JDS Atom Amp 2 Headphone Amplifier Review

[JimmyBuckets]

Is this a noticeable upgrade from an atom amp+ ? I don’t have much use for balanced but the volume knob and overall build quality does look enticing

No I have both. I bought the A2 because it looked sexier...sounds is more or less the same. Only if you need more power which I would fine hard to believe.

 

[BennyB]

I use a Chord Mojo as a dac/amp for powering my HD650 - would an Atom Amp 2 improve the sound when added to the chain?

 

[staticV3]

I use a Chord Mojo as a dac/amp for powering my HD650 - would an Atom Amp 2 improve the sound when added to the chain?

An Atom Amp can give you higher playback volume, but sound quality will not change.

 

[harrisonjr98]

Anyone else's Atom 2 amp (and dac) have a very faint/slight rattling sound if you tilt them from side to side? I don't think it is any of the buttons because I'm pressing into them to make sure they're not moving when I hear it. Just want to make sure it's normal/expected as I just got them in and can hear it on both.

 

[harrisonjr98]

Oh and another question. I didn't expect the RCA outs to react to the "gain" setting, I would've thought that was only for the headphone output. Is the monitor out part of the amplification circuit or is it just passive attenuation? If the former, what's the benefit there? If the latter, why give it two "steps" with the gain control?

 

[NTK]

The pre-amp (RCA) output and the headphone output are both fed by the headphone amp. The obvious reason is that it is the simplest (and cheapest) way to implement a pre-amp out. The realizable benefit is that sometimes you need a boost in the source signal voltage to feed an amp or active speakers. For example when the amp has XLR (balanced) inputs and is expecting a source with a nominal (max) input voltage of 4 V, and you want to drive it with an Apple headphone dongle that outputs 0.5 or 1.0 V.

Obviously it can be a problem if you have very low sensitivity headphones and is causing a huge difference in sound loudness levels when switching between headphones and amp/speakers. In that case you'll probably want an amp that has its own volume control or some other means to attenuate the input signal. Individual input and/or individual output volume control is not very feasible for a device in this price range.

 

[JimmyBuckets]

Mine have a small rattle in side also. Never noticed until checking for you. I'm guessing it's the relays inside?

 

[harrisonjr98]

I didn't think of the relays, I bet that is it. I wasn't too worried since both my amp and dac have the sound.

 

[Get a hearing test]

Le me sitting on first atom since 2019~. Still works. If i we're buying anything right now it would be a better dac. Which is why i have returned here. But again the conclusion i end up with is if it works, its good enough. Should probably just buy another pair of headphones. But that is a risk too. Dont want to get into that rabbit hole again.

 

[Jimster480]

Le me sitting on first atom since 2019~. Still works. If i we're buying anything right now it would be a better dac. Which is why i have returned here. But again the conclusion i end up with is if it works, its good enough. Should probably just buy another pair of headphones. But that is a risk too. Dont want to get into that rabbit hole again.

What DAC are you using now?

 

[Get a hearing test]

What DAC are you using now?

Same one from 2019~ khadas tone board. Is it still the best thing in the world? xD. It has an issue where about 50% of the time the system fails to detect it after pc goes to sleep mode and boots back up. Have to replug the usb, but it works. I'm eyeing smsl ps200pro. Thing is like 80-90~ eur with shipping. What sort of improvement can i expect. None? I'll take that. I'm running senn hd600 with those. Sounds okay. But it can always be more okay. I was eyeing more expensive dacs like fiio k11 but i think ps200pro will do just fine.

 

[Jiraya369]

Le me sitting on first atom since 2019~. Still works. If i we're buying anything right now it would be a better dac. Which is why i have returned here. But again the conclusion i end up with is if it works, its good enough. Should probably just buy another pair of headphones. But that is a risk too. Dont want to get into that rabbit hole again.

what was the result of you going in the rabbit hole in the past?

 

[Get a hearing test]

what was the result of you going in the rabbit hole in the past?

The buying spree never ends and the improvements in sound quality are minuscule. Went to a few local audio shops to demo some things. I did not hear new things in the tracks i've listened to 300 times. It just sounded different. Some we're bass heavy. Others had more forward mids. Fatiguing highs. Neither tickles my fancy. I like it flat. I've been using hd600 for 10+ years now and everything else sounds weird/wrong from what my ears are used to. Besides i'm already stretched thin on my primary hobby, which is pc gaming. So my audio setup is pretty low on the priority list and im honestly surprised you can get this good of an audio for 500 or less. I'm grateful for this forum because it puts me at ease knowing it doesnt get much better. Not without spending thousands and a lot of time searching.

 

[Jiraya369]

The buying spree never ends and the improvements in sound quality are minuscule. Went to a few local audio shops to demo some things. I did not hear new things in the tracks i've listened to 300 times. It just sounded different. Some we're bass heavy. Others had more forward mids. Fatiguing highs. Neither tickles my fancy. I like it flat. I've been using hd600 for 10+ years now and everything else sounds weird/wrong from what my ears are used to. Besides i'm already stretched thin on my primary hobby, which is pc gaming. So my audio setup is pretty low on the priority list and im honestly surprised you can get this good of an audio for 500 or less. I'm grateful for this forum because it puts me at ease knowing it doesnt get much better. Not without spending thousands and a lot of time searching.

yeah there's better stuff, particularly for bass/soundstage which is the main issue with the 600, but for the price it's hard to complain at all. And the fact that it has lasted for 10 years is also another plus point of these cans, they fuckin LAST.

good to hear you're doing good, this hobby thrives on FOMO.

 

[Guetta]

Does anyone have similar measurements for Atom DAC 2? I can’t find any online unfortunately.

 

[harrisonjr98]

Does anyone have similar measurements for Atom DAC 2? I can’t find any online unfortunately.

I’m surprised Amir still hasn’t gotten his hands on one seeing how popular they are. Atom Phono would be cool to see measurements of as well…

 

[sharock]

My Atom Amp 1 has started to distort/crackle intermittently when playing. Sometimes one channel, sometimes both. It seems to go away eventually if I just leave it playing a bit longer. I also hear some crackling/static sound in the right channel if I jiggle the volume knob left to right, even with nothing playing. Makes no difference if I use RCA or 3.5 inputs or different headphones.

Any ideas on how I could resolve this? Or should I just scrap it and get an Atom 2?

 

[phoenixsong]

My Atom Amp 1 has started to distort/crackle intermittently when playing. Sometimes one channel, sometimes both. It seems to go away eventually if I just leave it playing a bit longer. I also hear some crackling/static sound in the right channel if I jiggle the volume knob left to right, even with nothing playing. Makes no difference if I use RCA or 3.5 inputs or different headphones.

Any ideas on how I could resolve this? Or should I just scrap it and get an Atom 2?

Sounds like a scratchy potentiometer. Requires cleaning or replacing of parts, unless it is still under warranty

 

[phoenixsong]

I’m surprised Amir still hasn’t gotten his hands on one seeing how popular they are. Atom Phono would be cool to see measurements of as well…

I am definitely not surprised given the myriad of devices he reviews here and the comprehensiveness of the measurements in every review, the need to skim through the endless threads of reviewed products and mentions, plus the cost of the products or the need to find donors for them. What you envisioned would only have been realistic had he been solely focusing on reviewing DACs alone or the products from one brand only. Maybe having threads within each product category with suggestions from members and polls on products for review, as well as having volunteer donors step forth for said products would mitigate the latter concern regarding cost and availability, but the shortage of trustworthy, likeminded moderators and measurers who have the similar equipment and are able to meticulously review in the same format still stands. I know for a fact that there are many DIY measurers now who possess the Cosmos ADC of varying grades. Maybe something can be worked out in the light of that @amirm ?

 

[Chanur]

Ordered an Atom 2 stack with custom engraving. From the time of order to the FedEx ship announcement was just over 30 minutes. This company is amazing. This is for my bedroom. I have an Element at my main desk. Customer for life now.