KECES S3 – DAC, headphone amplifier and preamplifier in one solution

KECES S3 combines a DAC, headphone amplifier and analog preamplifier in one compact hi-fi component. It is designed for those who both listen seriously with headphones and through a stereo system – and who want to combine multiple functions without sacrificing flexibility.

S3 can sit on the desk with a good pair of headphones or function as a control center in front of a power amplifier or a set of active speakers. The ESS ES9026PRO DAC, digital and analog inputs, as well as balanced and unbalanced connections provide good options for configuring the system according to your sources and your preferred way of listening. The headphone output delivers up to 2,000 mW at 32 ohms via the balanced output.

Highlights

• DAC, headphone amplifier and analog preamplifier
• ESS ES9026PRO DAC
• PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz via USB
• DSD up to DSD256 via ASIO Native
• Coaxial and optical digital input
• USB-B input
• Analog RCA and XLR inputs
• Balanced 4-pin XLR headphone output
• 6.35 mm headphone output
• Up to 2,000 mW at 32 ohms via balanced output
• Balanced XLR and RCA preamplifier outputs
• 128-step volume control
• Separate grounding between digital and analog section
• Toroidal transformer
• OLED display
• 4 mm aluminum chassis

KECES S3 as a DAC for computers and digital sources

KECES S3 is particularly interesting when the computer or other digital sources play a central role in the system. Via USB, the DAC supports PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz as well as DSD256 via ASIO Native. The optical and coaxial inputs handle PCM up to 24-bit/192 kHz and DSD64 via DoP.

The digital conversion is handled by the ESS ES9026PRO. KECES has also physically separated the grounding between the digital and analog sections to limit the electrical influence between the two parts.

S3 is not limited to digital audio sources. Analog components can be connected via both RCA and balanced XLR, allowing different source types to be gathered in the same system.

A dedicated headphone amplifier

The headphone section is a central part of the KECES S3. The balanced 4-pin XLR output delivers 2,000 mW at 32 ohms, 1,200 mW at 300 ohms and 650 mW at 600 ohms. The standard 6.35 mm headphone output delivers up to 1,200 mW at 32 ohms.

This makes it possible to use the S3 with headphones with different amplification requirements. The output impedance is specified at 0.6 ohms, while the 128-step volume control provides precise adjustment of the sound level and helps preserve the balance between the right and left channels.

Use KECES S3 as a preamplifier in the stereo system

KECES S3 can also function as the center of a stereo system. The analog RCA and XLR outputs make it possible to use the S3 as a preamplifier in front of a power amplifier or a set of active speakers. With the analog RCA and XLR inputs, other audio sources can also become part of the system at the same time.

KECES has built the S3 around a toroidal transformer and placed the electronics in a 4 mm thick aluminum chassis. The chassis measures 300 × 220 × 66 mm, and the total weight is 4 kg. This gives the S3 compact dimensions while the construction follows the format of a traditional hi-fi component.

The OLED display shows, among other things, the selected source, volume and sampling frequency. This gives a quick overview in daily use, whether the KECES S3 is used as a DAC and headphone amplifier on the desk or as a preamplifier in the stereo system.

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