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JDS Labs Element IV (with EU power supply)
JDS Labs Element IV (with EU power supply)
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
A massive upgrade to the already great Element III, Element IV comes with more: more features, more power. You'll be hard pressed to find a headphone that this can not properly drive, and with the fully parametric EQ, built in adjustable jitter compensation and other features, you'll have a hard time not making it sound great, too. Let's get into it.
Features
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Auto Gain 3.2 watts at 32 Ohms! It is more powerful than the previous boosted version, eliminating the need for 2 versions. Not only that, but with multiple gain stages, you can still run sensitive IEMs off of this without an audible noise floor |
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Perfect Channel Balance Element IV delivers audibly perfect channel balance all the way down to -127.5 dBFS. You'll immediately hear and appreciate soundstage accuracy. |
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OLED Display & Options An OLED display momentarily presents status information while you interact, then powers down to minimize distractions. The Options menu further allows you to adjust OLED and backlighting LED behaviors, DAC filters, and more. |
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Exceptional Power Element IV's rail-to-rail gain stage provides extra headroom and no distortion penalty when listening at high gain versus low gain. With +/-15VDC rails and continuous clean power, Element IV drives all headphones on the market to extraordinary levels, from balanced armatures to planar magnetics. |
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Preamp Outputs Element IV provides preamp RCA outputs so that you can control volume of your powered speakers. Volume of preamp output is managed separately from the headphone output for quick toggling. |
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Input/Output Selection Press the tactile volume control to listen to USB or Optical Input, or press the Mode button to toggle between headphones and powered speakers. No need to disconnect cables! |
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Relay Muting & Safety Designed for desktop listening, Element IV's full relay muting eliminates pops and thumps during startup through both its headphone and preamp outputs. And for extra safety, Element IV's dual, independent processors continuously monitor internal communications and verify volume of the ESS DAC. |
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Parametric EQ The Core Web App: This allows you to control all settings on the device through an interface that is much more comfortable than using one knob and a tiny display. Plus, it comes with a fully parametric EQ to fit all tastes and fix almost all headphones. |
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USB Audio Class 2 - PCM & DSD Element IV supports up to 32/384kHz PCM and DSD128 through our second generation XMOS XU208 engine. While we claim no measurable superiority of high sampling rates, UAC2 with an ASIO endpoint will satisfy your pursuit of high fidelity listening. |
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Mains Isolation Element IV's amplifier and DAC are 100% powered by its external AC transformer, with 13 regulators ensuring consistent rail voltage, super low ripple, and 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."
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
| Enclosure Dimensions | 5.8 x 5.8 x 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 Sampling Rates | PCM: 16, 24, 32-bit @ 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 384 kHz; DSD64–1284 |
| S/PDIF (Optical) Sampling Rates | 16–24 bit @ 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 192 kHz5 |
Connectivity
| Headphone Output | 6.35 mm (1/4")6 |
| Preamp Outputs | RCA |
| Inputs | USB Type C and TOSLINK |
Configuration
| Gain | Auto toggling 1.0x and 5.0x (+14 dB) |
| Volume Attenuation | Discrete encoder, 255 steps |
Notes
- All measurements observed 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 mode must be used with Win XP/7/8, PS4, or PS5.
- 44.1–192 kHz supports 12 EQ bands, and 2 EQ bands are supported beyond 192 kHz.
- Some TOSLINK sources are unable to reliably transmit at 192 kHz.
- 4.4 mm headphone output available upon request, same 3200 mW output. Custom build may delay order by 1–3 days.
Packaged Items
- JDS Labs Element IV
- 17 VAC 1.4 A Power Supply
- USB A to C Cable – 3 ft (1 m)
- JDS Labs Core™
- JDS Labs Core™ for Android
A compact, high power audio interface with parametric eq and a high quality build: The best value in its category, the Element IV.