To start, I will need to say sorry to you guys for my English as English is not my native language...And this review is only for those who is going to purchase their first DAC/AMP or seeking an upgrade from a non-audiophile grade DAC/AMP
I have owned my Jot with DAC module for around 2 months and I truly want to share my 2 cent for anyone who's deciding to get Jot, as a non audiophile but whom appreciate good sound,
Firstly, in order to get you guys a reference baseline, I may need to say all experience I have was based on this configuration: PC(foobar 2000) -> Jotunheim with DAC -> HD650 stock cable. And my previous setups as reference are: PC(foobar 2000) -> HD598 / PC(foobar 2000) -> Yamaha rx-v481 -> Elac B6 / PC(foobar 2000) -> Audio Engine A2+ (I knew,,,Headphone vs speaker is incomparable...As an non-golden-ear who just only enjoy crystal clear and immersing music).
Overall, Jot with DAC gave me entirely audible improvement in terms of headphone listening experience and more versatile in listening all different kinds of music. My words sound complicated and somehow conservative? Let me finshi.
We start with Pros and Cons (remember they're based on with my references...look above)
Pros:
1. Sounds are significantly improved than not using them. Sounds totally useless huh? Look what I see at the beginning (this review is only for those who is going to purchase their first DAC/AMP or seeking an upgrade from a non-audiophile grade DAC/AMP). I actually think my this point make more sense than most other review. This DAC/AMP is just 399+ USD and it clearly target at those first DAC/AMP buyer who's seeking better sound not some "ultra beautiful" "mind-blowing" sound that average person could distinguish. I just want to say, plug your headphone(decent heaphone! like 598 at least) in this will give you audiblke sound quality improvment(I didn't say sound feeling improvement yet). Voice sounds more concentrated and dense and less noise, you feel the sound is more controllable. I wouldn't comment on high/mid/low end now. Why? Please see blow. It's not just about volume, simply because they're powerful and more than powerful, simply judging this DAC/AMP by its volume is kind of under-estimating this DAC/AMP and even the whole industry.I can say that it wil bring you more than volume also the sould quality. Of course, like us, getting our 300 ohms headphne sound loud enough is als important. I guarentee you this does this job and more than you expect!
2. They are powerful for (this review is only for those who is going to purchase their first DAC/AMP or seeking an upgrade from a non-audiophile grade DAC/AMP). I mainly purcheased this unit because I want to have a HD650 as my primary headphoen and I need they are hunger for power. I can reassure you, this is for moe than enough. In high gain mode, you only need to turn the knob to 12 o'clock then it sound loud enough to hurt your ears (ok, my ears). Not actually sufficiently qualified to make this comment, considering the fact that H650 is pretty easy to drive even they are 300 ohms. But like I say above, this review is only for those who is going to purchase their first DAC/AMP or seeking an upgrade from a non-audiophile grade DAC/AMP. This group of people are more likely start with HD650 not stuff like HE6.
3. Balanced output/input. I don't know if I really want to talk about this, since I am still happy with my HD650 with SE cable. But at least it give you the choice. But, look at my first statement above, (this review is only for those who is going to purchase their first DAC/AMP or seeking an upgrade from a non-audiophile grade DAC/AMP). Plus it sells for 399. I checked the HD650 XLR calbe price, it's around 200 dollar. Is there any one whom is willing to pay 200~300 in headphone calbes but only get a 400 DAC/AMP to drive them? Deep in my heart, my answer is no. But, actually, yes, like me, my DAC/AMP gave me an blaced output, so I obviously want to try it and figure out the difference even I expect there's none. But, serviously, don't buy those which cost you more than your AMP or headphone, spend 30% (random number but you get what I mean) of your headphone or DAC/AMP price to get a XLR cable to experience and get an idea what they give you (probably just volume). Personally and frankly, I was going to get a XLR calbe simply because I want a shorter cable and experience the XLR magic at the same time.
4. Obviously, DAC and AMP in one box, I mean a decent DAC (not sure, see below) and AMP (I guess yes) in a very good looking box! Deny or not, this is actually pretty important for most consumer who's searching for good sound but dont want equitments and cables mess up their desktop. The footprint of Jot is obvioursly larger than Schiit stack, but it looks much nicer from my own view, One box made of aluminium with both sharp and rounded edge, it really add some fancy feeling to your desktop, if it does not conflict of your overall color scheme of your other equitment (I have only white, silver, black things on my desk, they look nice).
Actually, I want you (who is going to purchase their first DAC/AMP or seeking an upgrade from a non-audiophile grade DAC/AMP) more focus on the Cons side.
Cons:
1. Jot with DAC somehow gave me some too bright sounding feeling which I never had with my HD598. Maybe I am not true audiophile and that sound is actually the correct sound. As I read, most HD650 owner think it's on dark side. I am not very clear about the definition of bright of dark. My bright feeling is mainly come from the harsh sound of high frequency. And even HD650 which is supposed to tuned to be a bit dark cannot compensate the harsh sound. This is annoying when your music involved with high frequency instruments or voice. This bright sound will significantly decrease your confortness, especially you listen such sound for a long time. As I research, this is more caused by the DAC module. And I am actuall seeking a seperate DAC for fixing this. But it kind of lose the meaning to have Jot, doesn't it? Please tell me if you have good suggestion.
2. Female voice in Pop music is kind of recessed and far. I don't know this is because of H650 or Jot. But if you listen to a various range of pop music, my setup is kind of picky on this. I don't like this sounding at all, since I also listen to pop music alot and this sounding sometimes really decrease my immersing feeling. If it's not H650, I would guess it's the fault of the DAC module again. But luckily, the DAC mode is upgradable and probably I should list thie feature as 4th Pros. Anyone here can recommend a DAC or headphnethat can deliver very densed mid-range and close voice sould.
3. The bass sound a bit chaos and over with my HD650 but it's HD650, I cant' blame to the Jot only.
4. Combine the 2 Cons above, it deliver a V-shape sound which is not HD650 supposed to be. Yes, HD650 emphasize the low end not good at treble. But it's famous in warm sound, so it shouldm't be that mid-range lacking. I more blame this on DAC, not because they are not good but just not matches HD650 good.
Suggestion for buyer.
View it as a good AMP or DAC if you like than a complete solution of DAC/AMP.
Price performance ratio is high. Only competitent is audio-gd NF11. But audio-gd is not suitable for any one like me who want to keep their desktop look fancy.
Better listening this before buying if you could. I am already thinking of getting a complimentary headphone or DAC to fix the Cons I listed above.
I am a lazy guy don't want to take any picture of my setup to prove that was my real feeling of owning and listening my equitment. If you insist and don't trust my words, please let me know. I will post (with my ID and any accectable request you ask). I guess no one will read till this.
