With Keces S3 you get an all-in-one device that functions as a DAC, preamp and headphone amplifier. Carefully engineered using high-end components, it delivers high-quality sound reproduction that is as rich and precise as it is dynamic.
The D/A section features a 32-bit ESS ES9026Pro DAC chip that utilizes HyperStream® II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator technology to deliver superior audio performance. It also allows the S3 to support high-resolution audio streams up to 32-bit 384 kHz PCM and DSD256.
For its part, the S3’s headphone amplification circuit allows it to develop significant power, which can reach 2 * 2000 mW at a voltage of 32Ω. It can therefore easily accompany both very sensitive in-ear monitors and high-impedance headphones.
Thanks to its extensive connectivity options, Keces S3 is also capable of satisfying the vast majority of use cases, both balanced and single-ended. On the input side there is USB-B, coaxial, optical, single-ended RCA and balanced XLR. In terms of outputs, we can also count on single-ended RCA and balanced XLRs, as well as 4-pin balanced XLR and unbalanced 6.35mm Jack headphone outputs.
On the front panel of the device there is a screen displaying playback information and a volume control. The latter is associated with a very precise relay attenuation circuit.
Characteristics of Keces S3:
- Product Type: DAC/Headphone Amplifier/Preamplifier
- Inputs: 1* coaxial/ 1* optical Toslink/ 1* USB-B/ 1* single-ended stereo RCA/ 1* balanced stereo XLR
- Outputs: 1* single-ended stereo RCA/ 1* balanced stereo XLR/ 1* balanced XLR 4-pin headphone out/ 1* single-ended Jack 6.35mm headphone out
- DAC chips: 1* ESS ES9026Pro
- Supported sampling rates: USB: PCM up to 32bit 384kHz, Native DSD up to DSD256, DSD DoP up to DSD128/ Optical / Coaxial: PCM up to 24bit 192kHz, DSD DoP up to DSD64 Analog inputs Input impedance: 47 kOhm
- Maximum input level: XLR: 10Vrms/ RCA: 5Vrms
- Input/Output Gain: 0dB Analogue Outputs SNR: XLR: > -122dB @ 20Hz-20kHz, A-Weighting/ RCA: > -119dB @ 20Hz-20kHz, A-Weighting
- THD+N: XLR: RCA: <0.0007% @ 1kHz, A-Weighting
- Frequency Response: XLR: 20Hz-20kHz (+0dB/-0.09dB)/ RCA: 20Hz-20kHz (+0dB/-0.03dB)
- Crosstalk: XLR: > -124 dB @ 1 kHz/ RCA: > -122 dB @ 1 kHz
- Output Level: XLR: 0-4Vrms adjustable @ 0dBFS/ RCA: 0-2Vrms adjustable @ 0dBFS Headphone Outputs SNR: XLR 4 Pins: > -120dB @ 20Hz-20kHz, A-Weighting/ Jack 6.35mm: > -108 dB @ 20Hz-20kHz, A-Weighting
- THD+N: XLR 4 pins: Jack 6.35mm: <0.0015% @ 1kHz, A-Weighting, 300 Ohm, 100mW
- Frequency Response: XLR 4 Pins: 20Hz-20kHz (+0dB/-0.09dB)/ Jack 6.35mm: 20Hz-20kHz (+0dB/-0.09dB)
- Output Impedance: XLR 4 pin: 0.6 Ohm / Jack 6.35mm: 0.6 Ohm
- Output Power: XLR 4 Pins: 2000mW @ 32 Ohms THD+N 0.1% / 1200mW @ 300 Ohms, THD+N 0.1% / 650mW @ 600 Ohms THD+N 0.1% / Jack 6.35mm: 1200mW @ 32 Ohms, THD+N 0.1% / 350mW @ 300 Ohm THD+N 0.1% / 175mW @ 600 Ohm, THD+N 0.1%
- Supply voltage: 110-120VAC 60Hz/ 220-240VAC 50Hz
- Consumption: 30 W
- Dimensions: 300x220x66 mm
- Weight: 4 kg
- Case material: aluminum 4 mm