JDS Labs EL DAC II Review

[amirm]

Is there a visual indication or do you keep tapping the button until you hear what your source is playing?

The color of the power button cycles between red, green and blue.

 

[wadec22]

this seems fine for a revision, like a 1.2, but for a "II" I really wish we would have seen some new features; XLR, digital volume wheel, display, remote..... something....

I'm a HUGE supporter of theirs but a little disappointed.

 

[trl]

Not bad. Still not happy about the filter response, but a great implementation of the tried and tested AKM chip nonetheless.

Why, please? Where would be the downsize of that graph?

 

[amirm]

Why, please? Where would be the downsize of that graph?

Technically correct filter would truncate at half the sampling rate which would be 22.05 kHz. The default filters instead roll off at 24 kHz.

 

[raif71]

I wonder why JDS didn't use the AKM4497 as this is the latest AKM dac currently in used in the higher end Topping and SMSL DACs.

 

[oldsysop]

I think the Sanskrit 10th is still a better option. (US $93.99 )

 

[trl]

Technically correct filter would truncate at half the sampling rate which would be 22.05 kHz. The default filters instead roll off at 24 kHz.

I see, thank you.

What about the possibility to include in future measurements the pre/post ringing of an impulse response? AKM speaks out loud that each filter has its own audio "flavor", so maybe seeing how DAC filters look like might be helpful.

 

[restorer-john]

And my gosh does the El Dac look the same, sexy as hell.

A tiny black box with a single coloured ring is "sexy as hell"?

Here is sexy as hell (our local gal, Margot Robbie):

 

[Veri]

I wonder why JDS didn't use the AKM4497 as this is the latest AKM dac currently in used in the higher end Topping and SMSL DACs.

The latest AKM dac is the AK4499 Topping D90, Gustard A22 and others will use it in the future.
AK4490/AK4493 is the typical choice in ~$200 range. AK4497 is ~$400 range and up.

...not like chip matters so much. RME ADI-2 v2 with AK4493 beats 99% of AK4497 implementations out there

 

[raif71]

The latest AKM dac is the AK4499 Topping D90, Gustard A22 and others will use it in the future.
AK4490/AK4493 is the typical choice in ~$200 range. AK4497 is ~$400 range and up.

...not like chip matters so much. RME ADI-2 v2 with AK4493 beats 99% of AK4497 implementations out there

Yes, I am aware of the AK4499 but like you said, it'll be used in the future so currently the AK4497 is latest AKM that dac manufacturer have been using . Yeah, with higher model the price will be more and perhaps that additional sound improvement (if any) may not justify the hike in price, right?

 

[Veri]

Yeah, with higher model the price will be more and perhaps that additional sound improvement (if any) may not justify the hike in price, right?

I don't think so, no. One should just look at what's best performing within his budget, and not at what chip is used. (imo)

 

[raif71]

I don't think so, no. One should just look at what's best performing within his budget, and not at what chip is used. (imo)

I meant looking from JDS perspective maybe using 4493 vs 4497 is good enough performance for the consumers while maintaining lower cost.

 

[Nango]

I’m seeing $299.



Spec for 1kHz (@150ohm) is 0.0008%
0.001% is for 20Hz-20kHz.

It's probably *before* and *after* this review

 

[Veri]

I meant looking from JDS perspective maybe using 4493 vs 4497 is good enough performance for the consumers while maintaining lower cost.

Yes, definitely. AK4497 also needs a lot of parts to support the chip, not sure it would fit in the EL DAC/Element chassis at all..

 

[JJB70]

I am really interested in the matching amplifier much more than this DAC but the measurements look very satisfactory (if not SOTA), it is nicely made and with good industrial design. Given that you are getting a product from a manufacturer with a first class reputation for customer service and standing their product the price seems reasonable to me. Especially when you look at the ridiculous prices being charged for worse products out there which still seem to find buyers. I am not really into DACs as separate components but if I was to buy one then getting this together with the amplifier would be quite attractive.

 

[bequietjk]

A tiny black box with a single coloured ring is "sexy as hell"?

Here is sexy as hell (our local gal, Margot Robbie):

View attachment 39345

Do you have measurements to support your claim?

 

[ElNino]

Yes, definitely. AK4497 also needs a lot of parts to support the chip, not sure it would fit in the EL DAC/Element chassis at all..

AK4497 is no more difficult to implement than AK4493. It's the AK4499 that requires more parts.

The AK4497 is much more costly than the AK4493 though (more than 5 times the cost at DigiKey, probably cheaper in bulk though) and doesn't really offer a performance boost consistent with the price delta.

 

[Veri]

AK4497 is no more difficult to implement than AK4493. It's the AK4499 that requires more parts.

The AK4497 is much more costly than the AK4493 though (more than 5 times the cost at DigiKey, probably cheaper in bulk though) and doesn't really offer a performance boost consistent with the price delta.

I disagree. Most AK4497 are pretty solid blocks full of components. Even the cheapest SMSL M300 is noticeably heftier than JDS labs products.

Same for the cheap Loxjie D20 ak4497 dac. Both it and the M300 are weightier and larger in height. It's too simple to assume you can make a small, compact ak4497 dac and think it will work properly, also with respect to heat etc. I haven't seen any such small device yet...

With good reason I would think. EL DAC II with AK4497 would simply not work without some major changes. It would not fit the product's purpose, design or elegance.

 

[Vaejoviscarolinanus]

So I also saw $299 not $249. I still feel like I stole it at $299 from what I am reading. Still inquiring minds. I am just wondering if I should get the EL amp II and retire the atom who is in it’s breaking in period still. Damn I love this hobby but I cannot stop the wheels of progress.

 

[HammerSandwich]

Here is sexy as hell (our local gal, Margot Robbie)...

Isn't that one of those new-fangled models that can't maintain full output for 5 minutes?