Review and Measurements of New JDS Labs Atom Headphone Amp

[solderdude]

It is simply a matter of removing the PCB and soldering 2 pieces of wire underneath the 6.3 headphone socket.
When you plan on doing this I will draw which links to make.

You can also simply put a switch in place in which case you can toggle it on and off.

 

[Berwhale]

It is simply a matter of removing the PCB and soldering 2 pieces of wire underneath the 6.3 headphone socket.
When you plan on doing this I will draw which links to make.

You can also simply put a switch in place in which case you can toggle it on and off.

Will this allow me to keep the headphones plugged in, but not driven when i'm using the RCA output?

 

[solderdude]

Nope, when that's the object of the game perhaps the easiest way is to make an external switch box connected to the HP out and use 2 switches.
One that connects the headphone and one that connects to the amp or device you want to use.

Otherwise you need to modify the amp, cut some tracks and run some wires to switches

 

[Berwhale]

It i'm going to do it, I want the switching all internal, otherwise I might as well stick with pulling the headphones to switch.

I researched this a while ago and found an Alps latching push DPDT switch and a switch cap that looked like it would match the other two on the front of the Atom. I think there's enough space to mount the switch to the left of the headphone socket.

 

[MrOtto]

Are any of these review measurements on the RCA output to measure the quality as a preamp for a power amp?

 

[Veri]

Are any of these review measurements on the RCA output to measure the quality as a preamp for a power amp?

Pre-amp out is identical/wired to the headphone out. Same performance.

 

[MrOtto]

Ok, so would be great to use to reduce volume between a DAC and a poweramp with no gain control. Only missing a remote controlled volume wheel. Would also liked a RCA second input instead of 3.5mm but to connect a phono preamp, but a 3.5mm to RCA adapter can be used to connect it. Would 3.5mm to RCA affect audio quality?

 

[Veri]

3.5mm to RCA shouldn't affect anything, no. Just don't buy the flimsiest cheapest one out there

 

[TheSacredSoul]

I just bought the replacement volume knob from Amazon. Any idea how do I get it fixed? I know the stock knob pulls right off. But I read something about the new knob that has to be screwed in?

Link to the knobs : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FVLVB55/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[toukolou]

I just bought the replacement volume knob from Amazon. Any idea how do I get it fixed? I know the stock knob pulls right off. But I read something about the new knob that has to be screwed in?

Link to the knobs : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FVLVB55/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Use the included Allen key to tighten the knob on.

 

[SeaNNyT]

I have owned this amp for a while, I paired it with a topping d50s. I was thinking about gettign the LCD-2F, and was wonderign if it has enough power to properly drive those headphones?

 

[Windofrce]

Can anyone suggest me an alternative 220V power brick for Atom AMP?

 

[Berwhale]

After damaging the stock Atom PSU, I replaced it with this one: 1000ma 16v 16VA AC/AC (AC Output) Power Adaptor (poweradaptorsuk.co.uk)

 

[Gradius]

Can anyone suggest me an alternative 220V power brick for Atom AMP?

Hi. I have the original one.

But since it weights 1kg, and the plastic is really thin, is easy to damage.

Mine's also got damaged. I have to use super glue on it.

They should have provided a better one, more study.

But yes. The original one is 16VAC @1A.

Gradius

 

[landco]

I do not advise buying JDS Labs products, one of my power supplies is broken, and the volume control is rustling on the amplifier. The new PSU was shipped free, but the overall quality is poor.

 

[Sukie]

I do not advise buying JDS Labs products, one of my power supplies is broken, and the volume control is rustling on the amplifier. The new PSU was shipped free, but the overall quality is poor.

I do advise buying the JDS Labs products because my Atom HPA works well. Is that how it works? Or would it be better to state your experience without offering sweeping advice?

 

[Gradius]

I do not advise buying JDS Labs products, one of my power supplies is broken, and the volume control is rustling on the amplifier. The new PSU was shipped free, but the overall quality is poor.

Like I said, the plastic case makes it bad (power supply).

As for volume, no problem here.

 

[Zensō]

I do not advise buying JDS Labs products, one of my power supplies is broken, and the volume control is rustling on the amplifier. The new PSU was shipped free, but the overall quality is poor.

Somebody has an axe to grind it seems.

If we’re offering anecdotes, I’ve had fewer issues with their products than other brands in the same price category. An added plus is that JDS has excellent customer service, the best I’ve encountered.

 

[Martigane]

My atom psu also broke, I glued it back with epoxy.
It looks like a very brittle plastic.

 

[elira]

If it’s still under warranty just ask for a new transformer. They might not even be aware of the issue. If enough people RMA then they would need to find a better one. Considering that they are in the US they might not have long term experience with the European transformer.