It's been a while since I lasted posted in this topic. Since I just made some changes, thought I'd update, which might be relevant to someone. I received a new El Amp II from JDS Labs yesterday. Curiosity got the best of me and I got the El Amp II to replace my Atom Amp. Now the "El Stack II" is complete, with the El Amp II and El Dac II. Really having a great time with amp and DAC. I had wondered earlier, if the were any noticeable differences in sound quality between the Atom Amp and El Amp II. My "system" now consists of the El Amp II, El DAC II and Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro headphone fitted with Dekoni Elite Hybrid ear pads. I almost exclusively stream hi quality music from a subscription to Qobuz through Audirvana. I had really been enjoying the DT 1990 before the amp switch, doing some "pad rolling" using the Beyerdynamic supplied Analytical and Balanced ear pads, Dekoni Elite Velours and now for the past week the Elite Hybrids. The Hybrids are staying on the 1990... significant and awesome increase in bass/low end response,a taming a slight treble spike, and leaving other frequencies unaltered and music to my ears. The Elite Velours were a great improvement but the Hybrids really woke the 1990 up, with pretty amazing and pleasing fullness. So... yesterday then, I added the El Amp II to the mix and am loving it!
The huge, top mounted volume control not only looks cool but has terrific and precise volume adjustments. With the El Amp II, I'm needing to increase the volume knob quite a bit less for my preferred listen level, as compared to the Atom. Both can easily drive the DT 1990 which has a 250 ohm impedance. Although probably not huge or even significant change, from the first song I played on the 1990, the sound seems a bit fuller, a bit more detailed and bass seems to have improved in impact and presence. Soundstage seems a bit improved, with terrific separation, precise imaging location. Again, that big volume knob is tons of "fun", ultra smooth in movement and a much larger volume adjustment span,.6 o'clock to 6 o'clock, from off to max. The DT 1990s are usually at a good listening volume at about the 10 o'clock position. Definitely not the most expensive or "sophisticated" system but I can't imagine being more pleased with sound quality. Through decades of dabbling in audiophile land, this is easily an audio match or besting, of anything I've owned!
The Atom Amp is actually amazingly great, especially providing superb audio quality for its $99 price. Really glad I made the switch to complete the El II stack but I'm confident that the Atom stack with the now available Atom DAC is terrific! Definitely loving the JDS Labs Company and staff! They produce amazing equipment, with outstanding customer care! I emailed them a question about set up last night about 7pm Calif. time and got an almost immediate reply from John Seaber, who I believe is owner/CEO of the company. They close at 5:30 Illinois time, so I received the email reply way after their closing! VERY happy customer here!
