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Retired

Amps + DACs

Element II

This product has been discontinued. You might be interested in Element III MK2.

Element III MK2

$449.00

  • Covered by our 2-year transferable warranty

Simplified Audio, Re-engineered

We redesigned Element II to maximize your desktop audio experience. Element II packs the performance you expect from JDS Labs into a precision machined aluminum chassis, with an equally impressive 32/384k DAC, and button activated preamp RCA outputs. Enjoy the comfortable knob and seamless transitions between your powered speakers and headphones!

Features

PREAMP OUTPUTS

Element II provides preamp RCA outputs, so that you can control volume of your powered speakers.

OUTPUT SELECTION

The Mode button allows you to toggle between headphones and powered speakers. No need to disconnect cables!

ULTRA HIGH POWER

With +/-15VDC rails and continuous max power of 1.3W, Element II drives all headphones on the market to extroardinary 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.

DUAL GAIN

Low gain of 1.0x is well suited to driving efficient IEMs, while High gain easily powers demanding full size sets.

RELAY MUTING

Designed for desktop listening, Element II's full relay muting eliminates pops and thumps during startup through both its headphone and preamp outputs.

MEMS OSCILLATOR

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 bitperfect 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.

Specifications

DAC Performance

  • Frequency Response 10Hz-20kHz +/- 0.13 dB
  • THD+N 20Hz-20kHz < 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 < 0.7 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)

Dimensions

  • Case Dimensions 5.8 x 5.8 x 1.6 in
  • Weight 18 oz

Data Support

  • Interface USB Audio Class 2
  • Windows 7/8/10/11, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS 16, 24, 32-bit @ 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 384 kHz

Connectivity

  • Analog 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

Packaged Items

  • Element II, Amplifier+DAC
  • 16VAC Power Adapter
  • 3ft USB Type A to Type B Cable w/Ferrite

Drivers

  • XMOS Driver v5.68 for Win 10/11

    XMOS driver v5.68 supports Windows 10/11, and is optional. No drivers are required for macOS, Linux, or Windows 10/11.

    This driver enables ASIO support, provides the ability to view and adjust Buffer Settings (latency), supports 16/24/32-bitrates, and adds full DSD64-128 support to Atom DAC+, Atom DAC 2, EL DAC II+, and Element III (MK2).

    All XMOS based JDS Labs DACs are supported, including:

    • Element III (MK2)
    • Atom DAC 2
    • Atom DAC(+)
    • EL DAC II(+)
    • Element II

     

    This driver is developed and maintained by Thesycon, and licensed to JDS Labs. Please find the full change log at TUSBAudio_history.txt.

  • Optional - XMOS Firmware Update Utility (DFU) for Win 10/11

    This optional application for Windows 10/11 allows you to install firmware updates to XMOS based JDS Labs DACS, including:

    • Element III
    • Element II
    • EL DAC II(+)
    • Atom DAC(+)
    • Atom DAC 2

    To use, unzip the folder and follow instructions in the article How to Install an XMOS Firmware Update.

  • XMOS Driver v4.13.0 for Win7/8 - Element II

    Archived XMOS driver v4.13.0 is required for UAC2 in Windows 7/8. Alternatively, you may use UAC1 fallback.

    For Win10/11, please use the most recent XMOS driver v5.30.0.

Firmware

Instructions & Guides