Rotel DX-3 Headphone Amplifier

Description

Rotel DX-3 Headphone Amplifier

The Rotel DX-3 Headphone Amplifier is the ultimate Personal Audio companion packaged in exquisite industrial design with the sophistication of a premium, fully balanced Headphone Amplifier.

The ESS Sabre ES9028PRO DAC renders music via PC-USB input (32-bit/384kHz), Coaxial/Optical (24-bit/192kHz), aptX™ HD Wireless Bluetooth and legacy audio equipment via an AUX RCA input.

The DX-3 is ideal for audiophiles seeking to enjoy music with a perfect blend of high performance and stylish design.

Product Reviews

• Headfonia – Aug 2025
• SoundStage – Jun 2025
• eCoustics – Jun 2025
• avfline – May 2025
• Home Theater Tech – May 2025

Features

• Certified Roon Tested
• ESS premium 32-bit Digital to Analog Converter
• Bluetooth with aptX™HD and AAC
• Fully balanced differential XLR outputs
• Includes Remote Control

The ultimate Personal Audio companion combining an exquisite industrial design with the sophistication of a premium, fully balanced Headphone Amplifier supported by an ESS Sabre ES9028PRO DAC.

Connect your balanced or single-ended phones to the DX-3 or attached directly to a pair of active, powered speakers rending music up to 32-bit/384kHz from the PC-USB input, 24-bit/192kHz via Coaxial/Optical, aptX™ HD Wireless Bluetooth or any legacy audio equipment via the AUX RCA input.

Fully balanced circuit topology is powered by an in-house manufactured toroidal transformer with ultra-low noise isolation and filter capacitors. The full color graphic display, extruded aluminum remote control and front panel controls ensure ease of operation and configuration.

The DX-3 is perfect for audiophiles who want to enjoy music through loudspeakers or in private listening sessions, combining performance and style.

Specifications

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 : 7k Hz, 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

• 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: 5V
• Channel Separation: > 86 dB @ 10k Hz

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 / 192k Hz )
• PC-USB:
  • USB Audio Class 2.0 (up to 32-bit / 384k Hz ) Driver installation required
  • Support DSD (up to 11.2 MHz) and DoP (up to 5.6M Hz)
  • Roon Tested

Dimensions

• Dimensions (WxHxD) 215 x 73 x 247 mm
• Front Panel Height 70 mm / 2 3/4”
• Weight (net) 3.2 kg, 7.1 lbs.
• Finish Black and Silver