Z Review - JDS Atom vs Liquid Spark

Khadas Tone Board (measures way better than anything in its price range) + JDS Atom...My pick if had to buy DAC and AMP

They have to be bridged internally or you are just using one side of the amp. Most aren't designed for that.

ZeosPantera

Good review. Several cheap amps that sound great. That's great. I'm not a balanced DAC/Amp expert. But I wonder why we couldn't take two of these great cheap amps, bridge them each to mono and connect to them in a way that results in even more power/headroom available. IE: One DAC----> RCA outs -------> 2 cheap mono amps -----> adapter ------> balanced cable ----------> headphones. Would this work? Would it be worth it?

Eliot Jacobsen

Usame here. Im using DBX driverack pa2. I will never go back. But im more of a speaker guy. So i use it mostly on speakers.

You gotta review Pro-ject Pre Box S2 digital. Little dac, headphone amp and pre out. And you gotta run it with USB (drivers), since the remote on it has play/pause next, prev track that work with PC.

After playing with the Loki I couldn't go back, so running balanced I have a Behringer FBQ1502 HD Equalizer running from my SMSL SU-8 to my Matrix amp. It helped me to be able to constantly mess with everything instead of buying more headphones. It looks dumb having a rack sized EQ matched with my headphone gear, but it was the only way to try this out balanced. One day at a time, sure I won't buy more headphones, this hobby!

Hahahahahahahahaha!!! Don't hold back, Z, tell us all just how fucking happy you are! Had me rolling of the sofa!

Zeos Great Review! It seems to me that amp issue with driving all but the very most difficult phones is solved, that's a big deal. I was just about to post my review of the Atom on head-fi, then saw your post and pretty much agree with everything you said. It not only sounds great, but both JDS & Cavelli made excellent choices on features. As I just bought the Atom it is my subjective duty to defend it on a couple of points. ASR measured the Atom & Spark and like you said, the Spark produces a bit more output into 33 Ohms, but the Atom put out a bit more output at 300 Ohms (250mw vs 175mw). So, depending on your headphones. 2nd, The both MFG made different choices on Low/High Gain Settings : The Atom is 1X & 4.5X, the Spark 3X & 6X. So, it is true the Atom will have to go to high gain sooner with tough to drive phones...but it should provide more precise control when playing high sensitivity IEMs. The Atom volume knob does feel cheap. They should come out with a deluxe version with a nicer case and better feeling volume pot. But, I am as excited about these new amps as you.. It seems cheap DACS and Amps are now solved. Headphones Next.

George Roch