Topping DX3 Pro+ vs E30 II: All-in-One or Separates?

The Same Chip, Two Different Configurations

Both the Topping DX3 Pro+ ($149) and E30 II ($99) use the ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip. This is the starting point of any honest comparison: the digital-to-analog conversion core is identical. What differs is everything built around it.

The E30 II is a pure standalone DAC — it converts digital audio to analog and outputs to RCA. It has no headphone amplifier. It requires a separate amp.

The DX3 Pro+ is an all-in-one unit: the same DAC chip, plus a built-in headphone amplifier, plus Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC, plus a remote control, for $50 more.

The decision is about what configuration you need, not which product sounds better.

Specs Comparison

DAC Quality: Identical

Both products use the ES9038Q2M and both measure at or near the limit of what the chip can achieve. You cannot audibly distinguish between them as DACs in a level-matched blind test. Any claim that one sounds better than the other as a DAC — same chip, similar implementation — is not well-supported by evidence.

The E30 II actually measures marginally lower THD+N (0.00018% vs 0.00045%), both figures so far below audibility that the difference is purely academic.

The Real Decision: Built-in Amp or Separates?

Buy the E30 II if:

• You already have a separate headphone amplifier (Schiit Magni Heresy, JDS Atom, Asgard 3, etc.)
• You want the leanest, most purpose-built DAC stage for $99
• You’re building a separates stack and want to upgrade amp and DAC independently later
• You don’t need Bluetooth

The E30 II + Schiit Magni Heresy ($109) totals $208 — a world-class desktop stack with more power than the DX3 Pro+ and the same DAC quality.

Buy the DX3 Pro+ if:

• You want one box on your desk, not two
• You want Bluetooth LDAC — connecting a phone wirelessly to your desktop setup
• You want a remote control for volume adjustment from your listening position
• You don’t need (or don’t yet have) a dedicated amplifier
• Your headphones are 80Ω or less (or 300Ω dynamics like the HD 600 at moderate volumes)

Power: The DX3 Pro+’s Main Amp Limitation

The DX3 Pro+’s headphone amp delivers approximately 1W into 32Ω. This is adequate for most common headphones, including the Sennheiser HD 600/650 at 300Ω — you’ll reach comfortable listening levels. For demanding planar magnetic headphones (HiFiMAN Arya, Audeze LCD-2), the output runs short of headroom.

If you have or plan to buy demanding headphones, the separates route (E30 II + a more powerful amp) is the better long-term choice.

Bluetooth: DX3 Pro+ Exclusive Feature

The E30 II has no Bluetooth. The DX3 Pro+ supports LDAC — the highest-quality wireless audio codec at up to 990kbps. This is a daily convenience feature: you can stream lossless audio from your phone to your desktop setup without a cable. No equivalent feature exists on the E30 II.

If wireless audio from a phone to your desktop is part of your use case, the DX3 Pro+ is the only option.

Conclusion