It is not very bright so it doesn’t distract you in a dimly lit room. It has LEDs around the knob and it lights up beautifully. EL Amp II has a huge volume knob and it is very accurate.ĭesign-wise I like it a lot, especially the copper ring around it. For example, my SMSL M300MKII & Geshelli Labs Archel 2.5 Pro combo takes 3-4 times more space than the EL Stack II. Many DAC & AMP combinations take much more space on your desk and if you have a small, minimal desk like me, this is quite important. When stacked, they are about 800 grams in total. The EL Stack II has a rather small footprint at 14.7 x 14.7 x 2.2. They are one of the most honest, engineering-focused and technical companies in the industry. Especially when it is done by companies like JDS Labs. I appreciate this approach as it serves as the signature of a company. I like these kinds of details, probably no one is going to see that but they do it anyway. Another thing I really liked about the stack is that there are huge 3D JDS Labs logos etched under the units, looking very premium and stylish. However, the bottom of the unit is different, it has a rubberized feeling to it. The metal is cold to the touch and it looks marvelous. Before you ask, both of the unit enclosures are metal and I am very, very, very impressed. This stack is the flagship DAC & amp of JDS Labs. The gear I am reviewing today is a lot different from that aspect. It looked very slick in black but I wondered, what if it was aluminum? Of course, it would bump the price up and probably be a bad call, strategically. I reviewed the JDS Labs Atom DAC & stack a couple of months ago and it had an all-plastic build. The cables that accompany the EL DAC II are of good quality and will serve you for years to come. JDS Labs never forgets to include a QC card and a quick start manual in each box. Haha! Also, the AC transformer is boxed separately due to its size! The EL AMP II offers a more straightforward unpacking experience, you only get the amp and the adapter. My EL DAC II came bundled with a nice looking Monoprice 1.8m Toslink cable, a gold-plated USB Type A to Type B Cable with Ferrite, and of course, the 16VAC Power Adapter.ĭon’t let me deceive you though, this is more of a brick than an adapter. The cardboard box under the cover feels quite hard, I don’t think anything could happen to these during transit. The outside covers are identical, the type of the item is marked on the side. The EL DAC II & EL AMP II arrive in separate, large boxes. Output Impedance 0.1 Ω Packaging & Accessories Max Continuous Power, 32 Ω 1.3 W (6.53 VRMS) Max Continuous Power, 150 Ω 656 mW (9.9 VRMS) Max Continuous Power, 600 Ω 165 mW (9.9 VRMS) 24/192) JDS Labs EL AMP II Specifications & Technical Data (more here. JDS Labs EL DAC II Specifications & Technical Data (more here. Now that you’re acquainted, let’s get to the good stuff. We have reviewed and awarded a lot of JDS Labs gear here on Headfonia over the years, check out their reviews here: Headfonia JDS Labs reviews They are now this hugely popular killer company, which is trusted by the fans because of their honest and transparent attitude towards everything they do. Though JDS Labs was never planned to be a company, Co-Founder Nick joined in 2011, and the evolution that will make JDS Labs what it is today begins. In no time, John’s keen hands get overflown full of requests from other audio enthusiasts. John, who was not happy with the bass response of Sennheiser HD-280 Pro, designs a bass boost circuit and shares it with the audio enthusiasts. The story begins with John Seaber, the JDS in JDS Labs. Well, everything started with an audiophile’s pursuit of excellence. Today we will talk about the flagship combo, EL Stack II.īut first, let’s talk a little bit about the company! Who are they, really? Those were the times! I can honestly say that I have never used anything “mediocre” from JDS. I have used many of their products in the past, even the old ones such as the JDS’s production of NwAvGuy’s O2 amplifier and Altoid can JDS CMoys. They are one of my favorite Audio companies of all time. Many of you already have an acquaintance with JDS Labs because of the widely popular DACs & AMPs that they design. All thoughts and experiences with the product are naturally my own. In this article, we review the $550 USD flagship DAC & AMP combo, the JDS Labs EL Stack II.ĭisclaimer: JDS Labs sent us the EL Stack 2 for this review free of charge, I only covered the import taxes and fees.
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