JDS Labs Element
Oct 2, 2015 at 1:47 PM Post #316 of 636
it comes with RCA IN, not RCA out. You have to choose that for your model but it will never do both.


Can you answer @Packdemon question with regards to disabling the headphone and RCA outputs? It was post #312. I have the default setup, with RCA used as input, so I've no clue.
 
Oct 4, 2015 at 5:54 PM Post #318 of 636
There is an ODAC in the Element, so I think I'd be fine drilling a hole in the back of the chassis and fit a 3.5mm jack onto there then I'll solder in some wires to the output contact point from ODAC to the 3.5mm jack. That way I'd have a dedicated line out. What do you guys think?
 
Oct 4, 2015 at 5:58 PM Post #319 of 636
So, given aa choice, would you get the Element or the O2+ODAC and why?

Well, I've already owned quite a few O2+ODACs, and I got an Element recently that I now use as my daily driver instead... hope that answers your question :)
 
Oct 5, 2015 at 12:59 AM Post #320 of 636
So, I took off the rubber feet of my Element, and unscrewed the phillips head screws, so I could look at the internals. When I tried lifting the pcb board  there seemed to be quite some resistance, so I gave up as not to break anything. Does anyone know of a way to take apart the Element? I need access to the board, so I can solder in a 3.5mm line out from the ODAC.
 
Maybe I'll have to take off the knob somehow, I really don't want to force it though.
 
Or maybe I'll have to unsolder these rca jacks, and then pull them out somehow, assuming that's even the way they got them in there in the first place.
 
In any case, I'd rather wait to be informed then to try something rash. This element is seriously hard to get into, you really can't be sure the order at which JDSLabs put together this thing. It seriously isn't as modder friendly as the O2+ODAC, but I guess that was to be expected.
 
Oct 5, 2015 at 7:21 AM Post #321 of 636
Any thoughts on powering sensitive IEMs with this baby?
 
Oct 7, 2015 at 4:17 AM Post #324 of 636
Heard this at a shop the other day.
 
First and most obviously, the amp is stunning. I've always been a minimalist at heart and that applies to design as well. I don't really like the sight of tubes popping out like sore thumbs (yea well I suppose it might be beautiful in a geekish sorta way for some) so the Element was almost by default going to be one of the nicest amps aesthetically that I could find.
 
Build quality as well was excellent. Connectors and the volume knob were really nice. Nothing seemed cheap or loose or wobbly.
 
Unfortunately my actually play time with the Element was super limited because I spent quite a bit of time auditioning the Campfire Audio Lyra, and when I did move over to the Element, the shop lady told me her mouse for the Mac (which the Element was connected to) was wonky. She got it fixed for me but I only used it for 3-4 minutes before it died again, so take my sound impressions with a pinch of salt:
 
To me it's a very neutral DAC/Amp, not unlike the O2/ODAC. Don't think any particular frequency range stood out for me, and in fact I can't really find the words to describe the sound. Those who are accustomed to tube goodness should probably stay away. I was using it with my Earwerkz Supra 2s, which is obviously overkill for The Element, but it was the only thing I had on me which I knew well enough to use to test gear. I paused the music and turned the volume knob near its max and even then there wasn't a lot of noise. Audible, but not bothersome at all.
 
I've not been following this thread too closely but I presume The Element is foremost a desktop amp with a DAC inbuilt, but in all I think the unit was excellent value for those whom like a no-frills setup. Perhaps quite disappointing was the lack of outputs, but at this pricepoint I guess there can't be too much complaint.
 
Oct 7, 2015 at 4:36 AM Post #325 of 636
Hello guys I wonder if anyone can help with my little problem please. I have just purchased the Element to use with my Sony ZX2 and have ordered a RCA to mini cable plus a WM port adaptor so that I can use the amp section of the Element. However I did not realize that to use the dac section I need an optical cable and just wondered if other members know of a cable that will connect the ZX2 to the Element?
 
Thanks
 
Oct 7, 2015 at 5:41 AM Post #326 of 636
  Heard this at a shop the other day.
 
First and most obviously, the amp is stunning. I've always been a minimalist at heart and that applies to design as well. I don't really like the sight of tubes popping out like sore thumbs (yea well I suppose it might be beautiful in a geekish sorta way for some) so the Element was almost by default going to be one of the nicest amps aesthetically that I could find.
 
Build quality as well was excellent. Connectors and the volume knob were really nice. Nothing seemed cheap or loose or wobbly.
 
Unfortunately my actually play time with the Element was super limited because I spent quite a bit of time auditioning the Campfire Audio Lyra, and when I did move over to the Element, the shop lady told me her mouse for the Mac (which the Element was connected to) was wonky. She got it fixed for me but I only used it for 3-4 minutes before it died again, so take my sound impressions with a pinch of salt:
 
To me it's a very neutral DAC/Amp, not unlike the O2/ODAC. Don't think any particular frequency range stood out for me, and in fact I can't really find the words to describe the sound. Those who are accustomed to tube goodness should probably stay away. I was using it with my Earwerkz Supra 2s, which is obviously overkill for The Element, but it was the only thing I had on me which I knew well enough to use to test gear. I paused the music and turned the volume knob near its max and even then there wasn't a lot of noise. Audible, but not bothersome at all.
 
I've not been following this thread too closely but I presume The Element is foremost a desktop amp with a DAC inbuilt, but in all I think the unit was excellent value for those whom like a no-frills setup. Perhaps quite disappointing was the lack of outputs, but at this pricepoint I guess there can't be too much complaint.



Connect IT i suppose? 

I'm looking for a desktop solution for my AAW W500 when it comes in (Overkill too - i know), but i do have a pair of Grado RS1s that need amplification as well.
 
Great to hear that it is quiet with IEMs too. 
 
I might have to jump on this....i pity the wallet. 
 
Oct 7, 2015 at 8:19 AM Post #327 of 636
  Hello guys I wonder if anyone can help with my little problem please. I have just purchased the Element to use with my Sony ZX2 and have ordered a RCA to mini cable plus a WM port adaptor so that I can use the amp section of the Element. However I did not realize that to use the dac section I need an optical cable and just wondered if other members know of a cable that will connect the ZX2 to the Element?
 
Thanks

I am unsure what you are referring to? The DAC input is from USB, such as from iTunes on a computer. The USB cable is provided.
 
Oct 7, 2015 at 8:57 AM Post #328 of 636
  I am unsure what you are referring to? The DAC input is from USB, such as from iTunes on a computer. The USB cable is provided.

I probably would not use the Element with a computer and thought I could use my ZX2 as the source but using the Eelement's dac instead of the dac on the Sony. Perhaps I am being a complete noob here and not understanding how this works!
 
Oct 7, 2015 at 10:59 AM Post #330 of 636
  I probably would not use the Element with a computer and thought I could use my ZX2 as the source but using the Eelement's dac instead of the dac on the Sony. Perhaps I am being a complete noob here and not understanding how this works!


Well, you can call me a newbie on the ZX2
tongue.gif

 
It looks like a fantastic player, so why not use it's internal DAC and send it via analog into the Element, when you want to drive more resistant headphones?
 
I see there is a USB port on the ZX2, but I wouldn't know if it works? I've seen mixed success with non-Apple devices.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top