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Audioengine D3 Portable DAC & Headphone Amp

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79 ratings

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The D3 24-bit DAC allows you to bypass your computer’s headphone output and send music directly through USB for improved fidelity and higher volume output.
HOW DOES IT DO THAT? The D3 processes digital audio at any bit depth up to 24 bits and any native sample rate to 96KHz. With it's high signal-to-noise ratio and low distortion, the D3 delivers sound quality generally heard only in more expensive DACs.
WORKS WITH Mac, Windows, and Linux Computers—plug-and-play with USB. Any TOSLINK Optical connection from CD/DVD Players, TVs, and more. Powered speakers, stereo/AV receivers, and your favorite headphones.
WHAT’S INCLUDED D3 24-bit DAC, 1/8″ to 1/4” adapter cable, setup guide, product case
WARRANTY: Audioengine builds quality audio equipment that they stand behind. All Audioengine products come with a 3-year transferable warranty.

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Sold By	—	Amazon.com	Kaspien	Kaspien	Quantum Networks	Quantum Networks
Item Dimensions	2.36 x 0.98 x 0.39 inches	2.36 x 0.79 x 1.18 inches	3.9 x 0.47 x 2.32 inches	0.37 x 1.57 x 1.65 inches	0.83 x 1.93 x 3.11 inches	4.02 x 2.76 x 0.55 inches

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Product description

Audioengine D3 24-bit Digital to Audio Converter & Headphone Amplifier (Silver) OPEN BOX

Product information

Product Dimensions

2.36 x 0.98 x 0.39 inches

Item Weight

1.06 ounces

Manufacturer

Audioengine

ASIN

B00GCDVNHI

Item model number

AUED3

Customer Reviews

79 ratings

3.5 out of 5 stars

Best Sellers Rank

#301 in Headphone Amps

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer

Date First Available

October 31, 2013

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Customer reviews

5 star		42%
4 star		15%
3 star		14%
2 star		7%
1 star		21%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Jeffpsy

Terrific little doodad

Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2020

Verified Purchase

I’ve only had the Audioengine D3 for a day or so, so I can’t comment on durability. But from what I’ve seen so far, this is a terrific little gadget. I bought it because both my Asus Zen laptop and Asus Zen desktop are a little under-powered in driving my headphones. I plugged the D3 into my desktop’s USB hub, and within seconds I was listening to cleaner, sharper, louder sound quality than ever before. No fuss, no muss. With both the laptop and desktop, the volume is controlled by the computer, in exactly the same way as before, only with much more headroom now. For anyone who is struggling with the audio quality of their computer, I would recommend this fully.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

John

Supurb device...

Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2017

Verified Purchase

The problem isn't with the D3 itself, but the Linux support for volume control is not good. NO biggie, I did a workaround, and it does EXACTLY what it is supposed to and I'd recommend for anyone else. The problem with Linux appears to be more with pulseaudio not handling the volume changes correctly for this device. I can control the volume manually/very smoothly with the alsa interface. It is good that I never planned to use it for general purpose, or I'd have to deal with an erratic volume control for casual use (again, it is NOT trouble with the D3 at all -- it is GREAT!!!) It is being used for monitoring the output of audio processors.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

a great product

Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2014

Verified Purchase

I use the Audioengine D3 to play streamed music through my stereo system, and it works beautifully. The sound is big and full, everything I had hoped for. At first I did hear some buzzing, so I wrote to Audioengine Support ([...]). I received the very helpful reply below, which I quote here because I think it may be helpful to many new D3 owners (and it enabled me to solve my problem very quickly).

"We went to great lengths to add proper filtering circuits into all Audioengine products, but noise issues do come up from time to time depending on other products in the system and/or the room or house wiring. Here are some tips we've put together that may help with hum or buzz:

- First try moving your audio and video equipment to the same electrical circuit or AC outlet.

- If the noise persists, power-off the components in your system and remove the mini-jack and/or RCA audio cables to your speakers. Then power-on the speakers and check for hum. If the hum or buzz is still
audible then try plugging the speaker into a different outlet on another power circuit. Noise coming from the AC wiring is often solved with an AC line filter. A product by Ebtech called the "Ebtech Hum X Voltage Hum Filter" is available online and is a relatively inexpensive solution that customers have recommended.

- If the noise goes away when the audio cables are disconnected, the noise is likely coming from another component in your system. Connect each component back to the speakers (or sub) one at a time and check for hum. The component that causes the system to hum is likely the source of your noise. For this type of noise in the audio path we recommend trying a ground loop isolator, such as one from Xitel called the "Xitel Ground Loop Isolator".

- Sometimes, something as simple as a portable heater or dehumidifier will add noise into your wall wiring that could be picked up by your subwoofer or speakers. The dimmer switch on a halogen lamp, cordless phone, or wireless internet router positioned near the speakers, for example, could also all be possible culprits.

- Another common source of noise that is often overlooked is from cable TV or satellite coaxial cables. If the hum or buzz persists after trying the previous tips, disconnect the coaxial cable from your cable box, TV, or DVR and if the hum goes away, then the cable is the cause. In this case you can get an isolation transformer online or from your local electronics store. We recommend the Dayton VIT-1 Isolation Transformer, which is inexpensive and easy to connect in line with your video cable.

- The most common solutions are an AC line filter, try a different AC circuit, or in the case of a wireless router or cordless phone, just physically move these a little further away from the subwoofer or powered speakers."

After I worked through their recommendations, I had my problem solved (see second paragraph above).

15 people found this helpful

Helpful

Great little device.

Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2015

Verified Purchase

This little DAC/amp puts out amazing sound. I use it to convert the sound from my home computer. The unit blends all lows, mids and highs into a warm and exciting sound. The tones are rich and complete, nothing on the scale is lost. With a set of V-Moda 100s, the lows will make your head spin. The unit gets it's power from the USB port so can be used on any computer that has standard USB. My computer has USB 3 ports and the unit works great with them. If you plug your headphones into the speaker out port on your computer, give it a good listen for a few seconds. Then plug the headphones into this guy and you will think taken by the computer company who built you computer. The difference is simply night and day. With the hundreds of DAC/amp combos, amps and other sound devices out there, it is tough to choose. If you decide on this one, you will not be disappointed in the least.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Mordi Chirnomas, Esq.

WOW!!! Just .... WOW!!!!

Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2014

Verified Purchase

Talk about a night and day difference. I was skeptical and really expected to be returning the item once it didn't live up to the hype. But it HAS! I listen to some really high fidelity and some extremely complex recordings with tons of great instrumentation: Keith Jarrett solo recordings, Bela Fleck, Ralph Towner, Cassandra Wilson to name a few.

To say that my Vers Audio desktop speakers have been underserved until now is putting it mildly. Same with my Shure SE425 in ear monitors.

My laptop is now delivering music with so much more clarity, depth, detail that it's astonishing.

Best portable audio improvement I've bought in a long time.

13 people found this helpful

Helpful

S Anderson

Great Sound for the price.

Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2015

Verified Purchase

I've owned this headphone DAC for over a year now and it is an excellent product. I have mated it with B&W P3 headphones and have been very satisfied with the combination. Longtime audiophile who loves high end tube amps. This combination produces a very non fatiguing sound. Great for listening to you tube videos or HD tracks.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Go Trump

Works

Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2019

Verified Purchase

Definitely enhanced the laptop/ headphone experience . Was worth it to me

Helpful

Bryan

Hear the Difference

Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2015

Verified Purchase

I chose this version over the D1 by Audioengine due to it's sleek, minimalist design. The D3 is the size of a wallet, the D1 as big as a flash drive. The first thing that's noticeable is a fuller, wider sound that becomes apparent as soon as you plug in the device. For the audiophile, this is a must have purchase.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

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PYKtures

Best USB DAC Stick

Reviewed in Canada on November 12, 2017

Verified Purchase

Compared against SMSL IDEA (aka Sabaj DA2) and Audioquest Dragonfly Red, the D3 wins this 3-way fight as long as your source has a "loud" USB output.

SMSL Idea, otherwise known as the much cheaper Sabaj Da2
SMSL Idea for the price is perhaps an insane value as it truly already improves things tenfolds. The sound signature of that little thing is something I’d consider to be bit perfect. It is definitely too sharp for devices that already are of potential high fidelity. The way the Idea approaches treble is slightly too energetic and fatiguing as is the case on the Edition X, the Superlux HD681evo, even the relaxed Sony MDR1A. While it could be very airy and light, this kind of audiophonic behaviour is described as SABRE GLARE (since the device uses the Sabre ESS9018Q2C chip). The low-end is also quite distorting but… way less than the dragonfly RED. It would take the Memt X5 to truly tame the treble of the device. Basically, if you take the effort to acquire specialty audio gear for your listening pleasure, the Idea isn’t the most rewarding device, unless you want to hear every edge. It works best with headphones that aren’t very bright.

Dragonfly RED
Sabre, solved almost. Uses the sabre’s insane detail and tone separation but tames the treble glare, adds the mids, the depth, the soundstage and more body. It’s a refined IDEA. Sweet sweet sweet treble. The transitions between each element is smooth and unforced. But… bass distorts a lot more than IDEA: it sounds like its coughing, it distorts like crazy...

Audioengine D3
Spacious sounding much more than the SMSL. Treble is resolving but tamed without going to glare-y. The soundstage of that stick is impressive perhaps the best of the 3. The tone separation is lovely and it is more resolving than the Red but loses in depth layering. At times the resolution also seems to outdo the RED… or it could be it keeping more edges. This balance helps the D3 get pass some of the most clogging-prone songs like orchestral music without breaking a sweat. So there might be some fatigue but a lot less than the idea. It’s also the most well rounded. The stick distorts the less out of the three and delivers all the goodness of the AKM chip.

Conclusion:
The idea is way too sharp, the Red could sound a bit rounded for people still wanting some Sabre sound, but it tries too hard to be impactful and ends up distorting. The D3 keeps it more technical, more safe, more spacious, less distorted and wins this 3-way fight. Yet, we need sticks with volume nob… since the audioengine and Red can’t get loud. I'm also very bummed out by how much over-hype the Dragonfly Red is when the D3 definitely sounds superior.

9 people found this helpful

emo2012

Sonido espectacular pero potencia de salida mejorable

Reviewed in Spain on September 15, 2018

Verified Purchase

Lo utilizo para escuchar música en todos los dispositivos portátiles, con unos auriculares in-ear de la casa Beyerdynamic y el resultado es espectacular. Eso sí con auriculares de elevada impedancia ( más de 100 ohms) el amplificador que tiene es escaso y se oye demasiado bajo y sin fuerza, pero con unos in-ear buenos de baja impedancia, el sonido nada tiene que ver con lo que se oye conectando los auriculares directamente a los dispositivos...el sonido es mucho más claro, la estereofonía se percibe claramente y eres capaz de distinguir todos los instrumentos y voces con total claridad

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Amazon Customer

Sounds pretty good.

Reviewed in Canada on February 17, 2018

Verified Purchase

I bought the D3 after returning a defective AudioQuest Dragonfly Black v1.5. Based on the short 5-10 minute experience I had with the Dragonfly, I definitely prefer the Audioengine D3 's sound output. However, your preference may vary.

Unidentifed

Amazing sound!

Reviewed in Canada on February 15, 2019

Verified Purchase

After plugging this into my computer, my speakers, which I thought were OK(Edifier Luna E25 speakers) became...WOW! They sound open, powerful, crisp! And it's all due to the D3. So simple to use and install as well. This is a must when you listen to computer mp3s.

Mimmo gallo

Not for Apple XR phone.

Reviewed in Canada on February 13, 2021

Verified Purchase

DAC not made for my Apple phone.
Perhaps my fault for misunderstanding the item description.