JDS Labs The Element II

JDS Labs have re-engineered a classic with The Element II to maximise your desktop audio experience. Element II packs the performance you expect from JDS Labs into a precision machined aluminium chassis, with an equally impressive 32/384k DAC, and button activated preamp RCA outputs. Simplified audio lets you enjoy the comfortable knob and seamless transitions between your powered speakers and headphones.

The Element II is able to power any type of headphone or earphone, from balanced armatures to planar magnetics without emphasising any frequencies and zero background noise. Microprocessor controlled relays completely eliminate turn on/off pops and thumps produced by standard designed amplifiers.

Further maintaining The Element II's minimalist design, it only has its 6.35mm headphone jack on the front. All remaining controls and connections, comprising of power switch, gain switch, USB jack and twin analogue jacks are situated at the back with a well thought out layout. To indicate that the JDS Labs The Element II is powered on, a ring of light with smooth copper colouration runs along the edge of the volume control.

Simply perfect desktop audio.

Preamp Outputs
Element II provides preamp RCA outputs so that you can control the volume of your powered speakers. The Mode button allows you to toggle between headphones and powered speakers without the need to disconnect cables.

Ultra High Power
With 15VDCV rails and peak output in excess of 1.3W, The Element II drives all headphones on the market to extraordinary levels, from balanced armatures to planar magnetics.

Top Performance
Element II is our most advanced amp+DAC to date, achieving top performance from its 4-layer, star grounded layout. Low gain of 1.0x is well suited to driving efficient IEMs, while High gain easily powers demanding full-size sets.

Stable Execution
Designed for desktop listening, Element II's full relay muting eliminates pops and thumps during startup through both its headphone and preamp outputs. Element II's USB DAC is clocked by an SiTime MEMS oscillator with ±10ppm frequency stability, delivering pristine jitter.

USB Audio Class 2
Element II supports up to 32/384kHz PCM over a custom XMOS XU208 based UAC2 engine. While we claim no measurable superiority of high sampling rates, UAC2 and ASIO support satisfy your pursuit of bit-perfect listening.

AC Transformer
Element II's amplifier and DAC are 100% powered by its external AC transformer, with 12 regulators ensuring consistent rail voltage and super low ripple.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

DAC Performance

• Frequency Response 10Hz-20kHz +/- 0.13 dB
• THD+N: < 0.001%
• IMD CCIF 19/20 kHz -6.03 dBFS: 0.00041%
• IMD SMPTE -6.03 dBFS: 0.00029%
• Noise (A-Weighted): -109 dBu
• Dynamic Range (A-Weighted): 118 dB
• Linearity Error -90 dBFS: 0.0 dB
• Crosstalk -10 dBFS 100K RCA: -107 dB
• USB Jitter Components 12 kHz: -127 dB

AMP Performance

• Frequency Response 10Hz-20kHz: +/- 0.02 dB
• THD+N 1Khz, 150 Ω: 0.0008%
• THD+N 20Hz-20kHz: < 0.001%
• IMD CCIF 19/20 kHz -6.03 dBFS: 0.0001%
• IMD SMPTE -6.03 dBFS: 0.0005%
• Noise (A-Weighted): -115 dBu
• Crosstalk -10 dBFS 100K RCA: -88 dB
• Output Impedance: 0.1 Ω
• Channel Balance: +/- 0.56 dB
• Max Continuous Power, 600 Ω: 165 mW (9.9 VRMS)
• Max Continuous Power, 150 Ω: 656 mW (9.9 VRMS)
• Max Continuous Power, 32 Ω: 1.3 W (6.53 VRMS)

Data Support

• Interface: USB Audio Class 2
• Windows 7/8/10, OS X, Linux: 16, 24, 32-bit @ 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 384 kHz

Connectivity

• Analogue Input: RCA
• Preamp Output: RCA
• Digital Input: USB - Type B

Configuration

• Headphone Output: 6.35mm (1/4")
• Dual Gain: 1.0x and 4.73x
• Volume Potentiometer Taper: Alps 15A
• Case Dimensions: 5.8 x 5.8 x 1.6 in
• Weight: 18 oz

FEATURES

• Redesigned features to maximize your desktop audio experience
• Powerful headphone amp and ultra-clean USB DAC
• Precision machined chassis with comfortable knob
• Microprocessor controlled relays eliminate turn on/off pops
• Drives any headphone from balanced armatures to planar magnetics
• Wide DAC dynamic range maintains low noise and minimizes hiss
• Extremely low output impedance ensures transparent frequency response

PACKAGE INCLUDES

• JDS Labs The Element II Amplifier+DAC
• 16VAC power adaptor (EU plug)
• USB Type-A to Type-B cable