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