Introducing Element IV and Core™—the next evolution of our flagship amp+DAC, inspired by your requests and built on a foundation of what made Element III MK2 so loved. Element IV retains the essentials that defined its predecessor: perfect channel balance, automatic gain, and a discrete optical encoder for its signature knob. Many of you asked […]
Tag: dac
On Amplifier Gain
We believe good audio should not be a mystery. Building your knowledge of audio fundamentals helps to avoid the common traps of audio foolery. Amplifier gain remains one of the more common points of confusion, despite the apparent simplicity: press the button and the amp gets louder. Newcomers tend to misunderstand the basics, leading to […]
Introducing Atom Amp 2 and Atom DAC 2! More Power. All Metal.
Over the past five years, we’ve resisted the temptation to dramatically change Atom Amp(+) due to its strong reputation and reliability–no need to change what works well. However, we believe there is always room for improvement, and we’re excited to introduce Atom Amp 2 and Atom DAC 2. Atom Amp 2 is the best Atom […]
Connecting a USB DAC to PS4 or PS5
2022 Update: It is no longer necessary to install different firmware. Element III: Enter the options menu and choose USB Audio Class –> UAC1 Atom DAC+ or Atom DAC 2: Use a UAC1 Fallback cable Many have asked about PS5 support this week. The JDS Labs Element II and Atom DAC(+) are USB Audio Class […]
How to Connect a DAC to Powered Speakers, Xbox One, or PS4
Your DAC came with a basic setup guide and manual, but we regularly hear from owners with uncertainty. So we decided to sit down and play “Will it connect?” with some of our gear and share practical examples. For help connecting a DAC to your phone or tablet, please see How to Connect Android, iPad, or […]
ODAC vs OL DAC
“Hey, I was just wondering what the major differences were between the ODAC and the OL DAC.” This fine question continues to pop up in emails, on the phone, on reddit, on Head-Fi, etc. I was excited to push OL DAC into the wild last November for a number of reasons. I’ve always placed great […]
OL DAC: The People’s Filter
Understanding some customers’ want for customization, we placed an Easter egg in OL DAC for you to filter the sound however you see fit! If you wish to experiment with the sound signature of your OL DAC, we left pads for a 3-position DIP switch on the PCBs, Omron Part# A6SN-3104. Ask for it when […]
Introducing The Element by JDS Labs
JDS Labs has worked tirelessly to share this day with fellow headphone enthusiasts. We are proud to introduce The Element: We designed The Element to enjoy our headphones without compromise. Its amplifier renders shocking power, driven by an ultra clean DAC, all housed in a precision machined chassis with a comfortable knob. The Element beautifully drives […]
Releasing ODAC RevB
Today we’re announcing a chipset update to ODAC. Revision B improves general reliability, while meeting or exceeding the original performance criteria set forth by NwAvGuy. This announcement will come as a surprise to many, considering ODAC was declared as the be-all and end-all of DAC transparency by a now absent engineer. This article explains who owns the ODAC design, why […]
How to Connect Android, iPad, or iPhone to a DAC
There are three basic requirements to connect a USB DAC to any Android or iDevice: Power: The DAC must not consume more power than the phone or tablet permits. Support: The phone or tablet must be able to stream digital audio over USB. Cables: You must use an appropriate cable for your device. Below we’ll […]