• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Review and Measurements of New JDS Labs Atom Headphone Amp

OP
amirm

amirm

Founder/Admin
Staff Member
CFO (Chief Fun Officer)
Joined
Feb 13, 2016
Messages
44,368
Likes
234,384
Location
Seattle Area
How about doing a group buy in your country and approaching JDS with a large order like that?

And can you import it as electronic "parts" if you buy it without the power supply? If so, would the duty be lower? In US this is possible in some cases.
 

Hugo9000

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Joined
Jul 21, 2018
Messages
574
Likes
1,749
Location
U.S.A. | Слава Україні
Here's another worthless anecdote from me haha:

So, I received my Atom on Thursday, running my Denon DVD-2910 to the Atom, and then to my KEF Space One (original wired model, noise cancelling off as always). I had the Atom set to high gain, with the volume knob at 12 O'Clock on my classical recordings. Over the past few days, I've been steadily backing off on the volume, while subjectively maintaining impact. Is this my ears/brain adjusting to a lower noise floor than I was used to before? Whatever the cause, by today, I had reached 9 O'Clock on the volume knob, still in high gain. So I decided to switch to low gain, and now have the volume knob at 1 O'Clock. Testing again with the Ravel Daphnis et Chloë recording I used in my first listening session with my Atom. The softest passages are exquisitely diaphanous, rising from a silent background, while the climaxes are still extremely thrilling and explosive, and at lower overall volume than I've ever enjoyed on headphones before, so not only is it an artistic win, but it should be less damaging to my ears as well! :D And minimal damage to my wallet, at $99 plus shipping (which is also what I paid on Black Friday for these headphones!)! :D
 
OP
amirm

amirm

Founder/Admin
Staff Member
CFO (Chief Fun Officer)
Joined
Feb 13, 2016
Messages
44,368
Likes
234,384
Location
Seattle Area
The lack of distortion may make one initially listen at higher than normal volumes. But after a while realize that and back down in level. With amps that distort, you are pushed to lower the volume because of that.
 

Budwise

New Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2019
Messages
2
Likes
8
I've been lurking the past few weeks and taking in all the info. I originally purchased a D30/A30 combo a few weeks ago and was pretty happy with it. I saw the reviews for the Atom and I figured since I was in my return period for the A30 I'd swap it for the Atom. Having heard both, I'd describe the Atom as slightly warmer/fuller than the A30. The A30 was maybe a little bit brighter, but overall both are very enjoyable. I'm listening to .flac files from my PC via USB to the D30 and using HD 58X cans. I know its my own ears and not much of a true measure but that's my take from listening to them both.

As far as non audio goes, I do miss the A30's build and knob feel. The A30 doesn't feel like an entry level amp, but the Atom certainly does. I also dislike that the volume knob and the headphone jack are so close together as my thumb ends up hitting the headphone jack when adjusting volume. It would be a big improvement in ergonomics to put more space between them. The plastic is well, plasticy and cheap feeling. The knob feels like I need to keep my 3 year old son far far away from this thing or he'll have twisted it right off in no time. The A30 on the other hand felt solid and well damped.

I'm keeping the Atom, mostly due to the fact that I'm a snob for sound just as much as build quality though in this case I'd say I notice the build quality much more than I notice the sound difference. I worried the Atom would be much wider than the D30 and look funny when stacked but actually they are pretty much exactly the same width so they stack fine. In conclusion, I understand the desire to say "look at what we did for $99", but I would have happily paid another $20 for better build quality. Should JDS come out with an upgraded version with a nice metal build I would probably go to the trouble to sell this one off and buy it.
 

confucius_zero

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Joined
Nov 22, 2018
Messages
541
Likes
345

GGroch

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Apr 7, 2018
Messages
1,059
Likes
2,049
Location
Denver, Colorado
Another good DAC match for the Atom is the Topping D50. It shares the almos exactly same aesthetic, has as good or better measured specs than the EL DAC, and has the advantage of being slightly smaller than rather than slightly larger than the Atom.

So, it is placed on top where the 1 pound weight keeps the cables from shifting the Atom around....while eliminating the need for this.
 

wadec22

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2018
Messages
319
Likes
242
Another good DAC match for the Atom is the Topping D50. It shares the almos exactly same aesthetic, has as good or better measured specs than the EL DAC, and has the advantage of being slightly smaller than rather than slightly larger than the Atom.

So, it is placed on top where the 1 pound weight keeps the cables from shifting the Atom around....while eliminating the need for this.

I had the D50. Nice unit. I opted for EL DAC instead;
Avoid ESS hump
Reliability/Service/Reliability

I found the trade-off worth it as there are no audible differences between the two.
 

fljoe

Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2018
Messages
19
Likes
17
Anyone here paired their Atom with Dragonfly Black? I have the DFB, so can save some money if it is a viable option. Thanks!
 

Bliman

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2018
Messages
419
Likes
150
Location
Belgium
Another good DAC match for the Atom is the Topping D50. It shares the almos exactly same aesthetic, has as good or better measured specs than the EL DAC, and has the advantage of being slightly smaller than rather than slightly larger than the Atom.

So, it is placed on top where the 1 pound weight keeps the cables from shifting the Atom around....while eliminating the need for this.
After they didn't email me after I emailed them three times (never heard from them). Seeing there unprofessional website. Seeing how much problems they have with the Dx3 Pro I am glad I avoided Topping.
I mailed Jds Labs once and they mailed me back with great information and within a couple of hours.
The measurements don't tell the whole story.
 

confucius_zero

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Joined
Nov 22, 2018
Messages
541
Likes
345

confucius_zero

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Joined
Nov 22, 2018
Messages
541
Likes
345

Grantman

New Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2018
Messages
4
Likes
22
Location
New Zealand
As a follow up after several weeks of use, I have to say I'm very happy with the Grace SDAC + Atom combo using the HD6XX headphones. Satisfaction without breaking the bank.



20190109_125642.jpg
 

Grantman

New Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2018
Messages
4
Likes
22
Location
New Zealand
What RCA cables are those that is connecting your Grace SDAC to the Atom? They look very well made & shielded.

Ghent cables off ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/321690409603

They fit quite snugly on the SDAC, but required some slight bending of the adjustment tabs for the Atom plug end. I flipped them of course to check if was the cable, but it's just the Atom's female RCA are just marginally smaller.

FYI the diff between the A01 and A02 cables - apparently the A01 uses Japanese components (per a thread I found on headFi forum).
 

Budwise

New Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2019
Messages
2
Likes
8
I emailed Topping in December asking a question about USB vs Optical on the D30, they responded within a few days but considering it was over Christmas I think it was fine service. I don't think I'd want to try RMAing something to China though...
 

Bliman

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2018
Messages
419
Likes
150
Location
Belgium
As a follow up after several weeks of use, I have to say I'm very happy with the Grace SDAC + Atom combo using the HD6XX headphones. Satisfaction without breaking the bank.



View attachment 20084
Grace Design is great. I have a Grace Design m902 for many years now. And I use it as preamp and dac.
A great company with great service. Wish I could get the Grace Design SDac in Europe to.
 
Top Bottom