JDS Labs Element IV DAC & HP Amp with EQ Review

[Oldson]

for me i wish this unit had line out option rather than pre out.

 

[PacketofCrisps]

for me i wish this unit had line out option rather than pre out.

That's unusual considering it has a dac built in, you sure it's only a pre out?

 

[Oldson]

That's unusual considering it has a dac built in, you sure it's only a pre out?

not 100 % but cant find out.
still searching.....

 

[Oldson]

i suppose if the 2 modes have independent saved volume levels then it would still be ok, for my needs.

 

[pablolie]

i suppose if the 2 modes have independent saved volume levels then it would still be ok, for my needs.

Which they indeed do.

 

[JimmyBuckets]

Are you confusing "humming" with "whining"?

and btw... Headphone.com review...best under $1000

 

[Bernard23]

Current user and big fan of the Element 2 here, when I heard the 4 would have some form of PEQ then I got really excited, as that's the only reason I subscribe to Roon; just to use the PEQ on my desktop headphone setup. Wiim does everything else in all other rooms. However, I'm not sure whether an alternative to the Element 4 and work equally well with additional features would be to use a Wiim pro plus into something akin / equal to the Atom and get the same effect. Or, is there a way of implementing DSP with the Element 2 without using a 3rd party subscription like Roon etc. I use multiple headphones and run some small desktop speakers out of the Element, so swapping PEQ profiles is a fairly regular requirement.

 

[JimmyBuckets]

Current user and big fan of the Element 2 here, when I heard the 4 would have some form of PEQ then I got really excited, as that's the only reason I subscribe to Roon; just to use the PEQ on my desktop headphone setup. Wiim does everything else in all other rooms. However, I'm not sure whether an alternative to the Element 4 and work equally well with additional features would be to use a Wiim pro plus into something akin / equal to the Atom and get the same effect. Or, is there a way of implementing DSP with the Element 2 without using a 3rd party subscription like Roon etc. I use multiple headphones and run some small desktop speakers out of the Element, so swapping PEQ profiles is a fairly regular requirement.

I ran the Atom2 with the WiiM Pro plus for a while and it was great. I am still using the optical out into the EL4 from the WiiM. I didn't need to get the EL4 since the WiiM and A2 were doing it all, but jeez the EL4 is nice

 

[jesterpb]

Sure, you use a USB-C hub. That is what I use on my desktop. It has a lot of USb ports but I ran out.

Could you let us know what USB-C hub you use? I'm concerned about quality/audio impact/ect. (and thanks for all you do for the community! -signed, this lurker)

 

[bachatero]

Current user and big fan of the Element 2 here, when I heard the 4 would have some form of PEQ then I got really excited, as that's the only reason I subscribe to Roon; just to use the PEQ on my desktop headphone setup. Wiim does everything else in all other rooms. However, I'm not sure whether an alternative to the Element 4 and work equally well with additional features would be to use a Wiim pro plus into something akin / equal to the Atom and get the same effect. Or, is there a way of implementing DSP with the Element 2 without using a 3rd party subscription like Roon etc. I use multiple headphones and run some small desktop speakers out of the Element, so swapping PEQ profiles is a fairly regular requirement.

Why not check out software like EQAPO and EasyEffects? They could completely replace Roon for you as well as cost absolutely nada so there's no risk to trying them out.

 

[Deckard01]

Why not check out software like EQAPO and EasyEffects? They could completely replace Roon for you as well as cost absolutely nada so there's no risk to trying them out.

The only reason for me to think of subscribing Roon is only that EQ can be applied with streaming services such as Qobuz/Tidal. Unfortunate I have not found any other program to do that

 

[somebodyelse]

The only reason for me to think of subscribing Roon is only that EQ can be applied with streaming services such as Qobuz/Tidal. Unfortunate I have not found any other program to do that

EasyEffects can apply EQ to audio from any application running on the linux desktop. I gather EQAPO does something similar for Windows. There's an entire thread covering software EQ for different platforms. There are several EQ options for the LMS ecosystem too if you prefer something that's less PC centric. some plugins apply EQ on the server (like Roon) while another option uses CamillaDSP on the squeezelite endpoint. LMS has decent Qobuz support. I'm not sure of the current Tidal support state - last I looked it was a work in progress. It used to go through Logitech's mysqueezebox.com infrastructure but they discontinued that a bit back.

 

[Deckard01]

EasyEffects can apply EQ to audio from any application running on the linux desktop. I gather EQAPO does something similar for Windows. There's an entire thread covering software EQ for different platforms. There are several EQ options for the LMS ecosystem too if you prefer something that's less PC centric. some plugins apply EQ on the server (like Roon) while another option uses CamillaDSP on the squeezelite endpoint. LMS has decent Qobuz support. I'm not sure of the current Tidal support state - last I looked it was a work in progress. It used to go through Logitech's mysqueezebox.com infrastructure but they discontinued that a bit back.

Thanks but for now I was looking for something PC centric.
So as to be able through a third party software stream music from music services, but at the same time to be able apply EQ for my headphones.
It would be much helpful for me. Maybe JRiver can do the job or the other solution is a dac/amp with EQ so as no need to mess up with third party software.
Hope music services improve their functionality so as to offer EQ instead of third party integrations/solutions/configurations.
We have been made more complex so as to enjoy music or is complex enough to enjoy music..? Maybe the first.
Sorry for the off-topic!

 

[trevor_bartram]

This takes its design clues from the Facmogu S300 FM tuner that I'm waiting for a review on. I believe Facmogu also have a similar looking class-D amp.

 

[JimmyBuckets]

This takes its design clues from the Facmogu S300 FM tuner that I'm waiting for a review on. I believe Facmogu also have a similar looking class-D amp.

I think it's the other way around. The Element line has been around for more than a few years in this format.

 

[staticV3]

I think it's the other way around. The Element line has been around for more than a few years in this format.

The Element 1 was released in July 2015:

 

[Bernard23]

The only reason for me to think of subscribing Roon is only that EQ can be applied with streaming services such as Qobuz/Tidal. Unfortunate I have not found any other program to do that

Sorry for continuing the slightly OT there's a reason why I didn't use apo, possibly because it might it have worked in exclusive mode (wasapi etc) though it sure as it was some time ago, hence I decided to subscribe to Roon. I think the solution is easy though, a pro plus and atom 2 amp.

 

[JimmyBuckets]

Sorry for continuing the slightly OT there's a reason why I didn't use apo, possibly because it might it have worked in exclusive mode (wasapi etc) though it sure as it was some time ago, hence I decided to subscribe to Roon. I think the solution is easy though, a pro plus and atom 2 amp.

If you have to listen at low volume levels like I do, the encoder volume control on the Element is killer. But the Wiim and Atom2 were a great combo for me.

 

[Bernard23]

If you have to listen at low volume levels like I do, the encoder volume control on the Element is killer. But the Wiim and Atom2 were a great combo for me.

No issue with low volume control knob setting for me, so that feature isn't a necessity for me.

 

[JimmyBuckets]

No issue with low volume control knob setting for me, so that feature isn't a necessity for me.

Still off topic, but they seem to have a few EL AMPs left in inventory for $149 if you like the form factor of the EL4