Many have asked about PS5 support this week. The JDS Labs Element II and Atom DAC are USB Audio Class 2 DACs (UAC2), and can be used with PS4 or PS5 by installing optional UAC1 firmware.
You are welcome to describe your firmware request in the Shipping Notes field during checkout and we will load onto your DAC before shipment.
Setup is easy. On your console, navigate to:
Settings → Devices → Audio Devices → Output Device → JDS Labs Atom DAC UAC1
PS4 and PS5 are known to limit USB Audio output volume. All of our UAC1 firmware is locked to max volume as a workaround (you can still adjust volume at your console).
How to Connect Atom Amp + DAC to a PS5 and Headphones
How to Connect Atom Amp + DAC to a PS5 and Headset
Thank you John and Jude for providing this firmware so promptly after the PS5 launch. I have used my Atom DAC with the PS5 for 2 days now and it works flawlessly. It is good to have a proper DAC feeding a clean and full output to my headphone and speaker amplifiers.
Are you running the Atom amp as well in a stack sequence with the DAC? I’m super new to this and I’m not sure if I should buy the amp too.
Yes, that’s correct.
Literally waiting to buy the atom dac for main use with a ps5 ….. just stopped by the one way path to uac1 . Really hope you can find a way to switch between both with a new firmware. Whether you eventually do a dedicated gaming/dac amp I see more value in something like the atom dac that will work with any amp. Every other gaming dac I have seen are always limited in power compared to the other option of seperates.
Thanks Matt.
Did you see the latest Atom DAC v1.4.7 firmware with auto UAC1 fallback? We’re currently testing with this adapter to achieve auto fallback: https://www.amazon.com/GeeekPi-Isolator-ADUM3160-Isolation-Protection/dp/B07QKYYCD8/
I realize this is not the most cost effective option. We’ll soon have an affordable USB cable which forces UAC1.
How is the testing going? I was planning on getting an Atom DAC/AMP stack and can’t decide to ask if I should do the v1.4.7 or just do the UAC1 firmware downgrade. I only plan on using this for my PS5 but having the option to go back to UAC2 would be nice if Sony ever decides to go to UAC2 in the future. Using that item you posted here, all I would have to do is add that to the end before plugging into the PS5 back usb port and it will just convert it down to UAC1? Thanks in advance!
@Sareth – We’ve tested v1.4.7 on PS5 and PS4 successfully this week. Yes, your understanding is correct!
Hi John ,
I couldnt wait so bought the dac with the geek pi isolator. I am thrilled with the dac, amazing piece of kit coupled with a topping amp I already own. Huge improvement over what I was using before as a dac (steelseries gamedac) , it really has exceeded my expectations.
I have one issue , which is when putting the ps5 in rest mode and the dac goes into standby it doesnt then wake up again when I take the ps5 out of rest mode. So in that scenario I’m having to use the rocker power switch to turn off the dac then power it back on. A full power off from the ps5 and the dac in standby it does switch back on when the ps5 boots. So this is purely a rest mode issue , although I do use rest mode a lot to charge my pad.
Beyond that with 1.4.7 I’d highly recommend the dac it has superb audio separation and sound.
Yes, We need standby off ver of 1.4.7.
Hello, when using the Atom DAC/Amp combo, is it still possibly to receive the PS5’s Tempest 3D audio signal through to the headphones?
Yes, thank you so much for this! I just ordered an Element II and I’m excited to try it out on my PS5.
Same after using the g6 blaster, i wasn’t satisfied with the connectivity and features of that dac amp,
Just ordered EL Amp 2 and El Dac 2 for my pc, ps5 and ps3.
Im hoping the audio quality isn’t too bad after updating to UAC 1
Is there a way to upgrade the firmware from UAC 1 to 2?
Hello, will requesting the UAC1 effect my ability to use on a PC?
No, you may still use a PC. Volume will be locked to 100%, so you will need an amplifier to adjust volume.
Maximum sampling rate under UAC1 is 24/96kHz.
Hi John, apologies if this is a daft question but I am new to this technology. I am looking for a sound solution for my PS5 and in a reply above you mention “Volume will be locked to 100%, so you will need an amplifier to adjust volume.”
So as the Element II has a built in amp with the dac the volume control still works on the Element II unit, when used with the PS5 or pc? Or is that a no, it does not work.
Correct, the analog volume knob on the Element II still works even if the USB host is unable to adjust digital volume.
Hi there
Is there a way to get this same update for the El dac 1?
@Adeeb – There is no such firmware dupate for the original EL DAC 1.
Instead, we placed a jumper on the EL DAC v1.00 circuit board. You can remove the rubber feet and four screws to access the bottom of the circuit board. Solder a jumper at JP3 and your DAC will be set to UAC1.
IS JDS LABS looking/trying to work with the Xbox Series X? I would love to use your products with Xbox also.
Thanks, Dan. A few customers have asked about XBox Series X, which is limited to licensed partners only. We’ll have to look into this to understand more.
Yes please do. I would definitely buy more of your audio products to use for my console gaming needs if you were to be licensed/functional on the Xbox platform.
Is it possible to get the uac1 firmware afterwards?
I have the dac in Europe and havn‘t known that it is possible to request such things.
World be nice to get some Feedback.
@Benjamin – Yes, please see the link at the top of the article to install UAC1 firmware on your DAC:
https://blog.jdslabs.com/2020/08/custom-firmware-builds-for-element-ii-el-dac-ii-and-atom-dac
Hi john, So your just using usb out of the PS5 into the dac ? ( UAC1 )
Interesting I didn’t realize PlayStation sent audio through USB.
I know they did with optical & HDMI
Which is only on there past console ( optical )
So, can we install a UAC2.0 firmware after we install a UAC1.0 firmware on the device? I see words like “one-way street” in the firmware page
Unfortunately not. The device updater is disabled for compatibility with UAC1 mode.
Hi John, do i need to have the controller connected or can i just plug my headphones straight into amp and still hear my game?
Yes, that’s correct!
So the controller doesn’t need to be involved at all?
I know installing DAC1 firmware would eliminate the option of upgrading firmware to DAC2 in the future, but it would be really great if you could come up with a DAC1 firmware that is easy to be replaced or manually upgraded to DAC2 …
@zaid – We’re on it! Please check out Atom DAC firmware v1.4.7. This build provides full UAC2 and firmware update support, along with auto fallback to UAC1 when connected to a USB 1.1 port or 1.1 hub. The DAC will always connect as UAC2 when plugged into USB 2.0 or newer ports.
We’ll continue to work towards a smarter method of detecting UAC1 hosts. In the meantime, v1.4.7 at least allows you to use both UAC2 and UAC1 hosts without losing upgrade ability.
Is there anyway to implement this feature on the PlayStation 5? I believe the front port is USB 2.0 and the back ports are USB 3.0.
Hi John, it would be wonderful to have a new gaming DAC/AMP from you with the upcoming drivers you are working on. With Mic input you will be one of few in the market and first choice for many PlayStation users.
Noted with thanks!
We’ve been on the fence as to whether we should build a “gaming DAC/Amp” with mic support, or to simplify UAC1 support and provide a custom cable to eliminate the need for all of these adapters:
https://jdslabs.com/media/support/downloads/do-it-yourself-guides/2021-02-25.22-46-01.jds_atom_ps5_connectivity_diagram.pdf
Can this configuration also work on Nintendo Switch??
Yes, UAC1 firmware will also work on the Nintendo Switch.
Hey! Thanks for your hard work!
If understand correctly to connect Atom DAC to ps5 I need to either install update 1.4.5 to permanently stay on UAC1 or install 1.4.7 and buy usb hub/ isolator, is this right?
Hi John,
I’ve been using the Atom DAC with my PS5 since around launch and have been absolutely loving it. Just wondering if Firmware v1.4.7 can be used on DACs that have already been loaded up with the original UAC1 firmware? And if not, is there a possibility in the future that it would be possible to have UAC2 capabilities back?
Hi Isaac – With the update device disabled, the only option to change firmware is to arrange service with JDS Labs. We’ll need to swap the flash IC to restore original firmware for you.
Can this configuration work with Element 2 connecting to Playstation and Nintendo Switch?
@Ray: Yes to both!