Review and Measurements of New JDS Labs Atom Headphone Amp

[confucius_zero]

has anything surpassed it in every way on single ended performance? I'm not sure...

 

[JohnYang1997]

has anything surpassed it in every way on single ended performance? I'm not sure...

Just wait for it.

 

[confucius_zero]

Just wait for it.

The Geshelli Archel perhaps?

 

[maxxevv]

The Geshelli Archel perhaps?

That's still short on power.

 

[confucius_zero]

short on power.

EL Amp II?

 

[JohnYang1997]

EL Amp II?

Performed the same. So like I said, gotta wait for it.

 

[Veri]

I'm waiting for that JohnYang amp

 

[magicscreen]

Can I wrap my Atom in aluminium foil?
I cannot believe I have bought an amplifier with plastic case. Violating the basics of electronics.

 

[JohnYang1997]

Can I wrap my Atom in aluminium foil?
I cannot believe I have bought an amplifier with plastic case. Violating the basics of electronics.

Yes you can. But it will make zero difference. There's no basics of electronics that prevents using plastic chassis.

 

[Gradius]

Since when the electronics are "allergic of some kind" to the plastic?

 

[magicscreen]

Since when the electronics are "allergic of some kind" to the plastic?

I was thinking about preventing the electromagnetic interference.
99% of the amplifiers are in metal chassis. So that is for only cosmetics and good-looking?

 

[magicscreen]

RF is still an issue and should be considered, directly on the input connections and through casework. Metal case will perform better for shielding however it should be stressed that the end result, how sensitive the unit is to RF, will depend on many circuit variables and it really is not necessarily true that this unit would have any I'll effects due to a plastic case under normal conditions. Ie not living next to an AM transmitter.

I've found this. It is okay.
Only I living next to 7 cheap SMPS in plastic case.

 

[Gradius]

I was thinking about preventing the electromagnetic interference.
99% of the amplifiers are in metal chassis. So that is for only cosmetics and good-looking?

To be fair Geshelli Archel 2.5 PRO:
https://geshelli.com/archel2-5-pro

Has front & back made out of plastic and it excels the Atom.

 

[Windofrce]

Hello! Can anyone tell me what in terms of performance I am losing if I use Atom in high gain? Do I get much more distortion, noise etc? I am using it with my Beyer DT 990 Pro 250 ohm and I just want to give them more punch and that is exactly what high gain do to them.

 

[JohnYang1997]

Hello! Can anyone tell me what in terms of performance I am losing if I use Atom in high gain? Do I get much more distortion, noise etc? I am using it with my Beyer DT 990 Pro 250 ohm and I just want to give them more punch and that is exactly what high gain do to them.

Have a read:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...s/study-headphone-amp-gains-low-or-high.5495/

Conclusion: Don't use high gain unless it's not loud enough with volume all the way up.

 

[Windofrce]

Have a read:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...s/study-headphone-amp-gains-low-or-high.5495/

Conclusion: Don't use high gain unless it's not loud enough with volume all the way up.

Then whatever they say about how powerful and good this amp is, it is not good enough to drive 250 ohms headphones if I must use it in low gain. Some tracks need more power and high gain. :/

 

[JohnYang1997]

Then whatever they say about how powerful and good this amp is, it is not good enough to drive 250 ohms headphones if I must use it in low gain. Some tracks need more power and high gain. :/

Have you maxed out the volume?

 

[Windofrce]

Have you maxed out the volume?

Yes

 

[JohnYang1997]

Yes

Ok, then you can use the high gain settings.
One thing to notice is that gain is just increasing the input voltage for the output stage.
As you can play happily with high gain, the amp doesn't internally clip. It's still within the capability of the amp.
There are two possibilities.
First is your DAC has too low output. Because I have used dt880 dt990pro 250ohm and I never get to use high gain and it's more than enough.
Second is simply you like it loud. With normal 2V from dac you get 16mW power. To get full power of Atom(regardless of gain setting) you need 9.5V at the output. And consequently 9.5V at the input if you use low gain. What this means is that it's not that low gain is not powerful enough but the input is not high enough. It's possible to have higher input voltage with measurement equipment like AP. But it's uncommon to have that high voltage with consumer dacs. And that's why high gain setting is there.
So you should happily enjoy atom with high gain.

EDIT: More powerful doesn't mean it will play louder. Powerful is you can play louder without clipping. 0dB gain setting on these amps mean that it will not amplify the voltage but to buffer it with low output impedance, high current output. These amps will certainly play to the same loudness.

 

[Swtoby]

I've found this. It is okay.
Only I living next to 7 cheap SMPS in plastic case.

My Atom is near a similar number of SMPS and it's not too far from the power strip. It's also near the wireless router, power amp and TV. All accomodated on the same rack. No problems in terms of noise. I think JDS Labs knows what they're doing. For me one upshot of the plastic case is I don't get a shock when I touch the unit. Unlike what can happen with my gear in metal boxes.