Free UK delivery over £50
Expert Knowledge & Advice
UK Customer Support
30 Day Returns Guarantee
£128.99 inc. VAT(£107.49 ex. VAT) (£309.00 inc. VAT)(£257.50 ex. VAT) You save: 58% £180.01 inc. VAT (£150.01 ex. VAT)
JDS Labs designed the Element Line for precision fit and function. With the new and improved EL DAC II, JDS Labs furthers the exceptional performance of its predecessor with relay muting, an XMOS based USB Class 2 engine with MEMS oscillator, transformer-isolated coaxial input, and higher performance optical input. Stack with EL Amp II for single button switching between headphones and speakers.
JDS Labs' EL DAC II provides pure sound presentation far beyond the standard. Reference level sound output with the lowest possible noise floor and near-zero distortion provide studio-grade analytical listening for the audio enthusiast that seeks pure sound. Externally powered by a perfected supply network with an external AC transformer and 12 linear regulators, the EL DAC II ensures consistent and clean rail voltage without distortion.
To achieve single button switching between headphone and speakers the EL DAC II can be stacked with JDS Labs' EL Amp. Externally the uncomplicated design consists of one button for front and centre mode selection through a touch-sensitive light ring. The design is flawless and simple, as with all JDS Labs creations.
Supreme connectivity, re-engineered.
Advanced Processing
Microprocessor controlled relays are standard in EL DAC II so that power up and input mode changes are free of audible transients. EL DAC II's USB engine is clocked by an SiTime MEMS oscillator with highest frequency stability, delivering pristine jitter.
USB Audio Class 2
EL DAC II supports up to 32/384kHz PCM over a custom XMOS XU208 based UAC2 engine. While JDS Labs claim no measurable superiority of high sampling rates, UAC2 and ASIO support satisfy your pursuit of bit-perfect listening.
Externally Powered
EL DAC II is powered by a perfected supply network, with an external AC transformer and 13 regulators that ensure consistent rail voltage and super low ripple. Never be bothered by USB hubs or OS power difficulties again.
Differential Output
Differential summing output of an AK4493EQ DAC is summed by a low noise NJR output stage, with DC coupling throughout, letting you drive to any volume level.
Transformer Isolated S/PDIF
Coaxial S/PDIF input is isolated using a Pulse transformer to minimize the possibility of ground loop noise.
4-Layer PCB
EL DAC II is built an a 4-layer, star grounded printed circuit board with proper 90-ohm characteristic impedance of its USB input.
Upgradeable Firmware
JDS Labs' custom XMOS based firmware configures and manages EL DAC II's USB input and AK4493, with DFU support for possible future feature additions.
DAC Performance
Data Support
Connectivity
Dimensions
High quality product, not latest model but more than good enough. Only negative is the amount of heat the psu emits so power consumption could be better
I bought jd, el dac 2 . Price excellent. It's a great dac.
I've owned the JDS labs EL amp 2 + for a few years now but until the purchase of this EL DAC 2, I have always had other DACs to use with it. My main comparisons will be made against my current main DAC that I've been using for a couple of years, the Chord mojo 2 which I use in desktop mode run into the JDS labs amplifier. The EL DAC 2 is overall more balanced and naunced across the frequency range, because of this you hear micro details more on this DAC. Its not digging them up but its just so well balanced it doesn't favour or overemphasise anything. Its more delicate sounding than the mojo 2 but this is also where it's only real weakness lies. It treads lightly so bass isn't as authoritive as it could be which translates to it not having the best control of busy passages of music, The mojo 2 has more authorative low end and more body to textures, feeling a little less subtle than the JDS labs but has far more control of complex passages of music. The JDS labs has a slightly superior sense of space and air.
Sign up to get the latest on sales, discounts, new product releases, product guides and more.