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Retired

DACs

Atom DAC+

(12 reviews)

This product has been discontinued. You might be interested in Atom DAC 2.

Atom DAC 2

$149.00

  • Covered by our 2-year transferable warranty

ATOM, STACKED

Atom DAC+ is built to pair with the enormously popular JDS Labs Atom Amp, now with even higher performance, both USB and TOSLINK inputs, and our latest upgradeable XMOS based firmware with UAC2 support and UAC1 fallback*. Atom DAC+'s subtle light ring glows when in use, automatically powers down during inactivity, and wakes up instantly and silently. A dedicated transformer ensures mains isolation. Stack Atom DAC+ with your Atom Amp and enjoy!

Features

MEMS OSCILLATOR

Atom DAC+ is clocked by 45/49MHz MEMS oscillators with ±25ppm frequency stability, delivering minimal jitter.

UPGRADEABLE FIRMWARE

Atom DAC+'s XMOS based firmware configures and manages all functionality, with DFU support for future updates.

UAC2 AND UAC1

Atom DAC+ supports up to 32/384kHz PCM over a custom XMOS XU208 based UAC2 engine. While we claim no measurable superiority of high sampling rates, UAC2 and ASIO support satisfy your pursuit of bitperfect listening. UAC1 mode is activated when using a UAC1 Fallback Cable.

EXTERNALLY POWERED

Atom DAC+ is powered by a perfected supply network, with an external AC transformer and 10 regulators that ensure consistent rail voltage and super low ripple.

AUTOMATIC STANDBY

Atom DAC+ automatically enters standby after 5 minutes of USB inactivity, powering down its light ring and D/A circuitry, and audio wakes up silently and instantly.

DIFFERENTIAL SUMMING I/V OUTPUT

Differential output of an ES9018K2M DAC is paired with our unique, DC coupled, precision tuned I/V converter with three stages per channel, or six NJM opamps in total.

Customer Reviews

Much improved from prior dac

The new metal casing is very sturdy. It sounds...basically clear and transparent. It's all you need. Performance paired with my monoprice monolith thx 887 amp has been great. I do wish the circle didn't light up as strongly, but no big deal.
Sam P.
Verified Buyer

loving the DAC+

Hi, loving the DAC+, using it with my WIIM Pro Streamer and heard dramatic improvement over the DAC in my Pioneer Elite receiver. Very pleased and now a huge JDS fan.
Ted B.
Verified Buyer

No extended evaluation needed--this is good kit

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.
Colby M.
Verified Buyer

All for the sound

Simple to the point! Super Great resolution Extra appreciated: switch and filter
boubacar K.
Verified Buyer

Superlative

Bought the Atom Dac+ for laptop to integrated amp and cd via optical/ Dac/rca to same amp in decent midfi system. Immediate NOTICEABLE fidelity improvement. Very pleased. Perhaps more importantly I can personally attest to these guys exemplary after sales service with other gear.
Ken P.
Verified Buyer

My first external DAC

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.
Clinton V.
Verified Buyer

Purchased the ATOM DAC+ for a friend

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
Robert-Andrei B.
Verified Buyer

Killer Dac

Excellent service excellent Dac in conjunction with Atom
James B.
Verified Buyer

Atom DAC+ for PS5

Easy to use, great quality. I had a little trouble with initial setup bc manual was not detailed enough. Customer suppoer, however, was responsive and immediately able to answer my question. I have been using for 8 months with zero issues.
Jonathan O.
Verified Buyer

Money well spent

I love it, sounds great, and does everything I need from it. My only complaint is that it is not in a metal enclosure, but I knew that going in. The light weight is noticeable however, but it is not enough of an issue that I would not recommend his amp/dac combo to others.
Shayne L.
Verified Buyer
Very pleased. Wondering why it took me so long, lol. Hearing nuance and details I hadn’t heard before. I’d recommend your gear to everyone.
Paul
Verified Buyer
Holy explative, what a noticeable difference! My little PSBs were capable of so much more, and your DAC just brought it out. I think your tag line should be "you don't have to be an audiophile to hear the difference a great DAC makes".
Mannie
Verified Buyer

Specifications

DAC Performance

  • Frequency Response, 20Hz-20kHz +/- 0.12dB
  • SINAD @ 1kHz, 20-22.4kHz 112 dB
  • THD+N, 20Hz-20kHz < 0.0004%
  • SNR, 20Hz-20kHz > 117 dB
  • IMD CCIF, 19/20 kHz -6 dBFS -111 dB
  • Noise, A-Weighted -109 dBu
  • Dynamic Range, AES17, A-Weighted > 120 dB
  • Linearity Error -90 dBFS -0.01 dB
  • Crosstalk, 1kHz, 100k Input -104 dB
  • USB Jitter Components @ 12kHz -131 dB
  • Maximum DAC Line-Output, 100K 2 VRMS
  • PCB Stackup 4 Layers

Dimensions

  • Case Dimensions 5.0 x 5.3 x 1.4 in
  • Weight (Standard) 8 oz
  • Weight (HEVI) 14 oz

Data Support

  • Audio Formats (USB) 16/44.1kHz thru 32/384kHz PCM, DSD64-DSD128
  • Audio Formats (TOSLINK) 16/44.1k thru 24/192k PCM
  • USB Interface UAC2 with UAC1 Fallback 1.
  • USB Driver OS Support Windows 7/8/10/11, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, PS4/PS5, Nintendo Switch 2.

Connectivity

  • Digital Inputs USB and TOSLINK
  • Line Output RCA
  • 1. UAC1 supported by UAC1 Fallback Cable, sold separately
  • 2. Appropriate cables are required for Android, iOS, and PS5, and Win 7/8

Packaged Items

  • Atom DAC+
  • 15VAC Power Adapter
  • 3ft USB Type B-C Cable with C-A adapter and Ferrite
  • Rocker Power Switch

Drivers

  • XMOS Driver v5.72 for Win 10/11

    XMOS driver v5.70 supports Windows 10/11 under x86/x64/arm64 and is optional. No drivers are required for macOS, Linux, or Windows 10/11.

    This driver enables ASIO support, provides the ability to view and adjust Buffer Settings (latency), supports 16/24/32-bitrates, and adds full DSD64-128 support to Atom DAC+, Atom DAC 2, EL DAC II+, and Element III (MK2), and Element IV.

    All XMOS based JDS Labs DACs are supported, including:

    • Element IV
    • Element III (MK2)
    • Atom DAC 2
    • Atom DAC(+)
    • EL DAC II(+)
    • Element II

     

    This driver is developed and maintained by Thesycon, and licensed to JDS Labs. Please find the full change log at TUSBAudio_history.txt.

  • Optional - XMOS Firmware Update Utility (DFU) for Win 10/11

    This optional application for Windows 10/11 allows you to install firmware updates to XMOS based JDS Labs DACS, including:

    • Element III
    • Element II
    • EL DAC II(+)
    • Atom DAC(+)
    • Atom DAC 2

    To use, unzip the folder and follow instructions in the article How to Install an XMOS Firmware Update.

Firmware

  • Atom DAC+ | Firmware v2.1.2 - Default

    WINDOWS 10/11 INSTALLATION
    Please install the latest XMOS Driver, then use the Optional XMOS Driver and XMOS Firmware Update Utility (DFU).

    MAC OR LINUX INSTALLATION
    Please refer to: https://github.com/jdslabs/xmos_dfu

    Please refer to included README.txt for further information. Detailed installation guidance for all operating systems can also be found in the article, How to Install an XMOS Firmware Update


    CHANGELOG

    v2.1.2 (Released Nov 09, 2022)
    * Mute output when USB audio is inactive, to prevent unexpected sounds from Linux or Android systems

    v2.1.0 (Released Feb 23, 2022)
    * Updated core XUD, USB, and I2C libraries
    * Move to RAM based-settings developed for Element III
    * Enforce de-emphasis OFF in USB mode, and Auto de-emphasis in S/PDIF mode
    * Improved error handling when USB Host is in standby
    * Instant mode switching between USB & S/PDIF: Eliminated LED toggling and 2s delay
    * Changed auto standby timeout from 15min to 5min
    * Changed default DPLL from 5 to 7 to improve general compatibility with 4k TVs
    * Improved UAC1 Descriptors to support Nintendo Switch
    * Disable operating system volume controls by default: Support PS4/PS5

  • Atom DAC+ | Firmware v2.1.2 - No Standby

    WINDOWS 10/11 INSTALLATION
    Please install the latest XMOS Driver, then use the Optional XMOS Driver and XMOS Firmware Update Utility (DFU).

    MAC OR LINUX INSTALLATION
    Please refer to: https://github.com/jdslabs/xmos_dfu

    Please refer to included README.txt for further information. Detailed installation guidance for all operating systems can also be found in the article, How to Install an XMOS Firmware Update


    CHANGELOG

    v2.1.2 (Released Nov 09, 2022)
    * Mute output when USB audio is inactive, to prevent unexpected sounds from Linux or Android systems

    v2.1.0 (Released Feb 23, 2022)
    * Updated core XUD, USB, and I2C libraries
    * Move to RAM based-settings developed for Element III
    * Enforce de-emphasis OFF in USB mode, and Auto de-emphasis in S/PDIF mode
    * Improved error handling when USB Host is in standby
    * Instant mode switching between USB & S/PDIF: Eliminated LED toggling and 2s delay
    * Changed auto standby timeout from 15min to 5min
    * Changed default DPLL from 5 to 7 to improve general compatibility with 4k TVs
    * Improved UAC1 Descriptors to support Nintendo Switch
    * Disable operating system volume controls by default: Support PS4/PS5

  • Atom DAC+ | Firmware v2.1.3 - Enable OS Volume

    WINDOWS 10/11 INSTALLATION
    Please install the latest XMOS Driver, then use the Optional XMOS Driver and XMOS Firmware Update Utility (DFU).

    MAC OR LINUX INSTALLATION
    Please refer to: https://github.com/jdslabs/xmos_dfu

    Please refer to included README.txt for further information. Detailed installation guidance for all operating systems can also be found in the article, How to Install an XMOS Firmware Update


    CHANGELOG

    v2.1.3 (Released Jan 12, 2023)
    * Enabled OS Volume Controls; otherwise identical to v2.1.2


    v2.1.2 (Released Nov 09, 2022)
    * Mute output when USB audio is inactive, to prevent unexpected sounds from Linux or Android systems

    v2.1.0 (Released Feb 23, 2022)
    * Updated core XUD, USB, and I2C libraries
    * Move to RAM based-settings developed for Element III
    * Enforce de-emphasis OFF in USB mode, and Auto de-emphasis in S/PDIF mode
    * Improved error handling when USB Host is in standby
    * Instant mode switching between USB & S/PDIF: Eliminated LED toggling and 2s delay
    * Changed auto standby timeout from 15min to 5min
    * Changed default DPLL from 5 to 7 to improve general compatibility with 4k TVs
    * Improved UAC1 Descriptors to support Nintendo Switch
    * Disable operating system volume controls by default: Support PS4/PS5

Instructions & Guides

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