Rotel DX3 Desktop Headphone Amplifier with ESS Premium 32-bit DAC (Silver)

Rotel DX-3 Headphone Amplifier

The Rotel DX-3 is a premium personal-audio hub built for serious headphone listening and high-resolution desktop systems. Inside its refined, compact chassis is a fully balanced, Class A headphone amplifier paired with an ESS Sabre ES9028PRO DAC, delivering exceptional clarity, dynamics, and low-noise performance. Connect modern sources through PC-USB for hi-res PCM and DSD playback, plug in streamers via coaxial/optical, or go wireless with Bluetooth featuring aptX HD and AAC for upgraded convenience.

Beyond headphones, the DX-3 also functions as a high-performance standalone DAC and preamplifier, with both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA line outputs to feed powered speakers or external amplifiers. Discrete, externally implemented analog output filters and a custom in-house toroidal transformer contribute to a clean, authoritative sound. A full-color front display, intuitive front-panel controls, and an included aluminum remote make daily operation effortless—perfect for private listening sessions or a minimalist audiophile desktop setup.

What It's Good At:

• Fully balanced, Class A headphone amplification for detail, control, and low-noise performance
• Hi-res DAC performance with ESS Sabre ES9028PRO for refined resolution and musical accuracy
• Drives a wide range of headphones (16–300 ohms) with selectable Low/Medium/High gain
• Works as a DAC/preamp to power active speakers or feed external amps via XLR/RCA outputs
• Flexible connectivity: PC-USB, coaxial, optical, Bluetooth (aptX HD/AAC), and analog RCA input
• Premium usability with full-color display, precise volume steps, and included aluminum remote

Rotel DX-3 Full Specifications:

• Product Type: Headphone Amplifier / DAC / Preamplifier
• Circuit Topology: Fully balanced differential design; Class A headphone amplifier
• DAC (Digital to Analog Converter): ESS Sabre ES9028PRO (32-bit / 768 kHz)
• Headphone Outputs (Front): Balanced 4.4 mm; Single-ended 6.35 mm
• Power Output (THD+N < 1%):
  • Single-ended: 765 mW (16 Ω); 383 mW (32 Ω); 41 mW (300 Ω)
  • Balanced: 2.8 W (16 Ω); 1.4 W (32 Ω); 150 mW (300 Ω)
• Total Harmonic Distortion (32 Ω, 1 kHz):
  • Single-ended: < 0.008% @ Output = 70 mW
  • Balanced: < 0.004% @ Output = 270 mW
• Intermodulation Distortion (60 Hz : 7 kHz, 4:1): Single-ended < 0.01%; Balanced < 0.006%
• Frequency Response (Headphone): 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+0 dB, -0.2 dB)
• Output Impedance (Headphone): Single-ended < 0.3 Ω; Balanced < 0.6 Ω
• Signal to Noise Ratio (A-weighted / IHF “A” weighted): Single-ended > 100 dB; Balanced > 110 dB
• Gain (Headphone): 0 dB @ G=H; -6 dB @ G=M; -12 dB @ G=L
• Recommended Headphone Impedance: 16 Ω – 300 Ω
• Analog Input: AUX RCA
• Analog Outputs: RCA (unbalanced) and XLR (balanced)
• Analog THD (20 Hz – 20 kHz): Unbalanced (RCA) < 0.006%; Balanced (XLR) < 0.003%
• Analog Intermodulation Distortion (60 Hz : 7 kHz, 4:1): < 0.01%
• Frequency Response (Analog): 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+0 dB, -0.4 dB)
• Line Output Level / Impedance: RCA 1 Vrms / 100 Ω; XLR 2 Vrms / 200 Ω
• Input Sensitivity / Impedance: 1.2 V / 10 kΩ
• Input Overload: 5 V
• Signal to Noise Ratio: > 107 dB
• Channel Separation: > 86 dB @ 10 kHz
• Digital Inputs: Coaxial (SPDIF), Optical (TOSLINK), PC-USB, Bluetooth
• Coax/Optical Digital Input Signals: SPDIF LPCM (up to 24-bit / 192 kHz)
• Digital THD (20 Hz – 20 kHz): Unbalanced (RCA) < 0.005%; Balanced (XLR) < 0.003%
• Frequency Response (Digital): 10 Hz – 20 kHz (+0 dB, -0.5 dB)
• Digital Output Level: RCA 1.6 V; XLR 3.5 V
• Signal to Noise Ratio (Digital): > 112 dB
• Input Sensitivity / Impedance (Digital): 0 dBFS / 75 Ω
• PC-USB: USB Audio Class 2.0 (up to 32-bit / 384 kHz); Driver installation required (Windows); Supports DSD up to 11.2M and DoP up to 5.6M
• Bluetooth Audio: Traditional Bluetooth, AAC, aptX HD
• Roon: Roon Tested
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 215 × 73 × 247 mm (8 1/2 × 2 3/4 × 9 3/4 in)
• Front Panel Height: 70 mm (2 3/4 in)
• Net Weight: 3.2 kg (7.1 lbs)
• Power Consumption: 30 W
• Standby Power Consumption: < 0.5 W
• BTU: 100 BTU/h
• Power Requirements: USA 120 V, 60 Hz; Europe 230 V, 50 Hz
• Finish: Black and Silver
• Included: Aluminum extruded remote control

Rotel DX-3 Full Specifications:

What is the Rotel DX-3 designed to do?

The DX-3 is a premium headphone amplifier with an integrated high-resolution DAC, and it can also function as a standalone DAC and preamplifier for powered speakers or external amps.

What headphone connections does the DX-3 support?

It supports both a 4.4 mm balanced headphone output and a 6.35 mm single-ended headphone output on the front panel.

Can the DX-3 drive both low-impedance and high-impedance headphones?

Yes. It’s recommended for headphones from 16 ohms to 300 ohms and includes selectable Low/Medium/High gain settings to match your headphones properly.

What digital inputs are available for high-resolution audio?

You can connect via PC-USB (up to 32-bit/384 kHz), coaxial, or optical (up to 24-bit/192 kHz), plus Bluetooth for wireless playback.

Does the DX-3 support DSD audio?

Yes. Over PC-USB it supports DSD up to 11.2M and DoP up to 5.6M, depending on your playback software configuration.

Do I need to install a driver for PC-USB?

Windows systems require driver installation to enable USB Audio Class 2.0 playback up to 384 kHz. Macs do not require a driver for PC-USB operation.

Can I use the DX-3 as a preamp for powered speakers or an external amplifier?

Yes. It provides both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA line outputs so you can drive active speakers or feed an external amplifier directly.

Does it include a remote control and what wireless codecs are supported?

Yes, a remote is included, and Bluetooth supports aptX HD and AAC for improved wireless sound quality.