JDS Labs Element IV DAC & HP Amp with EQ Review

[Inertiaman]

Does it provide separate equalization for each channel?
Use case: preamp line output, loudspeaker room EQ.

@jseaber can chime in, but based on the screenshot of current Core shown in their blog/announcement, its appears that each EQ band is applied equally to both L and R channels.

This is something that could easily change as the Core feature set evolves. There shouldn't be any constraint from the device. From a resource perspective on the Element (or the XMOS in the Element), there is little/no difference to having the same PEQ on L/R or different PEQ on L/R: in both cases an independent IIR pipeline is running on each datastream, so it really makes no difference (resource wise) if the IIR coefficients are the same or different.

This very issue was raised with the PEQ implementation on Wiim products, which initially had no L/R control, and they quickly added independent L/R settings in their Home app to accommodate the requests.

It does potentially clog up visual cleanliness of the UI a bit, but I'm sure the JDS team can balance that trade-off if they add L/R.

 

[tjf]

Ok, so as impressive as this device seems, why would I not get the Topping D50III, a Schiit Midgard, and some TRRS-to-XLR cables as a combo for around the same $$?

Since both DACs use the XMOS processor's DSP and a web app for the PEQ...

Although the JDS U.I. qtys. of EQ presets seem to be an advantage over what "Topping Tune" can offer - which based on info on ASR is just 2 possible presets that can be recalled via the remote - or am I wrong?

 

[Joe Smith]

Such a great looking product, and great measurements. I am an unashamed fanboy for both JDS Labs and Schiit. I think JDS is a little more careful about what they roll out and certainly have a more focused product line.

I'm covered in the headphone amp space (now that I'm out of the office, using less frequently) but I would certainly buy one of these if I was starting out afresh!

 

[Inertiaman]

Ok, so as impressive as this device seems, why would I not get the Topping D50III, a Schiit Modius, and some TRRS-to-XLR cables as a combo for around the same $$?

Not sure I follow your reference to the Modius, as it lacks EQ?

But as to the D50III, one obvious benefit to this Element IV is a great headphone amp.

 

[Mulder]

As a Desktop DAC/Amp, most people won't have an issue with this

Thats not enough. You also have to be connected to the internet.

 

[Cogito]

This appears to be an old-fashioned 50/60Hz transformer, as it supplies 17VAC to the DAC. It should last pretty much forever.

Well, longevity isn't the main issue here. An internal PS would last just ast long typically. Wall warts are simply the bane of power outlets and at a $500.00 price point, I would expect a little more.

Just take a look at the Cambridge Audio MXN-10 streamer. It is selling for $399 and comes with a nice internal power supply. Note, despite the small size of this unit, there's still plenty of empty space.

 

[Multicore]

You can use it as a preamp and feed powered speakers or an amp.

Why does that require a switch?

 

[Inertiaman]

Note, despite the small size of this unit, there's still plenty of empty space.

Almost as much empty space as the bottom of your post!

Not sure what happened there . . . I'm seeing a thumbnail photo in the upper left of a A4 sized white space . . . just thought it was a funny coincidence, given your comment.

 

[Cogito]

Almost as much empty space as the bottom of your post!

Not sure what happened there . . . I'm seeing a thumbnail photo in the upper left of a A4 sized white space . . . just thought it was a funny coincidence, given your comment.

LOL The sweet irony!

 

[Inertiaman]

Why does that require a switch?

To go to/from the headphone output vs the RCA outputs.

 

[TimW]

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)?

 

[TimW]

To go to/from the headphone output vs the RCA outputs.

I am confused by the excerpt from the JDS website I posted above. It states the switch between RCA and Headphone outputs is done with the volume knob button, that must be incorrect. I think pressing the volume knob button actually changes the input. A shame that the toslink input does not have EQ applied but hopefully they change that.

 

[pablolie]

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)?
...

I have a 1st gen Element 3, and yes, it remembers different setting for the separate Headphone and RCA outputs, meaning volume and some minimalist EQ function the 1st gen also supports, among several other things.

 

[pablolie]

I am confused by the excerpt from the JDS website I posted above. It states the switch between RCA and Headphone outputs is done with the volume knob button, that must be incorrect. I think pressing the volume knob button actually changes the input. A shame that the toslink input does not have EQ applied but hopefully they change that.

It is configurable to your preference. Clicking down the volume button can switch the input (USB/Optical) or output (RCA/Headphones). There's a *LOT* of functionality/configurability hidden in the menu, btw.

 

[barneycaudill]

Thats not enough. You also have to be connected to the internet.

To load the page initially, but all functions run locally

 

[Inertiaman]

It is configurable to your preference. Clicking down the volume button can switch the input (USB/Optical) or output (RCA/Headphones). There's a *LOT* of functionality/configurability hidden in the menu, btw.

The user manual is a bit confusing as to which configuration is the default. Page 2 says volume knob toggles USB/optical, and the rear button toggles headphone/RCA. But page 5 says exactly the opposite.
No harm I guess, if you can change it to your preference in Core.

 

[pablolie]

The user manual is a bit confusing as to which configuration is the default. Page 2 says volume knob toggles USB/optical, and the rear button toggles headphone/RCA. But page 5 says exactly the opposite.
No harm I guess, if you can change it to your preference in Core.

I think mine (Element 3 v1) came with input switching as default, I changed it to switch it between headphones and active speakers.

It's awesome everything is configurable via Core now, the extremely small font in the device's menu windows is most definitely not friendly to middle-aged vision. :-D And there's a lot of functionality in that menu that is not sufficiently documented, so to make it easier to access is definitely great.

 

[Inertiaman]

To load the page initially, but all functions run locally

Would be good to see this confirmed by JDS. Or perhaps you're already using Core and have done this yourself?

Its over my head to get into the weeds of React and Electron, and the amount of caching or functionality that is retained/supported, PWAs utilized (or not), etc. But my impression from the JDS blog and their comments on this thread left me with the impression that an active internet connection was necessary to run Core.

Might be a moot point . . . I'm trying to imagine a situation where someone does have internet to load the page, but subsequently doesn't have internet to tweak controls on Core. Is somebody going to load Core on a browser on a dedicated PC via a temporary network connection, then take it offline for for longterm use??

 

[GWolfman]

Lost points on my vote due to the ground loop + noise, otherwise high marks!

 

[JimmyBuckets]

Why does that require a switch?

So you don't have to unplug you amp/powered speakers when you want to listen to your headphones. Same reason a preamp has buttons to select different sources.