Review and Measurements of New JDS Labs Atom Headphone Amp

[Boris Badinov]

If you've already got the DACMagic 100 then I don't think there's much to be gained from buying a new DAC, unless you want/need a remote or other features.

It's true that there are cheap-end DACs with better measurements, but I don't think you'd get any audible improvements with those over the Cambridge. Should pair nicely with the Atom amp.

Thank you. I guess I was wondering if I might be better pairing with the Atom Dac.

 

[Sukie]

Thank you. I guess I was wondering if I might be better pairing with the Atom Dac.

The Atom DAC measures well, but the differences between it and the Cambridge won't be audible. The SINAD for the Cambridge is still in the "Green Zone".

 

[Soniclife]

found it just as you posted, measures close to the Plus. Same question, though. Would I be good enough with this or should I look for something better & more recent?

I think the conclusion of the review covers it nicely.

Conclusions
There has been recent development in the $110 to $130 range in desktop DACs where you get near state-of-the-art performance with such useful features as remote control. So it doesn't make sense to recommend the DacMagic 100 in that context. If you have one though, or can get one used then it is a fine DAC with solid build.

 

[Boris Badinov]

Thanks to all. I'll stick with the Plus for now, but may be overtaken by strong urge to upgrade.

 

[Fernando]

Imagine a Qudelix 5K implemented in this magnificent headamp.
It would be the bomb and a best seller !!

 

[LegionOfHell]

whats the maximum power output at the following impedances:?

16 ohms
32 ohms
50 ohms
300 ohms
600 ohms

Many Thanks

 

[Boris Badinov]

whats the maximum power output at the following impedances:?

16 ohms
32 ohms
50 ohms
300 ohms
600 ohms

Many Thanks

From the JDS website:

• Max Continuous Power @ 600Ω125mW (8.68 VRMS)
• Max Continuous Power @ 150Ω502 mW (8.66 VRMS)
• Max Continuous Power @ 32Ω1 Watt (5.66 VRMS)

Hope that helps somewhat

 

[LegionOfHell]

Does the Atom have enough power to drive the following headphones properly:

DT990 Pro
HD660S
HD600
HD650
HE400
T50RPMK3
Grado SR225i

??

Is there a headphone it can NOT drive ? if so, which ones ?

 

[solderdude]

you can look those headphones up here

the quick answer is 'yes', easy peasy

 

[LegionOfHell]

you can look those headphones up here

the quick answer is 'yes', easy peasy

Why are the impedances a bit off ? The link you posted says that HE-400 has an impedance of 38 ohms...A quick search on google reveals that it is 35 and not 38 ??!!

 

[solderdude]

When the numbers are off they are actually measured impedances. It is very rare to see actual impedances and specs actually match. Some do though, most ore slightly off. Also depends on how impedances are measured (frequency)

 

[guildenstern]

Thoughts on the Atom vs the Schiit Heresy pleez.

I have both and like both. I can't offer a "one is better than the other" recommendation. Both amps (on low gain, fed by PC USB to Modi 3, with music from NAS or Qobuz) do a great job driving Sennheiser 6XX. If pushed to make a subjective comparison--not a scientific level-matched test--I'd say that that to me the Heresy sounds a little more energetic, the Atom a little more relaxed, and that's relative to each other, not in absolute terms. For longer listening sessions, I find myself usually settling in with the Atom.

 

[LegionOfHell]

Thoughts on the Atom vs the Schiit Heresy pleez.

At 300 ohms with high gain:
(1) Heresy has lower distortion than atom.
(2) Heresy has more power than atom.

At 33 ohms with high gain:
(1) atom has lower distortion than Heresy.
(2) Heresy has twice the power of atom!!

 

[guildenstern]

At 300 ohms with high gain:
(1) Heresy has lower distortion than atom.
(2) Heresy has more power than atom.

At 33 ohms with high gain:
(1) atom has lower distortion than Heresy.
(2) Heresy has twice the power of atom!!

Yep, Heresy has more power--though I, for one, never really tap into it. Even with my 6XX, I use low gain, and rarely turn the volume past 10:00 or 11:00. For headphones that eat power, or for users who consistently listen at Amir-testing levels , Heresy might be the better choice. For my 6XX and for a set Beyerdynamics I use, both Heresy and Atom provide more than enough power on low gain.

 

[MarylandUSA]

All my headphones are sensitive. I was going to buy a JDS Labs Objective2 and remove two resistors to turn its 2.5X/6.5X gain into 1X/2.5X. But the company informs me I can buy a 1X/2.5X Atom by asking for those gain settings in my shipping notes. Why on earth don't they mention this option on the Atom page?

 

[Veri]

All my headphones are sensitive. I was going to buy a JDS Labs Objective2 and remove two resistors to turn its 2.5X/6.5X gain into 1X/2.5X. But the company informs me I can buy a 1X/2.5X Atom by asking for those gain settings in my shipping notes. Why on earth don't they mention this option on the Atom page?

I think they offer to customize a unit for you as a gesture. I'd find that appealing, really. And I'm not surprised, JDS Labs are just good dudes.

 

[MrOtto]

At 300 ohms with high gain:
(1) Heresy has lower distortion than atom.
(2) Heresy has more power than atom.

At 33 ohms with high gain:
(1) atom has lower distortion than Heresy.
(2) Heresy has twice the power of atom!!

"At the cost of higher distortion"

 

[guildenstern]

All my headphones are sensitive. I was going to buy a JDS Labs Objective2 and remove two resistors to turn its 2.5X/6.5X gain into 1X/2.5X. But the company informs me I can buy a 1X/2.5X Atom by asking for those gain settings in my shipping notes. Why on earth don't they mention this option on the Atom page?

Atom comes default with dual gain, 1.0x and 4.5x. So, for sensitive IEMs, you get 1.0 gain in stock Atom. Which is probably fine for most users. Which, I guess, is why JDS doesn't publicize custom gain options. Nice of them to offer to customize for you.

 

[half_dog]

All my headphones are sensitive. I was going to buy a JDS Labs Objective2 and remove two resistors to turn its 2.5X/6.5X gain into 1X/2.5X. But the company informs me I can buy a 1X/2.5X Atom by asking for those gain settings in my shipping notes. Why on earth don't they mention this option on the Atom page?

https://jdslabs.com/product/atom-amp/
At Configuration it says:
Dual Gain 1.0x and 4.5x
No need modification to get no gain
But if you wish a <1x gain, on both amps you may replace the 273 ohm input resistor (R3 and R7) to something like 4k7, 4k9 or 5k1 resistor. On Atom it can be a little tricky because it's SMD. Both amps has the same project for the gain section.

 

[bboris77]

I know that this has been mentioned before, but it would be fascinating to see how the Atom (and other amps) behave when driving very low impedance/low sensitivity headphones. I am thinking 8-16 Ohm range, at 150-250 mA levels. From my research, the Atom should be able to deliver this current within its specs, but it would be interesting if there is any difference in distortion and other aspects of performance.

I am asking for very selfish reasons - I have an Aeon RT Closed on order which is a 13 Ohm, 87-94dB/mW headphone (depending on the source as there are no official specs published). I am aware that this would bring me close to the 120dB sound level which is enough to induce hearing damage, but I just want to make sure that I have enough headroom and am not pushing the amp to the point where performance starts to suffer.