JDS Labs Element IV Review

Today we’re looking at the JDS Labs Element IV DAC & AMP. It’s selling for $549 USD. Don’t forget to enter our FiiO K11 R2R giveaway here!

Disclaimer: JDS Labs sent us the Element IV for this review. As always, this review conveys my honest experience with the product.

JDS Labs

If you’ve spent any time in the audiophile world, chances are you’ve already heard of JDS Labs. For many of us, they’ve been a reliable go-to, whether it was the legendary O2 amplifier they manufactured during the NwAvGuy’s era, or the tiny Altoids tin CMoys that made waves back in the day.

Personally, I’ve used a variety of their gear over the years, and not once have I come across something that felt undercooked. JDS Labs, in my experience, delivers. Every single time.

The company’s origin story is about as enthusiast-driven as it gets. It all started with John Seaber, the “JDS” in the name, who wasn’t satisfied with the bass response of his Sennheiser HD-280 Pro. So, he designed a bass boost circuit. That single DIY effort turned into a flood of requests from other audiophiles, and what began as a side project quickly grew into something much bigger.

Co-founder Nick joined in 2011, and from there, the company evolved into what it is today: a widely respected name among audio circles for their transparent approach, solid engineering, and direct-to-the-point ethos.

They’ve never been about flashy marketing or exaggerated claims. Instead, JDS Labs has steadily built a reputation around substance. What makes them so special is their meticulous design, reliable support, and a fan-first attitude that hasn’t wavered in over a decade. That’s so rare in any industry.

We have reviewed and awarded a lot of JDS Labs gear here on Headfonia over the years. Check out the reviews here: Headfonia JDS Labs reviews.

I also recommend checking out their blog over here. Now that you’re acquainted, let’s see what JDS has changed with this new version.

JDS Labs Element IV 

JDS engineers are builders. They build and improve. The Element IV is the result of this steady progression and continues a line that has become one of the most respected in the desktop DAC/AMP category. Version after version, JDS Labs has laid a solid foundation and improved upon it. Not for the sake of change but to create a more practical, refined, and ultimately more satisfying product.

We loved reviewing the Element III because it nailed the essentials. The introduction of the OLED screen was a welcome change, and now they are introducing new ways to play with the Element IV. The 2-band digital signal processor engine that debuted in the Element III MK2 has grown into a fully capable 12-band parametric equalizer (EQ), easily accessed through the new JDS Labs Core™ web app.

No drivers or software installation is necessary. It’s as easy as opening a new tab in your favorite browser.

The design? It’s still the same black block of aluminum we know and love. It has the same compact footprint and single-knob simplicity. Now it has a smoother encoder, a faster UI, and a new Gorilla Glass’d OLED screen. There’s nothing visually “new” about the Element IV, but its ability to deliver 3.2 watts into 32 ohms while running cooler than its predecessor places it among the most compact and efficient desktop units in its class.

Here are the specs and highlights before we dive deeper.

Specifications & Features

• New JDS Labs Core™ Web App

• 12-Band Parametric EQ with persistent hardware storage

• Auto Gain System (1.0x and 5.0x)

• Max Continuous Power:

– 174 mW @ 600 Ω (10.22 VRMS)

– 692 mW @ 150 Ω (10.19 VRMS)

– 3.2 W @ 32 Ω (10.18 VRMS)

• ±17V rails with full mains isolation

• 2nd Gen Discrete Optical Encoder

• OLED Display + Gorilla Glass

• Optional 4.4mm balanced headphone output (custom order)

• 255-Step Digital Volume & 0.1-ohm output impedance

• 32-bit / 384kHz PCM + DSD128 via XMOS XU316

• UAC2 & UAC1 compatibility (switchable)

• RCA Pre-Amp Output with separate volume and EQ memory

• Relay Muting & DC Protection

• Chassis Dimensions: 5.8 x 5.8 x 1.6 inches

Full Specs are here. Tested on Firmware v1.2.0. Also available in 4.4mm upon request

What’s New?

The most measurable upgrade is output power. The Element IV pushes 3.2 watts into 32 ohms, a significant jump from the standard Element III’s 1.3 watts and even higher than the 2.3-watt “Boosted” version. It delivers this impressive amount of power while running cooler, which is especially noticeable during long listening sessions or when driving power-hungry cans.

The digital signal processor has also been completely overhauled. The basic 2-band DSP from the MK2 has been replaced by a fully customizable 12-band parametric equalizer with a graphic UI. It’s now controlled through JDS Labs’ new Core™ web app, which gives you access to deep tuning tools without needing to install any software.

Everything is browser-based, and changes are written directly on the device, making the EQ persistent even when used with consoles or other systems. You can also access all device settings via Core. This is a significant improvement over the Element III MK2, which relied solely on the device’s OLED display and volume knob doubling as a button for adjustments.

Also, the Element IV uses a USB Type-C input, whereas the Element III MK2 uses USB Type-B.

Firmware v1.2.0 brings another key update. DSP is now available over optical input. The MK2 only supported 2-band EQ via USB, which limited its flexibility. With the Element IV, you can switch to XMOS S/PDIF mode and retain full 12-band EQ functionality over optical. This makes it usable as a DSP platform even when connected to streamers, consoles, or CD transports.

The volume control experience has also improved. The volume encoder has been replaced with a second-generation optical system that feels tighter and responds faster, especially during quick adjustments. The OLED screen is still present but now sits beneath Gorilla Glass, which integrates better into the chassis and eliminates distracting reflections under direct light.

Operationally, the Element IV feels more responsive. Input switching, auto gain engagement, and output toggling are quicker. The entire logic structure has matured, aka how the firmware handles transitions and preserves user states. These aren’t changes you’ll find in a spec sheet, but they significantly improve the day-to-day use.

Packaging & Accessories

The Element IV arrives in packaging that follows JDS Labs’ signature minimal, no-nonsense approach. The good old cardboard box features only the company’s “Sound as Science” slogan, and everything inside is carefully packed. There’s no excessive foam or flashy inserts; it has just what’s needed to protect the unit and help you get started quickly.

The box includes the external 17VAC power adapter, aka the transformer, which is the same size and shape as the one included with the Element III. However, it’s still large enough to block neighboring plugs on a power strip, so keep that in mind if you’re short on space.

Also included is a one-meter gold-plated USB-A to USB-C cable with a ferrite bead already in place, which I appreciate, especially with a device that values low-noise performance. JDS has also sent me their Synapse, which we’ll talk about in a sec.

Everything necessary is included, and everything feels built to last. As before, there is no remote, I’m expecting this improvement to come with the next iteration of the Element line. I’m sure JDS will streamline and devise a genius way to use the remote effortlessly.

Controls, UI & JDS Core

The Element IV retains the same minimalist single-knob layout as its predecessor, but refinements under the hood improved the experience. The second-generation optical encoder has a tighter feel and reacts more responsively during quick volume changes. Like before, pushing the knob toggles between headphone and preamp outputs, each with separate volume memory and EQ profile.

Holding the knob for more than three seconds enters the Options Menu, where you can scroll through on-device settings and confirm selections directly.

The OLED screen is small, but essential. It displays input mode (USB or S/PDIF), stream format, output mode (headphone or RCA), sample rate, and current gain state. When the knob is inactive, the screen fades away automatically to reduce distraction. You can adjust screen brightness, timeout behavior, and LED indicators through the Core app or directly from the device menu.

The display is now covered with tinted Gorilla Glass, giving it a sleeker visual profile and improving legibility under lighting.

Screenshot

One of the most important updates with Element IV is full integration with JDS Labs Core™, their new web-based control platform. There’s no desktop software to install, no bloat or anything. You connect the device via USB, open a supported browser (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox), and voilà.

You now have access to the fully customizable 12-band EQ and the rest of the device settings. PMEQ’s each band is fully adjustable in frequency, gain, and Q factor, with all changes saved directly to the device’s hardware. The UI is responsive and easy to use. Once EQ is set, it persists across reboots, input changes, and even when switching from USB to optical.

Screenshot

DSP functionality is now active on both USB and optical inputs. Firmware v1.2.0 introduced a new XMOS S/PDIF processing mode, enabling full EQ over optical (up to 96kHz). You can toggle between XMOS and ESS S/PDIF decoding.

Additional DSP configuration options include 2nd and 3rd harmonic compensation, DPLL bandwidth adjustment, and SPDIF deemphasis. All can be changed through the Device Settings tab in Core. Volume behavior can also be tuned as in step sizes: 0.5 or 1.0 dB, knob speed, screen contrast, LED timeout. All are configurable through Core with settings stored directly on the device.

Screenshot

JDS Labs is actively developing new features, and based on blog notes from the team, on-device EQ profile storage is the next priority. This means saved presets will soon be loadable without logging into Core. Pretty useful for console users or people who move their DAC/AMP between systems.

Screenshot

During daily use, I found using the Core interface pretty practical. It surely is a massive improvement over the earlier Element III series, which relied entirely on the OLED screen and knob for navigation. This new system feels thought-out and responsive. Settings react quickly, transitions are smooth, and there’s no delay between making a change and hearing the result.

The article continues with the part on sound on the next page. Click here or use the buttons below.

Page 1: JDS Labs Element IV, Packaging & Accessories, Controls, UI & JDS Core

Page 2: Design & Build, JDS Synapse, Sound Impressions, Comparison vs. EF500, Last Words, Summary