I just spent an hour with my new DX3 Pro. Holy crap!! Low Gain mode... WOW! I've been using my Apogee Ensemble (the newer Thunderbolt version) for a couple years and assumed it was EXACTLY how my OPPO PM-3's + upgraded cable are supposed to sound. It's a $2,500 interface with presumably amazing headphone outs (the other I/O's are clearly a factor in pricing, but still). How in the world is it getting crushed by a $200 DAC/Amp?! Is it Apogee's headphone amp, or DAC, or both?!
After an hour of A/B testing in Low Gain mode with my usual reference material (a good mix of electronic and acoustic tracks), the thing that stands out about the DX3 Pro is that it has less low-mid frequency sustain and/or buildup than the Ensemble. Translation: the DX3 Pro unmasks transient details, which makes mix elements pop out in a natural way and takes a pretty flat sounding Apogee Ensemble mix and adds depth and separation to the mix elements. A little more subjective... tracks sound more open; more width and height or air compared to the Ensemble. None of these improvements sound harsh or fatiguing in Low Gain mode with my headphones; High Gain mode did sound a little hyped in the high frequencies and got fatiguing, though. Take all that with a grain of salt, though.
On the one hand -- I'm angry that I spent $2,500 on an interface, since it was mainly just for how good it's supposed to sound for monitoring (powered Genelec monitors & PM-3) plus I had room to grow into the 8 mic pres plus all the other potentially useful I/O's. Between rackmount gear lust and the Apogee name, I assumed it was a worthy expense.
On the other hand --- I'm ecstatic that I can hear mix details I always struggled to hear with the Apogee Ensemble (TB) and it only cost $200. Since I bought it just to use outside the studio, it looks like I need sell the Ensemble, get a much cheaper interface with fewer but still transparent mic pres, and use the extra cash to get a MUCH better setup for dual monitoring on my powered Genelec's and PM-3's.
Question - I've heard/read that the Line Out is a weakness on the DX3 Pro and I'm thinking that's the area it shouldn't be able to compete with the Apogee (I just don't have RCA->unbalanced XLR cables I can use to test the theory). So, is there a better DAC/Amp combo or DAC + Headphone Amp solution than the DX3 Pro that should work perfectly with my powered Genelec monitors and OPPO PM-3's? I need a neutral sounding setup since it will be solely for production/mixing. So, no DSP baked in. I'd love any suggestions!!!
FYI - both the Genelec's & the PM-3 can do balanced or unbalanced with the right cables.
After an hour of A/B testing in Low Gain mode with my usual reference material (a good mix of electronic and acoustic tracks), the thing that stands out about the DX3 Pro is that it has less low-mid frequency sustain and/or buildup than the Ensemble. Translation: the DX3 Pro unmasks transient details, which makes mix elements pop out in a natural way and takes a pretty flat sounding Apogee Ensemble mix and adds depth and separation to the mix elements. A little more subjective... tracks sound more open; more width and height or air compared to the Ensemble. None of these improvements sound harsh or fatiguing in Low Gain mode with my headphones; High Gain mode did sound a little hyped in the high frequencies and got fatiguing, though. Take all that with a grain of salt, though.
On the one hand -- I'm angry that I spent $2,500 on an interface, since it was mainly just for how good it's supposed to sound for monitoring (powered Genelec monitors & PM-3) plus I had room to grow into the 8 mic pres plus all the other potentially useful I/O's. Between rackmount gear lust and the Apogee name, I assumed it was a worthy expense.
On the other hand --- I'm ecstatic that I can hear mix details I always struggled to hear with the Apogee Ensemble (TB) and it only cost $200. Since I bought it just to use outside the studio, it looks like I need sell the Ensemble, get a much cheaper interface with fewer but still transparent mic pres, and use the extra cash to get a MUCH better setup for dual monitoring on my powered Genelec's and PM-3's.
Question - I've heard/read that the Line Out is a weakness on the DX3 Pro and I'm thinking that's the area it shouldn't be able to compete with the Apogee (I just don't have RCA->unbalanced XLR cables I can use to test the theory). So, is there a better DAC/Amp combo or DAC + Headphone Amp solution than the DX3 Pro that should work perfectly with my powered Genelec monitors and OPPO PM-3's? I need a neutral sounding setup since it will be solely for production/mixing. So, no DSP baked in. I'd love any suggestions!!!
FYI - both the Genelec's & the PM-3 can do balanced or unbalanced with the right cables.