Topping DX3 Pro DAC/Amp Discussions | Drop

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Topping DX3 Pro DAC/Amp

Audiophile

FULL DISCUSSION

mosquitoguy

Dec 12, 2018

I'm in for the AK DAC. I really hope this sounds like my old ZTE Z970 which sounds magical and I prefer it over the ES DAC on my V20. By "magical", I mean the bass sounds textured and there's ample space/separation from the vocals which sounds laid back with a smooth, slightly rolled off treble. Compared to the ES on the V20 which has less bass texture and no "air" between it and the vocals that sounds more up-front. Though I don't know how much of that is from the dac or the amp part.

Dec 12, 2018

verifonix

1181

Dec 12, 2018

mosquitoguyI have the DX3 and the AK chip is just really well implemented. I used to have an EL Dac and that one sounded more laid-back (4490 chip with super slow roll-off). These new AK4493 chips sound more detailed while still retaining AKM/velvet sound character. I'm listening to it with Filter 6 'Dispertion Shot', a new sound filter in 4493/4497 chips. It's fucking perfect at this price. Well except the clicking which I hope they fix.

(Edited)

Dec 12, 2018

mosquitoguy

Dec 12, 2018

verifonixIn my experience the chip itself doesn't make the sound but how the whole circuit is implemented. The DACport HD also uses AKM4490 but it's very fast-- it's such a little marvel that I got bought two, but it still doesn't scratch the "itch" I feel for my Z970. I suspect my Z970 uses the AKM dac because it's what ZTE used for their Axon 7. Ironically, the DAC that sounds closest to my Z970 is my Apogee Groove, which uses ES DAC. My V20, which also (ironically) use ES "Quad DAC," doesn't sound as good as the Groove, and to my ears, I hear distortions in the lower register. When I see people rave about the sound quality of the V20/V30, it leads me to question everything. :-) In a nutshell, brand actually matters, not just the chip inside it. Hopefully, the people at Topping know what they're doing.

Dec 12, 2018