I've had my Element IV for three weeks and I couldn't be more satisfied with its sound. I primarily listen to it with Fostex T60RP headphones, FLAC files and Roon. These headphones have really come to life, a 100% improvement over the SMSL M500 headphone amp/DAC I was using. Detailed but not grating highs, smooth midrange, and punchy bass with great texture. Lengthy listening sessions are extremely enjoyable. I highly recommend this product!

I am not any expert audiophile, but I very much enjoy this amp - much more, I must say, than Objective 2, which I also own and use regularly. Atom Amp 2 seems to have much fuller, richer sound, while it still is kind of neutral, it is not too pushy in any way. I miss the battery-powered mobility function of Objective 2 though. The amp also looks real good, but still I would whine a little: the backlight of the volume knob is pretty bright. In otherwise completely dark room you could almost read a book with volume on if you put the book close to the knob. And I often like to listen to music in the dark. But this is not serious complaint really. I so much love the sound of this amp. Thank you for this, JDS Labs.

In these days of touch screens everywhere, I appreciate the high quality feel of the buttons and volume/power knob. Fantastic build quality all around and most importantly to me -- the sound! Very clean power output. I'm using the Atom 2 to power headphones and separately, speakers both sourced from a turntable, and it exceeds my expectations all around in both cases. Very nice power on tap without any distortion at louder levels. Super price and quick shipping, I look forward to doing business with JDS again in the future. Thank you.

I just got an Element IV as a replacement for an Element III. Installed it and spend a delightful evening listening to music and playing around with Core. I was converted from a PEQ skeptic to an enthusiastic advocate. The UI of the Core app is examplary, and it's great to be able to configure all other DAC settings (LED and knob behavior and many others) with the Core application as well. If ever needed, even the firmware can be updated with the Core app. The knob behavior is super smooth, I always *loved* the big knob for quick volume adjustment (note I have never ventured into "high gain" territory), and now it's even smoother. If there's ever been an easier way to apply PEQ, I haven't seen it. This device is going to cover all my DAC+HPA needs and delight me for a long time! "But... you haven't told me how it sounds?" you may wonder. It sounds simply fantastic. DACs are a solved problem as far as I am concerned, so it's the headphone amp we have to focus on, and it doesn't get better. And with PEQ onboard, you can drive any headphone to its optimal performance and/or personal preference. Outstanding!

JDS Labs continues to set the standard for customer support and reliability. Every interaction I’ve had with their team has been efficient, clear, and genuinely helpful. They are consistently responsive and available whenever you reach out, which is increasingly rare. All of the devices I’ve purchased have arrived in perfect condition and perform exactly as expected. Every request I’ve made has been handled promptly and without friction. As a small but telling example of their attention to detail, they even sent a replacement set of screws to my address without hesitation. It’s obvious that JDS Labs values long-term customer satisfaction, not just the sale. Excellent products, excellent support, and a team that stands behind their hardware. Highly recommended.

I don't have any negative complain really. To make this little amp even better than it is, is to add fully balanced inout and output connection similar to something like Topping A50 III. Technically speaking balanced connection may not do anything extra other than adding a few dB of even better silence level and perhaps more voltage from a fully balanced DAC. But some audiophiles prefer that I guess. Maybe something called the Atom Amp 2 Plus or Pro? I paired Atom amp 2 with Topping D50 III DAC, and this combo is also a killer~! And surprisingly their aesthetics fit well with each other too! Also, you should send the Atom DAC 2 to be independently measured at the Audio Science Review. I am confident the DAC would measure great, but it's nice to see it there. And I think many customers would buy it if they can be assured of the good measurements at ASR. Keep up the good job, JDS Labs!

Sounds like an obvious marketing line huh? Yes but it's also the honest truth! I've tried 1 and now daisy chained 2 and there is absolutely no going back. Only forward! At 2 Synapses I'm understanding Oscar Peterson better than ever, now I can get onboard with the recording engineering decisions better. I always wondered why did they deliberately capture the piano and other instruments in such unclear quality as if sabotaging it. Not so anymore. With 1 Synapse I heard things more clearly. With 2 the improvement is... I'm trying to wrap my head around it. Call me nuts I'm ordering 2 more Synapses. If they don't net enough improvements I can always use them on other setups because I know you need 2 at a time. They should make a 2-in-1. Or 3-in-1. Heck make them stackable so they snap together.

Après des années d'utilisation d'un "objective Dac" satisfaisantes. Que de progrés acquis dans l'écoute de l'Atom Amp 2, celui-ci m'apporte beaucoup de plaisir dans l'écoute, un vrai régal. Un grand merci à l'ensemble de léquipe.

I've never needed a headphone amp before but this one was recommended to me. Since I haven't had one before I can't make any real statements beyond it powers my new HD 6XXs nicely. What they don't tell you is that the power adapter it comes with is about the size of a city block. It works well, but get a wide-spaced power bar to use with it.

Very handy switch. But be aware that if there is any tension in the cables attached to it, the adhesive feet/pads that you’re supposed to stick to the bottom of the switch will easily shear off - because the switch itself is so light. There are 4 peel-off sticker pads for the bottom of the switch; more should have been included considering how easily they fall off. If the switch is connected to, say, stack RCA cables, the feet will gradually slip or come off due to the weak adhesive used. (DAC & other components don’t have this problem, as they come with much sturdier anchor points.)

I recently purchased the Atom 2 Amp and Dac Stack. It makes my Sennheiser 800s sound like a dream! I did make the foolish mistake of purchasing them separately, which do not include RCA cables. So purchase as the combo! The feel of the volume on the knob is perfect. Has just the right amount of heft, but still very precise. And the gain button gives you that extra oomph for weaker mixes, but does not take away clarity. I am very happy with it! JDS Labs lives up to its reputation!

Pros: It works. The clicks and noises are gone from my Merlin Dac. It seems to sound better but that might be in my head. Actually available in a bright color so you can find them amid the wire tangles in back of your equipment. Cons: I wish the LED was not as bright and it adds some latency noticable on some videos. I wished I had purchased 2 more.

First of all - the sound. There is no background noise even with sensitive headphones - pitch black. I am not a bass-head as I focus more on the mid range and high range. Female vocals are gorgeous - clear, not edgy. All of this against a totally black background with no intrusion from the amp. The DAC/AMP is a very classy, neat and petite. The volume control is a pleasure to use - effortless and smooth in the hand - it encourages you to go louder than you think! I am very, very satisfied with the DAC/AMP from its design to its quality build, excellent support and glorious results. Highly recommended to anyone who appreciates quality from an artisanal specialist.

The Atom Amp 2 & DAC 2 stack is seriously amazing! I’m coming from just running my Focal Clears off my laptop and the difference is night and day! Also worth mentioning that the metal build feels sturdy and sleek, and the fact they include all the cables you need makes this a no brainer to me. I haven’t tried super high-end gear, but I struggle to see why I would need anything more than this stack.

Bonjour à toutes et à tous. Je vous écris en français pour ne pas faire offense à la langue shakespearienne. Je viens de recevoir votre bundle Dac 2 + Amp 2, il y a seulement quelques jours. Les écoutes se sont effectuées de longues heures en alternance avec deux casques Sennheiser HD 540 référence gold ( vintage ! ) et HD 600. La musique est restituée à chaque fois avec une magnifique cohérence quel que soit le style choisi. Aucune fatigue auditive. Vos créations offrent une présentation ample, riche en détails. On ne parle plus d’aigus, de médiums ou de graves. C’est vivant, les artistes, leurs voix et leurs instruments sont là et bien présents. Toute l’émotion des différents enregistrements transparaît . Voilà du très beau travail pour un résultat stupéfiant pour des matériels aussi compacts, légers et TRÈS abordables. Un grand BRAVO ! à toute votre équipe de la part d’un nouveau client. J’ai fait confiance aux nombreuses critiques élogieuses portées sur votre entreprise sur le net. Comme on dit en France: » Non, rien de rien , non , je ne regrette rien . » 😉

I stumbled upon jds labs while on the west coast on a 11 month business trip and got to try their OG atom amp and dac paired with the beyerdynamic 990 pros 250 ohm headset and was blown away while scrolling through their site saw the atom 2 bundle which is a damn steal and I ordered the bundle and the same headset and for music, gaming, and video/audio call you can't do better for bang for buck especially if you play FPS games I primarily play stalker series including GAMMA and some other games that I can hear enemy footsteps and animals in fps games and for music I couldn't be happier you WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED IN THIS AMP DAC BUNDLE setup was super easy and simple

Let me start by saying I have a plethora of DACs. I have Lavry’s, a Chord Mojo, ifi, Fiio’s, and Antelope Audio. It's fair to say all of these are far more expensive than the Atom DAC 2, but in terms of performance and signal, the Atom 2 holds its own and bests many of these $1,000.00 + DAC’s. It has become my “go-to” for neutrality and balance. Bravo JDS Labs!👏🏼

A very well-engineered/thought-out product at a fair price. Sounds as transparent as a high-end DAC. You might find a more expensive/colored (or exaggerated in "soundstage", which are just psychoacoustic effects happening in certain frequency bands) DAC amp better for certain songs (and inevitably worse on others) depending on your tastes and how the song is produced, but you will be stuck with its sound. With this, you have a perfectly (or audibly) pure conversion that is true to source and shows you how the song was meant to be heard, which you can color as much as you want afterward. I'm using this for monitoring, and it sounds and measures as good/transparent as a 5k+ DAC conversion. If you are spending more in 2026, you either need more inputs/power or are falling for a psychoacoustically biased review/marketing trap. It has a small footprint and is well built; the knob is very intuitive and ergonomic to easily adjust the volume compared to any other options I’ve tried (buttons or remote). Also, thanks to John for answering my requests this fast, even during the holidays. This customer service inspires trust. Don’t look further; you won't find a better choice if its specs meet your needs (which they should for most gear). And it was shipped quickly with no issues to Europe. Great company and great product, enjoy!

I bought the Atom DAC 2 and the Atom Amp 2 to drive my Meze 105 Silva headphones. The definition, clarity and soundstage provided by this pairing are exceptional, with absolutely no background noise or hum. For reference, I evaluated this combo with 24-bit, 96 to 192 kHz FLAC sources, with genres including classic jazz, chamber music, choral, prog rock, and metal. Overall, a bargain at this price point. In addition, the service provided by JDS was excellent. Setup instructions were clear and easy - it took me longer to open all the packing than it did to connect everything. Shipping occurred the same day and I received the package via 2-day air.

Nice of them to include USB to USB C cord (I’m still an old lightning port iPhone user). My music sounds great! My only criticism would be: It would be great if the indicator light, at this point fairly useless, would change color depending on the quality of the file (DSD, 192kHz, what have you) being inputted. Always a nice touch. But, again, that is a purely aesthetic/persnickety feature, by no means essential. Great product.

After an extensive search for a headphone amplifier that delivers uncompromising performance, the JDS Labs Atom 2 has been a revelation. It provides a pristine, silent background that allows incredible detail and clarity to shine through, truly unlocking the full potential of my headphones. The build quality is exceptional, it functions perfectly as both a headphone amp and preamp, and it's backed by fantastic customer service. For its price, the Atom 2 represents the absolute pinnacle of value and performance, making it an easy five-star recommendation.

I have to say i really enjoy the giant knob! its great, one small thing that maybe could be incorporated into the V is a changing the knob LED colour to indicate which output is being used, while the mini oled screen is great, it is rather small. perhaps a larger volume screen...even incorporated into the Knob would be cool...but im nit pickin. love the element IV

I used the Synapse in conjunction from my PC to my DAP to a desktop amplifier and it is absolute quiet now. You know that feeling when you've been living in the city with the hustle and bustle and then you get to the outdoors where everything is quiet and peaceful? Yeah, it's like that!

My wife who loves music but does not care about sound is in love with this amp! She even bought herself headphones and asks for me to get her set up to listen. This is a great sounding little amp. Buy yourself one. Great customer service btw. I asked a question on Saturday and heard back the same day.

For years, I used optical with my JDS El 2 stack. I could not use the USB because I got nasty ground loop noise from my PC as the source. Once I got synapse however, the ground loop 100% disappeared. Not a little, not mostly, 100%. Perfectly silent. Now I can use USB 32 bit. Worth every penny.

I have a nice 2.1 nearfield audio system with a custom built gaming PC as my source. Even though I had a good quality external DAC (the Schiit Mimir), I was hearing some weird digital noise from the USB input. It was then that I learned some DACs have galvanic isolation to remove noise from the source, and some do not. Got the Synpase and the noise went away! Great addition to my system!

For years I kept reading that I needed an amp for my Sennheiser 600 cans. After reading the Atom 2 test at Audio Science Review, I ordered it. I didn't expect it to improve what I was hearing from my Scarlett. Was I ever wrong. What an immediate and obvious difference! I just kept laughing at how foolish I'd been not to get a good amp. I also got a Quboz subscription, and the upgrade in my musical enjoyment has been mammoth. I'll never get over how I wasted so many years sans amp. Making up for lost time now.

I have a monitor with USB-C hub and got the craziest sounds when connecting my Quad Cortex via USB. Went away entirely if use the Quad on its own, but I wanted to control everything via my computer instead of foot switches/touchscreen. I read monitors can cause lots of noise in the signal chain so I gave this a try. Now the signal chain is dead quiet. Did exactly what I needed!

First off, this is my first proper audio setup and I'm soooo impressed. I came from Dt990's with a G6 and upgraded to the awesome Element IV with a Synapse to eliminate ground noise and Hifiman Arya Stealth. As the title says, I can't believe how clear and crisp everything sounds. Also, I did compare the G6 and Element back to back and the difference is huge. It's a really nice, well-made product and the EQ via Labs Core is super easy. You can quickly make adjustments on the fly without installing any software. Too my fellow Europeans, shipping was also really quick (3 business days), although expensive of course. Lastly, John seems like the kind of guy who really cares about his products and buyers. I texted him at like 8pm over there and he responded within 1 hour I think. Would definitely recommend getting your Element, it will surely enhance your audio experience as well.

One of the best purchases ever......handles 300ohm HD650, planars and IEM's fine. The built in EQ is the killer here. Perfect companion for desktop + a small form factor. Easy recommendation. Suggestions 1. Volume knob is not smooth to rotate with a finger, needs to move it vertically vs horizontal touch 2. Saving from the app takes a sec and can interrupt audio.

I chose this as I feed my Denafrips Ares 15th DAC from my old Windows PC running JRiver. The DAC is line powered and does not have galvanic isolation, but it is a pretty good interface. I did not detect any ground loop or noise to start with, but that is not to say things are perfect. Maybe yes, maybe no. So, can I hear an improvement? Not sure. No degradation for sure. But at least I know I don't and won't ever have a problem. Knowing so one can look for perfection elsewhere I think I'll get one for my main system just in case. Cheap insurance as my engineering background says this is the proper way to connect things not bolted into the same rack. Now if your DAC is USB powered, that is a total game changer. My old Focusrite was super sensitive not just the noise on the USB, but to noise picked up on the cable. This would have been invaluable! JDS has not steered me wrong, (Atom DAC, Atom Amp, Atom Amp 2, Subjective and most recently Phono which is smoother then an iFi Black Label!)

I purchased the Atom Amp 2 to pair with my HiFiMan Edition XS planar headphones after researching various sites for review and feedback. The Atom and HiFiMan are a sonic match. The amp really brings out the more subtle sounds of the music, is clear and detailed, and significantly improved my listening experience. It also pairs well with my non-planar head gear. This is a great value for the meager cost. Very pleased and highly recommend.

Thank you guys! I have an Antelope Zen Tour (pretty high-end sound card for recording, mixing, etc) that i love except for it's headphone amp which i always felt lacking for my hd650's. Hooking up the Atom2 to the Zen's master/monitor outs took the sound to a whole new level. But what really shocked me was that the pre-amp outs made my monitors sound way better too. TBH, i did not expect this level of improvement in my whole monitor chain, this little box seriously rocks, fantastic build quality, worth every penny!

I was between the atom stack and the element IV and decided to pay up for the element and I’m so glad I did. One less power cable, easier EQ, better sound quality, and an even nicer design. Worth it in every way. Such a plug and play system that sounds amazing, easy to travel with, and looks very elegant. Runs my HD600S2 like a dream. Glad I purchased!

I’ve been a long time fan of JDS Labs products. I owned the ODac and O2 amp, and helped out with testing beta prototypes of the EL DAC and EL AMP. After that, I got the Element III, and now I have the Element IV. The Element IV has a smoother and tighter knob than what I remember the Element III having. It feels very nice, there is a small amount of friction while turning, similar to some vintage receiver knobs. Super high quality and natural. The volume knob on the RME ADI-2 DAC in comparison is stepped with a soft tactile feedback, but it just isn’t the same experience as the Element IV’s smooth horizontal knob. It just feels incredible. Another thing about the build, the way the coating feels on the aluminum body is also different from what I remember on the Element III. It feels durable and scratch resistant, a slightly textured coating that feels yet again more premium than the Element III. Very professional looking. I bought the Element IV for the extra power and EQ features. I am happy to say it delivers in both those areas. A very good amount of power for my hard to drive Moondrop Para II and Hifiman HE6se, except for the quietest of my music library. There is a lot of coverage on the JDS Labs Core browser app, so I won’t go too much into detail. But I will say it is very easy to change EQ settings and import profiles directly from EQ APO. This allows me to use WASAPI/exclusive mode in Foobar2000 and in other select applications, while still using EQ on the hardware itself. This is something I could not do before while using just Equalizer APO in Windows. And, the Element IV has 12 bands of PEQ instead of 7 like the ADI-2 DAC. I don’t hear a difference between the Element IV and the RME ADI-2 DAC, which is a great thing. I don’t really buy into noticeable differences with audibly transparent DACs and amps, but I could swear the Element IV sounds slightly cleaner than the ADI-2 DAC. It’s probably my imagination, but that is my subjective experience. I am also using the Synapse to ensure my USB connection is clean. I hear zero noise with my extremely sensitive IEMs, the Dunu Zen Pro. The knob makes adjusting volume very satisfying, and gives you ultimate control over the volume with precise 0.5 dB steps. If I had to be picky, I would have liked a little more power to fully handle a few super quiet, high dynamic range classical recordings in my music library. This is only for my hard to drive low sensitivity Hifiman HE6se, everything else I own that has normal sensitivity is driven to ridiculous levels no one should be listening at. But for 99.9% of my music, the Element IV has way more power than I can ever use. The Element IV has a good chance of replacing my RME ADI-2 DAC as my main desktop setup. I think the price is absolutely fair for the quality DAC and amp you get. I give the Element IV 4.5 stars because I wish it had more power for my HE6se. But because JDS Labs has unparalleled customer service and John himself still replies to emails within 5 minutes after all these years, I am putting down 5 stars. Great job JDS Labs!

We, the technitians and Mixing / Mastering engineers do often have the same problem. Noice and killed transience. Why. Our PC's laptop's and also the Smartphones and every other device introduces noice into the signal. This reaches our DAC and than it's backed in. And the sad part. It's not the fault of our Dac or PC. The synapse serves this Problem. The signal gets timing corrected. And it gets cleaned by every introduced electronic noice. The result. An clean Signal. The price is worth it.

I’ve tried everything under the sun for over two years trying to track down and eliminate noise in my monitors when my computer is under load. The cause was almost certainly interference from motherboard rail bleedover. I tried using a ground lifter, and it stopped the buzz, but introduced a high frequency hum. The synapse worked immediately! I’m SO relieved!

I use a pair of Moondrop Cosmo's with this. The sound is very excellent. Clear, sharp, but not at all harsh. No sound floor evident. A little more power would have been good, but they crank up enough to make the h/phones as loud as I want with plenty of headroom to spare. I just don't like cranking gear up quite so much. This is one of my 'glad I got this' buy's.

I saw Goldensound's review of the Synapse and also did some digging regarding my current DAC, the SMSL VMV D2R and apparently you need to have good USB isolation to get the most of this DAC and it has defenitively help a lot with sound quality. Before I got the synapse, the sound coming out of my system was kind of harsh sounding and not very coherent, now it seems to be more clean and less fatiguing and a little bit more coherent, there's a lot less listening fatigue and for the price, I think this is a no brainer.

I will say that this amp will be considered as an end game solid state amp. Not only is the price low, it is powerful enough to run my Fostex t50rp with no problem. I have yet to test with my other headphones, but I am very confident that the sound quality will be superb. The only thing I will note is that it does get surprisingly warm, not hot. If I were to provide feedback, JDS should work on using a better power solution other then the wall wart. At the very least they can do what Aune did and have cables run on both sides of the transformer. I think they should also do what Schiit did with the magni and have the option to have a built in dac, instead of forcing people to purchase two devices. TLDR; Just buy this amp and enjoy it.

I have purchased the ATOM DAC 2 after my son presented me with the Atom 2 Amplifier. I am no audiophile but notwithstanding, the difference is immediately noticeable and the sound is fine as silk. And the difference it not just significant when utilizing my headphones but also when I utilise my desktop speakers. Manufacturing quality is of the highest grade and their service is incredible - I received my DAC just 5 days after I ordered it and which had to go across the planet to arrive. Well done JDS and keep up the excellent work.

I've owned several dac/amp combinations in the past, mostly from Chinese manufacturing with mixed results. None have had the build quality or sound quality that the JDS has. I love how this makes my Sennheiser HD800s sound. Plenty of power and a smooth sound. I love the fact that the Element IV was made in the USA. And the equalizer is an amazing addition in both sound and convenance. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for high quality and great sounding dac/amp, made in the USA. I couldn't be happier.

Coming from a lifelong musical background, critical listening has always been second nature to me. As I moved into adulthood, that focus naturally carried over into gaming and sim racing, where accurate imaging and clarity are just as important as immersion. Despite using quality headphones like the HD600, I consistently found myself limited by the bottleneck of onboard audio solutions—whether console or PC. Growing up around high-end automotive audio systems also trained my ears to recognize resolution, separation, and tonal balance, and once you’ve experienced that level of fidelity, it’s hard to settle for less. The Atom stack ended up being exactly what I was searching for. Both units are thoughtfully designed, housed in a clean, minimalist chassis that looks as good as it performs. The I/O layout is clearly engineered by people who actually use their products, and that attention to real-world usability shows immediately. Sonically, the DAC delivers a substantial improvement in clarity, spatial accuracy, and overall presentation compared to typical internal DACs. Imaging and positioning are noticeably more precise, making both music and gaming feel more articulate and natural. The amplifier is impressively powerful—arguably more headroom than I’ll ever realistically need—and drives my headphones effortlessly without any sense of strain. The amplifier’s controls deserve special mention. The volume knob is exceptionally smooth, with ideal resistance and tactile feedback that inspires confidence during fine adjustments. Despite being one of the more affordable components in my PC and sim racing setup, the Atom stack has proven to be one of the best values I’ve purchased. It punches well above its price class. I’m genuinely impressed and very happy with this setup. Here’s hoping to see continued success from JDS Labs. Cheers to the JDS team—job very well done. PS. I am not sponsored by jds labs. Yet.

I purchased my Atom DAC 2 to take care of business until I could ID the best dac replacement for my main rig. A Denafrips Ares II has been a staple in my home setup for years. The additional makeup of my rig: AIFF files, mac Mini M2 Pro 2023 USB output, Galion TS P75 tube preamp (rolled old stock 12AT7/ECC81 tubes balanced and matched), NAD C298 solid state amp, current gen KLH5 speakers plus an older Outlaw sub. My plan was to use the Atom DAC 2 with my Sennheiser HD600 cans until I could find a dac replacement for the main rig. I liked what I heard with the Atom DAC 2 so much I decided to try it in my main rig and repurpose the Ares for use with my cans only, due to connectivity configurations. I solved some multiple dac issues by creating a Multi-Output Device in the Mini’s Audio MIDI Setup settings. The Atom has awesome definition. Listening to Peter Gabriel’s “Shaking the Tree” was an eye opening experience: rhythmic layers all well defined. The Atom has great bloat-free bass. The mids and top end are nicely defined and now clearer than before. Vocal clarity is impressive.The upper frequency range is well defined without harshness or glare. Background noise is non-existent. So, a stopgap this isn’t. In audio gear I’ve often thought that a simpler direct approach in design can yield worthwhile aural results, and here is the proof. And, if the Atom DAC had additional features, IMHO, it might turn into a different device. It shouldn’t and isn’t necessary. The search is over for a new DAC in my main rig. The Atom now will live there as a very pleasant surprise with no disappointments. Great job, JDS! Rabco

I am fairly new to audiophile territory, had never owned any Amp nor actually good headphones. I went with Edition XV, Element IV and Synapse Max. I have never had a better listening experience. Element IV works great, looks slick and does most of what it needs to do by itself, without me configuring much if anything at all. JDS Labs Core (the EQ and config app) is fantastic. Synapse Max is also a thing I specifically needed, as for some reason on my house there is permanent static charge on the ground (I guess due to a business beneath me). I was used to it (in addition to the static from my PC), but it got even more noticeable while using the Edition XV with my feet touching the ground. It was barely noticeable whilst using Element IV (only when my ears would touch the planar drivers themselves occasionally), and it completely disappeared with the Synapse Max. I got it all sent to Spain, great delivery tracking too, took about 3 to 4 days (on the more expensive delivery option), clearing customs quickly when I signed them via email. From USA, this was a very fast delivery. Overall, extremely satisfied and surprised, as this was my first purchase at JDS Labs. 100% recommend.

I chose the Atom Amp 2 for it's ability to switch between 2 inputs, something that is apparently fairly unique in the market segment and a critical feature for my use case. The Amp itself sounds very good and clean, even with the gain and volume turned up to near maximum. The 2.5 watt output is enough to drive my somewhat difficult K240 cans to a comfortable listening level, and slightly beyond. The pre-out feature allows me to connect my powered speakers and use the Atom as an input switch and volume control for both my DAC and phono preamp on headphones or speakers, and brings simplicity back to my setup. The build quality feels premium, with the all-metal enclosure and ring light on the control knob. The switches and knob are plastic, but feel high-quality and provide good tactile feedback. The Atom Amp 2 fits the bill perfectly for my non-traditional setup, sounds good and looks good while doing it, all while being more budget friendly than most alternatives from other manufacturers. Very satisfied customer here, thanks JDS!

I purchased the Atom Amp 2 and Atom DAQ 2 bundles to improve my listening experience during long stints at my work desk and pairing with Sennheiser HD660 and a MacBook iTunes listening experience. Overall, I am extremely happy with the sound quality of the setup for the price point and feel it’s well worth the investment! Listening across multiple genres (Classical, Country, Jazz, Rock, etc.) the Amp and DAQ are fantastic in accuracy of audio reproduction, soundstage and clarity. Looking forward to many hours of listening enjoyment with this setup and recommend it!

This is a great amp. For the cost, Id say this is about one of the best headphone amps on the market. They drive a pair of 6XXs perfectly for almost all normal use cases. Great small design, the volume knob feels great to use and the overall materials feel premium and great to the touch. My one big complaint is the power brick. Its 2025. Why are we still using these behemoth wall warts? I might have to source my own power supply. This fat beast can easily cover up 2-3 outlets if you don't have a strategic spot for it. Unfortunately mine also jostled around so much in shipping that it broke out of the flimsy cardboard box it came in. Thankfully did not damage the amp, but the whole power brick situation just feels like an afterthought. It definitely diminishes the experience of the product.

What is the one thing that most humans have in common? Love of music. And for some of us we want to hear it as well as are wallets and eats will let us. JDS Labs Element iv has made this possible. My headphones of choice are the Sennheiser hd800s. I had used the Element iii with no complaints until I upgraded to the iv. I used to think that EQ was not as important but with the core website and its ease of use it has been a major upgrade. This amp has increased dramatically the emotional response I have while listening to my music. Thank you JDS Labs for making my love of music deeper.

I got the Element IV a couple of weeks ago. It was delivered to London with a remarkably short delivery time (about three days) and no extra import tax added, which was great, as I’ve come to expect and fear this every time I order smth from the US. In terms of design and sound there isn‘t much I can add to the reviews that are already published (e.g. like the one of GoldenSound) - it looks and feels great to use, the new EQ is a game changer (I keep it constantly opened in a browser tab on my laptop), and the sound is incredibly clean and balanced / neutral, while at the same time feeling rich and detailed and warm. It conveys a sense of sound richness and warmth without actually being warm in the sense of favouring bass and lower-mids at the expense of treble and detail. (For reference, I’ve used it so far with a Sennheiser HD 800 S and a Focal Elex - it works beautifully with the HD800S in particular, as that one really needs the richness and warmth to compensate for its otherwise slightly too analytical profile) While I constantly feel the urge to get more headphones, after getting the Element IV it feels like I really don’t need to look for anything else in terms of DACs and amps for the foreseeable future. My only two (very minor) gripes are: 1. a remote control of some kind (e.g. a Bluetooth-connected app or smth) would be really useful to control volume without having to reach out to the amp all the time 2. while the browser-based EQ works really well, I would have liked to use it on other browsers and devices which are not currently supported, i.e. Safari on MacOS and iOS / iPadOS If this DAC-amp had a Bluetooth connection for audio input and remote control (incl. the ability to control volume and update EQ profiles wirelessly), and the ability to use the EQ on iOS devices as well, I would regard it as a practically perfect product. P.S. Btw, don’t worry at all about Element IV not having a balanced output - even though its output is single-ended, it sounds better than any of my balanced output amps even over a 3m balanced cable (which is the longest one I have).

Never really had any ground noise and got this as an experiment to see what it was about but even though I never had any ground noise it definately improved my overall experience with my setup and it has some how enhanced the sound combining out of my Jds element 3. If you still sitting on the wall on whether to get one or not it's definitely a recommended!

Bought this to use with my MacBook Pro and Focal Clear MG headphones. Just fabulous! I also use an Atom 2 DAC and amp in another room which is also great. But I enjoy the Element IV the most. Any music--jazz, rock, classical are all wonderful. You will not regret purchasing an Element IV. I have no buyer's remorse and this is one of the best things I've bought for music.

After searching online of what could be causing my constant hum/buzz when I launch a video game on my pc. Come to find out with my new tube amp and dac, that it was picking up the coil wine/power of my gaming GPU, making it audible and quite annoying. I looked around, and found out that JDS had a little device that could possibly help me with this issue. I have bought from JDS before, so I had no concern about the quality of the Synapse Max. The price was align with others, if not, it was cheaper. I like how they sell 2 versions, one which is 3d printed enclosure or the metal enclosure. I went with the metal to keep everything contained. I also went with the Synapse Max just to be able to power any other device in the future, and I wont be limited. When I received the device, I connected it, and it has cleared away the audible noise from my GPU. It is perfect and worked like a charm. I have no complaints about it. I would definitely recommend this product if you are having the same issues as I was.

I had bought a pair of HD650 headphones as a Christmas present to myself and my Cambridge Audio DAC Magic did not have enough grunt to drive them. I set about investigating a headphone amp rather than a dac and headphone amp combined. The reason for this is that I prefer the Wolfson dac to more recent dac chips since they are nice and warm in their sound. The amp was dispatched shortly after ordering and arrived with me about 4 days later. Wow - I am impressed. This amp matches the HD650 well producing music with a great sound stage and detail emphasising the neutral nature of the HD650. The bass is a revelation - clear and concise with a beautiful weight. I use the amp with the gain engaged and in my view it is better than the headphone stage of my Hegel Amp with an extremely low noise floor as well. I appreciate HiFi is subjective but this amp is definitely worth having on your buy list.

Amazing DAC and AMP. I have across my library and my modest headphone collection. My JHAudio Roxanne custom IEMs have never sounded so perfect. AKG 7XX, Sennheiser 6XX, Monoloth M570, and Meze 99 Noir all sound amazing. I still need to try the Beyerdynamic DT990 Premium Limited-Edition Blacks. Is a great unit.

Being of modest income, it has taken me a long time, much dabbling, and many trials and errors to finally say with certitude, as happened last night while sitting in my listening chair : WOW!! This is what I was longing to hear! This is heaven! My set up: (all good quality cables). Ultra HD files on Ibasso DX180 ==> JDS Atom Amp 2 ==> HIFIMAN Arya Organic Headphones. I can sit still now and LISTEN! Thank you JDS for your excellent contribution to my journey!

I couldn’t find something simple and basic to change between my Marantz CD player and my Auris streamer. Not only was it getting old changing cables, but I knew sooner or later that something would break. Found the JDS switcher and in about three minutes it was set up and worked like a champ. Best $29 on audio equipment I’ve ever spent!

I bought the atom dac2 when I realized that my wiim mini did not have a proper dac, so I now I connect it via optical to the atom and from there I use rca to my amp. Really happy with it (the improvement in sound quality is clear specially when playing loud) Also: great customer service, for EU-customers like myself as well.

I started using the atom amp2 as a preamp with a small Schiit power amp, and it worked wonderfully (you can even switch between 2 sources, which is cool for such a small device) After a while I got the Sennheiser hd650 and the amp2 drives them easily, it gets a really nice sound with lots of bass.

I have used JDS Labs stuff since the OG atom dac + amp and not only is this thing amazing, but their customer service has never failed to amaze me over the years with a few replacement parts and a single repair. They are very customer focused and it is worth the extra money vs something you may find on Amazon due to quality and customer service IMO

I have to praise JDS labs for customer service that exceeds all of my expectations. I had some difficulty with my product (probably user error) but was assisted promptly and professionally. You can not beat dealing with humans that take pride in their product, service and their company. Fantastic!

I am very happy with the Atom Amp 2. I use it as a pre-amp for a Carver Amplifier and Revel bookshelf speakers. It sounds clean and distortion free and it needs very little from the volume knob to get loud. It feels well-made and I love the small footprint and small price tag. I only wish I knew I could use a headphone amplifier in this way sooner. I would have bought it a long time ago.

I'm using the Atom 2 to drive my 300 ohm Sennheiser HD 6XXX headphones. I could eke by without it, but the Atom now does most of the heavy lifting. I'm still working on adjusting the volume of the source unit with the volume on the Atom and how it all relates to the gain. I am very happy with the results so far!

I found JDS LABS when researching the Objective DAC/amp. I really liked the specs on the Element III MK1 and also JDS LABS' approach as a business. They avoid the jargon and "magic" and focus on making the best DAC/amp that they can (go check out their about page). I bought the MK2 and it was amazing (still is). It is dead quiet when not processing sound. And it sounds amazing when processing sound. I had an issue with the Element II and they repaired it, free of charge. Amazing customer service. Bottom line, this product is so good that I bought the MK2 when I needed another DAC/amp for my home office. I have the Element III MK2 paired with Klipsch 2.1 speakers and 600 ohm DT990s. You can't go wrong with this product.

This is the first Atom 2 amplifier I've purchased, having bought an Atom 1 some 5 years ago. This new setup is for my son, who is taking his first steps in composition, and is using the amplifier with JDS Labs' DAC 2, and a pair of Beyerdynamic DT880 headphones. Both of us are very pleased with the results, which deliver far and away the best computer-audio experience we've tried.

If you are on the fence on this stack, just pull the trigger if this is your budget or really anything from a dac amp or stack standpoint below 600-700. You get a wonderful clean sound, excellent power and small footprint. This can even be used bedside if you really wanted as an affordable option for any headphone or iem( because both sound great and clean). Not a flavored Dac, very transparent so do keep that in mind.

I purchased the Atom DAC 2 to upgrade my desktop audio. I was using the headphone out from my PC as an input to a pair of older powered speakers. Now I’m using a usb output from the PC to the Adam DAC 2. Then from the DAC to a RSL iA255.1 desktop integrated amp. The completed setup is a big step up from what I had before. Sounds really great.

Ok so this is my first dac/amp stack and the first foray into "audiophile" desktop equipment and i must say it is fantastic, music through my dt880 pro 250 ohms has never sounded better, and the fact that you can get free custom engraving is the icing on the cake, great service from a great company.

Love everything about the Element III MK2. The build quality is excellent, and it’s dead simple to use. Of course, that knob feels amazing. And the sound is stupendous. I’ve got the boosted version and almost never need to go to high gain. It’s helping me get the best out my headphones, and I don’t feel like I’ll ever need anything else for my audio setup…until some Element down the line ;-)

The sound coming thru the DAC is good. However, I was getting a lot of dropouts when connecting to the optical toslink output on my tv (short moments of missing audio, super annoying). I found the guthub repo with the cli tool and an article to downgrade the software. After that the dropouts are gone. I think the software binary was for ATOM DAC+, not 2 though. Please let me know which software would be best for ATOM DAC 2!

I found the Element IV out from randomly looking up headphones amp and DAC combos as I felt like I needed a upgrade as my previous amp was starting to get inconvenient for my uses. I did my research and just fell in love with it, and once I was able to I snatched one up. I have extremely limited desk space and it fits great, cable management was a piece of cake and of course it blew my mind how amazing it sounds. A specific thing that I found by using it that I wasn't able to find anywhere is that sample rate changing is instantaneous (after installing the optional drivers), which wasn't possible on my previous amp/DAC as that one was slow and I had to replug it in constantly. Pick this amp up you will NOT regret it!

These were the first items I've bought from JDS and their shipping was very rapid. Customs here in the UK made a bit of a meal of releasing them so they got held up for a few extra days. First impression upon unpacking was that they're high quality items for their price, very solid feeling and nicely finished. The units were bought to use on my desk at work. They replaced an iBasso DC06 dac from the (android) phone and an O2 amp being used with a much larger than supplied transformer. Headphones are 64ohm Sennheiser HD280PRO (need robustness rather than ultimate sound quality). The sound quality improvement over the old setup was immediately obvious, and it continued to improve over the next few hours of use. The units run nicely warm; I have them arranged dac over amp for convenience, but that has the useful side effect of keeping the dac physicaly warm when it switches off after not being used for a while. The usual source is USB from the phone but I have also used the optical S/PDIF input and it's just as good. Overall very pleased with them.

Excellent quality, easy to build, and dead quiet. This device is very small, and minor adjustments with the knobs are readily apparent in the sound. I only moved the mid band and bass band a few degrees to get the sound I desired. I’m running all tubes with the only control being a volume knob. This device allows me to tweak badly recorded tracks to sound more pleasing

I recently purchased the Atom DAC 2 and have found it to work excellent as a USB sound card for Windows PC. There were no drivers to install, and it works flawlessly. I also use it as the DAC for my music streamer so the button on the front of the Atom DAC 2 is an easy way to switch back and forth between PC and Streamer. Originally, I tested the Atom DAC 2 in my Home Theater setup and found the Atom to be very accurate. My setup makes it easy to tell DAC’s apart, but the Atom and my Home Theater Receiver were nearly indistinguishable. I like that the Atom is to the same accuracy as my “Elite” Home Theater. I like it so much; I bought a second one for my work PC.

Purchased Atom 2 stack recently (really wanted element 3 boosted but was outside of my budget). Atom 2 DAC/AMP are phenomenal quality especially for the price. The stack drives my headphones flawlessly, easy to use and the sound is very clean (not a hint of noise even on high gain and sensitive headphones). When I had questions John was very quick to reply and very helpful. I purchased from JDS Labs directly (shipping to Canada was quick and I received the products in perfect/new condition). I highly recommend JDS Labs products to all my friends, family and gaming buddies. Great quality products all around and 5 star customer service.

Have two DAC's in a PC-centric setup that was previously very noisy when using analog out on my internal PCI-e sound card. I assumed it was EMF/EMI adversely affecting the sound card. ChatGPT led me to consider trying a USB isolation transformer. So I purchased the Synapse and wow, problem solved after years of frustration. I also changed the spread spectrum setting in BIOS from disabled to auto. Between the Synapse and enabling spread spectrum, I cannot hear any noise from my internal sound card, even turning up the volume to 100%. Truly incredible. Very highly recommended.

I bought the Atom 2 DAC and Amp combo to go along with my new HifiMan Ananda Nano. What a pairing, I must say! The Atom 2 has so much more headroom to power even more demanding headphones, so I'm covered for future headphone upgrades too. At this price point (or even +$200), I don't think there's any make or model that can rival the Atom 2 line.

I have been really enjoying using my new JDS Atom Amp 2 the last few weeks. Form/Factor is really good and the light around the gain knob is perfect. Shape of the case and it's layout is well designed and is virtually silent in operation. Can we get a recognition of the channel balance of this amp and the fact attention is paid to getting consistent potentiometers that are checked ! That is very important to me and JDS gets my respect for getting that done. I contacted the support line for a couple of questions and was answered like immediately. Received product well packed and quickly. Plus it is affordable

Im glad you sent this email, i've been meaning to leave a review to let you know how much I like this DAC/amp. It has been working perfectly, and every detail is perfectly addressed, which is really rare in almost any product. I really love that the usb is powered, the last amp I tried didn't work because of usb power issues. The knob is great, it's really easy to adjust the volume and looks great. Maybe the best part is the screen that allows for precise volume adjustment and many other functions, very cool. Overall pretty much perfect amp. The only one flaw which is cosmetic is the finish on the outer case. There are some discolorations, kind of like smudges or looks a bit "worn off", basically it's just not perfectly uniform black. It not bad, it just is one thing that could be improved a bit. I am grateful for this amp, it saved me from buying a sub-par amp that I wouldn't have been happy with, and I use my headphones a lot, so thanks for making this amp. I will recommend this amp if I get the chance to.

Have it hooked up to my TV via optical cable and it gives a punchy and detailed sound. When using headphones I have it connected to my Atom Amp 2 and I’m getting superb results from my Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X LE The customer service and fast shipping is another bonus. Great company to deal with and great products

Good clean sound at all volume levels. Build quality is top notch. volume knob is the perfect size and shape, easy for me to grab on to and use. FIIO K11 volume was annoying and way too shallow to get a hold of. Pre outs have a good output level and work well with my Audioengine speakers. The FIIO K11 was too quiet, This amp matches it in sound quality to my ears, but is better made and has better ergonomics. Pre outs are louder and more useful on this amp. I switched to this amp after a few months because the FIIO K11 developed a channel imbalance that got worse over time.

I was struggling with lots of noise when I was using the headphone jack on my powered speakers, I was convinced the issue was my turntable or phono pre-amp. After purchasing the Atom Amp 2 and setting it up, I was blown away when I realized even with the volume turned up with no music playing, all I had was dead silence. My issue was stemming from (or at least made much worse by) whatever amplifier was built into my speakers. I really didn't expect a dedicated headphone amp to help this much, but it did and I'm very happy! It's also extremely powerful, I barely have to turn the volume knob up to hear everything at a comfortable volume on my 64ohm headphones.

This amplifier boasts an array of impressive specifications, establishing itself as a paragon of audio engineering. In order to enhance the monitoring of recordings in my studio and to provide a reference signal via headphones, I sought an amplifier with a sufficiently low output impedance at 1 kHz to drive both 50 ohm monitor headphones and >300 ohm studio headphones. After conducting an extensive search, I discovered the Atom Amp+, which stands out as a truly exceptional device. Its remarkable frequency response, output power, THD+N, and noise floor parameters, coupled with an impeccable crosstalk, render it an indispensable addition to my studio equipment.

I purchased the Atom Amp 2 to replace an aged Atom 1 that I cooked, and may I say, the housing construction switch from polymer to aluminum is a massive boon. The new volume rheostat and knob is very pleasant, however, I wish there was a toggle switch for power instead of an "off position" in the rheostat.

I love my Element III MK2. I bought this after the atom 2 stack. The ability to EQ, and the smaller profile are incredible. +2 bass for my Edition XS… could not be happier, my current endgame. My atom 2 stack now is used on my gaming computer (900 Pro X) while I use the Element III MK2 for critical listening from my iPhone. I could not be any happier.

I purchased this amp to drive my DT 990 Pro’s and this amp works wonderfully! The product feels very solid and definitely no software needed to install. Thank goodness. Many other products require proprietary software that often crashes my games or even my computer. Over time, the software goes out of date and you are left dealing with issues. I can see this product lasting a very long time. Thank you JDS Labs for not making amps dependent on software installation in order to function.

I bought my Atom Amp+ because it seemed to be an exceptionally well-designed and executed product, manufactured in America at a very competitive price. The amp does not disappoint, delivering great musicality against a silent background when driving my Grado SR325e headphones. I was so impressed with the Amp+ that I then bought the matching Atom DAC+, and it too offers remarkable sound quality and value-for-money. Highly recommended!

I've only owned a BT DAC+Amp dongle before, and though it sounds much better than the soundcard in my laptop, Atom DAC+ & Atom 2 take it to the next level. Test listening between the dongle and the stack using a busy track, I can tell how the stack fixes parts in the track that were muddy using the dongle. So far the stack sounds flawless to my ears, no complaints, other than having to deal with 2 gigantic power adapters I guess.

I've never had a DAC, closest I ever got were dedicated sound cards back in the day. This Element is treat for the ears. I've got 1,000's of hours in some games, and with this its like experiencing sound for the first time again. Games sound soooo much better now. Now I just need to start tweaking the Core app, what a treat.

This is the missing piece to eliminate all noise from USB digital sources. My source is an M4 Max MacBook Pro into the Atom DAC 2. Sometimes I need to connect a PD-powered USB C hub to my machine since the MacBook only has 3 USB C ports. When you use the synapse between the source and the DAC, there is ZERO audible noise. It’s pretty darn good looking as a piece of audio jewelry, as well.

I've had a JDS Lab Element II for a number of years now and it's been flawless. I've been using it as a preamp, as well as the headphone amp obviously. Recently I "upgraded" my PC to which the Element was attached. With that "upgrade", came an truly horrendous amount of electrical noise, mostly on the preamp side. After trying different USB ports, cables, swapping around power outlets, I decided to get a USB filter/isolator. Reviews online are all over the board for all the various solutions out there. I found that JDS Labs had the Synapse, and being a happy Element II owner, I ordered it. The Synapse works exactly and I'd hoped and exceeded my expectations on the noise reduction it provides. Fantastic product! Now, If I could just get JDS Labs to make speaker amps.....

Hi, I purchased the ATOM DAC+ for a good friend of mine that is passionate about tango music, he is Tango Dj as well as me and I have recommended him the atom stack, because I trust this company and I love their products, they simply work, no marketing bullshit, nothing of that crap, they are just very high quality products for a good price. Highly recommend them to anyone! Thank you guys so much, you are doing an amazing work and I hope your business lives forever, we need products and a vision like you! <3 Peace, Andrei

Having been a fan of the first Element III, I was expecting good things with the Element IV, and it delivered. The Element IV keeps everything I loved about the III and sounds cleaner, driving my headphones with greater sense of ease. This one ticks all the boxes the sounds is rich, detailed, neutral, with perfect imaging, a silent background, and toe-tapping rhythmic drive. Besides audio enjoyment, I imagine that the Element IV can be used for professional applications. Having owned a number of studio-grade dacs and amps, the Element IV does a better job than all of them (especially now with EQ built in) on my Audezes, at a lower cost. The Element IV is a joy to use.

This is my first external DAC and after a lot of research I decided on the JDS Labs Atom DAC+. I’m so happy I did. I got it on a closeout deal but would’ve also been happy if it had been full price. I paired it with the Atom Amp+ and a pair of Sennheiser HD 560S headphones. Hearing things I’ve never heard before on songs I’ve been listening to for years. I’m no expert or Audiophile but the sound is great. Also love that both devices come with a power supply instead of relying on usb power like much of the competition in this price range.

There's really no reason to review these guys make amazing stuff, can't wait for the Atom Amp 3, assuming they'll make it. Also the 3.5mm input on the back makes all my dongles sound amazing, tell everyone. Best endorsement is that all the reviewers that usually sell their gear keep their Atom Amp's for personal use. Hoary! Best 150ish I spent on an amp. Prob best SE amp for the money!

I’ve been buying from these guys for a long time. Starting with the original Element, which I loved, I’ve bought every model since! I was about to buy their O2 at the time, but the Element just happened to launch not very long after I discovered them. Figured it was fate so I went for it. But anyway, the only one with a very slight issue for me was the III, but it was nothing that affected quality or regular use. Just needed to be restarted every month or so (which they actually wanted you to do anyway 😂). But now the IV is here, and man, the changes are bigger than ever! Love that we’re using a new chip, USBC (though I wish the cable they have was USBC on both sides), and the webapp software is really slick. I’ve been using equalizer APO on Windows for a very long time, but I think with this new built in equalizer, it might finally be time to put it to rest. I haven’t had a chance to fiddle with it too much yet, so I can’t say for sure it does everything I would want, but my config is relatively basic so I’m sure it can… we also got UAC2, a very important upgrade. If you have an Element or basically anything else, but you’ve been wondering if it’s finally time to upgrade, I’d say it’s absolutely time to pull the trigger. Great products, great customer service, and 100% made in America! They’ve got a customer for life - though that’s been true since the first one, ha.

The team at JDS offer an unprecedented level of customer service. The Atom stack (AMP + DAC) is a fantastic bit of kit, aesthetically pleasing and matches, and sometimes even outperforms some of the more ‘premium’ amp/DAC stacks/combos that I’ve used in the past. John has answered the countless number of questions that I’ve had, and even offered to send out a replacement DAC following some jitter issues I was experiencing via optical (thankfully resolved with a software update, which John once again helped with). JDS have a customer for life. I couldn’t recommend these guys highly enough.

The Atom Amp 2 delivers loads of clear, clean power and a pure, uncolored (but not harsh or clinical) sound. American made with excellent build quality, and it looks great on my desk! I have enjoyed my Atom Amp 2 daily for the past 8 months. It is fantastic and an incredible bargain. Don't let the "audiophile" elites fool you. You don't need to spend $500 or $1000 for amazing sound.

I have had separate high dollar pieces that sounded great and am happy to report that the Element IV replaces these in a smaller more convenient form factor with the best volume control in the business. If you don love the sound? no worries, eq it to your exact preferences and save the presets for different headphones. Tame the highs on one pair, boos the lows on another and go back easily at your leisure. This is a state of the art product at a more than reasonable price, if you ar reconsidering it, do not wait, buy it now.

After much deliberation on a desktop amp, I decided to give the JSD Labs Atom Amp 2 a try, paring it with a Douk Audio P1 DAC/Amp. I have a set of beyerdynamics DT-770 Pro Limited Edition that I just couldn't get anything at my house to drive, including my 1000w Denon home theater amp. I don't use this stack for gaming, but more for to listening to music at my desktop while working from home. The P1 has Bluetooth, so I send audio from either my desktop Mac or my iPhone to it for listening purposes. I'm also a musician (bass/drums) and sometimes need to practice silent, so I run an audio line via RCA into the DAC. The problems was that the Douk P1 couldn't drive the DT-770's as well as I would've liked so, I decided to add a real amp to it while still maintaining a small footprint on my desk. The Atom Amp 2 seemed like a good choice but to confirm, I emailed JDS and John recommended it as well, suggesting that I pair it with the Atom DAC. After looking at a couple of other manufacturers, I decided to give the Atom Amp 2 a try and I'm very pleased with it. My DT-770s sound MUCH better. I need to experiment a bit more with this setup to get a cleaner sound but I feel confident the amp will deliver once I have everything tweaked. If I didn't need BT, I'd just order the Atom DAC but BT is important for my usage.

I tested the Element IV with the Synapse using my Hifiman Edition XS and found my comfortable listening level at -30db with plenty of headroom to boot. The unit produces great, resolving sound with no fuss or drivers. I also love the form-follows-function industrial design embodied by the intuitive giant volume knob. Overall, very resolving, intuitive amp that will power most headphones, highly recommended.

I was able to replace two devices with this little black box: a dongle-type DAC on my MacBook Air, and a Dolby Digital decoder/converter I was using to get optical audio output from my TV to my thirty-year-old stereo receiver. I thought both performed competently but wanted something better, so I bit on the nice year-end offer on the DAC+. Not long after getting it hooked up, it was clear that this unit was miles ahead in performance than the other two devices. I love that this box can handle both optical and USB, which frees up an input on my receiver, and makes switching between them as simple as pushing a button. I don't believe I'm missing out by not having a metal case--the box sits stably on my desk and looks great. Operation is dead simple, and I appreciate the fact that, when playing content from my Mac, it locks volume control out entirely, ensuring bit-perfect playback. And that playback is stunning in quality. Even the output from my TV sounds better, more airy, more alive when flowing through the DAC+. I'm looking forward to excellent service from this device, and highly recommend it to those looking for a low-cost and low-fuss entry into the realm of hi-res audio.

Purchased this and 2 other similarly priced phone preamps. The JDS Labs is DEAD quiet!!! Overall better sound then the other two and more features. The treble and bass knobs are a huge bonus. I don't get into the little details of the sound like some do, but simply put this was the best of the 3 by far!!! I doubt any phone preamp under $350 is as good. Buy it before they realize they could charge twice as much and still would be a bargain!!! :) My system is Linn turntable, Exposure 2010s2 integrated and Sonus Faber Sonetto IIs. All these are way more expensive than the JDS Labs phono preamp...........however it was their equal

This is a review of the Atom "stack," including the Amp 2. I upgraded from an Audioengine D1 and was not prepared for how big an upgrade it would be. The Atom makes everything sound 100x better: headphones, speakers, whatever you plug into it sounds like a new and much more expensive device. The sound is very rich and three-dimensional. I didn't know sound could be like this. Customer service was also responsive and excellent.

My fiancé bought me the Atom Amp 2 as a Christmas present, going so far as to create a custom logo for the case. Not only does it look incredible and feel high-quality to the touch, but it sounds amazing! I've been using a set of Drop x Hifiman HE-X4 headphones for several years, powering them exclusively off my laptop's headphone jack. I had read that they'd sound a lot better with a decent amp, but I didn't realize it would be this big of a difference! I completed the set with a JDS DAC and am loving the sound. Very happy with this setup, and glad to support my local audio gear company!

Been a big fan of the Element for a while now. Had the original Element and upgraded to the IV recently and I couldn’t be happier. I just love how clear the sound is and how streamlined the experience is. I also had an issue that was quickly addressed, so huge shout out to their customer service team! Will be coming back for sure.

I have two headphones (Ananda Stealth & Meze 109 Pro) that I've been listening to for a few years through an A&K SR25 MkII and thought they sounded wonderful, but I've often read that this DAP could be a little under powered for Planars, so I started my search for an external amp. After whittling my list down to Atom Amp2 and a comparably spec'd/priced Schiit model, I decided to go for the Atom Amp2 due to repeated reviews that had the Atom Amp2 edging out the similar priced Schiit's, ifi's, or any other. Also this amp has both 1/4" & 4.4mm headphone outs which for me is good because I have a 4.4 balanced I really like so a win there. I know the 4.4 out on this amp isn't balanced but I like being able to use my better cable. Only have 10 hrs of listening in so far but right out of the box this amp sounds amazing with the Amanda's. (Not sure if this Amp benefits from burn in time or not, we'll see.) Wonderful soundstage and instrument layering and placement along with a fuller overall tonality. Not heavy by any means, just a bit richer. The bass is very well balanced and resolving, doesn't color or cover the rest of the music but is powerful when it's supposed to be. Very enjoyable! Not surprizingly, the 109 Pro, so far, hasn't changed the listening experience through the Atom Amp2, as opposed to just the SR25 MkII. Not surprising, because the 109 Pro is a VERY efficient dynamic driver headphone so it's pretty happy with much less power. By the way I'm using the SR25 MkII's line out to the Atom Amp2. Sometimes listening to files loaded into the SR 25 and then line out to the amp, sometimes listening from Qobuz on my Macbook, through the SR25 DAC then out to the Atom Amp2. And that's all I have to say about that. Highly recommend!

I own quite a few $1500 plus dacs, very over priced solid state and tube amps and some crazy expenisve headphones like the rest of you all. All i can say is this thing is portable, the EQ app is very easy to use and the sound its hard to describe how good it is coming out of this little device. The knob is TOTL. All i can say is this thing slaps hard!

Price was outstanding, shipping was fast. No complaints about the Atom Dac + It suites my needs in a desktop setup. Using a Motorola mobile phone, Hiby music player app (which recognizes the JDS Atom dac +), Topping PA3s amplifier and a pair of Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 speakers in my computer room. Simple and satisfying.

JDS Synapse USB Isolator is an excellent solution for reducing EMI and ground loop noise. The isolation is highly effective (40~55 dBA noise reduction), and the low-noise LDO. However, it does not have reclock feature, meaning jitter from the source is still passed to the DAC. Overall, it's one of the best USB isolators for HiFi use. Highly recommended for users needing clean USB power(* 100mA) and EMI isolation!

Only bought this because of the Code 10 error rendering my OG Element inoperable without uninstalling updates. That being said, it was an excuse to upgrade and I was extremely satisfied with my OG that I didn't really bother to look elsewhere. The IV seems very close, but it's the subtle differences that impress me. The digital volume and small display were definitely nice features and a welcome change. Love bring able to switch outputs by pressing the knob. Hope to upgrade again in another 10 years or so.

I’ve used various headphone amps since returning to the hobby. My moderate hearing loss at certain frequencies is easily managed by Element IV and the Core, which provide the tools to optimize my headphones for a complete and enjoyable listening experience. I can also output to my tube amp for a warm sound when I want. Thanks for this awesome product. My aging ears appreciate it.

I am very happy with the ATOM 2 AMP and DAC 2! The difference between the onboard audio on both my laptop and my desktop is enormous with the HD 6XX headphones, I hear details coming from all sides, it's amazing. In short, it's surrounding my ears from left, right, front, center, top, bottom, bottom-left, bottom-right etc., it's basically all-around. Especially if I listen on well recorded songs on tidal, it's almost as if the artist is singing close to me, just for me, it's so intimate! It's very enjoyable and fun. On bad recorded tracks, I can immediately tell if there's too much treble/air or bass or vocals or something just doesn't feel right. It's amazing! I just love the ATOM, words are not enough to describe how happy and thankful I am, first, that you guys exist and create such a beautiful masterpiece! I can't thank you enough and I mean it from the bottom of my heart! I will support you as much as I can, so that you continue to exist and create such wonderful equipment, no bullshit, just the real deal! I love you guys! <3

This is my fourth DAC from JDS, and every one has been perfect. I now primarily use them instead of any sound cards in desktop and notebook computers. Computer > USB, them receiver or O2 headphone amp. The Atom DAC 2 works using a Windows 10 based on the XMOS. Used good troubleshooting advice from John Seaber, as usual!

Very clean sound connected to my WiiM Pro as the streamer and my PS5 for gaming with Dan Clark Aeon Noire X. Paired with the Atom Amp 2 is a great match for genres like EDM, Classical, and most metal. Unit is small and takes very little space on my desktop so integration is seamless. Gaming is super simple, grab a UAC 1 fallback cable with the usb c adapter and your PS5 will recognize this as the Atom Dac. Lastly Jon and team are industry leading in customer service! I plan on saving up to buy the Element 4 at some point before summer ideally.

I was looking for an affordable headphone amp that would accurately be somewhat clinical for critical listening while mixing multi track recording's during late night and early morning mixing sessions when it’s not practical using my near field studio monitors. I was favoring Toppings A90 discrete however, while researching the reviews, it bothered that so many reviews stating its reliability issues. Many reviewers said it worked fine for a few months or up to a year when it suddenly turned into a brick. Also, some stated that service support was difficult to non-respondent. When they did get a response to have their units repaired that it had to be shipped to China at the owners expense, along with long lead times before the customer receive their amplifier back. I always make it a habit to review customers feedback before making purchases. Which left me on the fence when it came to toppings reliability. And then I stumbled across a couple of reviews on JDS Labs Element IV DAC/Amp, and how impressive were the test measurement responses were, that got my attention. Also, reviewers who have purchased their products mentioned how great their Service Support was. So when I checked JDS Lab’s website, it stated that the Element IV was out of stock and on backorder. So I decided to call JDS labs after business hours to leave a message to call me back at their soonest convenience. But to my surprise, John himself, of JDS Labs answered his cell phone as he was driving home from the office. I was totally impressed, that here’s a guy that’s taking his time after work to answer a question in person, now that is outstanding customer service! He told me that he had back orders to fulfill and that it could take a couple of weeks because, he was waiting for parts to fulfill his pre-order purchase commitments. So there and then, I put my order in to purchase the Element IV. That weekend on a Sunday,I had a couple of questions regarding the DAC/Amp so I used the email on his website and lo and behold, he emailed me back within an hour, answering my questions. I was so impressed that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it and, hear for myself how good this product was. And again, to my amazement I got an email from him on Monday, stating he was getting circuit boards in by Tuesday and that I could expect to receive my order within a week. And on that Wednesday evening, I received an email that he had shipped my order. And I received it on Friday exactly one week after I ordered it! Wow! I was blown away, with search dedication to serving his customers. That weekend, I connected it to my windows workstation to listen to some mixes on my Audeze LCD-X (2021) edition. And was very impressed on how clean it sounded out of the box. I then used the parametric EQ feature and adjusted the EQ by using the Harmon curve that was suggested from AutoEQ.com website for my headphones. And it totally changed my perspective on this headphone amp! The sound stage was so impressive and the music just was so undescribable! It was like I was in the front row center seat. The EQ function is well worth the price itself. I’m no longer using Sound ID plug-in, in my DAW when monitoring through my headphones. JDS Labs Element IV is worth every penny and I am so happy with this product. With my windows workstation, it was simple plug-in play, ready to go right out of the box. And using the EQ function to get the flattest frequency response out of your headphones, as one review stated, “Hits it out of the park“. All I can say is, for the price, it’s well worth the admission… buy it, you will not be disappointed.

Upon first opening the box that the Element IV, synapse and the power brick for the Element IV came in I was confused. It seemed like seemed like everything was half in the box and needed to be cleaned but that’s just probably just since it was all tested at JDS before leaving the door. The only negatives I have found have found the importing of eq profiles is a bit limited due to how new JDS core is but if you spend 5 minutes you can make whatever you want for EQ as well. Can’t knock a star for that or the packaging but for the imperfections in the clear resin knob and the glass of the synapse I have to deduct 1 star. The glass is filled with a distracting amount of imperfections on both that I thought it was used at first but they are clearly deeper than surface level and from the manufacturing process. I wish I had gone with non 3d printed synapse and just the normal knob as it’s really distracting but the actual sound itself is literally the best you can get under 1k unless you want more of an R2R flavor which is understandable but not my thing so this has been perfect. I really do want to give it 5 stars as it’s a 6/5 in performance it just doesn’t look as good on my desk as I hoped with the imperfections in the resin knob that I pushed the unit further back than I’d want with a great piece of equipment.

This unit has been great so far! I see some nice improvements from older products (I have an older El Amp II+), such as 1) Core--I really love the idea! Being able to access the functionality of the Element in a nicer UI, as well as it having the possibility of future feature expansion is really nice! 2) Almost no knob wobble--my older El Amp II+ had some knob wobble and would scrape the chassis a little bit if you spun the knob in the wrong way (note, I was able to fix this by putting a shim in knob next to the shaft). However, I am very happy to report that the knob on the Element IV feels like it has almost no wobble! 3) Perfect channel balance (haven't done blind tests, so not going to comment too much on this). 4) For desktop speakers being able to press the knob to change the output is nice! I do wish the knob were a little bit easier to press down, but that could just be personal preference. 5) A tiny thing, but when spinning the knob on the older El Amp II+, the "height" of the copper ring would vary quite a bit as the knob would turn. The new Element IV seems to be better in this regard! Also, I know I probably shouldn't be able to hear a difference between the sound coming out of my M4 Macbook Pro high impedance headphone jack and the JDS Element IV. However, I do think that getting the volume dialed in just right is easier on the Element IV (sometimes the Macbook quarter increments seem to go from too high to too low with just one bar) and makes listening more enjoyable.

Just got this and immediately plugged in between my line 6 helix and my USB on my PC. The annoying ground loop issues is gone! The silence is night and day. The symptom before was loud high pitch frequencies "thinking and processing" if you know the sound you know the sound. Anyway, this fixed it. There's some minor HF buzz in my monitors but at this point I think it's just because they're old and worn. Even if there's some residual noise, it's barely noticeable. This thing is worth every penny!

After a lot of research, I decided to purchase the Atom 2 DAC/AMP bundle from JDS Labs. I'm very impressed with the build quality and the clean, crisp sound I get from my recently acquired Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X LE headphones is amazing. The quality you get for such a reasonable price is refreshing. I also can't say enough about the customer service response at JDS. John responded to my emails within the same day (even after hours)! To have such a quality product made in the USA and a company that is customer oriented is something to be admired and proud of. Thank you JDS!!

I had no idea the amount of noise that was coming through in my audio. I listened to my Element III right before plugging in the Synapse and after installing this small but mighty device ... my audio immediately sounded clean and it makes the whole listening experience crisp and enjoyable! Don't think about it just hit buy. Cant wait to try out my Element IV now!

I purchased the Amp 2 and the DAC 2 together. Great combo. Plenty of power and resolution for my Hifiman Arya Organic and Sennheiser HD 560s Headphones. I have a Bluesound Node Nano attached via the USB and my LG TV via the Optical to the DAC 2. Both work very well with excellent clarity and a natural sound. The Amp 2 has tons of headroom pushing the Arya's or the Sennheiser's in low gain to the top of my desired listening levels at about 2 o'clock on the volume dial. Then there is high gain mode which offers a log of gain. Maybe if I some super hard to drive cans like susvara I would need that,. Great to have the option to push some hungry headphones if I need it. These JDS Labs units are exactly what is needed to enjoy some headphone listening. The price is very reasonable, they are compact, well made, sound fantastic! Engineered, machined and assembled in America. Should have great support if I ever need it.

I'm using it on my MacBook Pro, so I don't notice much difference in sound. The issue is that I want to run my Onix Alpha dongle through it. The Onix Alpha is rated at 5V 150mA, while Synapse has a maximum power delivery capacity of 5V 100mA. I connected it directly through Synapse, but within 30 seconds, Synapse became very warm. Sonically, the bass is significantly reduced (clearly due to insufficient power), but otherwise, the sound remains the same. I believe the marketing materials should emphasize that this device is not suitable for dongles or any other peripherals that rely on the same USB cable for both power and audio signal. Also i think it is expensive considering it is almost as much as a new amplifier. It's pretty though!

In my journey to find audio nirvana, I’ve tried many different forms of amplification and DACs. In that time, I’ve always felt like there was a compromise somewhere. For the first time in a while, I feel like the element iv has just gotten out of the way and had me enjoying music for the sake of the music. The design and build quality is impeccable, the giant knob is tactile and satisfying, and best of all the specs back it all up as an extremely transparent, neutral, revealing amp that just lets your headphones and music shine. The implementation of the new JDS core eq platform has helped take things to another level. It’s been flawless so far and being able to do away with third party programs simplifies things. Again, just getting out of the way and out of your thoughts. I’d be nice to eventually be able to add multiple shelves but this is still in beta and I have absolute confidence that JDS will be supporting this for the long haul. If you’re looking for a reference quality amp/dac for a fair price, from a company with an incredible reputation for being responsive to its customers needs, then look no further. The JDS Element IV is the last stop on the train. Hop off and get back to enjoying the tunes. Thanks JDS!

My first and last DAC. I love how it stacks with the Atom amp. I purchased the amp a while ago. Since there has been no major upgrades been made nor was there anything to improve upon. Thats a good sign for a product! One that will last a good while. I didn't hesitate much in ordering the DAC, though wish I had purchased it earlier. I use it with my Iphone 15. I don't listen to any audiophile worthy content, but it is most durable and reliable! I highly recommend one. God bless you!

The JDS Labs Atom DAC 2 and Amp 2 bundle delivers an exceptionally clear and smooth sound, making it a fantastic choice for audiophiles and casual listeners alike. The setup is incredibly easy to use while offering remarkable depth and emotion in sound reproduction. Every note and detail shines through with pristine clarity, making for an immersive listening experience. Beyond the outstanding audio quality, the purchasing process is seamless, with fast and efficient shipping. JDS Labs ensures a hassle-free experience from start to finish. Given the incredible performance at such a reasonable price, this bundle is an absolute steal for anyone looking to elevate their audio setup. Highly recommended!

The Atom 2 amp/DAC stack delivers a clean, powerful, and highly transparent sound that punches well above its price range. Its minimalist design is sleek yet functional, making it an excellent addition to any desktop setup without taking up too much space. I was especially impressed by the low noise floor and how effortlessly it drives both sensitive IEMs and demanding headphones without distortion. The volume control feels smooth and precise, adding to the overall premium experience. it’s a fantastic choice for anyone looking for an affordable yet high-quality amp/DAC stack that excels in clarity and performance. It really is, from my personal perspective after trying it. I swear it doesn't disappoint.

Purchased this to replace a Nobsound USB isolator. It did eliminate some noise that was making its way through the Nobsound. Another superb product from JDS Labs. My only prior experience with JDS is an Atom headphone amp, which has also exceeded all of my expectations. JDS Labs is a great supplier of quality gear.

I love the tactile feel of the volume knob. Really intuitive DSP interface and ever so slightly warm, yet super spacious and detailed sound on my Ayra Stealth. Amazing driving power. Never even need the high gain. Not as clinical as the Topping offerings . Great communication and customer service.

It instantly breathed new life into an expensive pair of planar magnetics, previously sitting disused on a shelf. It is a game-changer for my speakers. I turned off the DSP on my 13" sub; got rid of the 50Hz hot spot on my bookshelf speakers (no EQ previously possible); and now EQ both sub and speakers from one UI, providing a near-linear frequency response curve.

I purchased this amp and was amazed with the performance is has! Glad I went this way. Strongly recommend JDS labs as it has the quality feel and sound I was looking for. Super loud and when I turn on the gain it is a performer to say the least. Needed something to be able to wear headphones with. Called them and said what I needed and said I was on the right path and purchased.

The Element IV is a wonderful product. It is far superior to the amp that I had been using for the last two years - and which had cost more than twice as much when purchased. The Element IV has more features, flexibility and is incredibly easy to use, all with much better sound. I'm driving Arya Stealth and HD 800 - and I was beginning to believe I needed new headphones because there simply was no life in the sound (I'm not really any sort of audiophile I just love music, so I don't know how to explain it, but it was becoming increasingly unsatisfying to listen to music with either set of headphones.) My headphones seem to have "come alive" driven by the Element IV, and in a most basic way I've been re-introduced to the joy of listening to music again!

I've been rocking the Element II since I ordered it back on June 7th, 2020. It was and still is such a good product that I completely forgot about looking up new JDS products. I'm glad I checked this website though because I wouldn't have known about this new release! I immediately ordered it and honestly, you cannot get a better product for the price. The CORE software, coupled with the Element IV is game changing. The sound is fantastic as always. These products are truly Buy It For Life quality/performance and like I said, I'm still rocking my Element II 5 years later with 0 issues. 10/10, this product is top of it's class.

I am so pleased with this device. I was a little annoyed at first, as it exposed a glaring ground fault I didn't have to deal with on my outgoing DAC (Schiit Jotunheim 2), as it had proper balanced outputs. That being said, after adding a Synapse, I am very happy. The thing is just sexy. It looks and feels incredibly well made. I opted for the resin encoder knob and love the look of it. My DMS Omegas sound incredible, and the built-in DSP with EQ is such a brilliant idea it makes you wonder why no one else has done it before. The fact it remembers separate DSP settings for headphone and RCA outputs as well as separate volume settings, it just exudes an attention to detail you don't see it many other brands. I especially love the ability to swap between headphone and RCA outputs with a tap. While I could do this with my old DAC, the whole virtual encoder thing makes it a lot more convenient. No more accidentally waking up my spouse in the room over because I forgot to lower the volume when switching to my speakers. Just great, great gear. I've been a Schiit user for years, and I am now wholeheartedly a convert to JDS. When are we going to see some amps for proper, big speakers?

I purchased the amp with the Atom DAC 2. Got it to pair with my new headphones, the ATH-R70x Refine. This is a really good combo to my ears. The headphones are somewhat power hungry, and my old amp was struggling to get good volume out of them. Not a problem with the Atom. On the high gain setting it's too loud with the knob at 50%. I've listened to some very expensive gear that while it sounds amazing, my rig which cost about $650 total (amp, DAC, headphones) is close enough that I can't really see spending thousands of dollars to improve on it. The JDS gear just works, and punches way above it's weight in terms of value for your dollar. I'm very happy with it.

I had been using the JDS Labs EL Amp II and EL DAC II for almost 5 years and loved the sound, but they were getting old and I wanted something new to go with a new ASUS NUC. I have to say the Atom Amp+ and Atom DAC+ combo sound just as good with all my headphones, and the price was incredible. I would not consider myself an audiophile, just someone who enjoys music to relax, but I know what sounds good. I've tried a few different amp/dac combos and were not satified until I started using JDS Labs products.

I was hearing a lot of "whine" from my mouse movement from my speakers and this eliminated it completely. The interference was present whenever the DAC was connected to the PC, even if I wasn't using the USB input. I tried all the ports on the PC, ports on hubs, changing power profiles, monitor refresh rate, mouse polling rate, balanced speaker connections, and several different USB cables. Some changes had an effect, but never eliminated it completely. EL DAC II+ EL AMP II+ Yamaha HS7 Monitors

Initially only got the Element III for digital music, but added the Atom Amp 2 to my desk to start playing with vinyl. The Atom Amp works great, sounds great with all of my headphones. Only small complain is that I wish I also had the Atom DAC to lift the knob off my desk to make it easier to grab and rotate (but thats more of a me problem)

Received my Element IV yesterday and haven't stopped using it since. It is easy to setup and use and it sounds absolutely amazing. I have used it as an all-in-one and now I'm trying it as a DAC with a couple different tube hybrid setups: Sparkos Gemini & Schiit Vali 3. It rises to the occasion easily. What a fantastic all-arounder. Of course, JDS customer service was great as well, I asked for mine to be built with a 4.4mm. John responded right away, the device shipped within 2 days and today Austin answered my questions about using it as a DAC with external tube amps. A+ support

The JDS LABS Atom DAC 2 I paired with the Atom Amp 2 to replace an older Schiit Audio amp and DAC. Hookup was straight forward and the Qobuz app on my PC picked it up right away. Nice piece of equipment, well made and sounds great. I have to note one downside. The DAC will go into standby mode after 15 mintes, but not as a rule. I need to manually turn the unit off to not see the ON ring light. So far I would highly recommend.

I reached out to customer service via email at 7 pm my time which would have been 10pm their time on a Friday night. Literally received a reply 4 minutes later by an actual person. And yes I know it was an actual human due to the detailed response to my inquiry. Incredible product and an amazing shopping experience!

Very handy device to reduce USB noise. I use my primary office PC for all work, gaming and playing my music library. Occasionally I notice some microphonic noise in my headphones when different components are being used. I added the Synapse in the USB chain between the PC and Schiit DAC and it is helping eliminate the noise. Thanks.

For anyone who’s looking for perfect channel matching, a smooth knob, tons of power, excellent SNR, built in DSP and excellent build quality for your desktop setup, look no further. This is the endgame product for anyone who wants a no-frills solution to achieve the exact same results as “audiophile” (overpriced) equipment that are many thousands of dollars more expensive.

Full disclosure, this is my first phono preamp, but I'm not entirely new to hi-fi. I am running this in my bedroom setup into a Yamaha amp and Wharfedale Diamond 12.0s. I previously had these speakers in my main setup, where the source was a Yamaha AVR for movies (standard and 4k BD) and a Wiim Mini for lossless streaming from Tidal. I think the speakers sound great with this preamp, as they did with Tidal. The imaging is possibly better now. I hear zero noise from this thing at moderate volumes, until I drop (or clean) the needle. Build quality is quite nice. The treble and bass knobs work just fine, though I currently have them disabled. Would recommend, despite my lack of experience with vinyl. I can't see myself considering this the weak link in the chain for quite some time.

I have about 10 different USB devices, varying from very low power, to DAC, 88-key USB-powered keyboard, and a steamdeck XL. Anytime I'd plug in my 88 key keyboard, I'd get horrible noise through my DAC/monitors. I ordered the Synapse, plugged it in between my USB hub and DAC, and it completely fixed it. It's even quieter than before I ran into the issue in the first place. It's nice to buy a product that "just works" and gives me such an easy solution to something that has been nagging me for months! 5/5 stars, this thing WORKS!

I've definitely liked them so far, but mine had a bit of a QC issue and the toggle button gets stuck occasionally. Also, the engraving instructions were quite confusing, and I ended up getting an inverted image. If I could suggest anything, displaying a preview of what the image could potentially look like before finalizing the purchase would be nice.

I spent months researching desktop headphone amplifiers before locking in on the Element IV (w/ Synapse). I'd heard nothing but great things, and when I discovered firmware updates added most of the features drawing me to the alternatives, I figured this was the one for me. Up until I decided to buy, I'd repeatedly read about the amazing customer support offered by JDS Labs. My experience was no different. I already knew everything I needed to know from a technical perspective, so when I reached with a few questions about colors and aesthetics, I was astonished by how responsive and helpful John was. For perspective, I messaged Saturday night, not expecting to hear back until Monday at the soonest. By midday Sunday, all my questions were answered, and I was 100% confident this was perfect solution for my system, placing my order that day. I really can't express my appreciation enough. The amp itself is fantastic. Feels really well made. Setup was cake. Using JDS Core is equally breezy. The fact that I can configure settings that actually stick with the amp using my browser is incredible. (In other words, no need to run bloaty software just to use basic features!) Sound quality is delightful. It's perfectly clean and compliments my DCA headphones nicely. I bought this for greater control, more power, and crossfeed. All three of those boxes were checked to my complete satisfaction. I'm overjoyed with all aspects of my purchase. If the Element IV is on your shortlist, I'd say it's well worth your time and money.

Got the Atom 2 bundle, including the cables, Atom DAC 2, and Atom AMP 2. Had for two weeks so far. I am new to audio equipment and decided to buy this to pair with the HD490 Pro. So far, excellent performance and user experience. Packaging and shipping perfect, simple setup, brainless use. No drivers necessary. Both the units and the cables are incredibly well built. The knob, buttons, and connectors all feel quality. Beware this requires two chunky AC transformers, if that affects your purchasing. Instructions and support for this hardware online appear to be good if you have questions or are curious like I was. LED rings cannot be turned off when the amp and DAC are operating/are an integral part of the product. Well worth the buy in my opinion!

I have always loved listening to music. I got over 93,000 minutes on Spotify alone last year. I’d mainly used my AirPod Pros but a little over a month ago I came across this AMP/DAC on YouTube and I began wondering how much better can music sound? I started using Amazon Music Unlimited and purchased this and the FiiO FT1, then the FiiO FT1 Pro, the Sennheiser HD 800 S, Focal Hadenys, Skullcandy Crusher ANCs, Arya Stealth and EVERYTHING works and sounds Amazing with this amp! You may say ignorance is bliss because I don’t know how much better it can get. Set up was super easy, EQ is easy to adjust and aside from the 800 S, everything can get super loud. I’m looking forward to seeing how the focal clear, ZMF Bokeh closed backs, and Meze Empyrean 2’s I ordered sound! Thanks JDS Labs for contributing to this wonderful experience!

I received Element IV three days ago. Such an interesting dac/amp unit! I think Golden Sound (Headphones.com reviewer) is right, the IV provides exceptional sound in less than $1,000 dac/amp territory. I compared my Rose Technics RT5000 (using dac only) into Topping A90D amp to HifiMan Arya Stealy headphones. Sound is what I call ElectroVoice ETX smooth, balanced and silky! Btw- EV ETX is a high-end powered live sound speaker that delivers amazing silky smooth tone. My fav powered 12" 2-way speaker, period. FYI- I run live sound for mega-churches and small venue acoustic bands. Initial Impressions / Grades Detail retrieval = A Overall Tonal Balance = A- Bass = A+ Mids = A Treble = A- (could have a bit more air) Sound stage = A- Multi-band Parametric EQ = A+++ I really like the Element IV and for us "midfi" buyers/ listeners, I agree with Golden Sound, at under $1,000 why would you buy anything else? Wish List for future models Bluetooth

used with my sennheiser hd 600s. beautiful. it's like god singing directly into my ears. my other $350 headphones don't reach the heights of sound that can be produced with the atom amp 2. my life has been ruined knowing that no matter what i listen to, it will never sound as good as my home setup now. as a downside, i have 0 cable management and this made everything 10x worse. i love that this comes with a physical dial as well (im very used to digital displays at this point, but i hate them all), and the custom engraving turned out great. i will say, as a linux user who will never return to windows (i can't stand not having the ability to change everything on my computer), it's very nice to see the support for linux users on the troubleshooting page!

Small, quiet, and visually cool looking (light ring around volume/on-off switch). Works great with my Oppo headphones. Very quiet. Also connected a wireless headphone using a Bluetooth transmitter adapter. Worked great. May eventually get another for my turntable. Highly recommended for those looking for an excellent headphone amp in this price range. My music is classical.

This little device solved my noise issues linked to floating grounds. My DAC, Amp and powered speakers are all floating and were grounding themselves through my pc. This device completely isolated the pc ground from the audio setup and I've had no noise issues since. It came at a recommendation from John at JDS labs, his customer support is second to none. Thanks for all the help John!

I got the Element IV because I wanted something small with more pEQ bands than my trusty RME ADI-2 DAC. Despite some minor limitations, I can't give this device anything less than 5 stars. The Element IV measures remarkably well in Amir's review on ASR and functions exceptionally well in everyday use. So far I have only tested it with the Empyrean II, Arya Organic, 560s, 105 AER, and Fiio FH7. It powers all of them perfectly on the low gain setting. Even though the FH7 is not a particularly sensitive IEM, I can't hear the noise floor of the amplifier. The spec sheet lists the output noise as 2 microvolts (unweighted, I assume) which is acceptable for IEMs. You shouldn't hear any noise floor even with more sensitive models than the FH7. The only negatives I can think of are related to software. The device should support either 4 shelf bands (2 low shelf and 2 high shelf) or selectable filters to accommodate at least all of oratory1990's EQ presets. I also miss the L/R channel balance control present on the RME ADI-2, which is useful for headphones with imbalances. It would be fantastic if future updates included an L/R balance slider for each saved EQ profile. Additionally, the device runs quite hot (even slightly hotter than the RME) but it seems typical for this class of device, and it’s not so hot that it burns my hand when touched. I should also mention I've been using it exclusively with the Synapse isolator. All in all, I love this device and will continue to use it every day.

I'll be elaborate in this review in case anyone is in the same boat. I moved my PC to another room recently and had to downgrade from 3 separate outlets for all my equipment to 1. This forced me to use one (high quality) power strip for my PC, mixer, JDS Amp/Dac, studio monitors, etc and the end result was a VERY noticeable and irritating whiny noise coming through my speakers any time the PC/GPU was under load - from gaming to even watching HD vids. I tried the best USB cable I could find on amazon (from DJ TechTools) and that had zero effect even with the ferrite on it. I had also scoured amazon for a 'ground loop isolator' but only found sub-par products that no one was happy with so I didn't even bother there. Once the Synapse came in and I slapped it in, the noise was gone and I was back to pure silence. A nice surprise is that JDS also included 2 adapters - One for USB-A to C and one for C to A, as well as a short USB-C to C cable so I didn't need to purchase any additional cables. I couldn't be happier, and highly suggest this unit if you have the same problem. I'll note here too that originally I tried optical, but the El DAC II+ always produced choppy audio from it, even with all the recent firmware. Not sure if this is the DAC or the motherboard audio that's at fault. I also tried the bluetooth adapter which works well, except that there's the slightest bit of latency which I couldn't deal with since I edit video and work with gamedev audio (can't match frames accurately). Hope this review helps, and thanks to JDS for providing quality products.

I accidentally became a collector of dacs and dac/amps over the past four years re-entering the hobby after decades away. It started with AudioQuest Dragonfly Red, Cambridge Audio DacMagic100, SMSL SU-9, SMSL SU-9 Pro, Quedlelix 5K, Questyle M15i, Mojo 2, and Rose Technics RT5000. I sold the first five on the list and kept the last four. I became super curious about JDS Labs and the new Element IV. Took the plunge largely based on headphone.com, Golden Sund recommendation of best dac/amp under $1,000. No looking back. Element IV is now my main headphone system dac/amp. So much to like out of the box and so much more to explore with 10 band parametric eq. What I love (at first blush) Weird to say, but the large, smooth, incremental volume knob is really nice and ergonomically a luxury feel. Simple push click of the large volume knob toggles between headphone out and RCA outputs (to powered speakers). No menus, rear switches to fumble with for this change - very intuitive! What I Really Love Smooooooth sound signature. No marketing hype about which AKM, ESS dac chip, just impressive overall sound. Larger sound stage, excellent detail, balanced tonality, surprisingly punchy bass, crazy 3.2 watts power into 32 ohms. To my ears, it sounds better than my Mojo2 and better than my Rose Technics RT5000 (even with FIOO premium 15 V separate power supply and using 4.4mm balanced headphone out). Is it a Mojo2 killer? Not really. Mojo2 is a very compact, mobile premium dac/amp as has earned a place in dac/amp history. But, for a desktop dac/amp for $100 less AND with ultra powerful, 10 band parametric EQ and 3.2 watts power into 32 ohms, I agree with Golden Sound, the JDS Element IV is the best dac/amp under $1,000!

What a great, neutral sounding DAC Amp. This is my endgame desktop DAC/AMP and I love the JDL labs online equalizer, for which you can EQ any pair of headphones and save those settings for the next time you listen. Great, streamless experience, and John and his team, as always, have been impeccably communicative and helpful.

I was searching for a solution to my ground/noise loop issue and found the Synapse advertised on YouTube. Although this seemed like it would fix the issue, I was sceptical and didn't want to waste time or money finding that it did not work. I searched for similar products on Amazon but the reviews for those products were 50/50 on fixing these types of issues. My issue was specific to my studio pro audio environment so I emailed JDS Labs explaining my issue. They got back to me within a couple hours to my surprise and confirmed that it should work. I purchased it and it works great. I highly recommend the Synapse.

This ATOM pre amplifier/headphone amplifier is working well and the sound is really clear. Only two thing do not look right : 1. Without keeping the gain switch on, the sound volume is too poor, so this switch has to stay on the all time. 2 The unit is heating up considerably, I wonder how long life this unit will have at this temperature with the volume set at no more than 3/4.

Quick shipping, safely packed, and delivered without surprise to Canada. This 2-input passive line stage is solidly built, nicely-finished, and elegant. The attenuator knob allows a safe control of a fixed line level output from a source component (e.g. CD deck or DAC) to a power amplifier. True value from U.S.A. Note: The Reimbursement On Delivery (ROD) fee is refunded if the recipient signs-up for a FedEx user account prior to delivery in Canada.

Extremely happy with the device, as a practicing professional acoustic musician. Very honest output that does good recordings justice in space and clarity and timbre, and the EQ comes in quite handy with accommodating different headphones. The only possible criticisms are the somewhat limited IO--but IRL for most people most of the time in most uses not having XLR is irrelevant....but most devices with balanced outputs cost substantially more, and the extra circuitry doesn't do much at the business end other than check a feature some people want.

Alright, so I wasn't really a headphone person before this. Like, at all. But I figured, hey, maybe a dedicated amp would make a difference? So I grabbed the JDS Labs Atom Amp 2 as my first one. Seriously, best decision. I already had the X-Duoo TA-26 tube preamp chilling here. Now I can actually use them together! I run the audio through the TA-26 first if I want that tube sound, and then the Atom 2 just gives it the clean power it needs. It's like my headphones woke up. Totally digging listening with headphones now. Yeah, definitely happy I got the Atom 2.

So let me start by saying I purchased the Atom Amp 2 and Atom Dac 2 stack. I got them because I was looking for something that did not hit the sound floor on the IEMS that I tend to use at my pc for music and gaming. The stack does not disappoint, it has plenty of power even for more power hungry headphones that i use on occasion. It is a clear clean signal, and i have yet to hear the sound floor. I do not see myself letting go of the stack for a very long time. I have one gripe that i am willing to overlook, it is not a 4.4mm balanced. You can hear the imbalance at lower volumes on the iems i use. It is the slightest of issues in my honest opinion. i just turn up the volume until i can no longer perceive it, which is still low as far as volume goes. Honestly that is my only complaint. JDS you guys did a smashing great job on this, can not wait to see what you cook up next!

I really enjoy the sound quality the Atom DAC 2 presents. Before I'd been listening using the dac in my AK SR25 MKII DAP and feeding it into my Atom Amp 2 and it sounded quite good. It uses a CIRRUS LOGIC CS43198 x2 (Dual DACs). Honestly I wasn't expecting a big improvement but there is to my ears a noticeable improvement in detail and spaciousness of the sound stage. At this price I am tickled!!

Amazing products love the sound. Gaming for years was using creative and gaming headsets but i switched to a really great headphone and this amp combo . So impressed with your product built really well and sounds fantastic . Been seriously missing out on sound in games , videos and movies. Best part made in America. Super easy set .

The Synapse completely eliminated ground loop noise from my system — worth every penny! Specifically, My Schiit Lokius EQ introduced a buzzing noise when either my ADI-2 FS R Black Edition's USB was plugged in to my main PC or when the unbalanced audio outputs from a Schiit Modi+ — connected via USB from a secondary PC — were plugged into the ADI-2's analogue inputs. GPU usage on the main PC (video games, videos, etc.) would increase this noise drastically. The noise was particularly bad through a Schiit Vali 3 tube amp (unbalanced), but I also heard the noise in a Schiit Jotunheim 2 using balanced inputs and the balanced headphone output. But with a Synapse connected to both DAC's, the noise is completely gone. Problem solved. Additionally, the Synapse comes with all the cables and adapters needed. P.S. I purchased the aluminum edition. The red looks nice, but I'd love a blacked-out option, too.

Got the Atom 2 bundle, including the cables, Atom DAC 2, and Atom AMP 2. Had for two weeks so far. I am new to audio equipment and decided to buy this to pair with the HD490 Pro. So far, excellent performance and user experience. Packaging and shipping perfect, simple setup, brainless use. No drivers necessary. Both the units and the cables are incredibly well built. The knob, buttons, and connectors all feel quality. Beware this requires two chunky AC transformers, if that affects your purchasing. Instructions and support for this hardware online appear to be good if you have questions or are curious like I was. LED rings cannot be turned off when the amp and DAC are operating/are an integral part of the product. Well worth the buy in my opinion!

I absolutely love this product. Awesome build quality, sound quality, and what's even more impressive, a modern approach to firmware and software. Being able to adjust everything in the browser is so convenient. And on top of that, frequent firmware updates make the experience even better. Huge props to the team!

Really enjoying the Atom Phono preamp. Feels well made, looks stylish, easy to use, and most importantly, contributes to great turn table sound. The bass/treble knobs are nice, and you can hear the results immediately. I connected Mevosto powered speakers and the first few records have sounded crisp. Overall a great product.

The OL Switcher is a great little device that does exactly what it promises at a solid price, and does it well. If you're looking for a straightforward way to switch a single 3.5mm or RCA audio source between two similar outputs without any fuss or degradation in sound quality, this is it. For my setup, I wanted to easily route the 3.5mm output from my DAC to either my headphones or my powered speakers without the constant hassle of plugging and unplugging. The OL Switcher has solved this perfectly. With a simple flick of the switch, I can instantly choose my desired output. Unlike many other passive audio switcher products on the market that feel flimsy, the build quality of the OL Switcher is significantly superior. It feels solid and well-constructed, giving me confidence that it will last for many years to come. I've noticed absolutely no alteration to the audio signal whatsoever. The sound remains clean and exactly as it should be, whether I'm listening through my headphones or my speakers. The switch itself has a satisfying little click, and the overall impression is of a no-nonsense piece of equipment that prioritizes functionality and durability, which is exactly what I was looking for.

I have a Topping HSO2 USB Isolator that I wasn't entirely happy with from a sound quality standpoint (ie, thinner, neutered bass with my Gustard x26pro/h20 stack and Hifiman HEKSEs) - and though it worked otherwise - what's the point if it changes the sound presentation and doesn't sound good. I was looking for another, more expensive solution when I saw a few reviews of the Synapse here and there online - so I chose to try it (since I'd already had a good experience with JDS Labs). I can say that not only does it work to quell USB noise - but it also doesn't change the sound quality presentation like the HSO2 did. Plus, it was cheaper too, LOL. A win, win, win, in my book......

This thing will do everything an amp at 3 times the price will do. Money isn't wasted on a fancy screen that you mostly ignore. Unless you're using it in a studio or something with ridiculous cable lengths balanced connections would also be a waste so you're not paying for that either with these. Nice you get to swap omp-aps, may try that sometime. Very pleased with the build, solid and with respected quality parts. I feel I've got everything I wanted. Spent a LOT of time running stuff through AI before I settled on these.

I'm very happy with the sound quality, build quality and features of the Element IV. In my particular setup being able to switch to the RCA outputs with a press of a button is fantastic. I also like that I can change the DAC settings via a web browser without installing any additional software - bravo!

I had an ODAC+O2, and another plain O2, from 2014. I thought I needed more power, and would like the benefit of a decade of updates to the electronics, so I bought this Atom Amp 2. It is very well built aesthetically and mechanically, though I think the Element line looks cooler. Many small audio appliances don't look and feel solid, this one does. And it completely changed the way I connect with my headphones. I had bought a Sennheiser HD650 some time back, and had tried it with various headphone amps, but wasn't happy. It used to sound muddy at healthy listening levels. I had concluded that that was what the HD650 was. I wasn't even happy with it played through the old O2. With this Atom Amp 2, I finally understood what an excellent headphone it is. I play it with high gain, volume control set to 1 o'clock. It needs a _lot_ of power to sound good and effortless at the same time, and this Amp 2 does wonders. I have also discovered the beauty of some of these new Chinese IEMs in the last year: Tanchjim, Moondrop, Truthear. I play them through the Amp 2, low gain, volume setting between 12 o'clock and 2 o'clock, and they sound amazing. In theory, they don't need the power of the Amp 2 to play well, but I've tried playing them with one or two very clean and well regarded (ASR reviewed) USB dongle DAC+amps, and found that I hit max volume on those dongles with most of these IEMs, playing many different albums. This clearly indicates that those dongles don't have enough drive. Therefore, overall, I'm really happy with the Atom Amp 2. I do not suffer from upgraditis, so this will be a keeper. One minor grouse: the power supply unit is a fairly large and heavy block, and hangs from a wall socket. It's too big and heavy for this -- I would have liked to see it as a desktop box with a metre-long mains cable going to the wall socket. Hope JDS Labs starts offering their power supply inventory in this format in future.

The package is simply astonishing: Brilliant sound quality, beautiful and functional design and eq that is intuitive and easy to use through Core. Couldn't ask for more, at this or any other price point, the sound is crisp, spacious and positively neutral. With the outstanding customer service at JDS Labs and less than a week's delivery time to Europe, I can 100% recommend ordering one.

The purchase process was simple and the (international) delivery was very quick. The Atom 2 drives my HD 650 perfectly- no distortion at all and system sounds fantastic. My previous amp couldn’t drive the headphones without distorting slightly at my moderately loud listening level. I’m very pleased with this purchase.

My beloved Atom Amp (from 2020) developed, after five years of use without any problems at all, a problem with the RCA output. After writing a detailed e-mail to the customer support which described the problem, my attempts in troubleshooting etc., Mr. John Seaber replied in record time with a very generous offer to resolve my audio problem---way outside their warranty in the USA and Europe. Not only is the Atom Amp series an outstanding range of products in terms of audio, but their customer support is outstanding too, even for an European customer!

For 6 months iv had this problem tryin to record Audio and with 3 mics I would get this fuzz / white noise like SSSHHHHHHHHH . I don’t know what was the issue . At first I thought my interface was the problem . Iv returned 4 Apogee symphony desktops smh . Same thing each time . Iv returned my mic twice . Same thing . Sweetwater , Zzounds, and other companies like warm audio don’t know why . After reading and studying and learning what it could be I thought it’s grounding issue . I was told by 4 people that the grounding isn’t what’s wrong while I thought it was . Well . I tried so many things with no fix . I was told this synapse usb isolator wouldn’t work it’s for DACs and headphone Amps . They said it wouldn’t fix my issue . Well !! Today ! It has fixed all my issues !!!!!! I’m so happy and excited I found this little Gem . And yes my recorded Audio to pro tools is just fine . Clean no fuzz or noise ! This synapse is a blessing !! Thank you JDLABS ! I don’t know what is the culprit ! It could be my M1 MacBook . It could be my interface . Or my mics . But it is fixed ! Thank god for jdlabs ! I’m happy I can record without that Fuzz in my Audio path ! If you are seing this !! Just buy it ! It’s a miracle piece of gear !

After nearly 2 weeks of owning both the Atom Amp 2 and Dac 2, I can safely say they are an excellent addition to my audio gear collection. What made the experience even better was their customer service! I had purchased the Dac 2 second hand, but the seller mistakingly gave me the 16V power adapter rather than the 15V. After contacting them they made sure to replace the 16V that came with my Amp 2 order with the 15V I needed. Highly recommend!

I actually bought two Atom Phono units -- one primarily for use as a phono preamp, and another strictly for EQ in a headphone stack setup. It shines in both applications. The bass shelf frequency is great, not making things too muddy when turned up like other competitors' products. Digital EQ is of course more precise, but it's really convenient to be able to adjust the analog EQ as needed without reaching for a phone/tablet/PC.

I use a few different types of headphones for recording and mixing music. I recently added Sennheiser HD 650 to my setup, and my audio interface did not seem to be sending a strong enough signal on the headphone output. I added JDS Atom Amp 2 to my setup, and the sound quality on the new headphones, and also on my others, is greatly improved.

Sounds great. I'm no audiophile, I just bought it because I wanted a good quality DAC that I can connect via a USB hub to multiple computers. I use a single hub connected to 3 computers (personal mac, gaming pc, work laptop) and I can switch between each system through the hub. The DAC is connected to an amp that powers my speakers. Other devices I've tried draw power from the same USB port it uses for data and the audio has a lot of interference. The atom DAC 2 is perfect and has no issues with interference. The only two issues I have had that made it 4 stars instead of 5 are: 1) Very rarely the DAC just refuses to register with my PC or Mac after switching systems. This happened a couple of times in the last month. 2) On macs, you can't control the volume through the OS and so you can't control the volume from the keyboard either. I had to install a 3rd party tool (proxy audio device) as a workaround. I've read online that this happens with some DACs. Besides those issues, very happy with it and I would definitely consider other JDS labs products in the future. If I ever go back to powered bookshelf speakers I would very likely get the atom amp 2.

The unit it self is built great, can't say anything that hasn't been said about that already. Being able to set EQ through the browser or app is great; also being able to get the top EQ's on demand through it as well is a great feature. This thing is so good at its job, even my wife who cant stand headphones was blown away. Worth every penny for ease of use, build quality, and overall the sound. I've been doing nothing but listening to music for the last 6 hours since I received it. Zero regret purchase.

If you’re dealing with annoying hums, buzz, or ground loop noise in your audio, especially coming from your PC or GPU, the JDS Labs Synapse is a game-changer. It’s not just some extra gadget, it seriously cleaned up my sound. Totally lived up to the hype and then some. Now it’s a permanent part of my setup. My ears (and my sanity) are grateful.

Picked up the Element IV as my primary headphone amp at my desktop computer. I replaced both a Schitt Modi 2U and a Schitt Magni 3 with this purchase. There isn't a noticeable difference in moment-to-moment audio quality, but both setups sound excellent. However, having built in EQ and crossfeed settings does make a difference in sound. I won't say that EQ and crossfeed necessarily improves the sound, but it's very cool to be able to get a different sound profile with a couple clicks of a button. Fun way to spice things up for a bit. The Element IV shines in its build and design. The Core software is fantastic and most settings are well-explained within the tool. The touch points on the device are pleasant and extremely well-built. Having a DAC and amp all-in-one saves some desk space, too. I also love being able to use it as a standalone DAC for my tube amp for when I feel like using it. I wouldn't say the Element IV is necessary for the best audio quality, there are comparable and cheaper options, but the additional money you spend on it results in some conveniences, useful features, and build quality.

I ordered Element IV on a whim, during a brave evening surf session. Although I knew of JDS Labs good reputation before, both for the Atom and Element ranges, I was a bit hesitant to order it because the cost of shipping for us living in EU is quite high and the overall price is more than 30% higher than in the US. Eventually, I have decided to pull the trigger and get Element IV and I have not regretted it one bit. I was slightly worried that the sound will be more similar to some of the chi-fi like Topping or Aune (both of which I had before and was not super impressed). Now, after a few weeks I know how Element IV is powerful but even more important, how fantastic is the sound quality. I am fairly sure that it also outperforms my previous Zen Can/Dac reference stack and Chord Mojo 2. Combined with the Core app and many settings and excellent support (updates are regularly released, and they include new features, not just bug fixes), it is a real winner. I hope it will keep me entertained through many, many, listening sessions.

Got the Atom Amp 2 bundle to drive my Sennheiser HD 600's that I snagged recently and drives them perfectly, would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a quality stack for desktop use. Shipped out very quickly and arrived on time, would do business with again for sure! Thank you JDS Labs!

This thing is great, simply put. I have iLoud Micros hooked up via RCA and being able to toggle back and forth between headphones and speakers with the push of a button is just satisfying. Headphones sound great through the Element IV and their Core software is super convenient for someone like me who has never messed with EQ before. I’m very happy with this purchase and if you’re someone like me who doesn’t like clutter on their desk, this is about as simple as it gets without sacrificing anything.

I'm not a hifi aficionado – I just wanted to have the ability to equalize the sound from all my sound sources, using good wired headphones for great sound. So... anyways...

• COMMUNICATION: Lots of quick help and positive answers from JDS Labs in the process of finding out about the product beforehand, creating a very reassuring feeling in dealing with something unknown and making me increasingly think that this had to be the right choice for my needs. I've seen examples of the complete opposite in the headphone community, so this was admirable.

• SURPRISINGLY EASY ORDERING AND DELIVERY: I expected some hiccups, but VAT was taken care of and the shipment was fast and problem free.

• PRICE: the competition is quite a bit more expensive.

• CORE APP: The controlling software looks good, is kinda straightforward and very helpful in giving you a good overview of where things are at. It's practical to keep the amp connected through the USB-connection, as you can easily start the Core App and do some small changes according to sporadic needs.

• FUNCTIONS: being able to force mono onto the sound stream can be super helpful.

• BUILD QUALITY: the Element IV seems well built and sturdy, so I don't expect it to break.

• DESIGN: it looks nice and doesn't scream at you, though it can light up a bit if you need that.

• THE KNOB: yeah... I guess it's kinda cool, emphasizing the underlying power of this subtle beast, and makes adjusting the volume feel a bit easier... and "pro".

• CONNECTIONS: my PS3 and PS5 works well with SPDIF from the TV, but I had a microscopic lip sync lag from my Mac, which was cured by connecting the Mac directly to the Element IV using the USB-connection and the included cable.

• SCREEN: it is painfully small, though at least it can be seen at an angle.

• CHANGES: the company hasn't forgotten the product and has fixed and added to aspects of it, giving me a really good, reassuring feeling. I wanted to pull out these two last points to give them more focus:

• PARAMETRIC EQUALIZER: The main event in my opinion – how can one live without it?? It makes headphones come to life. Also, 12 bands is a smarter solution than I first thought – it's not overkill, as there might be use for those two extra ones at certain times.

• POWER: The main event turned out to be a tag team match, because PEQ & Power go hand in hand. At first I was really dismissive of all the power talk. I assumed a product that deals with volume will give volume. Right? And sure, the amplifier has a surplus of power if you just run it straight. But you might need bucketloads of power when dabbling with an equalizer, so as not to lose too much volume. It's a point that should not be underestimated – "equalizer" or "no equalizer" are two different realities. On your journey to Equalizer Land™ you might encounter several volume vampires such as (Harman) presets, additional bass boosts on top of those, hard to drive headphones and weak sound sources (like the PS5) that will all drain your precious volume. As you can see, these party poopers can gang up on you – many streams create a big river. I didn't at all comprehend the scale of this reality beforehand, and only after buying did I realize how lucky I was in choosing this product. Close call!

FINAL VERDICT: The more I use this amp, the more I love it. I wholeheartedly recommend it. Size wise it's not as big or flashy as the competition, but it has great core functions and is really solid at doing those things. If there is one thing I like the most, now after getting familiar with the lay of the land, it's actually the power output per channel. Which is not at all what I was expecting before buying. I can't fathom getting things done with less power than this. I wouldn't even mind more power, to be honest. And maybe a hologram that pops up over the amp, acting as a screen. :)

First off, John is a legend in terms of any questions you may have. From just a piece of mind standpoint if you are unsure how any of these components may fit into your system just ask and you will be helped very quickly! The Element 4 is unit that is very clean and powerful, it powers my Hifi For All Dhalia and my DCA E3 with headroom to spare. The E3 has power and dynamics galore with the Element 4. Super clean and easy to use, also love the ease of use of the website based EQ. I travel with this as well when on trips to visit the family. Lastly IEM usage is insane on this unit as well, very clean with zero noise floor.

I realized I was massively under powering my Sennheiser HD 600‘s that I use for music mixing. Went in search for a powerful amp and JDS Labs kept coming up as a strong recommendation. Now with the Element IV, my mixing headphones perform as they should with clarity and detail. I’m super happy with the Element IV build quality and clean sound. JDS Labs is clearly passionate about what they do. Highly recommend.

I don't use the word "amazing" lightly. This is NOT audiophile "snake oil." If you have aberrant static or hum in your USB signal, like I did, this incredible device will eliminate it. In my case I have a mini PC (NUC10i5), which was passing static to my external DAC. It was noisier when I moved my wireless mouse, but even with a wired mouse, still had static. I describe like the hiss you hear in between FM radio stations. I tested my DAC on other devices and isolated the problem as my NUC PC. Someone at Reddit recommended buying the Synapse and I was hesitant at first but I'm so glad I did. All the static is now GONE. This thing even made my audio interface (Motu M2) sound clearer for when I'm doing home recording. Thank you JDS Labs!

This is my fifth JDS product. I keep coming back because you get real performance without the ego-priced hype of many other brands. Just good engineering. I know the history and source of the circuits, tried and true, well executed. Several of the affordable amps do not include the subsonic filter I consider mandatory. The tone controls are fantastic for tuning the cartridge to your preference. Personally, I like it a little "soft". I have two other "popular" imported amps. The Atom is more dynamic and enjoyable. Especially over that "orange knob" one. Dead silent even with my Saundra headphones. ( Atom Amp 2) FWIW, Sumiko Rainier cartridge feeding a passive ALPS servo pot into X-KITZ crossover boards, and dare I say, Schiit Vidar amp. Cablesonline 1M interconnects of 45p for a total load under 200p gives me a flat response. I then back off the treble to about 11:00.

First of all, the quality of the Element IV is outstanding. Both from a hardware and software point of view. The form factor with the large multipurpose volume dial has long been celebrated. I can see and feel why. The Element IV's real-life look and feel surpasses even the slick marketing presentations. It doesn't feel like a toy, but that it is built for purpose. Easy to use and offers excellent sound for sensitive IEMs (no hiss whatsoever) and large open-back headphones. The equaliser, a fantastic addition, isn't overwhelming to use and still provides plenty of inputs for making subtle or significant changes to the digital signal. I'll be experimenting with this for a while. My only regret is not getting two of them, one for the office as a desktop setup, and another for the main hifi setup, where it effortlessly holds its own.

Not gonna lie, I was not expecting this level of quality in all fronts, the build materials, finishing and most important the sound quality, crisp, rich and no distortion whatsoever, the web based application is a welcomed addition, I guess my only complain will be how much strength its necessary to push down the knob, besides that this is an excellent piece of equipment!! Congrats to the JDS labs team, can't wait to see what's next :)

Just wanted to let you know how happy I am that my system is enjoyable again after installing the Synapse between my Roon Nucleus and Chord DAC. I had noise coming thru the speakers that could be heard even at low listening levels and I had stopped listening as often. That noise is completely gone with the Synapse installed. Very effective and inexpensive product.

This thing is awesome! I recently had my Schiit Modi Multibit / Magna stack buy the farm. Instead of investing in another Schiit product :^D I decided to go the JDS Labs Element IV route. It drives all my gear to perfection, Audio Technica ATH-M50X, Grado SR325-X, Sennheiser 6XX and even my Nobel Kaiser 10 IEMs. By utilizing the JDS Core application, the sound is just that much sweeter. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Thanks John & team, you guys and your product are top-notch!!!

I’ve had my Atom Amp 2 for about a week and a half now and I have loved it so much, I use it to listen to my vinyl records in my headphones and this device is fantastic for that, the setup was so easy too, just had to plug the audio cables from my turntable into the amp and connect my headphones to it and it worked flawlessly and only took 2 minutes to set up out of the box.

In my experiences, upgrades have rarely been kind to non-standard audio setups, and not being an electrical engineer has had some keen disadvantages on top of imposed upgrades. Thankfully, this galvanic isolator--purchased as a Hail Mary--was the last option to try before accepting industry-forced painful losses. Long-term tests are still ongoing for different platforms and alternative setups, but hey, there are still interesting, basic, results to relay: - The O2-ODAC Combo and a couple, beloved, USB 1.1 mobile-work-related devices have been saved by the Synapse (Host-Synapse-DAC; minimal chain); the USB 1.1 devices' manufacturer even mentioned years ago total inexplicable, incompatibility with USB 3.0, but hey, now it works as before! - The isolator doesn't work perfectly when connected to the host machine to isolate a USB 2.0 hub connected to the O2-ODAC +/- 1.1 USB devices (Host + USB 2.0 Hub + Synapse-DAC); multiple USB 2.0 hub types were included for the sake of testing overall power draw stability; so far, O2-ODAC cannot playback 24/96 without crackling, but can play 24/48 just fine, and the USB 1.1 devices cannot playback anything other than 2 channels of varying kHz with gratuitous crackling. - Host-Synapse + USB 2.0 Hub + DAC = Worst Performance in all ways. If there are other ways to integrate this fine isolator into a signal chain, I have yet to do it, but having found all of these reviews on the site has also been truly heart-warming. Thank you JDSLabs for making yet another wonderful, miraculous product! Hoping it will go the distance.

First of all, I'm enjoying listening to many kinds of music, with some different setups in the last years. Also being a gamer at heart, I was looking for a device, that's interconnecting music fidelity with gaming audio fun, so there would be no need for different devices achieving the best sound reproduction. After some days of testing and listening to my well-known music tracks (in comparison to my former audio gear) and gaming stuff, I'm highly recommending the Element IV because of its clarity in sound (crisp details, engaging dynamics, overall representation of sound) and zero noise floor, paired with the best setup/desktop app-controlled experience so far. Sound reproduced by the Element IV is yet best to described as neutral ("ruler flat frequency response" you can think of, but added with that kind of smooth, non fatiguing sound signature), but still so much engaging, not "boring", elevated my music and gaming experience to a whole new level. The desktop app (I'm not using the browser version) works like a charm and all adjustments are done really quick. EQing is easy to use, and one of the best upgrade, comparing to my former dac/amp combo, there are no "pop" sounds when changing volume or settings, neither fast forwarding/rewinding music/video tracks. Lastly, specs of my headphone gear: Dan Clark Audio Noire X - driven with ease and perfect control with spacious soundstage, still in low gain, even with EQ settings enabled. Thank you John and all staff of JDS Labs for perfect customer service (customized my device with a 4.4mm pentaconn jack) and fast delivery to my home country. Greetings from Berlin, Germany.

This actually removes the GPU/electric buzzing noise that comes through my headphones when I have my speakers connected to my Atom 2. Basically removes the ground loop in my audio system due to what I assume is poor wiring in my postwar house. JDS is a great company so no fear in buying it and needing support/return options if it does not work.

Very pleased JDS still produces the Objective 2 headphone amp kit. I enjoy building my own components. As a repeat customer, I can count on a clearly labeled parts set with no missing or extra parts. I wish JDS still carried the aluminum front and rear panels for the enclosure, but the translucent acrylic panels are adequate. When I had a question, the support was friendly and fast.

I was pulling my Element III out from its shelf and I accidentally hit the volume control pretty hard and broke it. I sent it in for repair and received it back in less than a week. I was very impressed with this service. I missed it while it was gone since I use it a lot each day. It was a relief and greatly appreciated to have it back so fast and in such great shape. The repaired volume control works and feels wonderful. Thanks, Mike

In my line of work, I strive to find the best equipment in terms of performance and value to provide to my customers. The Atom Amp 2 is a fantastic product that doesn't break the bank. Very happy with my purchases and will continue to order more! Much love, Dave McCusker Founder @ Zenthesia

This DAC/AMP Bundle does what it is supposed to do and does it well. I chose this Item because every expert Review that I read about it had nothing but praise about it when you consider the price to performance ratio. I also use Microsoft Copilot Pro for advice and this DAC/AMP BUNDLE was on the List. I was not disappointed by my decision to purchase this Stack.

At under $50 for the 3D-printed version, this is an essential tool that should be in everyone's toolkit. It works extremely well for suppressing ground loops and noisy USB outputs from laptops and computers. Be aware that it only sources 100mA of current; a future version with a higher-current supply would be more than welcome. My one complaint is that it has a white LED that is brighter than the sun, and because of the design you'll need to use electrical tape over the entire top of the device to fix it. It would be nice if this was toned down or there was a switch to turn it off. Using a red or orange LED would also be helpful as these colors aren't as obnoxious in a dark room.

Hi, The little tool seemed really promising to get rid of my headset static noise coming out of the computer (Poly Blackwire 5220 usb headset). When plugged in, I still can hear the noise, maybe a micro step down. I throw away the box too soon for a return. Don't do the same mistake! The package, the quality is great, all the cable to satisfy everyone.

When switching to active monitors, the EMI from my high-end computer was audible and distracting. A lot of the most popular options out there for fixing this are either expensive (sometimes upwards of 100 dollars) or inconvenient as they require modified cables and separate connections for power. I decided on the JDS Labs Synapse because it was reasonably priced and very convenient, and after plugging it in all of that EMI noise was completely gone. No fuss whatsoever. If you're doing your hi-fi listening on a high end computer and are either trying to get every last drop of performance out of your setup or are expecting to use active monitors, I'd consider the Synapse a must-have!

People always talk about how good some company is [*Insert your fav company here*] but I am here to tell you that JDS Labs just doesn't make great products they also provide you with Amazing customer service that I have not experienced anywhere else! The customer service team, and the owner have responded to my e-mails over the weekend - simply amazing folks working here.

Hi, recently purchased The Element, must say that it is the best DAC/AMP that I've used in it's price range, in my eyes (ears) it surpasses even DAC/AMPs double it's price. Love the product, support was great, keep up the great work guys. I'm excited to see what other products you put out in the future.

I just wanted to let you know how much I love my Element 3.  I use it with a the Audeze LCD-X (2021) and a Tascam CD-500B cd player through S/PDIF.

The Element 3 ‘wowed' me with its soundstage right from the first listen. Then, I was drawn in by the pure, effortless, naturalness of the music.

I’ve only ever heard two other systems in my life that have impressed me so much: a Teac-JBL based system in a studio at my college radio station back in the early 1990s and a $20,000+ system based on a tube-hybrid Musical Fidelity CD system with ProAc speakers (the owner was a jazz sax player and academic, and a close friend was house sitting).

Thanks for making it, I’m really enjoying it.

I'm not sure if this is the right place to send this e-mail, but I just wanted to say that I ended up choosing your Element III as my very first AMP/DAC, and I couldn't have been happier. I'm newish getting into the high quality audio scene, and I feel like this is going to last a very long time. You guys are ****in' awesome.

I got them! And I gotta say I’m VERY impressed! The Element III would be my first serious audiophile equipment and I LOVE IT! It absolutely brought my headphones to life and the bass gain DOES help with the HD800s! It’s now clear and airy, dynamic and I can pick part different tones in the music now aaaa! 😍😍

Just want to say I am SUPER happy with my new Atom DAC 2 and Atom Amp 2. I've never owned a DAC or a headphone amp before. Totally blown away at the sound quality coming out of my speakers and headphones. Also great results pre-amping my Marantz receiver. Very pleased to upgrade my audio experience for a reasonable cost. Thanks!
 

The Element III MK2 is such a well designed and executed DAC/AMP combo. The look, feel and function surpassed all of my expectations. Power is abundant and sound processing is clean and accurate. This thing powers my HD650's to ear shattering levels without a hint of distortion. Well done JDS labs!

I just received my atom 2 stack and I had to drop you a line to say this is just absolutely mental! The quality of this little stack is just beyond anything I was expecting. Just perfectly clean balanced sound. Thank you so much for developing this product as it has truly brightened my day. Listening with a pair of Grado’s and I haven’t stopped smiling.

I gotta say the Element 3 definitely flipped my views on audio on it's head!

It's a magnificent product and never thought I would hear a true difference between Element 3 and... well... pretty much everything else I own! It makes me question everything I know... or... umm... knew about audio. 

Every time I thought I heard something "better" in the other products I owned, including my EL AMP 2+ and a $2,000 piece of audio equipment, I would switch back to Element 3 and immediately thought "Oh wait... wow... never mind. Element 3 is doing something special here that I can't put my finger on."

Using Element 3 as a new reference allowed me to hear the dirtiness in my $2,000 DAC that I have sitting in my home theater system. That was quite the revelation! When I swapped it for the Element 3 preamp/DAC, I was blown away by tiny details and cleanliness of the audio I was hearing!

Holy smokes did you guys at JDS Labs work your magic on Element 3 and that's why I am sold on it and will be buying one to call my own!

I can't say enough good things about the Atom amp.
Putting other brands with overpriced marketing hype aside, the Atom is audibly flawless.
You want to hear instruments, mics and speakers / headphones. Not sure why people want to hear an amp or DAC.
I think you have shown that it's possible to make 'correct' amps and DACs at actually affordable cost.

This DAC & amp combo is excellent. I am overjoyed with the quality of the audio and how clear the signal is. Not even a hint of static, which I tend to be quite sensitive towards, often hearing what others are oblivious to.

I won't hesitate to recommend your products in the future. Have a great day.

Hello! I am just reaching out to provide some feedback on the Element 3 that I just received. I have the element 2, atom dac+ and amp+ from you guys. I seriously wanted to just say I am absolutely blown away with the quality of this device. I was stunned with element 2 and atom, finding myself once again shocked.

- The laser etching, I honestly cannot believe how good you guys got it. It is absolutely perfect and exactly what I envisioned, please let whoever was in charge of this know they are doing some great work. I am very impressed.

- Element 3, I mean what can I even say. I am putting it through its paces now on some of my favorite albums and I just cannot believe the quality on this thing. I'm listening from dt1990 and the pairing is made in heaven. Display is great as well as the auto gain, I think that was an awesome idea. I really love the quick switch between spdif and usb from pushing the dial, works really well in the setup I have here.

Sorry if this is out of the ordinary, I just wanted to thank you guys once again for shipping out another incredible product. Wishing you guys a great rest of 2024. Lifetime buyer here!

I’ve spent quite a bit of time this weekend listening to my new EL Dac 2+.It’s paired with a Yamaha cds 303 which I thought sounded pretty good with the internal dac. I was mistaken about that. I never dreamed what I was missing. This relatively inexpensive (379.00) cd player now sounds like something much more expensive. My cd’s have never sounded so good. I’m guessing you probably hear this frequently. Thank you for making such a wonderful, quality product! I’m glad my search for my first dac led me to JDS. Thanks again

I’m loving my Atom+ and my Element 3 mkii.  The former inspired me to purchase the latter sight-unseen after running a cheaper DAC through the Atom.  Music I’ve listened to for years comes alive—or begins to show sins of its production.  For example, Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories has instrumental details in Giorgio by Morodor that keep unveiling themselves.  Industrial metal music shows clear separation between guitar parts; sometimes even clean separation between the guitar and its pedals.  Setup:  Sennheiser HD-650 and HiFiMan Edition XS headphones, Linux OS, cdparanoia-ripped FLAC, and the default firmware options.”

I’m not one for words of praise like this, so apologies if it’s rough.

I’m considering purchasing a second one for work, but at work I have to use in-ears.  Would you be able to recommend an attenuator for it?  I’m a little hesitant to run sensitive IEMs with such a powerful amp.  Do you think my hesitation is warranted or should I be a little less cautious?

Thank you again.  You’ve truly made my year with this amp/dac.

Such a great DAC. I have it playing audio flawlessly from my Switch and PS5 going to my main amp. The engraving is such a cool touch as well. 
But best of all might just be the speedy customer service. 
This company sets the bar high for sure especially being such an affordable product for what you get.

I have had a passion for sound and technology for 40+ years and I am a gamer at heart. I have the Sound Blaster G6, Arc MKII Mayflower, iFi Micro iDSD Black Label, and BursonConductor 3XP. My Headsets are Focal Clear, Audeze LCD-X, Arya HiFiman, Sennheiser 58xx and a few others. 
I have been looking for an external Amp / DAC / Sound Card that I can use for gaming and music that is as good or better than my HT Omega eClaro internal sound card which I really, really like a lot. The only reason I started looking even more recently for a different sound solution was because I was experiencing a coil whine on my new PC build when gaming with a headset and I couldn't take it any longer hearing the small whining noise. Internal sound cards no matter how good they are can be susceptible to noise issues.
 
I must say that to me the Element IV with the Core Web Portal and being an external device is a game changer! The sound is clear, crisp, no extra noise / distortion and detailed which really helps when gaming and enjoying different kinds of music. I love the fact you can add more treble or bass to any headphone if it needs it through the Core sound adjustments or you can fix any trouble frequencies your headphones might have! I LOVE my Sennheiser 58xx Headset combo with the Element IV (especially after some of my personal tweaks to the Core EQ), which made the clarity and bass even better on them! It now sounds BETTER than my HT Omega sound card and I am loving every minute of it.  I also have tried the Element IV with with my HiFiman Arya's and Focal Clears and they sounded great on everything I threw at them.
 
I had some questions in general and e-mailed Support a few times and the Owner / CEO John himself answered my first e-mail in 20 minutes on a Sunday. Amazing! The quality of John's products and Customer Service are a good example of what other company's should be like and I feel he sets the bar extremely high for others to follow! :). I feel there is zero downsides to owning the Element IV and recommend if you are serious about sound in gaming or music. You are also get a USA made product backed by a company who cares about their people who buy their products.

I’m a mastering engineer based in Seattle and I’ve begun using the Element IV daily as my dedicated headphone DAC/amp, driving Audeze LCD-Xs in a reference-grade chain. It’s absolutely one of the cleanest, most honest tools I’ve ever used, and I mention it on my site because it’s become part of my core monitoring setup.

I just wanted to say thanks for building something so thoughtful and transparent.

I recently purchased a JDS Labs Element III on Ebay. I am simply jaw dropped at how amazing the Element III is. I am getting my PhD in Finance and on a budget and which prevented me from purchasing an Element IV. I came across a fantastic deal on a very lightly used Element III, as mentioned on Ebay, for $190. It came in the original box and had the original firmware on it. No scratches, blemishes, and no imperfections. I am mentioning these facts to give some context to my review in the following paragraph.
 I have listened to many DAC/AMP's costing twice as much as the Element III and all of them don't even come close to the Element III's sound quality. It's taken me nearly a month to come up with a one-word description of the Element III. That one word is transparent!!! But a one-word description isn't fair because the Element III is so much more than that. It is holographic and has peerless depth and width to it. I don't know how you did it, but there is no coloration in the sound, which is a very high complement. Because of this my Campfire Audio Dorado 2020's absolutely become unleashed in music transparency and detail retrieval. When I say unleashed, I mean that my music becomes free from constraint and reaches out of my head with such transparent width and depth with more detailed than anything I've ever heard before. The much-lauded RME DAC/AMP is left in the dust. My friend has an RME and I have A/B swapped it against the Element III. And I've got to say the RME is nowhere near the quality of the Element III. My friend has the RME on Ebay now and just bought an Element IV. The Element III has miles more holography than the RME and more detail retrieval. The RME sounds stuffy against the Element III. Thank you for making such a wonderful product!! It has transformed my music in ways that I never thought possible.