- Rotel DX-3 is a headset amplifier that can also act as a desktop DAC
- Wireless APTX Adaptive and HD support, as well as cable headphones
- It costs $ 1,499.00 // £ 1,399.00 (around AU $ 3,065)
Huge specification. Little footprint. That is the field for the new Rotel DX-3, a compact headphones amplifier and an independent DAC that promises audiophile degree audio for the best cable headphones, but not only Cable headphones.
Inspired by the hometown of Rotel de Tokyo, where the space is Premium, the DX-3 is very small: only 215 mm x 76 mm x 247 mm (8½ x 3 x 9¾ inches). But it also has a lot of power and a lot of connectivity.
Rotel DX-3: Characteristics and key prices
Rotel describes the DX-3 as “The Ultimate Desktop Audio Companion” with inputs that include PC-USB (32 bits/384khz) with 4x, coaxial and optical DSD support (24 bits/192 kHz) and an analog connection RCA for inputs.
The headphones amplifier supports high, low and medium impedance models and comes with a selectable amplifier gain for the user; There are balanced connectors of 4.4 mm and 6.35 mm in the front panel, and there are balanced and RCA outputs in the back so that it can use the DX-3 as an independent and preampling DAC. But it is also compatible with the best wireless headphones, as well as cable options, thanks to the Aptx Adaptive / HD wireless support and AAC Bluetooth.
I suppose this is considered an optional for the good of convenience, since it seems a penalty to have all this audio power and then put it in compressed wireless technology: the APTX event is quite limited compared to the total quality of what is offered here.
Inside, there is an eight -channel DAC of ES9028PRO ES9028PRO and the Toroidal Ultra -Bass Noise Transformer of Rotel. That presents high current drivers and high quality capacitors to deliver what Rotel says that it is “the final resolution, the rhythm and time, and in a stage of immersive sound.”
The volume is controlled by an analog controller NJW1195A of completely differential audiophile grade that delivers steps of 0.5DB, and the analog and digital supplies are completely isolated from each other to apparently guarantee a minimum interference. There are also low personalized engineering filters with a complete and completely differential signal route for a reduction in nose and distortion even more.
Rotel DX-3 is available in the United Kingdom now and will be launched worldwide “shortly after.” Its official price is $ 1,499 / € 1,499 / £ 1,399 / around AU $ 3,065.
