Review and Measurements of New JDS Labs Atom Headphone Amp

[magicscreen]

This is why the plastic case is a "good" idea. YT video
It is a shame if this so-called scientific site does not know this fact.

 

[magicscreen]

Yes. Doesn't improve anything. Limitation seems to be the layout and lme49600 itself.

It doesn't improve the measurements or the listening experience/perceived music quality?

 

[donunus]

I'm sorry in case I missed it but has anyone compared the atom with the newer atom+?

 

[Doodski]

I'm sorry in case I missed it but has anyone compared the atom with the newer atom+?

The newer Atom amp+ review is here.

 

[luft262]

Since the SINAD was higher with high gain does that mean if you own one of these you should be listening with high gain and not low gain?

Thanks!

 

[Robbo99999]

Since the SINAD was higher with high gain does that mean if you own one of these you should be listening with high gain and not low gain?

Thanks!

Hi, SINAD is actually not higher with High Gain active, that graph is very easy to be misinterpreted. I've gone through the same thought process as you, but here's the answers you're looking for, follow back the discussion from here:

Review and Measurements of New JDS Labs Atom Headphone Amp

I know with my headphones I only use about a max of 200 mVrms, so it looks by using High Gain I can get a 5dB improvement on this metric? And you'd think that additional amplification beyond unity gain (eg High Gain) would worsen distortion, but it seems the opposite here....so what's going on...

www.audiosciencereview.com

So, if your headphone gets loud enough on Low Gain, then use it on Low Gain as you will have better SINAD.

 

[Soniclife]

So, if your headphone gets loud enough on Low Gain, then use it on Low Gain as you will have better SINAD.

Whilst technically true they both outperform the human ear, so use which ever you want, there is no wrong choice. The best reason for using the low gain is so the vol pot is in a higher setting and probably more balanced, that will vary from unit to unit though.

 

[Robbo99999]

Whilst technically true they both outperform the human ear, so use which ever you want, there is no wrong choice. The best reason for using the low gain is so the vol pot is in a higher setting and probably more balanced, that will vary from unit to unit though.

Well, it's silly to use the headphone amp in a mode where it's technically performing worse, so of course you'd use it in Low Gain if it was loud enough, and also for the left & right balancing reason that you mention too. I measured my volume pot variation in left & right balance when I first got my miniDSP EARS a few weeks ago and it's fine apart from at the lowest volume levels.

 

[Soniclife]

Well, it's silly to use the headphone amp in a mode where it's technically performing worse, so of course you'd use it in Low Gain if it was loud enough

No it's silly to confuse people with the idea that better SINAD beyond a point matters at all, it doesn't, so it should not form part of our thinking. We have been given the information to allow us to make much freer choices on what to buy, and how to use them knowing it will not change the sound, let's embrace that freedom.

 

[Robbo99999]

No it's silly to confuse people with the idea that better SINAD beyond a point matters at all, it doesn't, so it should not form part of our thinking. We have been given the information to allow us to make much freer choices on what to buy, and how to use them knowing it will not change the sound, let's embrace that freedom.

I think you're grasping at straws really, if you want to intentionally run your gear so that it measures more poorly then that's your choice, but it is silly - if there are no downsides to having your gear run in an optimised fashion, then that is what you'd do......discussions about whether or not the SINAD difference is audible or not is moot.....we already agreed that running the volume dial further up the range is likely beneficial to ensure channel balance, you may as well do so to get the best SINAD too.......otherwise why bother using a site like ASR and buying good measuring gear like the JDS Labs Atom here......it's silly to run it in a way that reduces it's SINAD when there is no reason to do so - just run it in Low Gain if it gets loud enough - pretty simple really. No point trying to argue the opposite case using silly phrases like "...let's embrace freedom".

 

[luft262]

Hi, SINAD is actually not higher with High Gain active, that graph is very easy to be misinterpreted. I've gone through the same thought process as you, but here's the answers you're looking for, follow back the discussion from here:

Review and Measurements of New JDS Labs Atom Headphone Amp

I know with my headphones I only use about a max of 200 mVrms, so it looks by using High Gain I can get a 5dB improvement on this metric? And you'd think that additional amplification beyond unity gain (eg High Gain) would worsen distortion, but it seems the opposite here....so what's going on...

www.audiosciencereview.com

So, if your headphone gets loud enough on Low Gain, then use it on Low Gain as you will have better SINAD.

That's what I thought, but wasn't understanding the results. Thanks!

 

[salmo]

I know... I dug up a super old thread, but don't forget guys, original ATOM AMP still fire! Here's my unit with alu golden knob. I love that amp.

 

[landco]

JDS labs is no longer relevant, many cheaper products have appeared

 

[salmo]

JDS labs is no longer relevant, many cheaper products have appeared

It's super cheap on the secondary market so why not John is always here to help with anything and replay to e-mails almost instantly.

 

[BDWoody]

JDS labs is no longer relevant, many cheaper products have appeared

What a strange comment to throw in at the end of this thread.

I'm very happy with both my V1 and V2 versions of this box, and would happily buy another.

 

[oleg87]

JDS labs is no longer relevant, many cheaper products have appeared

What compels someone to post dumb garbage like this? JDS labs makes quality stuff that is competitively priced and they offer stellar support.

 

[landco]

What a strange comment

Nothing strange. I once used their OBJECTIVE series amplifier, a mediocre thing, extraneous noise in the path and channel imbalance. In addition, this person, who is the owner of the site, said a lot of ridiculous things - in particular, he quite seriously claimed that linear power supplies are better than switching ones

 

[Jimbob54]

Nothing strange. I once used their OBJECTIVE series amplifier, a mediocre thing, extraneous noise in the path and channel imbalance. In addition, this person, who is the owner of the site, said a lot of ridiculous things - in particular, he quite seriously claimed that linear power supplies are better than switching ones

Who is 'this person' please ?

Got a link for that quote ?

 

[landco]

Who is 'this person' please ?

Got a link for that quote ?

John Seaber
private email

 

[jseaber]

What a strange comment to throw in at the end of this thread.

I'm very happy with both my V1 and V2 versions of this box, and would happily buy another.

Thanks, guys! The original Atom Amp was a massive success. Seeing this old thread pop up was a surprise.

The only reference to linear supplies I recall sharing in the past decade can be found in our FAQ, which was posted in response to customers curious to swap AC transformers for DC supplies.