Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions

Free Standard Shipping in the US on orders over $99

Audioengine D3 Portable DAC/Amp

overview

details

reviews36

photos5

discussions290

01 / 04

ALL PRODUCTS / AUDIOPHILE / AUDIO ENGINE

Audioengine D3 Portable DAC/Amp

Name: Audioengine D3 Portable DAC/Amp
Brand: Audio Engine
SKU: audioengine-d3
Price: 65 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 4.527778 (36 reviews)

Where's the price?

To negotiate the best possible price for our customers, we agree to hide prices prior to logging in.

1.5K requests

825 Sold

Product Description

Powered by USB, stocked with high-quality components, and small enough to slip in your pocket, the Audioengine D3 DAC/amp gives you a tiny attachment that vastly expands your computer’s output. After plugging in through the USB input, the D3 bypasses your computer’s sound card in favor of a superior processing system Read More

Customer Reviews

4.5

(36 reviews)

(23)

(10)

(2)

(1)

(0)

92% would recommend to a friend

Images

Sort by: Top Reviews

ChrisE

Feb 21, 2019

Verified Buyer

I'm super happy with it overall and for the price. I use it to power some Campfire Audio Andromeda S's and although there is some slight hissing when silent, when anything is playing it work great. I've used it for music on my Chromebook, Windows, and my Note 9 (with USB c adapter), works with everything great. I have yet to try it with my Sennheiser HD 800 S's as I don't tout those around town, but I imagine it would do alright. Also used it for gaming on my laptop and helps improve some of the low end for gunshots and explosions imo. It's a simple, easy to use portable DAC/Amp and helps give a bit better of sound than Samsungs hardware.

Was this helpful?

steelwells

Oct 20, 2018

Verified Buyer

This has been a massive improvement over my work laptop's audio. The driver-less installation was completely painless (on Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit) and it appeared as a new audio device which I set to default. I am very happy with the fidelity I get - it really rivals the soundcard in my home desktop machine and makes listening to any type of music much better.
If I had a niggle, it would be that it seems to get hot. At first I thought that was because I had it near the exhaust for the laptop, but even switching it to the other side did not seem to make a difference. The case is aluminum, so it is physically hot when I disconnect it at the end of the day... not sure if that will affect its longevity. But at this price?
If you are on the fence, get off and get in the game - this is an excellent purchase in my opinion.

Was this helpful?

Bluemountains

Apr 3, 2019

Verified Buyer

Possibly the best deal you can get on a portable DAC. It's lightweight, very easy to use, and noticeably increases the quality of any laptop. Not a game changer or anything, but it sounds cleaner and more natural than my laptop's soundcard, and it picks up smaller details I would have missed otherwise. A worthwhile purchase if you want to get the most out of your headphones without spending a large sum of money.

Was this helpful?

whizzles74

Jun 6, 2018

Verified Buyer

I was surprised to read a bad review in what hifi magazine but the reviewer must have a poor sound system because to my ears and my father who is also an audiophile this has a much more refined sound than the audioquest dragonfly, I can hear so much detail and the vocal midrange is way better as well as the sound stage. The only thing I can critisize is that it heats up quite a bit.

Was this helpful?

Grimur

Jun 17, 2018

whizzles74What headphones do you use?

whizzles74

Jun 17, 2018

GrimurI use a variety of different headphones but they all sound better plugged into the Audioengine D3. The ones I use most are Blue Lola, AKG NC60, Atomic Floyd in-ear headphones and Monster DNA.

WHO23

106

Feb 3, 2019

Verified Buyer

OK option for a new audiophile

Good upgrade over laptop sound card. If you're a new audiophile and looking to upgrade the sound of your Hifiman HE4XX, the DAC is the place to start. If you're looking to power the Sennheiser HD 6XX, the recommended pairing is something a more powerful DAC/Amp like an Apogee Groove (You can get the HD650 and Apogee Groove as a bundle) At this price point it's just OK but there are upgrades within reach. Desktop Portable DACs sticks like this have an inherent hum from using the power from your computer's USB port. A proper desk setup with seperate power supplies like the Khadas Tone Board DAC with the JDS Labs Atom Amp will trump USB DACs. I'm not a fan of plugging this to a USB dongle on my phone. Update: According to Amirm's & Archimago's measurements, the impedance may be higher than listed here. This will affect the frequency response of low impedence headphones & IEMs. This should not be an issue as you should be using better gear when using more expensive headphones or IEMs. -1☆

(Edited)

Was this helpful?

View 3 More Replies

Jfrlbc

May 2, 2019

WHO23Hi, LG V30 and hifiman he-4xx ... Hard2drive lowimpedance headphone. When i tried this setup, the headphones played not too loud (low volume) so i did not buy LG v30, cause it was quite similar like a sound from iphone 8+ .... Maybe, its due too EU regulation (sound/ear protecting regulation in EU). So if you are outside of EU, or LG v30 was ordered outside EU, how this setup sound? Thank you for your reply and have a nice day. J.F.

Vote

WHO23

106

May 2, 2019

JfrlbcLG V30 will have trouble with planar because it changes voltage depending on impedance. Since Planars are low impedance and low sensitivity, the LG V30 will give low voltage and thus the sound is not loud enough.

Pheno

Jan 10, 2019

Verified Buyer

For someone who is very new to audio, I can instantly tell the difference in quality just by using this. I bought it for the portability and take it to and from work. It makes my simple ear buds sound significantly better, is a workaround for my work computers busted audio card, requires no installation, and makes my already great sennheisers sound even better. It does get a tiny bit warm but nothing alarming.

Was this helpful?

Shaggy1994

Jan 16, 2019

Verified Buyer

Perfect for laptop use.

Was this helpful?

Hdoc

Oct 24, 2018

Verified Buyer

great for the price. super improvement over laptop sound to small/medium speakers. Portability a plus. Downside is that there are better units out there at twice the price.

Was this helpful?

View 2 More Replies

mkilci

Jan 8, 2019

I used a Sound Blaster E5. Died after about a year. Customer service was terrible. They suggested I replace the unit and gave me a discount for $99, which you can get the same price for a new one... So what are some other options. I have Audioengine speakers and they are great.

Vote