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Keces Audio S3 DAC Headphone Amplifier & Preamplifier | Audio Emotion
Keces Audio S3 DAC Headphone Amplifier & Preamplifier | Audio Emotion
Keces Audio S3 DAC Headphone Amplifier & Preamplifier | Audio Emotion
Keces Audio S3 DAC Headphone Amplifier & Preamplifier | Audio Emotion
Keces Audio S3 DAC Headphone Amplifier & Preamplifier | Audio Emotion

Product Description

With the Keces S3 you get a truly no-compromise, all-in-one device, encompassing a high-end DAC, preamplifier and headphone amplifier.

Carefully designed with very high-end components, it provides incredibly high quality sound reproduction that is as rich and precise as it is dynamic.

Its digital-to-analogue conversion section is equipped with a 32bit ESS ES9026Pro DAC chip that uses HyperStream® II arcitecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator technology to ensure excellent sonic performance. It also enables the S3 to support high-resolution audio streams, up to 32bit 384kHz PCM and DSD256.

The headphone amplification circuit of the S3 has an abundance of power on-tap which offers huge 2*2000mW under 32. It can thus accompany (without difficulty) very sensitive in-ear monitor or high impedance headphones.

With its extensive connectivity, the Keces S3 is also able to respond to the vast majority of usage scenarios, both balanced and single-ended.

On the input side, there are USB-B, coaxial, optical, single-ended RCA and balanced XLR.

For the outputs, we can also count on single-ended RCA and balanced XLR, as well as on balanced XLR 4 pins and unbalanced Jack 6.35mm headphone outputs.

The front of the S3 has a screen displaying information about the playback and a volume control. The latter is associated with a very precise relay attenuation circuit.

At a Glance :

  • High Quality Toroidal Power Transformer
  • Audiophile Headphone Amplifier with XLR 4-Pin and 6.35mm Outputs.
  • High-performance DAC-ESS ES9026PRO.
  • USB DAC: PCM 32 bit/384kHz and DSD DSD64(DoP)/DSD128 (DoP)
  • DSD64/DSD128/DSD256 (ASIO Native).
  • COAXIAL/OPTICAL DAC: PCM 24 bit/192kHz and DSD DSD64(DoP).
  • Placed Balanced/Unbalanced Headphone output: Max Output Power 2000mW + 2000mW@32ohms.
  • RCA/XLR Input/Output interface: Audiophile Preamplifier.
  • Volume Control System: 128 step attenuator. Accurate control volume to achieve left/right channel balanced.
  • Isolation circuit: Completely separates the grounding of the digital and analogue sections.
  • Volume/Source/Sampling display using OLED has excellent visibility.
  • The 4mm thickness of the aluminium chassis to effective to blocks EMI/RFI interference.
  • The full-metal body realizes both vibration control and elegant style in an A4-size body that enables placement on a desktop to be a PC HIFI system or to be a small stereo system.

Digital Input Specifications

COAXIALPCM support up to 16-24Bit /44.1kHz48kHz88.2kHz96kHz176.4kHz192kHz. DSD support up to DSD64 (DoP).
OPTICALPCM support up to 16-24Bit /44.1kHz48kHz88.2kHz96kHz176.4kHz192kHz. DSD support up to DSD64 (DoP).
USBPCM support up to 16-32Bit/44.1kHz48kHz88.2kHz96kHz176.4kHz192kHz352.8kHz384kHz. DSD support up to DSD64(DoP)/DSD128 (DoP) DSD64/DSD128/DSD256 (ASIO Native)

Analogue Input Specifications

XLRInput Impedance: 47k .
Max Input Level: 10Vrms.
Input/Output Gain: 0dB
RCAInput Impedance: 47k .
Max Input Level: 5Vrms.
Input/Output Gain: 0dB

Analogue Output

XLRSNR: -122dB 20Hz-20kHz A-Weighting.
THD+N: 0.0004% at 1kHz A-Weighting.
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz(+0dB/-0.09dB).
Channel Crosstalk: -124dB@1kHz.
XLR output: 0-4Vrms Adjustable at 0dBFS.
RCASNR: -119dB 20Hz-20kHz A-Weighting.
THD+N: 0.0007% at 1kHz A-Weighting.
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (+0dB/-0.03dB).
Channel Crosstalk: -122dB@1kHz.
RCA output: 0-2Vrms Adjustable at 0dBFS.

Headphone Output

XLR_4PINSNR: -120db 20Hz-20kHz A-Weighting.
THD+N: 0.00115% at 1kHz A-Weighting at 300ohms 100mW.
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (+0dB/-0.09dB).
Output Impedance: 0.6ohms.
Output Power: 2000mW at 32ohms at THD+N=0.1%.
1200mW at 300ohms at THD+N=0.1%.
650mW at 600ohms at THD+N=0.1%.
6.35mmSNR: -108db 20Hz-20kHz A-Weighting.
THD+N: 0.0015% at 1kHz A-Weighting at 300ohms 100mW.
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (+0dB/-0.09dB).
Output Impedance: 0.6ohms.
Output Power: 1200mW at 32ohms at THD+N=0.1%.
350mW at 300ohms at THD+N=0.1%.
175mW at 600ohms at THD+N=0.1%.
AC Input Voltage110V-120V, 60Hz / 220V-240V, 50Hz (Switchable)
Power Consumption30 Watts
Casing4mm Aluminium
Dimension (WxDxH)300x220x66mm
Weight4KG

Specifications

Brand
Keces Audio
Condition
New
Product Code
KECES-S3-HPA/DAC

Customer reviews

(2 Customer reviews)
Write A Review
5 Stars
100%
4 Stars
0%
3 Stars
0%
2 Stars
0%
1 Stars
0%

Giant Killer !

When I was recommended the S3 Headphone amp, I have to say that I had really not heard of Keces, but after researching on-line, I realised that this manufacturer was very highly regarded.

So fast forward to last week - S3 arrives, I compare it to my McIntosh MHA-150, and wow, this is on the same performance level, only the S3 actually presents an even better 3D sound !

I am so chuffed I can't tell you.

Beautifully engineered, super easy to use and set-up, and musically sensational - oh, and it didn't break the bank !

I will be looking at their other ranges now.......

Chris Morrison | St Albans | January 2023

When KECES S3 arrived at my door I knew it had great potential mainly because of its high-performance volume control and power filtering, but I was not prepared for this kind of audio performance, especially at this price point.

As a DAC and headphone amp combo, it plays in a game of its own since there aren’t a lot of units that I am aware of playing in the same ballpark. Want to use it from portable headphones to hard to drive headphones? Be my guest, S3 will do that with gobs of power to spare.

Want to use it with a power amp controlling your passive speakers or directly with a pair of active speakers? Sure, why not? With its remote and perfectly matched volume control it can’t be more convenient that this.

S3 possesses such a fast, punchy and engaging sound signature that it should be banned. You know when I think about it - all DACs that I am aware of can sound slow, smooth and easy going with the right music, but only very few of them can sound as fast, engaging and fun as S3.

Sound News | | October 2019

With the Keces S3 you get a truly no-compromise, all-in-one device, encompassing a high-end DAC, preamplifier and headphone amplifier.

Carefully designed with very high-end components, it provides incredibly high quality sound reproduction that is as rich and precise as it is dynamic.

Its digital-to-analogue conversion section is equipped with a 32bit ESS ES9026Pro DAC chip that uses HyperStream® II arcitecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator technology to ensure excellent sonic performance. It also enables the S3 to support high-resolution audio streams, up to 32bit 384kHz PCM and DSD256.

The headphone amplification circuit of the S3 has an abundance of power on-tap which offers huge 2*2000mW under 32. It can thus accompany (without difficulty) very sensitive in-ear monitor or high impedance headphones.

With its extensive connectivity, the Keces S3 is also able to respond to the vast majority of usage scenarios, both balanced and single-ended.

On the input side, there are USB-B, coaxial, optical, single-ended RCA and balanced XLR.

For the outputs, we can also count on single-ended RCA and balanced XLR, as well as on balanced XLR 4 pins and unbalanced Jack 6.35mm headphone outputs.

The front of the S3 has a screen displaying information about the playback and a volume control. The latter is associated with a very precise relay attenuation circuit.

At a Glance :

  • High Quality Toroidal Power Transformer
  • Audiophile Headphone Amplifier with XLR 4-Pin and 6.35mm Outputs.
  • High-performance DAC-ESS ES9026PRO.
  • USB DAC: PCM 32 bit/384kHz and DSD DSD64(DoP)/DSD128 (DoP)
  • DSD64/DSD128/DSD256 (ASIO Native).
  • COAXIAL/OPTICAL DAC: PCM 24 bit/192kHz and DSD DSD64(DoP).
  • Placed Balanced/Unbalanced Headphone output: Max Output Power 2000mW + 2000mW@32ohms.
  • RCA/XLR Input/Output interface: Audiophile Preamplifier.
  • Volume Control System: 128 step attenuator. Accurate control volume to achieve left/right channel balanced.
  • Isolation circuit: Completely separates the grounding of the digital and analogue sections.
  • Volume/Source/Sampling display using OLED has excellent visibility.
  • The 4mm thickness of the aluminium chassis to effective to blocks EMI/RFI interference.
  • The full-metal body realizes both vibration control and elegant style in an A4-size body that enables placement on a desktop to be a PC HIFI system or to be a small stereo system.

Digital Input Specifications

COAXIALPCM support up to 16-24Bit /44.1kHz48kHz88.2kHz96kHz176.4kHz192kHz. DSD support up to DSD64 (DoP).
OPTICALPCM support up to 16-24Bit /44.1kHz48kHz88.2kHz96kHz176.4kHz192kHz. DSD support up to DSD64 (DoP).
USBPCM support up to 16-32Bit/44.1kHz48kHz88.2kHz96kHz176.4kHz192kHz352.8kHz384kHz. DSD support up to DSD64(DoP)/DSD128 (DoP) DSD64/DSD128/DSD256 (ASIO Native)

Analogue Input Specifications

XLRInput Impedance: 47k .
Max Input Level: 10Vrms.
Input/Output Gain: 0dB
RCAInput Impedance: 47k .
Max Input Level: 5Vrms.
Input/Output Gain: 0dB

Analogue Output

XLRSNR: -122dB 20Hz-20kHz A-Weighting.
THD+N: 0.0004% at 1kHz A-Weighting.
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz(+0dB/-0.09dB).
Channel Crosstalk: -124dB@1kHz.
XLR output: 0-4Vrms Adjustable at 0dBFS.
RCASNR: -119dB 20Hz-20kHz A-Weighting.
THD+N: 0.0007% at 1kHz A-Weighting.
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (+0dB/-0.03dB).
Channel Crosstalk: -122dB@1kHz.
RCA output: 0-2Vrms Adjustable at 0dBFS.

Headphone Output

XLR_4PINSNR: -120db 20Hz-20kHz A-Weighting.
THD+N: 0.00115% at 1kHz A-Weighting at 300ohms 100mW.
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (+0dB/-0.09dB).
Output Impedance: 0.6ohms.
Output Power: 2000mW at 32ohms at THD+N=0.1%.
1200mW at 300ohms at THD+N=0.1%.
650mW at 600ohms at THD+N=0.1%.
6.35mmSNR: -108db 20Hz-20kHz A-Weighting.
THD+N: 0.0015% at 1kHz A-Weighting at 300ohms 100mW.
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (+0dB/-0.09dB).
Output Impedance: 0.6ohms.
Output Power: 1200mW at 32ohms at THD+N=0.1%.
350mW at 300ohms at THD+N=0.1%.
175mW at 600ohms at THD+N=0.1%.
AC Input Voltage110V-120V, 60Hz / 220V-240V, 50Hz (Switchable)
Power Consumption30 Watts
Casing4mm Aluminium
Dimension (WxDxH)300x220x66mm
Weight4KG
(2 Customer reviews)
Write A Review
5 Stars
100%
4 Stars
0%
3 Stars
0%
2 Stars
0%
1 Stars
0%

Giant Killer !

When I was recommended the S3 Headphone amp, I have to say that I had really not heard of Keces, but after researching on-line, I realised that this manufacturer was very highly regarded.

So fast forward to last week - S3 arrives, I compare it to my McIntosh MHA-150, and wow, this is on the same performance level, only the S3 actually presents an even better 3D sound !

I am so chuffed I can't tell you.

Beautifully engineered, super easy to use and set-up, and musically sensational - oh, and it didn't break the bank !

I will be looking at their other ranges now.......

Chris Morrison | St Albans | January 2023

When KECES S3 arrived at my door I knew it had great potential mainly because of its high-performance volume control and power filtering, but I was not prepared for this kind of audio performance, especially at this price point.

As a DAC and headphone amp combo, it plays in a game of its own since there aren’t a lot of units that I am aware of playing in the same ballpark. Want to use it from portable headphones to hard to drive headphones? Be my guest, S3 will do that with gobs of power to spare.

Want to use it with a power amp controlling your passive speakers or directly with a pair of active speakers? Sure, why not? With its remote and perfectly matched volume control it can’t be more convenient that this.

S3 possesses such a fast, punchy and engaging sound signature that it should be banned. You know when I think about it - all DACs that I am aware of can sound slow, smooth and easy going with the right music, but only very few of them can sound as fast, engaging and fun as S3.

Sound News | | October 2019

Keces logo

In our philosophy, KECES not only strives for excellent acoustics, but also elegant design. We hope the KECES product is not only pleasing to your ears, but also an artwork for your living space.

Website

www.kecesaudio.com

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Occasionally, due to stock demand, we can sell out. If this occurs when you make a purchase, we will inform you quickly. Most out of stock items are available for dispatch within 3 working days. If your purchase is urgent, please contact us to check availability.

2 Customer Reviews

Keces Audio S3 Pre / Headphone Amplifier

Item in Stock

Product Code KECES-S3-HPA/DAC

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Customer Reviews

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on reviews.co.uk

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