FX Audio DAC-X3 Pro DAC/Amp Discussions | Drop

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FX Audio DAC-X3 Pro DAC/Amp

Audiophile

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Hiyo

Oct 20, 2020

Can someone knowledgeable tell me something about this dac/amp? can't find any reviews on it. Want to buy it for IEMs. In your experience does dac/amp make IEMs sound better?

Oct 20, 2020

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Shanks405

Oct 21, 2020

HiyoThe answer is "yes". This is a solid entry level product if you are trying to upgrade sound from a computer or phone into iems or headphones at your desk or bedside table. The DAC chip (which converts digital signals to analog) has been around a while but is found in good products from this and other manufactures up to $100 or more. This will power low impedance iems to loud levels, but if you are looking to power high impedance headphones or iems it will leave you a bit underwhelmed (the higher the impedance number in ohms, the more power headphones or iems need to be driven to get to the same sound level). I have owned the next model up (x6) for a couple of years (I've since acquired dozens of more expensive dacs/amps/headphones and iems, so let's just say the x6 was a gateway drug), and the x6 version (which seems to have similar guts to this model) can be modified by flipping an internal DIP switch to better drive high impedance headphones (Sennheisers, Beyer, etc.), or even by upgrading the internal "opamp" chip for more power -- but you have to open up the chassis with two different kinds of mini - wrenches (hex and torx), and once you make the switch you can't switch back without repeating the process. For a few bucks more (including on some higher priced FX audio headphone amps) you get an exterior button or toggle switch to switch between low and high impedance (think of it as a power boost to drive more power hungry headphones) on the fly - so consider this flexibility if important to you (if you own or intend to purchase several iems/headphones you may be alternating). The biggest plus of this product over similarly priced competitors (at retail - there are really no competitors i can think of at this Drop price) is that it offers coaxial and optical/toslink inputs in addition to RCA/USB, which enables you to play digital files with higher sampling rates (generally more detail from CD or Tidal quality files from a source with these outputs, including a streaming audio player like the late great Chromecast audio puck or CD player). If you are playing from lower resolution sources off a phone or computer (including even Spotify higher quality streams), you may not benefit from these features, but it will give you better sound if you can access higher res sources and are using this as a DAC to a stereo system or with higher quality headphones/iems. Just beware that running this off a phone (particularly an iPhone) rather than a computer can require some extra costs for adapters in addition to standard cables (although an iPad might be used to run this off the higher quality Toslink input). If down the road you need more power and don't want to mess with upgrading the internal opamp chip, an (easier) alternative if you like the DAC but want to drive more power hungry headphones is to keep this as a DAC only, and connect it to a dedicated headphone amp. $60 to $125 on Drop or Amazon or the sites dedicated to other Chinese (Chifi) products like this -- or better yet US manufacturers like Schiit or JDS labs -- can get you into a headphone amp which when coupled with this product could satisfy your music hobbyist / pre-audiophone requirements for years to come. All this to say that this FX DAC-X3 product is probably as inexpensive an introduction as you will find to a decent quality dac/amp for headphone listening or to feed a more powerful headphone amp. If you bite the bullet, welcome to a rewarding but potentially addictive new hobby.

(Edited)

Oct 21, 2020

Hiyo

Oct 21, 2020

Shanks405Thank you for this great reply. You answered tons of my questions. Especially the part about upgrading to better AMP and using this as DAC only in the future. Planning to use this with my current IEMs and then in the future getting HD6XX with better AMP(probably JDS Atom).

Oct 21, 2020

Bob3600

202

Dec 1, 2020

Shanks405Hello Hiyo, You seem to be well versed with items like this one. I have a couple of DAP's that I would like to play through this X3. I see it has RCA inputs. Is there any way to use my DAP's to play through this?? They have 3.5mm output's so how can it work?? If I need to buy some cables could you link me to some?? I hope you understand my questions:) Thanks, Bob

Dec 1, 2020

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Shanks405

Dec 1, 2020

Bob3600You can probably find a 3.5mm to coax adapter which would appear to input to the x3. You can also find adapters for many phones (Lightning or USB-C) which will drive the USB in on this and other devices (although Apple requires a special adapter and not a simple lightning to usb cable). Also consider the x6 which is currently available on Drop for $30 more - a bit more power in the headphone amplification PLUS RCA and Bluetooth out. And again, as a caveat, don’t expect either of these to drive in inefficient headphones (high OHMs) to more than modest volume.

(Edited)

Dec 1, 2020

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Bob3600

202

Dec 1, 2020

Shanks405Hello, Maybe I am not being clear or I am missing something. The Digital Audio Players I own have a 3.5mm out. To connect to the X3 I would need a cable with a 3.5mm on one end and RCA on the other right?? I am not using a iPhone or any other type of Phone. I am using DAP's. I did not check the size of the X6 but it is probably bigger in size than the X3?? I am trying to keep the AMP/DAC as small as possible. Understand:)? Thanks so much, Bob

Dec 1, 2020

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hcl-1

Dec 1, 2020

Bob3600Afaik a 3,5mm out is usually an analogue output in which case using a DAC wouldn't make much sense. The RCA on the MX3 are output ports, not input ports. The input ports are the digital ones (USB, Coaxial and TOSLink). Although Coaxial looks like RCA, imo you can't connect the 3,5mm to the coaxial and expect it to work. So, if you have a DAP, then the 3,5mm is probably for a headphone. The DAP should have another (digital) ouptut, which you can connect to the DAC, but not the 3,5mm.

Dec 1, 2020

Bob3600

202

Dec 1, 2020

hcl-1Thank you very much!! See I told you I was missing something LOL. Duhhhh!

Dec 1, 2020

Rowdy2026

803

Dec 3, 2020

Shanks405Why would you suggest someone buy an adapter to plug rca cables onto a dac let alone a dac with no rca inputs?? edit*...you also make discouraging remarks re its’s power output, yet I’m pretty sure 85mW 32ohm would be sufficient for 99.9% of the iem population.

(Edited)

Dec 3, 2020

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