When it comes to fixed headphone amplifiers with a DAC module (they are also called "combines"), you usually have to choose a maximum of two of the three items: good sound, low price, stylish design. Usually "under the knife" is just the appearance, but you want to see on the table near your computer is not only sounding, but also a beautiful device. Fortunately, JDS Labs developers from the USA also thought about this and released a new solution called The Element.
JDS Labs, of course, are not new to the personal audio market. Starting with simple amplifiers cMoy, they expanded their model range with the famous couple O2 and ODAC. After that, presented quite interesting portable solutions in the face of the amplifier C5 and DAC / amplifier C5D. And recently they decided to please the desktop device, in which they embodied their vision of an ideal amplifier with a DAC function.
What do they offer? First, of course, design. More about it below, then I will confine myself to saying that the design is clearly a success, Element looks great.
Secondly, they got a sound. The company does not disclose details about the filling of the device, but, judging by the leaks on the Internet, there are no top-end chips inside this combine. Nevertheless, a competent approach to circuitry allowed to achieve high power (up to 1.5 watts in peak at 32Ω load), low noise level and good resolution with very neutral feed. The "swing" of the power supply is 30 volts, and, apparently, the Element has a good current return, which allows it to swing the headphones to impressive levels without distortion (even capricious models such as AKG K702). Although I do not recommend abusing these experiments, it's easy to cause irreparable harm to both headphones and hearing.
And thirdly, of course, this is the cost. The combine itself will cost you $ 330-350 (depending on the modification, as below), plus for shipping from the US it will be necessary to pay about $ 35. In general, it turns out a very tasty price for a device of this level. Although I hope that The Element will still be interested in distributors and it will be available locally.
By the way, an amusing bonus - when ordering a device, you can order an inscription or a picture on it.
Specifications
I give a brief list of the characteristics of the player, with a more complete version is available .
DAC
- Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz ± 0.15 dB
- Total harmonic distortion + noise per 100 Hz: -0.15 dBFS or 0.0023%
- Intermodulation distortion CCIF 19/20 kHz: -6.03 dBFS or 0.0011%
- Noise level with 24/96 signal: -102 dBu
- Dynamic range: > 112 dB
- Channel separation -10 dBFS 100K RCA: -100 dB
- Maximum line output voltage : 2.10 VRMS
- Interface: USB, Audio Class 1
- Supported formats: 16 / 44.1, 16/48, 16 / 88.2, 16/96, 24 / 44.1, 24/48, 24/96
Amplifier
- Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz ± 0.1 dB
- Total harmonic distortion + noise: 0.0009% @ 1 kHz, 150Ω
- Intermodulation distortion of CCIF 19/20 kHz: 0.0004% @ 150Ω
- Noise: -108 dBu
- Channel separation: -67 dB @ 150Ω
- Output Impedance: 0.1Ω
- Channel balance: ± 0.56 dB
- Maximum operating power : 9.4 VRMS, 140 mW @ 600Ω, 505 mW @ 150Ω, 1.1 W @ 32Ω
- Peak Power: 1.5W @ 32Ω
Other
- Power supply: 16 V, adapter included
- Outputs: 6.3 mm TRS for headphones, 2 × RCA (combined line-in / out)
- Dimensions: 147 mm × 147 mm × 40 mm
- Weight: 510 g
Packing and delivery kit
There are no special delicacies here. In the transport package of ordinary brown cardboard, there are two smaller boxes. Black glossy with the device itself and a USB cable to it and white with a power supply.
When buying, you can choose the correct plug that matches the sockets in your country. Power supplies for JDS, by the way, are unusual, they supply the device with alternating current of 16 V, so in case of what to find an analogue it will not be so simple.
In general, no frills, just what is really needed for work.
Design and management
How to make a truly convenient solution? First you need to look at "how to do everything", and then think - how much it corresponds to the basic scenarios for using the device.
What were you trying to create in JDS Labs? Audio device for working with headphones. Where is it most often located? On the table near a computer or laptop. Thought first: you need to make The Element beautiful. Therefore, the body is made of painted in a radically black metal, the size is chosen approximately corresponding to the compact disc, a flat horizontal orientation of the device is selected. Despite the metal casing, TsApus did not turn out to be heavy, the main weight was taken to the external power supply. The bottom side of the combine is made of soft-touch plastic, to reduce slip on it, small legs are provided.
Thought the second: more often in a similar device the user adjusts the volume, this is the most used operation. Therefore, The Element gets a very large round "twist", located on top of the body. You can look without looking at the combine harvester hand, and it automatically falls on the volume control. It has a pleasant smooth running, it's just nice to rotate. Initially, immediately out of the box regulator issued a slight mechanical rustling during rotation, but it quickly passed, apparently, the mechanism was developed.
To adjust the volume, a good potentiometer from ALPS is used, so the manipulations with the handle do not give the slightest noise in the headphones, and the imbalance of the channels is present only on the first few degrees of rotation.
The large size of the regulator facilitates the fine adjustment process, which is especially important for such a powerful amplifier, so you can easily adjust the desired volume level for any headphones: from sensitive IEM to hard isodines.
Complementing the device's appearance is a white circular illumination around the volume control, which serves as an indicator of operation.
The front panel housed a 6.3-mm headphone jack, it is quite tight, so when connecting headphones, you have to hold the Element with your other hand.
The remaining organs are located on the rear panel: power input, USB input, switch, gain switch and pair of RCA connectors. Initially they served as a linear input, however, the new versions of The Element allow you to choose when ordering, which is more necessary - input or output, and JDS Labs will configure the device accordingly.
Sound
The following equipment was used to listen to The Element:
- MacBook Pro Retina Late 2013 as a source
- Audirvana Plus as a player
- Headphones ZMF Omni, Oppo PM-3, Dunu Titan 1, Dunu DN-2000J, Lear LHF-AE1d and others
- Entries in lossless format
In JDS Labs we set a fairly rigid framework with specific figures that The Element should achieve in objective measurements, and called it . Naturally, the set goals were achieved, and the device turned out to be uncommon. The device is characterized by a powerful, detailed, slightly dry and neutral feed, prone to analyticality.
The power of the "Element" is impressive, 600-ohm Beyerdynamic DT-880 becomes painful to listen already at the position of the regulator for 11 hours and low gain. This device copes well with the HE-4 from HiFiMan and almost fully reveals the HE-6, the latter is surprising, since they usually need an amplifier the size of a good chest. Of course, the quality to the same EF-6 The Element does not hold, but you can even listen to the headphones, you obviously do not expect such a crumb.
Paying for power - background noise, but to the credit of the developers it is worth saying that it is very quiet and is only heard in sensitive IEM models.
The bass is fast, very elastic and crisp. It is distinguished by some dryness, which at first glance (or rumor) seems to be a shortcoming of LF, but, having got used to feeding the device, you understand that in reality everything is almost close to the ideal. The Element is distinguished by its good low-texture texture and splits tools perfectly in this range.
Medium frequencies are well detailed and full of small nuances. Despite the high detail, the effect of strong separation of tools from each other is not, MF fed monolithic. Vocals, due to dryness, lose a little in expressiveness, although the emotions of the instruments are transmitted perfectly. The imaginary scene is very good in width, in depth - medium.
The upper frequencies are fed exactly as they are, with all possible detail and uncompromisingness. There is not the slightest attempt to soften or mask them to please the comfort of sound. In return, The Element acquires a pleasant airiness and ease of filing (if, of course, it has a place to be in the recording).
Compatibility
In general, the device is very versatile and not very demanding on the headphones, the only thing - I would advise you to select not very analytical headphones to it, so as not to get a really dry sound. Otherwise, the near-zero output impedance, a huge power reserve and a smooth volume control do their job: The Element does a good job with the IEM, including multi-drivers and hybrids, and with tight isodynamic models.
Genreally, this combine does not have any preferences, except that I would not listen to very simple electronics and pop music on it. To the quality of records, he is very critical, somewhere on 9 points out of 10 on my conditional scale of criticality.
Traditional sample tracks:
Bijelo Dugme - Sanjao sam noćas da te nemam. The more I listen to this group, the more interesting I discover for myself in their work. This song, of course, became a harbinger of the future of Bregović, as he is known to listeners now. An amazing mixture of rock, folk and symphonic music, expressive lyrics, very high quality recording (especially in the modern remastered version) - all this is in this track. The combine JDS Labs helps to hear the many ideas that young performers put in it in the distant 1976.
Powerwolf - Sanctified With Dynamite. The last couple of albums of this group, of course, are depressed by the amount of self-plagiarism and the lack of original ideas, but what to do if this is the fate of everyone who works within the narrow framework of one genre. Nevertheless, the old albums of "Volkov" are excellent melodies, memorable vocals and scrap reefs. Adding to this funny lyrics, we get 100% hits for connoisseurs of the genre. Fast and detailed bass The Element in combination with the darkened headphones form an excellent combination for such music.
Camel - The Great Marsh. The triumph of progressive rock ideas, one might say, is their quintessence. This album of British geniuses of genre has become, perhaps, the pinnacle of their work. Perfectly aware of this fact, the band members re-recorded it in 2013 in an updated composition. The recording was more modern, and it went to music for good. Interesting melodies and competent use of instruments create a symphony, exciting and varied throughout the album. Naturally, the hero of our review shows here himself from the best side, conveying all the nuances of multifaceted music.
conclusions
This DAC / amplifier reminds me of the saying about "the boy said - the kid did." In JDS Labs decided to make a good desktop amplifier, combining high-quality design, excellent sound and ease of use - they did it. Adding to other advantages an excellent supply of power and affordable price, we get a very interesting solution, worthy of taking place on the tables of many music lovers.
The article is based on materials .
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