Control:
The Atom is a very straight forward amplifier when it comes to using the unit. You’ll find everything you need on the front. I knew JDS likes back-light volume knobs from the Element, and it’s nice to see it in the Atom again. It’s not a necessity but certainly something pleasing to the eye. The LED behind the rotary turns off with the Atom.
Turning the Atom on can be done by rotating the volume knob clock-wise, you’ll hear a click to know it’s running. On the right hand side of the front there are the two push buttons to increase/decrease gain and to select the inputs. Pushing the input button will select the 3.5mm input, while pressing the gain button gives you a volume increase.
You can find instructions on how to use the Atom right here: http://www.jdslabs.com/pdf/instructions-atom-amp.pdf
JDS Labs Atom
Sound:
I have heard that JDS Labs tunes their products in respect of measurements, and it doesn’t come as a surprise that the Atom performs incredibly well.
The Atom has great reach in extension down low and up high. It has good bass, with neutral character and good texture and resolution. In fact, the resolution of the Atom is punching well above its 99$ price point.
The midrange is flat out linear and neutral. Body wise it’s not too big nor too thin, it creates a just right weight and body. Instruments have a nicely natural character where ever tone sounds realistic and clean.
JDS gave the Atom really good instrumental separation with just the right amount of air between each musician. The Atom creates very good space and a well rendered sound stage, with even dimensions. The imaging is good, but could be better. The resolution is particularly impressive for an amplifier at this price.
Atom’s treble is extended, energetic and again neutral. It doesn’t sport any particular peaks. Its highs are straight forward and natural. There’s no harshness or sibilance anywhere. The treble brings good values of air into the rest of the spectrum.
Atom has a very dark background, where electronic hiss only comes up with the most sensitive of my monitors – the Zeus XIV, and only if I turn the volume up past the two o’clock position. The Atom beats even products like the Hugo2 in that regard, a product 27 times the price.
JDS Labs Atom
Driveability:
One Watt into 32 Ohms is well more than enough than what you will need for most of your headphones. With two gain settings JDS offers an additional boost for when you just need the extra power to get to your desired volumes. Atom spits a clean signal into my full sized headphones like the Sennheiser HD800S, MrSpeakers Ether 2 or my 1970’s AKG K40.
Sennheiser – HD800S
The German sounds controlled with good levels of layering and transparency. The HD800S performs really well and stretches a big sound stage with a wide and deep space. Atom puts good power into the S, where the music just sounds right.
Layering, resolution and instrumental separation are all wonderfully done. The background is nicely dark and the sound is clean and pure. Bass reaches deep, has good control and texture. Mids are transparent, organic and excellent resolution. Treble goes wide and it sparkles with good energy.
Even at higher volume levels the Atom doesn’t lose its control. There was never a place where I could detect any clipping or distortion from the amplifier.
MrSpeakers – Ether 2
The latest planar headphone by MrSpeakers is one of the rare headphones that make you smile when you put it on. The Atom has no problem powering the E2 and creates a very nice pairing. The background is deep dark and gives the instruments excellent contrast to give them a clean picture.
The Ether 2 sounds very convincing and natural with a tonal balance that sports a hint of warmth. On a sound level the Ether 2 – Atom combo is very enjoyable with any genre. There is good body and weight in the music. Notes are well formed in size.
JDS Labs Atom
AKG – K240 (Sextett)
The early production AKG K240 is one of the toughest headphones to drive I know. Its 600 Ohms impedance demand high gain from the Atom. However, the volume dial doesn’t get past the 11 o’clock position. After that the volume gets very loud already.
Bass is tight and controlled with good extension. There is good layering and resolution in the lows with good authority and drive. Mids are neutral and light, with a good organic factor. The resolution of the K240 is really nice with the Atom amp.
Highs are also well extended, but slightly on the bright side of the spectrum where it gets close to a harsh tuning. That’s the K240 though, not the Atom.
The Atom powers all my headphones without breaking a sweat, even the good old vintage K240 (Sextett) gets to blasting volumes on high gain. I seriously doubt you’d run into power problems with the Atom, as long as your cans aren’t too hardcore to drive.
Conclusion:
It is super balanced and neutral in tone, with excellent transparency where it stays truthful to the source. The Atom doesn’t add any body or brightness to the sound. It just tells you how good or bad your source sounds.
If you’re looking for a seductive, full bodied or warm amplifier the Atom might not be your cup of tea, but if you’re after something neutral with impeccable performance then the JDS should be on your short list!
My only concerns about the Atom are about the build quality and materials, sure, at this price you have to make some compromises, but additional weight would have been very nice, just to keep it firmly standing on the desk.
Atom is clean and precise. It outperforms the price tag and it comes as no surprise to say that it is my personal recommendation for a neutral, balanced amplifier at a low budget. The audio engineering level is exemplary, if you can look past the plastic housing.
Relevant links:
Element v1.53 review, by Linus
EL DAC and EL Amp review, by Dave
JDS Labs CMOY review, by Mike
C5D review, by Mike
Wills
Hi Linus, nice review as always : )
This is very likely to be the one I am getting as an entry of the world of full-sized headphones.
What dac would you recommend to pair with these? Or is it fine if I use the line-out from my ak70 mkii? Thanks!
Linus
Hi Wills,
thanks a lot for your comment. 🙂
I think you’d be very well set with the AK70ii and this one.
You can also take a look at some affordable units from JDS or Schiit. Have heard good things about their DACs. I only know their DAC/Amp combos and not their standalone converters though.
Tired_Guru
One of the best, natural sounding amps no matter the price. No magic tricks here, no added distortion even on large dynamics peaks or very high volume levels. There is depth to the sound, texture, layering, instrument separation, upper harmonics of intruments, proper attack & decay, resolution and speed. There is black hole background. You can listen very quietly and still be able to hear a lot of details and punch, this is amazing.
Carl
Thank you very much Linus for the review. Questions: do you think the Atom would pair well with the FiiO K3? Anything I would need to keep in mind? Might there even be synergy between these two?
Linus
Hi Carl,
thanks for the comment.
The Atom should be fairly easy to match. Can’t say about the K3 though, I have zero experience with it.
Cheers!
Darryl
Now do the Monoprice Liquid Spark:).
Jasper Young
Very nice review! Could you tell me more about the Atom amp’s pairing with the HD 800 S? I’m thinking of getting a tube for my cans but this review is swinging me to get the atom.
I’ve heard the 800 S on solid states but usually the treble is peaky. I would like to know if there are any sort of peaks with the atom.
Mr. Bojangles
First. They need to use your full name and not just your first name like the made up ones individuals give you at call centers.
Second. Where is the weight customization here? I ordered an Atom and didn’t see that option and see nothing else listed on the site. I know you all have $1000 cords to review so this measly $100 amp isn’t a priority to follow up on, but still…
Linus
Hi Mr. Bojangles (I love the song),
I think you have to send them a mail about the weight. JDS told me about this option after the review has been published…
If one of your previous comments has been missed I’m sorry, maybe you know this, but every single Headfonia writer has a daytime job. We all work during the week and this site is just a hobby. I also have two kids, with which I spend my spare time. Headfonia gets some evenings… 😉
Darryl
I don’t remember where I saw it, but I saw a photo of the Atom with the top of the case off, and and it shows that they put a 1/2 oz. iron weight of the type used to balance automobile tires in each corner. $9 will get you more than you need:
https://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-oz-wheel-weights-67226.html
Alan Tan
Currently I am using the EGA from stoner ac. and also another is TEAC UD-301, matching with the HD650 and LCD-2C, do you think this will be a nice replacement of the EGA?
Linus
Hi Alan,
sorry for the late reply.
Can’t say as I have zero experience with the EGA, but the Atom is really nice for the price.
Hope that helps.
Alan
Hello,
It should be ok for Audioquest Nighthawks/NightOwls ?
I need some air. This one or Arcam’s Rhead ?
Jim
Good detailed review of a benchmark product in the sub $100 headphone amplifier market.
I have used my Atom for the past year with the following headphones: Sennheiser HD600, HD6XX, AMY K240 Sextett, Hifiman HE4XX, Grado SR60, Fostex T50RP MK3, NAD HP50 VISO, Audioquest Night Hawk Carbon, Meze 73 Classics, Koss KSC75, Superlux HD681 EVO, and
the Sharkk Bravo. I listen to classical and jazz mostly. And high quality recordings with violin, cello, guitar, harp and piano solos.
The Atom is a remarkable piece of gear in that it does a credible job of reproducing these
instruments with a clarity that belies its low price. The Atom’s black background is also amazing for such an inexpensive product. For those who’ve stated that the Atom should be heavier, JDS Labs will at the buyer’s request, add small weights to the inside of the Atom prior
to shipping.
This a great American company that offers first rate products for one’s audio dollar, with
outstanding customer service!