iFi Zen DAC 3 vs Topping DX3 Pro+: Burr-Brown vs ESS at $149

Two All-in-Ones at the Same Price, Designed for Different Listeners

The iFi Zen DAC 3 and Topping DX3 Pro+ are both all-in-one DAC/amp combos in the $149–$199 range. They’re often cross-shopped, and for good reason — on paper they appear similar. In practice, they’re designed for different priorities.

The DX3 Pro+ is the practical, versatile choice: multiple digital inputs including Bluetooth LDAC, a remote control, an accurate ESS chip, and compact size.

The Zen DAC 3 is the character-driven choice: a warm Burr-Brown DAC, a 4.4mm balanced headphone output, and USB-C simplicity.

Specs Comparison

DAC Character: The Core Difference

This is where the products diverge most meaningfully.

The DX3 Pro+’s ES9038Q2M produces the ESS sound: clean, precise, slightly bright, analytically detailed. It measures superbly — THD+N under 0.0005%, SNR of 122dB. For listeners who want accuracy, this is the chip.

The Zen DAC 3’s Burr-Brown (Texas Instruments) chip has a different character: warmer, more organic, with body in the lower midrange and a smoother, less aggressive treble. It measures less perfectly than the ESS chip. For many listeners — especially those who’ve found ESS-based gear “clinical” — it sounds more enjoyable.

Neither is objectively better. They’re different presentations of the same audio content. Know which presentation you prefer before choosing.

The Balanced Output Advantage (Zen DAC 3)

The Zen DAC 3’s 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced headphone output is genuinely differentiated. No other all-in-one at $149 offers this. If your IEMs or headphones accept a 4.4mm balanced cable, the Zen DAC 3 provides:

• Lower noise floor (important for sensitive IEMs)
• Marginally better channel separation
• Slightly more output voltage

For IEM users with balanced cables — and most mid-range IEMs from Moondrop, 7Hz, and similar brands include or accept balanced cables — this is a meaningful advantage.

The DX3 Pro+ offers only 6.35mm single-ended output.

Connectivity: DX3 Pro+ Wins Clearly

The Zen DAC 3 accepts USB-C audio input only. No optical, no coaxial, no Bluetooth. If your audio source changes from computer to TV to phone, the Zen DAC 3 doesn’t adapt — you have to connect via USB-C each time.

The DX3 Pro+ accepts USB, optical, coaxial, and Bluetooth LDAC. You can connect a TV via optical, a PC via USB, and a phone wirelessly via Bluetooth simultaneously, switching between them with the remote control.

For desk setups with one source (a computer), both work equally. For multi-source setups, the DX3 Pro+ is substantially more flexible.

Remote Control (DX3 Pro+)

The DX3 Pro+ includes a remote for volume, mute, and input switching. The Zen DAC 3 has no remote — volume is controlled by the knob on the unit.

For listeners who sit back from their desk, this matters daily.

Power Output

The DX3 Pro+ is more powerful: approximately 1000mW into 32Ω single-ended versus the Zen DAC 3’s ~240mW SE (or ~475mW balanced). For demanding headphones like the HiFiMAN HE400SE or Sundara, the DX3 Pro+ has substantially more headroom.

For IEMs and easy-to-drive headphones (under 80Ω), both are more than adequate. For 300Ω dynamics like the HD 600/650, the DX3 Pro+ is the safer choice.

Which to Buy

Buy the iFi Zen DAC 3 if:

• You have IEMs or headphones with 4.4mm balanced cables
• You prefer warm, organic sound character over analytical accuracy
• Your only source is a computer with USB-C
• You’re sensitive to bright or clinical-sounding gear

Buy the Topping DX3 Pro+ if:

• You need Bluetooth LDAC for wireless from a phone
• You have multiple sources (TV, PC, console)
• You want a remote control for volume
• You need more power for demanding headphones
• You prefer accurate, clean sound reproduction