Ordered Atom, based on this review. Cheers!
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Review and Measurements of New JDS Labs Atom Headphone Amp
- Thread starter amirm
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Evgeniy
Active Member
Thanks.
But if I will test it (simply for me), and will replace jrc2068 to
lme49720 or opa2140, it's require changing any additional components or I can simply replace opamps ?
It's not necessary to change other components using these two opamps. One notice is that, it's easy to short one of the pins to the adjacent capacitor, iirc.
You will be pleased.
Hey everyone,
New to this forum! I'm getting the HD 6XX soon, was wondering if the El Dac and atom would be a good pair to drive the cans. I like the El dac because it matches the atoms.
Also have a sound blaster Z on my pc, is that enough to pair with atoms?
Thanks,
Steven
New to this forum! I'm getting the HD 6XX soon, was wondering if the El Dac and atom would be a good pair to drive the cans. I like the El dac because it matches the atoms.
Also have a sound blaster Z on my pc, is that enough to pair with atoms?
Thanks,
Steven
Hi,
I have a question either for amirm (great job with the reviews btw) or anyone who has both the JDS atom and the Audioengine D3 (the usb stick one) or something close to.
Driving a Sennheiser HD 660s (150 Ohms), the D3 on max volume is a bit louder than the Atom on max volume (paired with the OL DAC which is also maxed volume in windows, as the D3), no gain. Of course, with gain on, the Atom is way louder but I somehow expected it to be louder with no gain too.
Does the above sounds about right or maybe there's something off with the Atom I have?
Thank you!
I have a question either for amirm (great job with the reviews btw) or anyone who has both the JDS atom and the Audioengine D3 (the usb stick one) or something close to.
Driving a Sennheiser HD 660s (150 Ohms), the D3 on max volume is a bit louder than the Atom on max volume (paired with the OL DAC which is also maxed volume in windows, as the D3), no gain. Of course, with gain on, the Atom is way louder but I somehow expected it to be louder with no gain too.
Does the above sounds about right or maybe there's something off with the Atom I have?
Thank you!
solderdude
Grand Contributor
Operates as it should. It is supposed to behave this way. That's why there is a gain switch.
Use the Atom on high gain with HD660S unless you are mostly listening below 9o'clock on the volume control.
Thank you. Depending on the song, it's between 1 and 3-4 o'clock on the volume control. Is it even possible to listen at 9AM? It's like a whisper. Also, Windows volume for is 100 and Tidal volume is a bit under 98 or something (both for OL DAC).
Would be better to listen on high gain and lower volume? What are the advantages? (really new at this and trying to learn).
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solderdude
Grand Contributor
As long as you can play loud enough and have a good usable volume range use it on that setting.
You use high gain when it is needed (volpot maxed out and still want to go louder)
You use high gain when it is needed (volpot maxed out and still want to go louder)
So as long as I get close but not reach max volume on the control, it's fine with high gain off.
Since the D3 is a little portable amp/DAC, I was a little worried that its actually louder than the Atom on low gain (both maxed volume). But I guess the high gain is there for a reason, should not distort much and it's working fine as it is.
wyup
Active Member
I don't know if others have suggested already, but how do you think the Atom would benefit from a linear power supply?
solderdude
Grand Contributor
It has an AC power supply, inside it is all linear power supply.
Just like the Schiit Magni and unlike Geshelli Archel 2 which has a switcher inside and requires a DC input voltage.
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Btw, it already has linear power supply.
Veri
Master Contributor
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Like the others said. It needs AC unlike most LPS supply.
Also, I don't understand the obession with LPS.
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wyup
Active Member
The Atom includes a SMPS, switching mode one. Linear power supplies are known to be better than smps, and most output DC, not AC. For example Topping sells a LPS for their DX3 Pro and D50 dacs.
Edit: Sorry, after your posts I realised it is a AC/AC adaptor, not a SMPS
Edit: Sorry, after your posts I realised it is a AC/AC adaptor, not a SMPS
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Atom uses lm317 and lm337 which are linear regulators. This is linear power supply. The wall wart is 220/110V AC in and 16VAC out and it's literally a transformer. The rectification and regulations are in the unit just like solderdude said.
Topping dx3pro d50 etc use 15V smps and 5V smps which are different from what atom uses.
Also there is no direct which is better. Best performing amps like thx 789 thx 887 hpa4 neurochrome hp-1 are all using smps. Hope this tells you something.
solderdude
Grand Contributor
As John Yang already mentioned. The Atom comes with a 16V AC adapter which is not an SMPS.
The 16VAC is rectified and regulated inside. There is nothing switching in there. Well, the relays do.
The one on the PCB near the power inlet switches the power on and off, triggered by the volpot.
Switching power supplies can be better than linear ones. It depends on the design.
There are excellent switchers and excellent linear power supplies and there are also poor ones in both topologies.
wyup
Active Member
I'm not an expert but Linear Power Supplies are different than what the AC adaptor and the Atom seem to include. They are heavier because they have a heavier toroidal transformer, apart from regulator and rectifier. I'm not talking about stock topping dx3pro or d50 smps, but a separate LPS they sell. Of course it depends on implementation, but usually LPS are more expensive so I assume they are better. I suppose they sound better, though I've just read another article from Amir that says LPS don't improve on Topping dx3 pro. As Atom is an amplifier I just wondered if the LPS would be more noticeable.
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