Rotel DX-3
Headphone amplifier, DAC and preamplifier Rotel DX-3 with fully balanced topology, fitted with 6.35 mm and 4.4 mm headphone outputs, for demanding audiophiles.
Description
The Rotel DX-3 is a device combining three functions: digital-to-analogue converter, headphone amplifier and preamplifier. It can receive a digital signal from a computer, an optical or coaxial source, or via Bluetooth, then convert and amplify it to drive a pair of headphones or a pair of active speakers.
Its circuit topology is fully balanced, resulting in very low measured total harmonic distortion levels: less than 0.008% at the unbalanced output and less than 0.004% at the balanced output, at 32 Ω and 1 kHz. The signal-to-noise ratio exceeds 100 dB at the unbalanced headphone output, 110 dB at the balanced headphone output and 107 dB at the preamplifier output, values that indicate a very quiet background between musical passages. Output power reaches 765 mW unbalanced and 2.8 W balanced into a 16 Ω load, enough to drive current-hungry headphones.
The connectivity includes three digital inputs (optical, coaxial and USB-B), Bluetooth, two analogue outputs (RCA and XLR) as well as two headphone outputs in 6.35 mm and 4.4 mm format. This range of outputs allows both a conventional unbalanced headphone and a headphone fitted with a balanced cable to be connected, or the device to be linked to a power amplifier or active speakers via the RCA or XLR outputs.
This type of device is aimed at music lovers who already own one or more high-end headphones and wish to get the best out of them, as well as those who want to build a small desktop or living-room system around a single DAC capable of serving as both a digital source and a preamplifier.
Technical specifications
| Type | Headphone amplifier/DAC/preamplifier |
| Output power | Unbalanced output 765 mW (16 Ω) / balanced output 2.8 W (16 Ω) |
| Total harmonic distortion (32 Ω, 1 kHz) | <0.008% (70 mW, unbalanced) / <0.004% (280 mW, balanced) |
| Signal to noise ratio | Unbalanced headphone output >100 dB / balanced headphone output >110 dB / preamplifier output >107 dB |
| Connectivity | 3x digital inputs (optical, coaxial, USB-B), Bluetooth, 2x analogue outputs (RCA, XLR), 2x headphone outputs (6.35 mm, 4.4 mm) |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 215 x 76 x 247 mm |
| Weight | 3.2 kg |
What to check before buying used
On this fully balanced headphone amp/DAC, both headphone outputs (6.35 mm and 4.4 mm) as well as the RCA and XLR outputs are systematically tested to rule out any crackling or missing channel. The volume potentiometer should be rotated through its full range to detect any scratching at low levels, a sign of wear. It is also worth checking that each digital input (optical, coaxial, USB-B) as well as the Bluetooth connection are correctly recognised, and that the display or front-panel indicators work without any faulty pixel or LED.
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