Looking For a New Dac/AMP to Replace Dying One

May 24, 2025 at 6:47 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 2

kayan

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I've currenlty got a JDS Labs Element 2 that is sporadically not working. It's been repaired once, out of warranty, for free. This reason alone makes me want to get the Element 4. Their customer service is absolutely amazing.

My current cans are LCD-2 Fazor, Audioquest Nighthawk, and a Philips Fidelio X2HR. I think I'd rather get another pair of cans than a 1000+ dac/amp.

I'm debating between the SMSL Raw MDA1, the Element 4, and any other number of ones. I use it at my desktop/PC for mostly gaming and some music. My first non-budget AMP, way back in the day, was a tube, the Schiit Valhalla. I love the tube sound as well, but can't afford the Woo Audio Firefly 7 (my favorite from a Meet in DC about a decade ago). My budget is probably around 600, so the Element 4 is at the tip top of that range, but I'm open to other options too. My audio guy suggested the Mojo 2, but I don't think I need a portable one. I've already got a Dragonfly Cobalt. I do not want anything overly clinical. I like warmth and bass. Thanks in advance!
 
May 24, 2025 at 9:11 PM Post #2 of 2
I just got the FX-Audio- R07 Plus amp which has a warmer sound to it, there's a matching DAC to it as well, and 2.7 watts at 32 ohm. All the all in ones I have are distortion free, but neutral/transparent. If you really want it all in one, the SMSL DO400 has filters and also color settings for a warmer sound. It's about the same as a tube hybrid, but not as warm as a full tube amp. JDS has the best support in the business though, great company.
 

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