JDS Labs Element IV DAC & HP Amp with EQ Review

[staticV3]

Their previous ATOM product line retailed for around $100 give or take. This one has jumped up to $500.

The Atom product line is either a DAC, or an Amp. This has both, plus a microcontroller, web interface, and DSP.

A fair comparison would be to its Element predecessors.

 

[dougq]

I can't think of anything close to this price range that competes, I'm not sure what we are discussing price at. Unless your only goal is great audio, there are of course cheaper options. But the highly configurable built in PEQ is incredibly valuable. It is more functional, with higher power and equal performance (if not better?) than an RME adi-2 which is $1200 new. The element has most important aspect of an audio device down which is a large ass high quality knob.

 

[johny_2000]

I can't think of anything close to this price range that competes, I'm not sure what we are discussing price at.

Element IV’s base price of $499 USD is valid through the end of 2024 and will increase by 10% thereafter.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

I can't think of anything close to this price range that competes, I'm not sure what we are discussing price at. Unless your only goal is great audio, there are of course cheaper options. But the highly configurable built in PEQ is incredibly valuable. It is more functional, with higher power and equal performance (if not better?) than an RME adi-2 which is $1200 new. The element has most important aspect of an audio device down which is a large ass high quality knob.

Well, I won’t be trading in my RME for this, but every other DAC maker should be looking at this brilliant PEQ UI, which runs from the web directly to the DAC, no app installation required.

 

[amirm]

Well, I won’t be trading in my RME for this, but every other DAC maker should be looking at this brilliant PEQ UI, which runs from the web directly to the DAC, no app installation required.

Just clarifying, there is no network connection on this device. So the "web" interface means you run it in the browser, not that you can run it remotely.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

Just clarifying, there is no network connection on this device. So the "web" interface means you run it in the browser, not that you can run it remotely.

Correct, the “app” is hosted on JDS’ servers, runs in your browser on the PC (Windows/Apple/Linux/ChromeOS) connected to the DAC via USB. Those of us who run Linux are pleased.

 

[bequietjk]

A very nice PCB and sub PCB for the volume assembly.
View attachment 411296

goooosh

 

[jimroge]

Nice to see this US company, in my home county of Madison IL, make products like this that can compete with the best headphone amps and dacs from around the world. I can attest they have excellent customer service as well!

 

[unpluggged]

It is more functional, with higher power and equal performance (if not better?) than an RME adi-2 which is $1200 new

A very doubtful statement. No remote control, limited selection of inputs, no balanced outputs, no ultra-low-gain option, apparently no separate sets of settings for HP and line outputs, no instant volume recall and dim functions, limited DSP functions (no DC filtering, no dynamic loudness, no crossfeed and no stereo width adjustments, no M/S processing and no phase inversion), can't be powered from a 12 V DC/USB PD source, no stored setups, no loopback, rudimentary display... And this is only compared to the ADI-2 DAC FS, not to mention the ADI-2[/4] Pro models.

Correct, the “app” is hosted on JDS’ servers

Is it? I thought it was a browser extension, as in the case with Qudelix. So no way to use it without an Internet connection?

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

Is it? I thought it was a browser extension, as in the case with Qudelix. So no way to use it without an Internet connection?

From the blog:

Why a Web App? What happens in 10+ years?​

Timmy is our full stack developer. He built jdslabs.com from scratch and has solved major challenges we’ve encountered throughout the past decade. When I pitched Core to Timmy, he immediately suggested a web app over native. Thus, Core is a web app.

Core is built in React, meaning it can potentially be ported to a native Electron app. For now, the server costs far less than our daily coffee, so it’s financially sustainable. Core as a web app is always up-to-date, and it’s OS agnostic. Use it with Windows, macOS, or Linux.

It only needs to be run to adjust the PEQ, which surely isn't very often...

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

What you want to know about it?

Does eq work with toslink input?

 

[WOLFAGRAM]

Hallo Folks.

I am glad to see a review of this unique and great performing, made in the west product. No matter how good some of the Chinese HAs and DACs perform, I got bored and confused by seemingly infinite lines of faceless black unimaginative boxes, which all appear to look and perform similarly. Sometimes I wonder do even Chinese product managers know how many different products they sell? This one I am going to remember, many thanks mr. @amirm

Still, for 500$ JDS Labs could offer slightly larger „premium“ model with internal linear power supply and analog input (this product seems better as a HA than as a DAC), while continuing to sell this one for no more than 400$. Also, PEQ on USB input is least useful.

Cheers.

 

[johny_2000]

Does eq work with toslink input?

Not yet. They are working on it.

"DSP is currently supported through USB input. Support for DSP over optical input is underway, along with several additional functions."

 

[Rednaxela]

To me EQ but not on all inputs means no golfing panther. Voted fine.

 

[amirm]

apparently no separate sets of settings for HP and line outputs

I noted in the review that you can select which one outputs using the button in the back.

 

[unpluggged]

It only needs to be run to adjust the PEQ, which surely isn't very often...

They say it can control all the Element's settings (and there is a second tab for that), so it might be handy to use it instead of the tiny display. At least since the ADI-2 Remote app has been released, I keep it running almost all the time.

 

[amirm]

Does eq work with toslink input?

I think I read that they are working on this. But right now, it is USB only.

 

[unpluggged]

I noted in the review that you can select which one outputs using the button in the back.

Yes, but does each of the outputs remember all of its settings (at least volume and EQ, and whichever other setting that can be adjusted)?

Too bad JDS does not offer some kind of a demo mode for its web app, thus it would be easier to find out which settings are implemented. Or did I miss it?

 

[Rednaxela]

So no way to use it without an Internet connection?

This is actually a great question.

Is an internet connection (plus up and running JDS servers and a connected computer of some sort) required for configuring the PEQ?

If the answer is 'yes', I'd say please also add the option to do it on the device itself. After all it does have a display and a rotary encoder/push button so the hardware UI is there. The process will be cumbersome yes, but it will make de device truly standalone and unlock many more use cases.

 

[taotone]

Thanks @amirm great review.

Lovely product, reasonably priced, great performance, lots of power, looks the business, nice to have the ability to EQ in the device.

I have never quite found a reason to invest in more than a simple desktop DAC/AMP but this seems like it hits a sweet spot for me.