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desktop amp/dac like jds labs available on amazon?

Excuse me, but they indeed had had really serious and childish flaws in product assembly quality, as Amir himself has shown us several times here. Even the Guangzhou guys at least know how to hold a soldering iron properly (not that it really helps them, but still). IDK if this aspect has been improved since, but for some reason I don't feel like I want to check it.
They keep dragging the gods of my ancestors through literal shit, and now I have to hear this? :eek::D As if it wasn't bad enough already... Haha
 
Then read my posts again.


They were marketing (and still do) the manufacturing location as an advantage. But in reality being made in the USA did not guarantee any quality, as it turned out. They were merely average performing products with very serious problems of craftsmanship back then. They might have improved in this regard, but it does not matter to me anymore.


Good for you. I was, too, blissfully ignorant and was enjoying my Modi 2U+Magni 3 stack along with the Fulla 2 until I stumbled upon teardown photos here.


Here, have a look:

Doesn't look very good. That was some time ago, though. I guess they've improved, or I was lucky, or a bit of both.
 
Qudelix 5? Any use? Available on Amazon uk
 
Have you read the OP?
Fair enough - OP needs something available on Amazon, so options depend on the compromises they are willing to make.
 
then you should see other manufacturers stuff
The manufacturers of the other gear I use do not make such stupid mistakes (if that even can be considered mistakes rather than systematic lack of quality control). I looked into teardowns of various equipment that I have had in my possession, starting with the underperforming SMSL AD18, the cheap KTB, the Massdrop THX AAA 789, and concluding with the Neumann KH 120 and the RME ADI-2 Pro, and none of them have even a tiny bit of flawed soldering.

I suspect the combination of the flux used, the solder with iron temperature caused those solder balls and glitches in soldering.
Could be, but how does it excuse them? And I suspect the reason is the incompetence of everybody involved in the manufacturing process of these DYI gadgets.

Do you have proof or are you simply slagging Schiit saying the new models are poorly assembled?
Proof of what? Where did I said anything about their newer models? I repeatedly said that I do not know if the situation have gotten better since then and have no intention on checking them out. It's enough that over several years they did not do anything to address this, and that I was tricked into buying their products that were affected. No, thanks, I don't need this sh*t anymore even if they gonna pay me. Indeed, as you name the boat, so shall it float.
 
Proof of what? Where did I said anything about their newer models? I repeatedly said that I do not know if the situation have gotten better since then and have no intention on checking them out. It's enough that over several years they did not do anything to address this, and that I was tricked into buying their products that were affected. No, thanks, I don't need this sh*t anymore even if they gonna pay me. Indeed, as you name the boat, so shall it float.

So, you had some issue with the Schiit you purchased - no specifics as to what the issues were. Other folks chimed in with no issues. Apparently this has become a “personal” issue that no amount of positive evidence will challenge. We get it, no matter what you don’t like Schiit.
 
I checked out those Schiit teardown reviews and if those minor errors in assembly irritate you then you should see other manufacturers' stuff. It can get a lot worse than those old Schiit teardown reviews indicate. I suspect the combination of the flux used, the solder with iron temperature caused those solder balls and glitches in soldering.

We can thank ROHS for soldering issues. I hoarded some spare rolls of Cardas Quad Eutectic Solder for home projects. Yes, I have lead free as well, but the joints are never as pretty. The other issue with lead free is the higher flow temps require more care. Much easier to lift lands on PC boards and damage heat sensitive components - if you don’t heat sink the leads. Surface mount is a whole other world - have not invested in the “hot air” nozzle soldering equipment.
 
Schiit derail aside (they've had multiple well reviewed products here, and a few misses, they're not snake oil or a totally perfect brand either)

I would agree that it's best to find a way to use the Amazon cards on something else and buy straight from JDS. @Berwhale may have made the most pertinent post so far.
 
So, you had some issue with the Schiit you purchased - no specifics as to what the issues were.
I told you. I did not experience issues with my devices (not in the last because I ceased using them long ago), I have issues with the manufacturer's production quality, as I explained numerous times here. Don't see the point continuing the argument, I just warned that Schiit may not be the best choice against JDS Labs.

Dixi. Let's stop going in circles in this thread.
 
I told you. I did not experience issues with my devices (not in the last because I ceased using them long ago), I have issues with the manufacturer's production quality, as I explained numerous times here. Don't see the point continuing the argument, I just warned that Schiit may not be the best choice against JDS Labs.

Dixi. Let's stop going in circles in this thread.
The only reason I brought up Schiit is sometimes you can find the model you desire on Amazon. It now is clear that your displeasure is based on looking at tear down photos of different models and nit picking based on sample sets of one. Lack of actual failures in your case is interesting.
Have a great day!
 
I'm looking for a dac/amp to drive hd800 and hifiman x that is similar to this JDS labs but available on amazon (trying to spend gift certificates)


right now I am using a fiio Q5 but I want something more substantial with a big knob like the JDS.

source is amazon music on a Samsung S9 phone.

can anyone recommend anything that would be suitable or is the best bet to go with JDS and spend the $400 amazon gc on a vacuum cleaner?

thanks and happy holidays to everyone!
You ask for Amazon - here you go!


I also own one of these - have 2 headphone systems for different rooms. Both the Element 3 MK 2 and the IfI Signature are comparable - as in "you won't hear any difference". The close out price at $359 is exceptional.
 
thanks to everyone for the suggestion-- i have a fiio portable DAC/headamp that, using a pigtail 1/8" to 1/4" adapter will play from my phone and drive my SD800 headphones. The question for me, because i dont understand the science, is "will I get more out of the SD800 by using the JDS?" I'm confident the DAC in either will be indistinguishable.

Another factor is I am attracted to the more substantial feel of the JDS..

Probably biggest factor is, like many on here, I see something that is made well and looks cool, and just decide I want it, and I have whatever disorder it is that won't let me rest until I have it!
 
thanks to everyone for the suggestion-- i have a fiio portable DAC/headamp that, using a pigtail 1/8" to 1/4" adapter will play from my phone and drive my SD800 headphones. The question for me, because i dont understand the science, is "will I get more out of the SD800 by using the JDS?" I'm confident the DAC in either will be indistinguishable.

Another factor is I am attracted to the more substantial feel of the JDS..

Probably biggest factor is, like many on here, I see something that is made well and looks cool, and just decide I want it, and I have whatever disorder it is that won't let me rest until I have it!
Both the JDS Element and the IFi idsd Signature have substantially more power than the Q 5.

I get more than 10 hours out of the battery in the Signature driving my Sennheiser 620S's. You may notice a difference with the greater power. The obvious bonus is if you ever change to something more power hungry, either of my examples will handle the load - as will many other higher powered amps.

I bought the Element 3 MK2 because of the encoder 1/2 db volume control - thought it would be better than the control on the IFi. However, in practice it only beats the iFi at very low volume with very sensitive headphones - slight channel imbalance on the iFi at very low volume. Changing the gain switches on the iFi solves than issue and the newer model is supposed to have a better volume pot, From a practical perspective I can't perceive any sound quality difference at normal volumes.
Cost-wise, I spent $650 on the original signature versus $449 for the Element 3. Knowing what I know now, and with the current close out pricing of the final model of the Signature - I might have gone for another one for system #2 at $359!
 
Both the JDS Element and the IFi idsd Signature have substantially more power than the Q 5.

I get more than 10 hours out of the battery in the Signature driving my Sennheiser 620S's. You may notice a difference with the greater power. The obvious bonus is if you ever change to something more power hungry, either of my examples will handle the load - as will many other higher powered amps.

I bought the Element 3 MK2 because of the encoder 1/2 db volume control - thought it would be better than the control on the IFi. However, in practice it only beats the iFi at very low volume with very sensitive headphones - slight channel imbalance on the iFi at very low volume. Changing the gain switches on the iFi solves than issue and the newer model is supposed to have a better volume pot, From a practical perspective I can't perceive any sound quality difference at normal volumes.
Cost-wise, I spent $650 on the original signature versus $449 for the Element 3. Knowing what I know now, and with the current close out pricing of the final model of the Signature - I might have gone for another one for system #2 at $359!
thanks for the response-- here's the question I can never seem to answer to my own satisfaction: if I plug my SD800 into your DAC with more power, will the sound quality be different at lower volumes, for instance more bass response, or does the power difference simply give you more headroom before breaking up?
 
thanks for the response-- here's the question I can never seem to answer to my own satisfaction: if I plug my SD800 into your DAC with more power, will the sound quality be different at lower volumes, for instance more bass response, or does the power difference simply give you more headroom before breaking up?
Headroom is a good thing
 
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