JDS Labs Element IV
JDS Labs Element IV
A compact, high power audio interface with parametric eq and a high quality build: The best value in its category, the Element IV.
JDS Labs Element IV
Desktop DAC/Headphone Amplifier with Auto Gain, Parametric EQ & Preamp Outputs
Roon Tested – Ready as an Endpoint
Element IV is now Roon Tested, so it can be played directly from the Roon software as an Endpoint.
Element IV is a massive upgrade over the already excellent Element III, with even more to offer: more features, more power. It will be hard to find a headphone it can’t drive properly. And with fully parametric EQ, built-in adjustable jitter compensation, and additional features, it will be just as hard to make it sound anything less than great.
Features
Auto Gain
3.2 W into 32 ohms. More powerful than the previous “Boosted” version, making two versions unnecessary. Multiple gain stages also let you run sensitive IEMs without audible noise floor.
Perfect Channel Matching
Element IV delivers audibly perfect channel balance down to -127.5 dBFS. Imaging precision is immediate and easy to verify.
OLED Display & Settings
An OLED screen briefly shows status information during operation and then turns off to minimize distraction. The options menu lets you configure OLED/backlight behavior, DAC filters, and more.
Exceptional Power
A rail-to-rail gain stage provides extra headroom without distortion penalties at high vs. low gain. With +/-15 VDC rails and consistently clean output, Element IV drives virtually any headphone—from balanced armature IEMs to planar drivers.
Preamp Outputs
Variable RCA preamp outputs enable volume control for powered speakers. Headphone and preamp volumes are managed separately and can be switched quickly.
Input/Output Selection
Press the tactile volume knob to choose USB or optical input, or use the Mode button to switch between headphones and speakers. No cable swapping needed.
Relay Muting & Safety
Relay muting eliminates pops and artifacts at power-on—both on the headphone and preamp outputs. Two independent processors continuously monitor internal communication and verify the ESS DAC volume.
Parametric EQ
The CORE web app provides convenient control of all device settings. A fully parametric EQ is also included, suitable for virtually any setup and many headphone tuning preferences.
USB Audio Class 2 – PCM & DSD
Supports up to 32/384 kHz PCM and DSD128 via the XMOS XU208 engine (2nd gen). UAC2 with an ASIO endpoint fulfills high-fidelity playback needs.
Power Isolation
Amplifier and DAC are powered entirely by an external AC transformer. 13 regulators provide constant rail voltage, extremely low ripple, and effective mains isolation.
Review
„I think JDS has done a fantastic job. From build, to features, to objective and subjective performance, this device checks all the boxes. (...) If you're in the market for a desktop source for headphones, right now, for under 1000$, the Element IV is the one to beat.“
Technical Specifications
Performance
| Frequency Response | 20–20 kHz, +/- 0.1 dB |
| SINAD, 1 kHz (Low Gain) | 117 dB1 |
| SINAD, 1 kHz (High Gain) | 118 dB |
| THD+N Sweep 20–20 kHz | < 0.00025 % |
| IMD CCIF 19/20 kHz, -6 dBFS | -118 dB |
| IMD SMPTE @ -20 dBFS | -95 dBFS |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 120 dB |
| Noise (Low Gain) | 2 µV |
| Dynamic Range (A-weighted) | 123 dB |
| Linearity @ -90 dBFS | +/- 0.02 dB |
| Crosstalk @ 0 dBFS, 100 kΩ RCA | -127 dB |
| Jitter Components – USB @ 12 kHz, DPLL 7 | -126 dB |
| Channel Balance, -∞ to 0 dBFS | +/- 0.01 dB |
| Output Impedance | < 1 Ω |
| Max Continuous Power @ 600 Ω | 174 mW (10.22 VRMS) |
| Max Continuous Power @ 150 Ω | 692 mW (10.19 VRMS) |
| Max Continuous Power @ 32 Ω | 3.2 W (10.18 VRMS) |
Dimensions & Weight
| Chassis Dimensions | 5.8 × 5.8 × 1.6 in |
| Weight | 1 lb 4 oz (0.57 kg) |
Data Support
| USB Interface | UAC2 with UAC1 fallback2 |
| Operating Systems | Windows XP/7/8/10/11, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, PS5, Nintendo Switch3 |
| USB Sample Rates | PCM: 16/24/32-bit @ 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192/384 kHz; DSD64–1284 |
| S/PDIF (Optical) Sample Rates | 16–24 bit @ 44.1/48/88.2/96/192 kHz5 |
Connections
| Headphone Output | 6.35 mm (1/4")6 |
| Preamp Outputs | RCA |
| Inputs | USB Type-C and TOSLINK |
Configuration
| Gain | Auto switching 1.0× and 5.0× (+14 dB) |
| Volume Attenuation | Discrete encoder, 255 steps |
Notes
- All measurements via USB-C @ 48 kHz with Synapse.
- UAC2 or UAC1 can be selected in the options menu.
- Appropriate cables are required for Android and iOS. UAC1 must be used with Win XP/7/8, PS4, or PS5.
- 44.1–192 kHz supports 12 EQ bands; above 192 kHz, 2 EQ bands are supported.
- Some TOSLINK sources cannot reliably transmit 192 kHz.
- 4.4 mm headphone output available on request (same 3200 mW). Custom work may delay the order by 1–3 days.
In the Box
- JDS Labs Element IV
- 17 VAC 1.4 A power supply
- USB-A to USB-C cable – 3 ft (1 m)
- JDS Labs Core™
- JDS Labs Core™ for Android
