Home Amp/DAC Comparisons JDS Labs Atom vs. Objective 2 [Video Comparison]

JDS Labs Atom vs. Objective 2 [Video Comparison]

by Stuart Charles Black
Published: Last Updated on

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Updates

  • 8/20/19. Added blurb about the rubber feet at the bottom. Added some photos to the gallery.
  • 8/25/19. Added Video Comparison!
  • 12/30/19. Article cleanup.
  • 3/9/2020. Article cleanup.

1,796-word post, approx. 3 min. read

Big thanks to JDS Labs for sending a new friend, ATOM. I am not being compensated for this review. Just sharing my thoughts!!

Hey there friend, and Welcome aboard!!

Before we get into the JDS Labs Atom vs. Objective 2 Review and comparison, grab a snack, sit back and relax because..

You’ve come to the right place!!

Table of Contents

Click to navigate the article!

Introduction
Build & Features
Ergonomics & Sound
Video Comparison
Photo Gallery
Final Word

Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!!

Introduction

I’ve gotten a chance to try out a few different JDS Labs offerings, including the Objective 2, the Element, and the cMoy BB, all of which sounded fabulous.

I have also long since respected their approach to audio, in which they value neutrality and quality sound over hype.

If you want to hear the music exactly as it’s intended to be heard, look no further than JDS Labs. No fuss, no muss, no B.S.

Nowadays budget audio is getting better and better. You don’t even have to spend that much to get phenomenal sound. In my mind, JDS Labs has always been at the forefront of this movement, ever since the infamous Objective 2 post by the mysterious “NwAvGuy” (Northwest Audio & Video Guy) that caused quite the disturbance in audiophile land back in 2011 up to the present day really.

Ever since then people started to realize that you didn’t have to fork over and arm and a leg to achieve good sound. Some people got mad about it. You mad bro? It was a bold move, but continues to pay dividends today as JDS Labs is a thriving company built on honesty and integrity rather than smoke and mirrors.

The ATOM is no different, as they continue the tradition of powerful, neutral, clean amps that deliver an amazing bang for your buck. The fact that this amp is only around $100 should be illegal. Lol.

So how about some quick specs?

I won’t list them out here. Instead head on over to JDS Labs’ website and take a gander!

We’ll talk a bit about power later, but for now let’s get into the meat of this thing!

Build & Features

I have to admit, I was a little disappointed with the weight of Atom when I first held in in my hand. Being that I’m so accustomed to getting extremely solid and rugged builds from JDS Labs, I was a bit taken aback when I expected it to be heavy and it was rather light.

It’s like that sensation of opening a door you thought was going to be super heavy. Instead of having to labor, you end up feeling like you have super human strength and it swings open fast, perhaps hitting you in the head or foot.

Now that’s not to say the build here is bad; by no means.

The knob on the face of the unit it feels very good to turn, and all of the connections and buttons feel solid. It’s just not an Objective 2 heft wise, and that made me a little sad frog.

On the front, we’ve got a 1/4″ headphone jack, the volume pot which also doubles as the on switch (just turn it and a white halo light comes on behind the pot), the gain switch for extra power, and an input button.

The input button toggles between RCA and 3.5mm input, while the gain button is just that, but it also enables the RCA outputs on the back.

If you weren’t aware, output is for sending audio to another device, like your studio monitors. What are Studio Monitors? Input is for receiving audio from somewhere else, like a DAC or receiver. Because of this, the Atom functions as a preamp as well as just an amplifier.

Check out Home Cinema’s Guide, Stereo Analog Audio – RCA Plug and Cables Explained for a simple to understand explanation!

JDS Labs Atom vs. Objective 2

Paired with the K3 and Sennheiser HD 6XX

Some common uses for Atom

  • 3.5mm interconnect (input). Perhaps the simplest method of firing up this bad boy. Plug one end into a line out of a DAC (I’m using the K3 currently), and plug the other into the 3.5 mil input on the back of the Atom. Plug in the K3 via USB to your PC. Turn on the K3 and push it to full volume. Now turn the volume up on the Atom to taste. What’s also cool about this method is that you can use the gain switch on the K3 to add some power as well. You can also apply this same concept via 3.5mm interconnect with something like an Audioquest DragonFly Red or Cobalt.
  • RCA input. If you have a DAC like a Modi or OL DAC, you could use the RCA out from either into the 3.5mm input or the RCA input on the Atom. For this either use an RCA to mini (3.5mm) cable or RCA to RCA.
  • RCA Output. As discussed above, Output sends the signal to another device. For this you could use some RCA to TRS cables or RCA to XLR to hook up the Atom to your favorite studio monitors! I’m using the JBL LSR 305’s. The Atom in this sense becomes an extremely versatile device with many uses.
JDS Labs Atom vs. Objective 2

Paired with the DragonFly Red via 3.5mm interconnect.

Pretty nifty!

Aside from that, the unit comes with a 16VAC Power Brick, and boy howdy is it rather large and in charge. Unfortunately, Atom doesn’t have an internal battery like the Objective 2 so it will need to be plugged in full time.

With the O2 or Element, you could charge it and then unplug as needed. Related: JDS Labs Element vs. Objective 2

Still, the Atom is a desktop unit so there’s really no reason to ever move it or worry about unplugging the brick. In that sense, it’s totally fine (and almost preferred), since I strongly dislike messing around with wires after I’ve got everything situated.

Last but not least, there are 4 circular rubber pads on the bottom, and they are embedded into the unit. This ensures no slippage while it’s on your desk. I can affirm that these are indeed pretty effective. Even considering how light the unit is, it doesn’t move around too much.

Now that build and features are out of the way, let’s get into ergonomics and power!

Ergonomics & Sound

The Atom does provide a bit more juice than the original Objective 2. Let’s take a look:

  • Max output at 600 Ohm: 125mW
  • Max output at 150 Ohm: 502mW
  • Max output at 32 Ohm: 1W

Objective 2

  • Max Output at 600 Ohm: 88mW
  • Max Output at 150 Ohm: 355 mW
  • Max Output at 33 Ohm: 613 mW

JDS Labs Atom vs. Objective 2

Add to that, the Output Impedance is a minuscule 0.1 for the Atom vs. 0.54 for the Objective 2. What is Output Impedance?

Specs would indicate that the Atom is a bit cleaner than the Objective 2, with it’s Total Harmonic Distortion to be a tad lower, but to me it’s basically negligible. Again, you can check the specs of the Atom and Objective 2 for a more in depth look.

Let’s talk about sound while we’re kind of alluding to it!

Sound

To me there isn’t a whole mess of difference between the JDS Labs Atom vs. O2.

I’ve been listening to Atom for a month or 2 now (he talks quite a lot), and he’s just super clean and neutral. Never over the top in his beliefs, always ready to provide good sound, and immensely enjoyable.

Atom basically continues the tradition of the original Objective 2 but adds even more value to the overall package.

The O2 by itself was pretty bare bones, but you can still customize the crap out of it. Even so, you can’t modify it with 2 pairs of RCA jacks (1 Pair of Outs and 1 Pair of Ins), so it doesn’t function as a preamp though you can add RCA outs for about $15 more.

I think at the end of the day, I would probably go with an Atom because I can do all of the following with it:

  • Hook it up to my studio monitors.
  • Use it as my dedicated Amp (with separate DAC) on my desktop for music or gaming.
  • Hook it up to my PS4 (with the help of an OLDAC+Optical) for gaming.
  • Use it in conjunction with pretty much any DAC that inputs 3.5mm or RCA.

With the Objective 2 I can:

  • Use it as my dedicated Amp/DAC on my desktop for music or gaming.
  • Hook it up to my PS4 (with the help of an OLDAC+Optical) for gaming. Another option you have is to simply buy the combo and not have to worry about pairing with a separate DAC. The only caveat here is that you cannot customize it with RCA outs.
  • Use it in conjunction with pretty much any DAC via it’s RCA inputs and line input.

Aside from the slight practical difference of being able to use the Atom with studio monitors, there’s really not much in the way of sound difference here in my mind.

Is the Atom slightly cleaner sounding? Maybe, but it’s not a big enough difference for me to even care. I’m more concerned with practical application in this case.

My thoughts may change down the road, but for now I’d go with the Atom and call it a day.

Video Comparison

Don’t forget to leave me some love!! 🙂

Photo..

Photo Gallery

More images coming soon!

JDS Labs Atom vs. Objective 2
Paired with the DragonFly Red
Seeing what all the commotion is about.
Up close and personal.

For now..

Final Word

I’ve said enough..

 

If you’re a stickler for build and can’t get on board with how light Atom is (he’s a vegan), then go with the meat eating, carb cycling Objective 2. He’s meatier, beefier, and packs quite a punch. You would also go with the Objective 2 if you don’t really care about being able to pair it with studio monitors.

 

 

Check out Drop’s (Formerly Massdrop) version of the Objective 2!

 

Well that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this JDS Labs Atom vs. Objective 2 Review & Comparison.

Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!

Which of these better suits your needs? I would love to hear from you. Until next time..

All the best and God bless,

 

 

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Can’t decide which headphones to purchase? Interested in a complete buyers guide outlining over 40 of the best options on the market? Click on over to the best audiophile headphones to learn more!!

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6 comments

gmas August 21, 2020 - 9:16 pm

Hi, total noob here. Thanks for all the work you put into these reviews !

” Turn on the K3 and push it to full volume. ”
“You can also apply this same concept via 3.5mm interconnect with something like an Audioquest DragonFly Red or Cobalt.”
Is this advisable seeing how the measured distortion at full volume seems to be awful on the Dragonfly? https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/objective-audioquest-dragonfly-cobalt-review-r832/
http://archimago.blogspot.com/2019/08/measurements-dragonflies-audioquest.html

Would running the Dragonfly at 50% volume have any downsides other than the obviously lower volume ?

Reply
Stuart Charles Black August 26, 2020 - 2:02 pm

Hey man thank you! I would just go ahead and ignore that. It has no real world relevance to the DragonFly, as the DragonFly is in no way “distorted” at high volumes. I’ve been using one for well over 2 years. That’s just a load of bs. I don’t know what he’s measuring with (perhaps a ruler lol). I usually max out the volume on the Fly when it’s used as a dac into another amp (like the Bravo Ocean) and have no issues whatsoever. No distortion. Completely clean sound. Same as if I just use it as the Amp and DAC. Makes me really wonder about reviewers.

Anyways, what specific combo are you looking to get?

Reply
Jonathan Rogers April 11, 2021 - 11:18 pm

While stumbling around doing research on headphone amps and dacs to consider purchasing, I found some of your reviews, and immediately dubbed you my favorite and most entertaining and straight-shooting reviewer. You have definitely kept me from wasting perfectly good money, and have put me on the right track after I found myself sensing my BS detector about to go off with other reviewers. It was as if I was about to be led aboard the saucer by the friendly, huge-headed alien, but then, I heard you yelling from the distance, “Stop! Don’t go with them! ‘To Serve Man’… It’s a cookbook!” Thank you very much, Mr. Black! You are awesome!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black April 13, 2021 - 2:27 am

Yeah, man! Thank you! And it’s my pleasure. I love comments like these because it reinforces the fact that I have to be doing something right. I get them all the time, but there are some who get really upset when I try to save people money rather than shill every product as some reviewers do. They say stuff like “Don’t misguide your viewers.” xD It blows my mind. Which Amp/DAC are you going to go with?

Reply
fym April 25, 2021 - 5:41 pm

You are an a**hole.

Reply
Stuart Charles Black April 25, 2021 - 11:00 pm

Phew! Must be doing something right ?

Reply

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