JDS Labs Atom Amp 2

Our take

"This new version keeps the formula that made the Atom series a success: exceptional objective performance, a preamp function, minimalist design and a ridiculously low price. This V2 is more powerful, more accurate and has a new all-metal case. Simply the best-performing headphone amp at this price!" - Victor Malvolti

Headphone amplifier and preamp

The JDS Labs Atom Amp 2 is a compact, high-performance headphone amplifier designed to be as transparent as possible. Heir to the Atom series, renowned for its exceptional measured performance, it gains an all-metal case, twice the power and an even lower noise floor.

Metal case

The Atom Amp 2 is built in an aluminium chassis, with a metal volume knob that feels nicer in the hand.

Even more powerful

While most headphones need only a few milliwatts, the Atom Amp 2's output stage with eight buffers per channel ("octo-buffers") delivers up to 2.65 W continuous per channel into 32 ohms, completely cleanly and without distortion. That's twice as much as the Atom Amp+.

Dual inputs, dual outputs

The Atom Amp 2 lets you do without a separate amp and preamp. Connect up to two sources (RCA and 3.5 mm jack) and switch between them with a press of the front-panel button. On the front, you'll find two headphone outputs: 6.35 mm jack and 4.4 mm jack. Note: the 4.4 mm output is unbalanced; it is there for connection convenience and does not provide extra power.

Preamp and volume controller

Unplug your headphones from the 6.35 mm jack and the Atom Amp 2 becomes a volume controller for its RCA outputs. Ideal for active speakers.

Dual gain

Low gain (1x), with hand-matched potentiometers, suits sensitive in-ear monitors. High gain (4.7x) effortlessly drives the most demanding headphones, particularly with the 2 VRMS delivered by the Atom DAC 2.

Top-flight performance

The Atom Amp 2 is more than transparent, with the lowest noise floor of any Atom Amp to date, thanks to its 4-layer star-ground PCB and octo-buffers. DC protection and an anti-pop relay protect your headphones.

Specifications

• Type: headphone amplifier and preamplifier
• Inputs: stereo RCA, 3.5 mm jack (selectable on the front panel)
• Headphone outputs: 6.35 mm jack and 4.4 mm jack (unbalanced)
• Preamp outputs: stereo RCA (adjustable volume)
• Max continuous power:
  • 2.65 W per channel into 32 ohms
  • 570 mW per channel into 150 ohms
  • 286 mW per channel into 300 ohms
  • 143 mW per channel into 600 ohms
• SINAD (2 VRMS, 1 kHz): 120 dB
• Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (±0.01 dB)
• Gain: 1x / 4.7x
• Output impedance: 0.7 ohm
• Input impedance: 10 kohms
• Crosstalk at 10 kHz (RCA output): -101 dB
• Channel balance: < 0.6 dB
• Power: external AC power adapter included
• Consumption: 6 W
• Dimensions: 145 x 131 x 34 mm
• Weight: 454 g