JDS Labs Element 4 Released

[Rybread84]

Welp, I previously made a post about $550 being too much for me to jump in, but after researching the device quite a bit over the last week or so I finally placed an order for the Element IV. Its currently on back-order, but seems like it should only be about a week.

This thing checks every box for me personally, including:

• Top Knob
• UAC 1/2 switching
• Optical In
• Channel balance
• Visual representation of volume setting while still being analog
• All-in-one dac/amp
• Enough power for 300 ohm Sennheisers and planars
• Small form factor
• Aesthetics (this thing looks gorgeous)
• Clean, un-adulterated sound

I'm a bit OCD about finding the perfect volume setting for each headphone and using it at that volume all of the time, so a digital display of what volume I'm at is actually a big thing for me lol.

Also after being in this hobby for many years and having used several sources, I tire of wondering how each source is influencing the sound of my headphones. Is this a warm amp? A clinical amp? Does this one give more bass? I'll be happy knowing I'm using a device that's clean, clear and "how its intended to sound".

Also finding an "audiophile grade" source that can be used on consoles has been really difficult. Schiit was basically the only one making devices for that purpose, so I always would need two devices- one for gaming/consoles, and one for pc music listening- the Element IV should let me condense to one device, and being an all-in-one condense number of devices even further.

Also top knob is king lol.

Very excited to get mine. I have only ever messed with EQ through equalizer APO and just copying Oratory settings. Was never a fan, but with this web interface and ease of use I may mess with it more now. I am definitely going to need some help from the community on that part!

Plan to be back with my impressions once received

You will love it. I once owned the element 2, eventually sold it and went looking for more expensive gear, chasing hi fidelity. I bought some gear worth around $2000.

Now I’m back to JDS labs with their element 4 and loving it. It’s compact, you can take your eq anywhere it goes, requires no driver, and the knob is now incredibly smooth (has a nice amount of resistance compared to the older models, and has zero movement (no wobble))

It used to be that the dac was just ok in the element series, now it’s just shy of state of the art and based on tests, it’s almost as good objectively as the eversolo z8’s dac!

Also, you get 3.2 watts of power and unless you are running some VERY hard to drive headphones it will drive 99% of all headphones.

Sure there is better, but we are talking north of $3000 for the next true step up and even then I’m not sure it’s worth it.

 

[SchwizzelKick66]

Is the synapse recommended to add with the element IV?

My system has no USB noise issues, but if it will help at all I wouldn't mind grabbing one.

 

[Rybread84]

Is the synapse recommended to add with the element IV?

My system has no USB noise issues, but if it will help at all I wouldn't mind grabbing one.

I wouldn’t. I use one but my gpu is very noisy and I have powered speakers that pick up a lot of noise. The synapse does eliminate all noise but it won’t improve anything sound wise.

Worst case, you can always buy one later if you find you need it.

 

[zilax002]

I wouldn’t. I use one but my gpu is very noisy and I have powered speakers that pick up a lot of noise. The synapse does eliminate all noise but it won’t improve anything sound wise.

Worst case, you can always buy one later if you find you need it.

I do also find it useful if you'd like the ability to more easily switch sources. With the Synapse going between the Element IV and my source (usually my desktop, but sometimes my DAP or phone), the USB-C connection from the Element goes to Synapse and from there it's a separate USB-C cable I can easily swap around.

I'm not explaining it very well, but the stock cable isn't long enough for me to easily switch sources (and I believe JDS doesn't recommend using a single cable more than around 6 feet to connect), so the Synapse is a helpful "bridge" that allows me to easily swap the device I'm using to feed a digital signal to the DAC.

I also recently got powered speakers so probably would have ended up needing it anyway

You could more cheaply do this by using a USB hub or something else, as I believe JDS also mentions in their documentation.

 

[P4sta]

Is the synapse recommended to add with the element IV?

My system has no USB noise issues, but if it will help at all I wouldn't mind grabbing one.

If u care about noise/interference I would just go for it, 50 bucks for a objectively great usb noise isolator.

 

[Digital Enigma]

Welp, I previously made a post about $550 being too much for me to jump in, but after researching the device quite a bit over the last week or so I finally placed an order for the Element IV. Its currently on back-order, but seems like it should only be about a week.

This thing checks every box for me personally, including:

• Top Knob
• UAC 1/2 switching
• Optical In
• Channel balance
• Visual representation of volume setting while still being analog
• All-in-one dac/amp
• Enough power for 300 ohm Sennheisers and planars
• Small form factor
• Aesthetics (this thing looks gorgeous)
• Clean, un-adulterated sound

I'm a bit OCD about finding the perfect volume setting for each headphone and using it at that volume all of the time, so a digital display of what volume I'm at is actually a big thing for me lol.

Also after being in this hobby for many years and having used several sources, I tire of wondering how each source is influencing the sound of my headphones. Is this a warm amp? A clinical amp? Does this one give more bass? I'll be happy knowing I'm using a device that's clean, clear and "how its intended to sound".

Also finding an "audiophile grade" source that can be used on consoles has been really difficult. Schiit was basically the only one making devices for that purpose, so I always would need two devices- one for gaming/consoles, and one for pc music listening- the Element IV should let me condense to one device, and being an all-in-one condense number of devices even further.

Also top knob is king lol.

Very excited to get mine. I have only ever messed with EQ through equalizer APO and just copying Oratory settings. Was never a fan, but with this web interface and ease of use I may mess with it more now. I am definitely going to need some help from the community on that part!

Plan to be back with my impressions once received

As long as it never has a fault this thing pretty much has you set for life, focus on headphones and music going forward. Enjoy!

 

[MacMan31]

So I just saw a photo of an Element IV on Reddit by someone who is selling theirs. It seems to show both the 1/4 inch and 4.4mm jack on the front. I know JDS Labs offers the option of 4.4mm on the Element IV but I thought it was instead of the 1/4 inch and not as well as. If it can include both than maybe I'd "upgrade" from the Element III.

 

[zilax002]

So I just saw a photo of an Element IV on Reddit by someone who is selling theirs. It seems to show both the 1/4 inch and 4.4mm jack on the front. I know JDS Labs offers the option of 4.4mm on the Element IV but I thought it was instead of the 1/4 inch and not as well as. If it can include both than maybe I'd "upgrade" from the Element III.

It's a custom order but I've seen others do it as well.

 

[MacMan31]

It's a custom order but I've seen others do it as well.

I know it's a custom order. But my understanding is that the 4.4mm would replace the 1/4 inch if someone wanted the 4.4mm.

 

[Rybread84]

I know it's a custom order. But my understanding is that the 4.4mm would replace the 1/4 inch if someone wanted the 4.4mm.

I believe John has said that doing so was around $100 extra? I am not sure but I think that's what he has stated. I am not sure if that's the same price for just 4.4 replacing the 1/4inch jack.

I personally would just use an adapter for a few reasons. 1. Its cheaper 2. It keeps the device looking symmetrical, and 3. Keeping it stock, I would imagine, would make selling it later easier. I guess some value the convenience but to me, since it's still single ended, it's purely for convenience. I only use balanced when on the go for hard to drive headphones, as many portable devices use balanced connections, 2 chips, for more power. I don't use balanced anymore when I am in front of my desk, especially when I have the element 4.

I do value balanced when it comes to say dac to amplifier connections but I just use a synapse for all of my noise rejection, PLUS it helps with all of my future usb devices. I suppose I would go balanced for some real high voltages into some really expensive amps. Seen some even able to take 16+ volts! For now and the foreseeable future I will stick to a dac/amp combo (element 4). I just can't justify spending thousands of dollars on a new amp when it will only be marginally better than the element 4 (unless we are talking a zahl, but that's $8000!)

 

[zilax002]

I personally would just use an adapter for a few reasons. 1. Its cheaper 2. It keeps the device looking symmetrical, and 3. Keeping it stock, I would imagine, would make selling it later easier. I guess some value the convenience but to me, since it's still single ended, it's purely for convenience. I only use balanced when on the go for hard to drive headphones, as many portable devices use balanced connections, 2 chips, for more power. I don't use balanced anymore when I am in front of my desk, especially when I have the element 4.

I will say I've found 4.4mm adapters fairly finicky. The first I bought (Hart Audio) requires quite a bit of force and I'll hear as many as four clicks before some connectors are actually fully clicked in.

Not a great experience. I don't like the ambiguity of the variable number of clicks or the amount of force required to fully connect some cables.

The second adapter I bought works with almost everything and only produces one click, but it does NOT work with Sennheiser's 4.4mm cable for 5 series headphones (and the 620S, which uses the same chassis and cabling).

It is just not possible to fully plug the 4.4mm Sennheiser cable fully into the adapter.

I prefer to just use 4.4mm for a better portable experience and so I don't have to constantly swap cables.

If I could go back I'd be tempted to swap to the 4.4mm termination for the Element IV, but then you run into single-ended only headphones for which no balanced cables exist.

So it's a pick your poison situation.

 

[MacMan31]

I will say I've found 4.4mm adapters fairly finicky. The first I bought (Hart Audio) requires quite a bit of force and I'll hear as many as four clicks before some connectors are actually fully clicked in.

Not a great experience. I don't like the ambiguity of the variable number of clicks or the amount of force required to fully connect some cables.

The second adapter I bought works with almost everything and only produces one click, but it does NOT work with Sennheiser's 4.4mm cable for 5 series headphones (and the 620S, which uses the same chassis and cabling).

It is just not possible to fully plug the 4.4mm Sennheiser cable fully into the adapter.

I prefer to just use 4.4mm for a better portable experience and so I don't have to constantly swap cables.

If I could go back I'd be tempted to swap to the 4.4mm termination for the Element IV, but then you run into single-ended only headphones for which no balanced cables exist.

So it's a pick your poison situation.

I have a few adapter that allow me to use 4.4mm cables with either 4 pin XLR or 1/4" jacks. A couple from DDHifi and a couple from Fog City Audio. All have worked fine with no issues.

 

[zilax002]

I have a few adapter that allow me to use 4.4mm cables with either 4 pin XLR or 1/4" jacks. A couple from DDHifi and a couple from Fog City Audio. All have worked fine with no issues.

Is this the bottom adapter in your picture?

A little pricey but may be worth it if it works flawlessly with all 4.4mm cables.

 

[MacMan31]

Is this the bottom adapter in your picture?

A little pricey but may be worth it if it works flawlessly with all 4.4mm cables.

Yes it is. So far I have not had any problems with it. I do agree it's a bit pricey but it's well made and works great. I learned about them from Zeos reviews.

 

[starence]

I have a EL4 with 4.4mm output, and a custom 3.5mm adapter from Sky Audio Cables, works great. I only use this adapter with the Element, it could cause damage if used with a balanced amp.