JDS Labs EL Amp II+
We’ll keep this short and promise this is the last major update for now.
EL Amp II is now EL Amp II+, following the same chipset upgrades applied to Atom Amp+.
Performance
EL Amp II+ increases SINAD from 114dB to 119dB at low gain, and from 105dB to 110dB at high gain. All other parameters measure similarly.
| EL Amp II+ | |
| Frequency Response, 20Hz-20kHz | +/- 0.01dB |
| SINAD @ 2VRMS, 1kHz | 119 dB |
| SINAD @ 50mV, 1kHz | 90 dB |
| IMD SMPTE | -95 dB |
| Noise (20-20kHz) | 1.99 μV |
| Crosstalk @ 10kHz | -85 dB |
| SNR (20-20kHz) | > 122 dB |
| Dynamic Range (AES17) | > 120 dB |
| Input Impedance | 10k Ω |
| Output Impedance | 0.1 Ω |
| Max Continuous Power @ 600Ω |
160mW (9.8VRMS)
|
| Max Continuous Power @ 150Ω |
650 mW (9.8 VRMS)
|
| Max Continuous Power @ 32Ω |
1.3 W (6.56 VRMS)
|
Availability
EL Amp II+ is In Stock. For those who ordered EL Amp II after May 12th 2021, you received a free upgrade to EL Amp II+ in an unmarked enclosure. Enjoy!
Does the EL Amp II+ have the same custom pot with improved channel balance as the Atom Amp+?
The 9mm Alps pot used in Element II and EL Amp II+ is a different, vertical potentiometer. Its gang matching is generally better than the horizontal Alps pop due to the absence of an integrated switch.
How is it so that El Amp II+ have an inferior crosstalk number to Atom Amp+?
@Yannick Crosstalk of both is excellent. The original Atom Amp’s crosstalk measured at about -86dB. Crosstalk is rarely discussed or perceived at these levels. Also keep in mind it’s limited by the unbalanced signal pathway, especially the TRS headphone jack itself. I would not place too much stock in the surprising increase in Atom Amp+’s crosstalk spec @ 10k. The difference is not audible. You’re still primarily limited by the 1/4″ jack. This is why crosstalk figures from our DACs are superior: RCA jacks are better than 1/4″ jacks. But again, not audible.
Have you guys incorporated these upgrades into Element 2 unit that you currently ship?
@Andrew – The same changes applied to Element II have no significant impact on benchmark performance. We will continue producing Element II and EL DAC II while AK4493 stock allows.
First of all, thanks for always answering quickly, I’m not alone in saying we appreciate it!!
Secondly, any plans in the making for a fully balanced dac & amp?
Thanks, @Kirk! We have no plans for balanced output:
https://jdslabs.com/support/faq/#category-2-question-6
Balanced input is an active feature request.
Bonjour, il y a-t-il une différence de qualité (transparence) de son entre le el 2, le el 2 + et le Atom AMP 2 ? Merci d’avance pour votre réponse.
La qualité sonore est assez proche entre celle de l’Atom 2 et celle de l’EL II+ ! N’hésitez pas à me contacter si vous avez des questions spécifiques.
Thank you and is there a difference in quality between the el 2 (not the +)
Yes, the EL Amp II+ achieves higher performance compared to the original EL AMP II (119 dB vs 114 dB SINAD). Of course, these levels are considered transparent, so there should be no audible difference despite the measurable advaantage.
Pardon, entre le el 2 (pas le +) et le Atom AMP 2.
Are you likely to be releasing an EL Dac 2+ at some stage soon?
– Bought my first piece of hi-fi hardware in 2015 from JDS Labs (Element 1)
– Amazing, obsessive engineering and hardware to listen to music to AND customer service from the JDS Team 🙂
– The sound and signal from the Element 1 was clean and robust like the sound and signal from an Allen and Heath: Xone 92
– So stoked for the EL Amp II+ to arrive!