JDS Labs Element IV DAC & HP Amp with EQ Review

[Henryk]

The customer support which John Seaber and JDS Labs provides has no equal.

 

[GoingFor24Bit]

I have a question. Windows 11 system. XMOS driver (executable) installed.

Just received my unit today and everything seems to be working. Running off of the supplied USB cable. I changed the sample rate to 384000 and rebooted it.

I'm on Tidal and it says that I selected and am playing a 96kHz/24bit, or 192/24bit track but the Element IV DAC says PCM at 48kHz. Is this because I am not using Toslink?

I also ordered the following but they have not arrived just yet:
1 - Optical (TOSLINK) Cable, Length = 6ft
1 - Synapse, Enclosure = Aluminum Enclosure
1 - Braided Red USB C-C Cable, Length = Short - 10 in
1 - USB Type B to C Cable


Thank you for the help ahead of time.

 

[GoingFor24Bit]

Going to upgrade my headphones soon.

Have Audio-Technica ATH M50x but have to say listening to (Tidal) an Ella and Basie track recorded or remastered at 192kHz/24 Bit being played at PCM 48 kHz I am hearing quite a bit more music, specifically bass, and a bit of a holographic stage. So far so good. Looking forward to receiving the Toslink cable.

 

[JimmyBuckets]

I have a question. Windows 11 system. XMOS driver (executable) installed.

Just received my unit today and everything seems to be working. Running off of the supplied USB cable. I changed the sample rate to 384000 and rebooted it.

I'm on Tidal and it says that I selected and am playing a 96kHz/24bit, or 192/24bit track but the Element IV DAC says PCM at 48kHz. Is this because I am not using Toslink?

I also ordered the following but they have not arrived just yet:
1 - Optical (TOSLINK) Cable, Length = 6ft
1 - Synapse, Enclosure = Aluminum Enclosure
1 - Braided Red USB C-C Cable, Length = Short - 10 in
1 - USB Type B to C Cable


Thank you for the help ahead of time.

In theory USB is the more "correct" way to run into the EL4. I don't have any issues with USB or Optical running 192 files. Something is not set up right.

 

[staticV3]

I have a question. Windows 11 system. XMOS driver (executable) installed.

Just received my unit today and everything seems to be working. Running off of the supplied USB cable. I changed the sample rate to 384000 and rebooted it.

I'm on Tidal and it says that I selected and am playing a 96kHz/24bit, or 192/24bit track but the Element IV DAC says PCM at 48kHz. Is this because I am not using Toslink?

I also ordered the following but they have not arrived just yet:
1 - Optical (TOSLINK) Cable, Length = 6ft
1 - Synapse, Enclosure = Aluminum Enclosure
1 - Braided Red USB C-C Cable, Length = Short - 10 in
1 - USB Type B to C Cable


Thank you for the help ahead of time.

The Tidal App must be set to Exclusive playback in the settings if you want your tracks to always play at their native sample rates.

 

[GoingFor24Bit]

In theory USB is the more "correct" way to run into the EL4. I don't have any issues with USB or Optical running 192 files. Something is not set up right.

Thank you for the reply.

Just figured it out!

I right clicked on the Windows 11, Sound Icon in the tray, selected Sound Settings, and then where it says JDS Labs Element IV, I clicked on the arrow to the right, and for FORMAT chose 24 bit, 384000. Now the Element IV has the correct display!!!!!

WoooHooo! Waiting to see if the Toslink improves anything. It should be here before the end of next week, it is awaiting pickup by the USPS.

 

[GoingFor24Bit]

The Tidal App must be set to Exclusive playback in the settings if you want your tracks to always play at their native sample rates.

I'll check on that right now. I am new to all of this. Haven't had a high end setup since college back in the mid 90's.

 

[JimmyBuckets]

Thank you for the reply.

Just figured it out!

I right clicked on the Windows 11, Sound Icon in the tray, selected Sound Settings, and then where it says JDS Labs Element IV, I clicked on the arrow to the right, and for FORMAT chose 24 bit, 384000. Now the Element IV has the correct display!!!!!

WoooHooo! Waiting to see if the Toslink improves anything. It should be here before the end of next week, it is awaiting pickup by the USPS.

Toslink will not improve anything. USB is the ideal way to run it. In reality there will be no audible difference between the two.

 

[GoingFor24Bit]

Toslink will not improve anything. USB is the ideal way to run it. In reality there will be no audible difference between the two.

OK. Thank you.

 

[staticV3]

Toslink will not improve anything. USB is the ideal way to run it. In reality there will be no audible difference between the two.

Unless you encounter a ground loop or USB noise interference, in which case switching to Toslink will be an immediately audible improvement.

 

[voodooless]

The guys from LTT over at ShortCircuit also did a review. Somewhere in the middle a shoutout to ASR

Quite a bit of the video is about the controls and features, not too much on subjective sound quality.

 

[magor34]

Slightly off topic perhaps, and if it is not permitted I'll remove this post.

I've been out of the loop with desktop stuff for a few years and I'm looking for something similar to this but with balanced headphone output (4.4mm and/or 4-pin XLR) as well as XLR lineout for active speakers. I'm currently using a Schiit stack (Modius & Magnius) but I want a compact all-in-one unit for my desk.
I'm looking to spend roughly the same amount as this or slightly more if it ticks all the boxes. Any ideas of what units I should I be looking at?

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I should have mentioned that the PEQ feature is not necessary. I use Equalizer APO+Peace plugin already and don't mind using that going forwards.

 

[JimmyBuckets]

Maybe find a used RME ADI2 DAC?

 

[evanft]

The Topping DX5 II is coming soon and may fit that need.

 

[magor34]

The Topping DX5 II is coming soon and may fit that need.

If I'm reading the description right the DX5 (mark I) can be used in DAC mode for active speakers (power+volume controlled by speakers) and switch to headphone mode with the press of a button. Meaning I can have both speakers and headphones plugged in all the time without needing to unplug either of them?

 

[magor34]

Maybe find a used RME ADI2 DAC?

Chances of finding one of those in my area is slim but I'll look around anyway, maybe I'll get lucky.

If excluding PEQ and just going for a somewhat compact all-in-one DAC/AMP with a balanced amp section (4.4mm and/or XLR) and XLR pre/direct output (no built-in volume control), is there such a device around this price or do I have to go up a tier?

 

[RosalieTheDog]

Chances of finding one of those in my area is slim but I'll look around anyway, maybe I'll get lucky.

If excluding PEQ and just going for a somewhat compact all-in-one DAC/AMP with a balanced amp section (4.4mm and/or XLR) and XLR pre/direct output (no built-in volume control), is there such a device around this price or do I have to go up a tier?

If you are in Europe, my recommendation would be to go to Audiophonics.fr. Go to the catalogue of devices, click on headphone amp with DAC, and specify the I/O requirements in the filters, sort by cheapest first and check the options. Often audiosciencereview reviews are even linked in the product pages. You are bound to find precisily what you need.

 

[JimmyBuckets]

Maybe check out Julian Krause on YouTube. He does lots of measurements of audio interfaces, which might fit your needs if you really need balanced output. Antelope Zen Go has all the features you want but don't think it had the best measurements.

Julian Krause

Hey, I'm Julian Krause and on this channel you can find in-depth audio equipment reviews and tutorials.

youtube.com