JDS Labs Element III MKII Headphone Amplifier & DAC

Simplified Audio, Reimagined

We’ve reimagined our flagship amp+DAC to create a listening experience you will notice and appreciate. Element III operates on our second-generation XMOS hardware and firmware, blissfully integrated with a custom encoder. You’ll hear perfect channel balance down to the black noise floor. Automatic gain helps you focus on listening rather than button pressing, and an auto-vanishing display presents the essentials while you toggle between USB and Optical inputs and headphone or preamp outputs. Element III MK2 upgrades the iconic knob with a discrete, optical encoder for unmatched feel. And we’ve added a 2-band EQ to adjust bass and treble to your taste, along with DSD support, selectable DAC filters, and more. Element III MK2 is designed and built in the USA.

Auto Gain

We regularly hear from customers fretting over when to use gain. Element III eliminates this confusion by automatically toggling gain for you at exactly the right volume level. As you turn the knob beyond 0 dB, high gain activates and volume is compensated for a near seamless transition to higher listening levels.

Perfect Channel Balance

Element III delivers audibly perfect channel balance all the way down to -127.5 dBFS. You'll immediately hear and appreciate soundstage accuracy.

OLED Display & Options

An OLED display momentarily presents status information while you interact, then powers down to minimize distractions. The Options menu further allows you to adjust OLED and backlighting LED behaviors, DAC filters, and more.

Exceptional Power

Element III's rail-to-rail gain stage provides extra headroom and no distortion penalty when listening at high gain versus low gain. With +/-15VDC rails and continuous clean power, Element III drives all headphones on the market to extraordinary levels, from balanced armatures to planar magnetics. Think you need even more? Choose Boosted Power!

Preamp Outputs

Element III provides preamp RCA outputs so that you can control volume of your powered speakers. Volume of preamp output is managed separately from the headphone output for quick toggling.

Customizeable Buttons

The tactile knob button can be assigned to toggle between headphones and speakers, or to toggle between USB and optical inputs. No need to disconnect cables!

Relay Muting & Safety

Designed for desktop listening, Element III's full relay muting eliminates pops and thumps during startup through both its headphone and preamp outputs. And for extra safety, Element III's dual, independent processors continuously monitor internal communications and verify volume of the ESS DAC.

Parametric Bass & Treble EQ

Element III's latest firmware adds a 2-band DSP engine: Parametric bass boost and treble controls coordinate perfectly with auto volume and gain logic. Equalization runs in real-time with virtually no impact on THD. Tweak your headphones to your taste, without extra hardware or software!

USB Audio Class 2 - PCM & DSD

Element III supports up to 32/384kHz PCM and DSD128 through our second generation XMOS XU208 engine. While we claim no measurable superiority of high sampling rates, UAC2 with an ASIO endpoint will satisfy your pursuit of high fidelity listening.

Mains Isolation

Element III's amplifier and DAC are 100% powered by its external AC transformer, with 13 regulators ensuring consistent rail voltage, super low ripple, and mains isolation.