The verdict
The DX3 Pro+ is the measurements-and-features pick. ESS ES9038Q2M plus Bluetooth LDAC plus a remote control at $179 is the most-feature-per-dollar combo here. Best for desk listeners who alternate between wired headphones and phone Bluetooth.
Topping DX3 Pro+
Strengths
- +ES9038Q2M DAC chip — class-leading measurements at this price
- +Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC support — wireless from phone with hi-res codec
- +Remote control included — only pick here with one in the box
- +OLED screen reads sample rate / volume / input clearly
Watch-outs
- −Less power than the FiiO K7 — adequate for most headphones, tight on planars
- −Warm-voiced listeners may find ESS DACs analytical compared to the iFi Zen DAC 3
- −No balanced output at this price tier
How it compares
Best measurements + features per dollar. Only pick with Bluetooth LDAC and a remote. Less power than the FiiO K7. More analytical voicing than the iFi Zen DAC 3.
Who this is for
At a glance: desktop listeners who want measurements-grade ESS DAC plus phone Bluetooth in one box.
Why you’d buy the Topping DX3 Pro+
- ES9038Q2M DAC chip — class-leading measurements at this price.
- Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC support — wireless from phone with hi-res codec.
- Remote control included — only pick here with one in the box.
Why you’d skip it
- Less power than the FiiO K7 — adequate for most headphones, tight on planars.
- Warm-voiced listeners may find ESS DACs analytical compared to the iFi Zen DAC 3.
- No balanced output at this price tier.
Rating sources
Our 4.5 score is the average of these published ratings. More about methodology.