Review: JDS Labs O2 (Black edition) + O2/ODAC discussion - Page 9

I am one of those more than happy LCD2 users with the O2. I have listened for hundreds of hours with the LCD2's R2's with the 2 O2 amps I have and ODAC's and two other amps and 2 other dacs....

The O2 amp is totally inaudible....evidenced by the specs it meets and it totally transparent....garbage in ...garbage out. If you put in compressed source material into the O2 you will get crappy compressed source sound out of it....put in well recorded AND well mastered material into the O2 you will get sound out that comes out very, very well and its amazing at times how good it sounds with this amp. A good amp, like a straight wire with gain  just doesn not add or take anything away from the source....

I beg to differ "its all about the numbers" ....if the specs that the O2 were designed against were not met or exceeded it would NOT be a transparent amp. It does deliver the voltage and power to excercise most headphones out there, including the LCD2's...with authority and control.

I would much have an amp that meets or exceeds these specs...than one that does not....we can go from there,

As far as the ac adapter I have tried all of them....and the best AC adapter is the WAU16-400. It is the best transformer for any headphone

The WAU20-200 doesn't result in any higher output into high impedance headphones (because the O2 uses a regulated power supply internally) and it has less current for low impedance loads. The WAU16-400 is the best transformer for any headphone.

The 18 and 20 volt transformers do put more of a thermal "strain" on the O2 as the regulators run hotter.

I can honeslty say that with 4 transformers i have tried and even compared to the pure DC of the batteries I can not detect and real world difference with LCD2's, Q701's or Grado 325is...

Alex

Note there is a lot on this subject on the designers blog....take the time to read the stuff on AC adapters and his recommendations.. At first I was not a beliver and bought several AC adapters to see for myself.

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by randomkid 

Quote:

Originally Posted by miceblue 

I know absolutely nothing about AC chargers and the correct voltages and current for gear. T_T

JDS Labs is going to send me a stock O2 charger (WAU12-200) free of charge since mine apparently died somehow. I use a 32-ohm V-MODA M-100, Shure SRH940, and 64-ohm AKG K 701 with my O2...as well a 16-ohm Sennheiser CX300 and MEElectronics M9 on occasion (I probably don't even need the O2 for those). Is the stock charger OK for my case, or do you think a different one would be more suitable?

Sure is nice of John, I think that they have the best customer support I've ever come across, another reason to go with JDS. I remember sending my C421 in for a ferrite change as mine was from the old batch, he did it for anyone that wanted it free of charge

Yup for sure. I would definitely recommend purchasing things through JDS Labs again as their customer support has been very helpful, personal, and overall just a fantastic experience.

Yup, JDS labs support if first class...its good to see that.....

Alex

Great info on all the power specs.  Thanks to all...

I went ahead and ordered the WAU16-1000 for peace of mind I guess down the road and to make my Grados sound like Senns....lol..jk of course..

Now, let's say folks are using the O2 exclusively with batteries and using the WAU-200 (stock) to charge only with no load (headphones) connected.  Would this be a suitable plan B?  I'm assuming the O2 charges while powered off?  I'll have the WAU-200 as well, and instead of putting it in a drawer I would like to put it to work.

Thanks!
 

@Heatfan12  Correct.  As long as it's plugged into an outlet the batteries will charge.

Yes that would be fine....I actually do that myself...I uses the lower power one to charge batteries while I am away and unplug to listen with batteries only.

My higher voltage on I use on my second setup.

Alex

after coming to the realization that my next set of cans are going to be "easy to drive", i finally decided on the O&O rather than the M&M, figuring *5 is a bit much for efficient, 30-40 ohm headphones. just placed the order - its back ordered, to ship on the 31st of january >_<

anyway, can i take the batteries out and plug the O2 into the wall, using it as a desktop amp? id really rather get rid of all the battery business.

many thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamlr 

after coming to the realization that my next set of cans are going to be "easy to drive", i finally decided on the O&O rather than the M&M, figuring *5 is a bit much for efficient, 30-40 ohm headphones. just placed the order - its back ordered, to ship on the 31st of january >_<

 

anyway, can i take the batteries out and plug the O2 into the wall, using it as a desktop amp? id really rather get rid of all the battery business.

When you write "O&O", do you mean the ODAC+O2 combo? It doesn't take batteries, and only uses the AC transformer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HamilcarBarca 

 

When you write "O&O", do you mean the ODAC+O2 combo? It doesn't take batteries, and only uses the AC transformer.

sorry, yes i do mean ODAC+O2, but separately, not in the same box. the ODAC is usb powered, but the O2 comes with rechargeable batteries, can i take them out, and only use the ac transformer?

Yes. But it's also safe to let the batteries in there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xnor 

Yes. But it's also safe to let the batteries in there.

just leave them in even though the ac adapter is plugged in? doesnt that kill the batteries?

It's kind of a gray area.  Yes, it'll continue to charge forever, which is generally not good for the batteries, but once the batteries are at full charge then the current coming in is low enough that it's supposed to be okay.  If you never will use it on batteries, then take them out, but it's probably not a big deal.

From the blog that shall not be named: "The charge current automatically tapers off as they reach full charge and you can leave the AC power connected indefinitely if you want. But if you’re going to use the O2 mainly as a desktop amp for months at a time you should remove the batteries."

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadow419 

@Heatfan12  Correct.  As long as it's plugged into an outlet the batteries will charge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by adydula 

Yes that would be fine....I actually do that myself...I uses the lower power one to charge batteries while I am away and unplug to listen with batteries only.

 

My higher voltage on I use on my second setup.

 

Alex

Thanks very much guys...

Cheers!!!