Cuurently I have:
in combination with iBasso D16.
The only “small” challenge: It is a battery solution.
I think the time has come to look for a powerful desktop DAC/Amp - preferred with USB (up to 768 kHz / 32 bit, DSD 512, DoP 256) and 4.4 pentaconn.
Have been looking at Ferrum Wandla HP: 4.4 pentaconn, USB-C and AISO driver. The only downside is the price 
Any other suggestions would be great THANKS
Torben
Hello Torben,
A few days ago I had the chance to test the FiiO K17. You will find some impressions here:
http://www.hifi-forum.de/index.php?action=browseT&back=1&sort=lpost&forum_id=211&thread=1216
I’ve been quite happy with the Topping DX 9. Has plenty of power, lots of features, great sound.
A JDS Labs Atom Amp 2 and Atom DAC 2 will set you back $270 USD combined. They’re superb. Ample, clean power. Great engineering. Excellent customer service. 6.35 and 4.4 inputs. No USB, though. The Element IV DAC-amp combo has USB, but I don’t think it has 4.4 balanced.
Save your money to buy more headphones or a tube amp. The Atom stack is more than good enough for solid state. I’ve run everything up to a Audeze LCD-X 2021 and ZMF Aeolus from my Atom stack with aplomb.
Atom Dac 2 has USB input, I use it - USB-C. As pk500 suggested this is a great setup to start with, if you want to upgrade from here it is a simple classifieds sale item!
Element IV customization with a 4.4mm jack is available from Jdslabs website:
Torben
Correct, call or email and they can change item in your order to 4.4, I had one from them that way.
I second your suggestion PK500. I had the Atom 2 stack, and it served well. Made in USA, and truly outstanding customer service.
Here’s an example of the extraordinary customer service from JDS. I had a question about my Atom stack after I purchased it – used, no less – and sent an email around supper time on a Sunday night to the general support email inbox.
Two hours later, I received an email from company founder and president John Seaber – his initials are the JDS that form the company’s name – with a thoughtful, thorough answer to my question. ON A SUNDAY NIGHT, people!
That kind of service – matched with no-BS, highly effective products at fair prices – has made me a JDS stan for life.
I suspect, lie @Rael67 that FII0 might be a good solution. I have the K9Pro ESS, which was the flagship before the new K17. I’ve found it to be a solid choice, even though I use it as an occasional semi-portable (It weighs a lot - several pounds and/or kilos). The only reason I don’t use it more is that I have a workstation that uses Schiit BiFrost 2/64 out to both a hybrid amp and a hybrid estat amp at home, and an OTL tube setup at work. But I have used it in both places, or when I want to take a high quality system on the porch, or to another house.
Plenty of power, and the DAC is clean and neutral without being clinical as most THX systems are. Price for the K9 is probably around $800-900 now, so less than the K17 by probably 40%. And it lets you do USB, 4.4, XLR and unbalanced.
It’s late a long day and I think I’m unbalanced – I mean single ended.
Also if you don’t need XLR output I’d suggest to try K7 or K7BT over K9 PRO ESS - exactly the same sound (have both right now), with similar features except XLR output, but much lower price and profile.
Atom looks like a really nice combo for the price. I’m tempted to try one myself to update my Bellari HA543/Insignia combo.
Hello Torben!
What I can certainly confirm from my own experience is that Dan Clark and JDS harmonize excellently.
The current problem is that Amazon Germany no longer carries them in its portfolio, and you would have to import them directly from America.
However, the symbiosis is excellent; even for IEMs, ZMFs, and especially HiFiman, they harmonize very well with JDS amps.
Furthermore, the small device has endless power.
In my opinion, this device, even with import duties, represents excellent value for money.
By the Way, it solves the problem with 4.4mm
Cheers 
It’s terrific, man. It does what it says on the tin, with minimal fuss or BS “features.” Nothing but clean, ample, well-designed power.
Gents, thanks for all your interesting suggestions.
It is interesting to see what you get for 690 EURO (JDS Labs Element IV - shipment from the US including customs) compared to 3.295 EURO for the Ferrum Wandla HP. Sure, the Ferrum Wandla HP has more features, but it still a big different.
Torben
This is what appeals to me about it as well. I just want transparency in my source gear. And it looks like the Atom 2 might deliver that in spades, based on some of the graphs at ASR. I also looked at the Element. And it looks interesting. Not sure I’m ready for all the features it has though.
Cam/@GoldenSound recently reviewed the Element IV btw. And It’d be interesting to hear his take on the Atom 2 as well.
The other thing to consider from my perspective is whether to go for an integrated, all in one solution (like the Element), or separate components (like Atom 2). Because I might, at some point, be interested in maybe trying a different DAC or amp with my setup.
The Element has no analog inputs that I can see. So it appears it can function as either a standalone DAC, or DAC/amp. But not as a standalone amp, for use with other kinds of sources. That is part of the appeal of the Atom 2 combo. But it’s also a bit of an inconvenience at the same time, because you apparently have two components, with two power sources, and more analog connections, etc.
My instincts are usually towards separate components, because they offer a little better flexibility on how things can be connected. But that won’t necessarily apply to others. I’m also trying to think how this might integrate (or not) with some other gear I plan to get for speakers. And not sure where that all stands yet.
Buy the Element IV and save the extra dough or use it to buy a new pair of cans!
You won’t regret buying the JDS product.
Another feature I’m interested in (but probably can’t afford) is a stepped volume control, for better channel balance. I wonder if the digital volume control on the Element IV might serve essentially the same purpose though, and circumvent the need for somethin like that.
Dual volume knobs can handle channel imbalance and also compensate for imbalanced drivers. They do require more tweaking, but are quite effective.
Analog works fine.
Good question. Check the specs and features on the JDS website. Better yet, send an email to the support or general email address. I bet you’ll get a speedy response!
