USB Firmware Upgrades

JDS Labs

Serial Console MIDI Console Firmware Upgrade

Current USB Device

Expert mode

Expert mode enables arbitrary device selection, custom .bin files, and firmware upload.

Please confirm your model. This USB ID is shared by more than one JDS Labs product and the device name did not settle it. Loading firmware built for a different model can leave the DAC inoperable.

My device is:

Device info

Available firmware

Not officially tested. This web tool has not been verified with this product. For the supported procedure, see How to Install an XMOS Firmware Update.

Firmware for this product is managed through Core. Expert mode still allows flashing a custom .bin from this page.

Show beta / undocumented builds

	Version	Date	OS Volume	USB Audio Class	Notes

Firmware download (write custom .bin to USB device)

Firmware upload (read from USB device)

JDS Labs Firmware Update Utility

For macOS and Linux. Requires a desktop browser with WebUSB support: Google Chrome, Chromium, Microsoft Edge, Opera, or Brave. Safari and Firefox are not supported.

Windows is not supported by this tool. The DFU interface of these legacy DACs uses the XMOS/Thesycon driver, which Windows does not expose to web browsers. Windows users should install the latest XMOS driver and use the XMOS Firmware Update Utility instead; see How to Install an XMOS Firmware Update.

This tool allows you to update firmware of JDS Labs, XMOS based DACs.

Supported products

Atom DAC+
Atom DAC
Atom DAC 2
EL DAC II+
EL DAC II+ Balanced
EL DAC II
Element II
Element III / Element III MK2

Element IV firmware is managed through Core.

How to use

Connect your DAC directly to a USB port on this computer. Some USB hubs can block DFU communication.
Click Find Devices and select your JDS Labs DAC in the browser prompt.
Review the available firmware for your model, then click Install on the version you want. You will be asked to confirm and to re-select the device once it enters upgrade mode.
Your DAC restarts automatically when the transfer completes.

Using Safari? Please find the legacy firmware update procedure on our blog: How to Install an XMOS Firmware Update.

Install firmware?

Connect the DAC directly to a USB 2.0/3.0 port. Hubs and some USB-C ports can block DFU.
Only connect one JDS Labs DAC at a time.
You will be prompted to re-select the device once it enters upgrade mode.
The DAC restarts automatically when the transfer completes.

This firmware permanently disables future updates. It is UAC1-only and removes the DFU interface. Returning to UAC2 afterwards requires replacing the flash memory IC at JDS Labs.

I understand and want to proceed anyway.