JDS Labs C5/C5D (pg96) portable amp/amp+DAC

[illusioned]

finally arrived in singapore after a week using the first class international mail

 

[IanM]

How suitable is the C5 as a desktop amp? does it charge whilst in use?
 
I read somewhere that the C5 is recommended for IEMs/headphones of 32Ω or greater, but the C5 output impedance is stated as 2Ω on the specification page. I'm considering some Sony earphones that are 16Ω, so by the ⅛ ruile of thumb the C5 should be suitable?

 

[ostewart]

Should be great as a desktop and portable for IEMs as it doesn't suffer from channel imbalance.

 

[IanM]

Edited my post, the IEM bit is probably irrelevant to use on the desktop, but the no channel imbalance is the key reason I'm interested in this.

 

[ocelot2500]

For those that already have one, has there been any hiss with the sensitive IEMs?

 

[miceblue]

Quote:

For those that already have one, has there been any hiss with the sensitive IEMs?

I don't own any "hi-fi" earphones, but I hear absolutely no background hiss with a Sennheiser CX-300 at max source volume, max C5 volume, max gain, bass boost on. The C5 was specifically designed to have no background hiss with IEM's.
 
 
Quote:

How suitable is the C5 as a desktop amp? does it charge whilst in use?
 
I read somewhere that the C5 is recommended for IEMs/headphones of 32Ω or greater, but the C5 output impedance is stated as 2Ω on the specification page. I'm considering some Sony earphones that are 16Ω, so by the ⅛ ruile of thumb the C5 should be suitable?

Desktop works fine. I'm actually giving the C5 more use over the O2 since I got it. They have their differences in sound but they're pretty subtle and I don't think you're missing much with the C5 over the O2. I actually prefer the C5 because:

• It stacks well with the ODAC
• It has a bass boost switch
• No channel imbalance at low volume levels
• Smaller footprint/more portable

 
16 Ω IEM's should be fine with the C5 and meet's the "magic 8" damping factor. Again, the C5 was specifically designed with IEM's in mind. And yes you can use the C5 while charging it via mini-USB.

 

[luisdent]

My C5 just shipped!  Woooh!  By the way John, there is a rumor going around now that my image broke the engraver. haha.  This is not true correct?

 

[juntom10]

My rig with C5
 
 

 

[burrrcub]

How'd you get 8620 opamp? Didn't know that was an option and I'm not liking the opa227 so far

 

[miceblue]

Quote:

How'd you get 8620 opamp? Didn't know that was an option and I'm not liking the opa227 so far

John allowed special requests, but that offer is no longer available. What's wrong with the OPA2227?

 

[adamlr]

Quote:

How'd you get 8620 opamp? Didn't know that was an option and I'm not liking the opa227 so far

not to pick a fight, but the opamp isnt the only component in the design. shouldnt the overall sound be considered, rather than just the opamp? granted, i dont really know, but im pretty sure you can have two different amps, using the same opamp, but still sounding different. is fussing over one single component advisable? john said the c5 was designed around the 2227. and from what i can tell, the c5 measures pretty well with it. so why not?

 

[luisdent]

Quote:

My rig with C5
 
 

 
What's the black box thingy?  Some sort of power unit or line out device?  I see it has a usb looking connector but it also appears to go into the c5?

 

[Gradyoactive]

Has anybody tried the C5 with 250 ohm headphones?  I plan on buying Beyer DT250's and I need an amp that can power their 250 ohm impedance.  

 

[Gradyoactive]

Quote:

 
What's the black box thingy?  Some sort of power unit or line out device?  I see it has a usb looking connector but it also appears to go into the c5?

It looks kind of like the HiFiMan HM-101 DAC, but all black.  So I assume it is a DAC, as it goes between the source and the amp.

 

[juntom10]

Quote:

It looks kind of like the HiFiMan HM-101 DAC, but all black.  So I assume it is a DAC, as it goes between the source and the amp.

 
 
Quote:

 
What's the black box thingy?  Some sort of power unit or line out device?  I see it has a usb looking connector but it also appears to go into the c5?

 
It is a Sabre DAC from HifimeDIY. 
 
Galaxy note 2 -> otg cable -> Sabre DAC -> interconnect -> C5 -> headphones..