With CanJam NYC 2025 in the rearview mirror, we’re starting to see a number of new desktop DAC/headphone amplifiers enter the market. With mainstream acceptance of high-end headphones, solutions like the Rotel DX-3 are becoming increasingly more attractive and sensible to a lot of people.
If you’ve been looking for a compact DAC/Headphone amplifier that can handle a network streamer and other legacy components like a CD player or turntable, this new unit from Rotel might be a solid option.
The DX-3 is also a pre-amplifier and can be connected to a power amplifier or pair of active loudspeakers for those looking to minimize the number of components in their system.
Compact and Ready to Connect?
The Rotel DX-3 offers several source input options including PC-USB (32-bit/384kHz) with DSD 4X support, Coaxial and Optical (24-bit/192kHz) digital inputs, RCA and XLR balanced outputs, and support for Bluetooth aptX HD and AAC.
The DX3 incorporates an ESS Sabre ES9028PRO 8-channel DAC, an ultra-low noise, custom in-house manufactured toroidal transformer with high current drivers and high-quality capacitors to ensure the best possible sound quality and enough power for your favorite pair of headphones.
The DX3 incorporates both analog and digital power supplies that are fully isolated from each other. This ensures minimal noise interference. For additional performance, the DX-3 also includes custom-engineered and tuned low pass filters utilizing a fully balanced, fully differential signal path.
Front panel headphone connections include both 4.4mm balanced and 6.35mm single-ended output jacks. For added headphone support, the DX-3 can adapt to a wide selection of wired headphones, including high, medium, and low impedance models. User-selectable amplifier gain is provided.
The DX-3 also functions as a standalone DAC and a fully functional pre-amplifier via XLR Balanced and RCA outputs. This provides a direct connection to an external amplifier, powered active speakers, or another compatible audio system.
The DX-3 incorporates solid build quality and features a full-color front panel status display so that user feedback is easily seen.
Volume is controlled by the NJW1195A fully differential analog controller, providing precise 0.5dB steps.
The DX-3 can be operated via front panel controls or via the included, intuitive aluminum extruded remote control.
Rotel DX-3 Specifications
| Model | Rotel DX-3 |
| Product Type | Headphone Amp, Preamp and DAC |
| Price | $1,499 |
| HEADPHONE SECTION | HEADPHONE SECTION |
| Power Output (THD+N < 1%) | Single-ended: (6.35 mm) 765 mW (16 Ω) 383 mW (32 Ω) 41 mW (300 Ω) Balanced (4.4 mm) 2.8 W (16 Ω) 1.4 W (32 Ω) 150 mW (300 Ω |
| Total Harmonic Distortion (32 Ω, 1k Hz) | Single-ended: < 0.008% @ Output = 70 mW Balanced < 0.004% @ Output = 270 mW |
| Intermodulation Distortion (60 Hz: 7kHz, 4:1) | Single-ended: < 0.01% Balanced < 0.006% |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20k Hz, (+0 dB, -0.2 dB) |
| Output Impedance | Single-ended < 0.3 Ω Balanced < 0.6 Ω |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio (IHF “A” weighted) | Single-ended > 100 dB Balanced > 110 dB |
| Gain | 0 dB @ Gain = H -6 dB @ Gain = M -12 dB @ Gain = L |
| Recommended Headphone Impedance | 16 Ω – 300 Ω |
| ANALOG SECTION | ANALOG SECTION |
| Total Harmonic Distortion (20 Hz– 20k Hz) | Unbalanced (RCA) < 0.006% Balanced (XLR) < 0.003% |
| Intermodulation Distortion (60 Hz: 7k Hz, 4:1) | < 0.001% |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20k Hz (+0 dB, -0.4 dB) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio (IHF “A” weighted) | > 107 dB |
| Line Output Level / Impedance | Unbalanced (RCA) 1 Vrms / 100 Ω Balanced (XLR) 2 Vrms / 200 Ω |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance | 1.2 V / 10k Ω |
| Input Overload | 5 V |
| Channel Separation | > 86 dB @ 10k Hz |
| DIGITAL SECTION | DIGITAL SECTION |
| Total Harmonic Distortion (20 Hz– 20k Hz) | Unbalanced (RCA) < 0.005% Balanced (XLR) < 0.003% |
| Line Output Level | Unbalanced (RCA) 1.6 Vrms Balanced (XLR) 3.5 Vrms |
| Frequency Response | 10 Hz – 20k Hz (+0 dB, -0.5 dB) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio (IHF “A” weighted) | > 112 dB |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance | 0 dBFS / 75 Ω |
| Digital Inputs | SPDIF LPCM (up to 24-bit/192kHz) |
| PC-USB | USB Audio Class 2.0 (up to 32-bit/384kHz )* *Driver installation required Support DSD (up to 11.2 MHz) and DoP (up to 5.6MHz) |
| Bluetooth with aptX HD, AAC | Yes |
| Roon Tested | Yes |
| GENERAL | GENERAL |
| Power Requirements | USA 120 V, 60 Hz Europe 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Power Consumption | 30 W |
| Standby Power Consumption | < 0.5 W |
| Dimensions (WHD) | 215 x 76 x 247 mm 8 1/2” x 3″ x 9 3/4 |
| Front Panel Height | 70 mm / 2 3/4” |
| Net Weight | 3.2 kg, 7.1 lbs |
| Finish | Black and Silver |
The Bottom Line
The Head-Fi revolution has created somewhat of a monster with a seemingly endless river of new headphones, IEMs, portable, and desktop amplifiers for consumers to select from. Consumers desire the path of least resistance to incorporate headphones and loudspeakers into their listening regimen and products like the new Rotel DX-3 simplify the process.
At $1,499 USD, the DX-3 faces a lot of competition from brands like Topping, Schiit Audio, FiiO, iFi, and WiiM Audio that offer solutions with many of these features for less money – and often also incorporate a network streamer in the same box.
The DX-3 does support Roon for those who use the music playback software and we suspect that it offers the trademark performance that has made Rotel one of the best “value” brands in high-end audio.
What we don’t know is how this DAC/Headphone amplifier sounds and we’ll leave that to Will Jennings to test over the next few months. We hope to try it with some of the latest headphone offerings like the Grado Signature S950, HP100 SE, and Meze Audio Poet.
Pricing & Availability
The Rotel DX-3 is offered in either a black or silver finish with a suggested retail price of $1,499.00 and will be available in Europe and the UK in March 2025, with wider international distribution to follow.
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