JDS Labs CMoyBB

Like the title says, this CMoy from JDS is killer! Great sound in a small package for less than half of what many comparable amps cost. It adds a nice warmth and depth to the XBA 3s and GR07s I've tried. The 9V easily powers most headphones, even those that are harder to drive. The bass boost is rarely needed, but if you want some extra bump, the CMoy has plenty to go around.

Like many portable amps I was wary about the battery life, especially for something so inexpensive. No worries anymore. I has been playing since mid-morning and it is now 6:45. Also, the rechargeable battery will allow it to play while its charging - a serious step up over Fiio's amps. 

The volume knob is very sensitive and the amp will turn off automatically if the headphone cable is disconnected. Great feature!

The only things I can imagine would bug some people (who shouldn't have ANY problems in this price range...) is that the Altoids tin is a little funny (although unmarked tins can be purchased). The lack of gain or impedance control has been mentioned but honestly for everything else you get, that's like missing the sprinkles, on the icing, on the cake.

Thank you Jon for a great product!

The first thing you notice when opening is the awesome and retro design, it looks good a feel well made. The tin opens nicely and inside is the bass boos switch. on the outside is the volume knob which again feels good to use. the is the input as well as the output socket and then on the side you have an Blue LED light (which you can ask to be customized) and if you brought the charging version the charge socket as well. You are reccomended to burn in for 75 hours to get the best quality out of them so after doing so i plugged in my shure se420s and the used and old monster cable (planning on buying a LOD soon) to connect up to my iphone 4.

Having never used a amp before i was not sure how it was going to preformand as i followed the instruction setting my iphone volume to 70% and the controlling the volume from my iphone i put my music on shuffle and started to understand what it was about. at first i left it with the bass boost off and there was already a noticable difference. i then decided to switch the bass boost on, expecting something that was going to be overpowering and make my music muffled i was overwhelmed when it done none of the forementioned and gave me just a little bit of extra kick that i think was needed with my shures.

The sound quality was great without the bass boost and even better with it and will hopefully in the future try it with some new and different headphones to see if i get the same or better an effect.

overall i think that it was great value for the money is small and easy to carry and makes my headphones sound better what more could i want!

I use mine at home and at work during breaks.  The 9 volt battery lasts forever (a long time anyway!).  The amp has plenty of power to drive full size phones.  Volume control is smooth and easily controlled.  The Bass boost switch works, but if you need it for your headphones get better headphones.  The bass boost is over powering and leaves the bass muddy with phones that have decent bass.  With bass boost off and good phones he sound is clear, soundstaging good and there's no background hiss.  Using a line out cable from my I pod to amp the whole rig will still fit in a shirt pocket and sound quality is greatly enhanced/improved over the I pod's headphone output.  Build quality is good with neat soldering and a snug fit in the tin.  Well worth the price and a great way to get started wit this hobby/obsession. 

    After posting my initial review I received a message from a representative of JDS labs letting me know they could customize my amps bass boost!  Specifically they offered to darken the bass boost since I had characterized it as "muddy"I will send off the amp soon and revise my review when I have a chance to listen.  The ability to customize the amp makes it an even better deal!