JDS Labs Element III Review (DAC & Amp)

[MRC01]

The differences are well documented. The Jotunheim is more powerful, has both SE and balanced inputs and outputs, and an internal power supply. The Element has some useful DSP functions and an SPDIF input. They both have plenty of power and are equally "clean" with 50 mv SNR within 1 dB of each other. Either one will serve you well, it only depends on your preferences.

 

[tb753917]

I really like the form factor, features and customer support for Element 3. But before I pull the trigger, I am wondering if the measurement is really good enough? For example, if I use Element 3 to power HD600 (300 omh), Sundara (40 omh), or Arya (16 omh), how will it compare with other devices at the top of the SINAD chart? Such as Topping L50 or JDS’s own Atom 2 Amp?

PS: If JDS releases a new version (maybe called Element 4?) that has the same performance/measurement like Atom 2, then my purchase decision will become really easy.

 

[paudio]

I really like the form factor, features and customer support for Element 3. But before I pull the trigger, I am wondering if the measurement is really good enough? For example, if I use Element 3 to power HD600 (300 omh), Sundara (40 omh), or Arya (16 omh), how will it compare with other devices at the top of the SINAD chart? Such as Topping L50 or JDS’s own Atom 2 Amp?

PS: If JDS releases a new version (maybe called Element 4?) that has the same performance/measurement like Atom 2, then my purchase decision will become really easy.

I would try to find some comparable SINAD numbers for output devices you already own and see if they are higher or lower than the Element 3. As Amir notes in the review that it would be with sensitive IEMs you might hear the background hiss. In my experience I doubt you'd be able to hear it with full size cans especially the higher impedance ones.

 

[LoFiAudiophile]

I would try to find some comparable SINAD numbers for output devices you already own and see if they are higher or lower than the Element 3. As Amir notes in the review that it would be with sensitive IEMs you might hear the background hiss. In my experience I doubt you'd be able to hear it with full size cans especially the higher impedance ones.

Here’s an experiment for anyone bothered about potential background hiss:

1. Take your favorite sensitive IEM (or your favorite headphone/IEM)
2. Plug them to your laptop, connect your laptop to AC charger. This test assumes that your laptop is the noisiest HP amp you own.
3. Play absolutely nothing (to protect your hearing).
4. Double check nothing is playing and change volume to 100%

If you can hear any hiss, congratulate yourself on your excellent hearing, excellent choice of IEMs and pay attention to 5mV SNR, otherwise just stop worrying about that specific section.

My EL II has inaudible noise at 100% volume (to me on any IEM I own). Sensitive IEMs don’t need powerful Amps like JDS El anyway but we all gotta have our toys.

 

[PBSequence]

JDS Labs now has the successor (Element IV) available:

Introducing Element IV and Core™ – JDS Labs Blog

blog.jdslabs.com

Bringing in 10-band parametric EQ that can be set from a USB-connected PC including a UI, a lot more power and further improved measurements. Quite a nice package! I'm very happy with my Element III but the urge to upgrade strikes anyways...

 

[pablolie]

JDS Labs now has the successor (Element IV) available:

Introducing Element IV and Core™ – JDS Labs Blog

blog.jdslabs.com

Bringing in 10-band parametric EQ that can be set from a USB-connected PC including a UI, a lot more power and further improved measurements. Quite a nice package! I'm very happy with my Element III but the urge to upgrade strikes anyways...

Very cool! Also very happy with my III here.

 

[unknownuser]

JDS Labs now has the successor (Element IV) available:

Introducing Element IV and Core™ – JDS Labs Blog

blog.jdslabs.com

Bringing in 10-band parametric EQ that can be set from a USB-connected PC including a UI, a lot more power and further improved measurements. Quite a nice package! I'm very happy with my Element III but the urge to upgrade strikes anyways...

Just when I'm about to start my EQ adventure, even though it's 61 USD to get it here to my country it's tempting (however WiiM Ultra with other HP amp would be cheaper) as I'm looking for a cleaner amp (and with EQ ) than my FiiO K7. I guess JDS is reliable enough that no Amir testing is necessary.

 

[JimmyBuckets]

I ordered mine before the blog post hit...I've been waiting for this

 

[Joe Smith]

Looks beautiful! They do good work. Too much overlap with functionality I already have, but for someone starting afresh, a very nice package!

 

[JimmyBuckets]

Looks beautiful! They do good work. Too much overlap with functionality I already have, but for someone starting afresh, a very nice package!

I basically wanted for the encoder volume control. I do a lot of late night listening and wanted the perfect channel matching down to basically zero volume.

 

[Veri]

JDS Labs now has the successor (Element IV) available:

Introducing Element IV and Core™ – JDS Labs Blog

blog.jdslabs.com

Bringing in 10-band parametric EQ that can be set from a USB-connected PC including a UI, a lot more power and further improved measurements. Quite a nice package! I'm very happy with my Element III but the urge to upgrade strikes anyways...

WOW!

 

[Deleted member 71304]

On black friday I bought the Element III and really love it.
Just in case anyone also uses the Sennheiser hd800s with the Element III: How should I set the 2 peq bands?
Has anyone the info about the Q-value the dsp has? (it is possible ti set frequency and gain but no Q, so I suppose it is a fixed value)
And anyone knows if they are Peak or high/low shelves?

 

[MRC01]

The 800s has a response peak around 5 - 6 kHz and rolls off the bass from about 120 Hz and down. I would use the PEQ to address those. The bass correction is a broad shelf. I'd set the corner around 120 Hz with Q=0.5, with a boost of +4 dB.
The peak correct is more narrow. I'd set the center at 5.5 kHz with Q between 2.0 and 3.0, with a cut of -4 dB.
Overall attenuation -4 dB so the bass boost doesn't cause clipping.
Amir did something similar, and a few other bands but the above 2 are the biggest deviations I would correct first.
You can see Amir's EQ in his review.

 

[Deleted member 71304]

The 800s has a response peak around 5 - 6 kHz and rolls off the bass from about 120 Hz and down. I would use the PEQ to address those. The bass correction is a broad shelf. I'd set the corner around 120 Hz with Q=0.5, with a boost of +4 dB.
The peak correct is more narrow. I'd set the center at 5.5 kHz with Q between 2.0 and 3.0, with a cut of -4 dB.
Overall attenuation -4 dB so the bass boost doesn't cause clipping.
Amir did something similar, and a few other bands but the above 2 are the biggest deviations I would correct first.
You can see Amir's EQ in his review.

Thank you so much!
But the Element III seems not to allow a Q change - or at least I cannot find where to change the Q

 

[MRC01]

Thank you so much!
But the Element III seems not to allow a Q change - or at least I cannot find where to change the Q

Sometimes devices will ask for width in octaves or frequency ratios instead of Q. More on that here.

 

[Deleted member 71304]

Sometimes devices will ask for width in octaves or frequency ratios instead of Q. More on that here.

Thanks for your answer and for the linked text, but I am not sure this is the case here: the "DSP config" menu only offers "Bass gain" and "Bass frequency" and the same 2 parameters for treble, so it really looks like JDS Labs sets a fixed Q value on production.
Maybe someone from JDS Labs could be so kind as to give us a piece of information regarding this?

 

[JimmyBuckets]

Thanks for your answer and for the linked text, but I am not sure this is the case here: the "DSP config" menu only offers "Bass gain" and "Bass frequency" and the same 2 parameters for treble, so it really looks like JDS Labs sets a fixed Q value on production.
Maybe someone from JDS Labs could be so kind as to give us a piece of information regarding this?

Element III MK2 = New Knob and EQ Firmware – JDS Labs Blog

blog.jdslabs.com

 

[MRC01]

Those slopes are quite gentle. When it comes to the HD800S, they're perfect for correcting the bass rolloff but you won't be able to correct for the treble peak. For that you'll need separate DSP, for example in your playback device.
For the bass, the 125 Hz curve at +4 would be a good place to start.