dB
- Balanced: > 110dB
- Gain: High: 0dB, Medium: -6dB, Low: -12dB
- Recommended Headphone Impedance: 16 ohms to 300 ohms
Analog Section:
- Total Harmonic Distortion (20Hz-20kHz):
- Unbalanced (RCA): < 0.006%
- Balanced (XLR): < 0.003%
- Intermodulation Distortion (60 Hz, 7kHz, 4:1): < 0.01%
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz (+0dB, -0.4dB)
- Line Output Level/Impedance:
- Unbalanced: 1 Vrms / 100 ohms
- Balanced: 2 Vrms / 200 ohms
- Input Sensitivity/Impedance: 1.2V / 10k ohms
- Input Overload: 5V
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: > 107dB
- Channel Separation: > 86dB
Digital Section:
- Total Harmonic Distortion (20Hz-20kHz):
- Unbalanced: < 0.005%
- Balanced: < 0.003%
- Frequency Response: 10Hz - 20kHz (+0dB, -0.5dB)
- Output Level:
- Unbalanced: 1.6V
- Balanced: 3.5V
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: > 112dB
- Input Sensitivity/Impedance: 0dBFS/ 75 ohms
- Digital-to-Analog Converter: ESS ES9028PRO DAC (768 kHz / 32-bit)
- Digital Inputs: S/PDIF LPCM (up to 192kHz / 24-bit)
- PC-USB: USB Audio Class 2.0 (up to 384kHz / 32-bit); Support DSD (up to 11.2M) and DoP (up to 5.6M); Roon Tested
General:
- Power Requirements: 120V, 60Hz
- Power Consumption: 30 watts
- Standby Power Consumption: < 0.5 watts
- BTU: 100 BTU/h
- Dimensions: Width 8.46", Height 2.903", Depth 9.71" (11.75" w/AC cord)
- Panel Height: 2.75"
- Weight: 7.1 pounds
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