JDS Labs Element 4 Released

[ImproperNoun]

Ah. Just had to scroll a bit. Thanks! Better just preorder now then.

Any idea when the next batch will be ready? I see the site says after Xmas. @jseaber

This looks like exactly what I've been looking for - thanks so much for the review and feedback, y'all!

I called and placed my order just a few minutes ago - with the 4.4 optional output. I was offered the timeline of four weeks out for delivery. I'm not sure if the 4.4 output changes the delivery timeline - I wouldn't think it would. It's pretty safe to assume at this point if an order is placed "now", it'll be anywhere from a 3-4 week wait time.

Mucho grassyass,

Imp

 

[5onderling]

Check out Level Audio. Andreas is responsive and helpful:
https://www.levelaudio.it/gb/startseite/244-jds-labs-element-iv.html

That shops looks really great and I would in theory immediately purchase the device there, but I really want the transparent knob, and of course would be willing to pay 50€ more. Is the only option to get that, through the jds labs website?

 

[jseaber]

That shops looks really great and I would in theory immediately purchase the device there, but I really want the transparent knob, and of course would be willing to pay 50€ more. Is the only option to get that, through the jds labs website?

For now, yes. By the way, 77% of the New Years batch is reserved as of today.

Firmware teams made excellent progress this week. Excited to share more in January!

 

[5onderling]

Yeah, then I guess I'll probably order on your site. After all it's currently just above 700$ for me which is about 675€ and so not that much more compared to levelaudio, considering I also get the clear knob.

Edit: Ordered

 

[jbarrentine]

This looks like exactly what I've been looking for - thanks so much for the review and feedback, y'all!

I called and placed my order just a few minutes ago - with the 4.4 optional output. I was offered the timeline of four weeks out for delivery. I'm not sure if the 4.4 output changes the delivery timeline - I wouldn't think it would. It's pretty safe to assume at this point if an order is placed "now", it'll be anywhere from a 3-4 week wait time.

Mucho grassyass,

Imp

Waiting to see what you think. I believe you'll be pleased. I love my E3. Much like my Kindle Paperwhite I think these fit into the nearly perfect device category.

 

[KrauserX91]

To order the 4.4 output is enough to mention in shipping notes?

 

[jseaber]

To order the 4.4 output is enough to mention in shipping notes?

Yes, for now. This modification will delay shipment by at least a week. We may add a drop-down when our team has more bandwidth for custom builds.

 

[audionooby]

Yes, for now. This modification will delay shipment by at least a week. We may add a drop-down when our team has more bandwidth for custom builds.

Does changing the output change anything else in terms of the specs (like the ability to drive)?

 

[jseaber]

Does changing the output change anything else in terms of the specs (like the ability to drive)?

All performance remains identical.

 

[Sunset1982]

Firmware teams made excellent progress this week. Excited to share more in January!

Excited to hear what’s coming! Just sold my RME ADI2 DAC and now waiting for my Element IV to arrive.

 

[Poimandres]

I've just posted my review on the headphone show!

Great review. The E4 really is an outstanding all in one.

 

[zilax002]

Went ahead and ordered the Element IV.

I've now gone from the Atom Amp+, to the Atom Amp 2 (I wanted a 4.4mm output mainly for convenience since it makes sense to use 4.4mm for portable devices and at the time didn't see an adapter that wasn't unnecessarily expensive: oops, Hart Audio sells them for like $20), and now an Element IV.

It's not all JDS! I also have a Little Dot Mk ii and a Gremlin on the desktop side, and Qudelix 5K, Fiio KA17 and Hiby R4 on the portable side (the 5K and R4 are distinguished by excellent EQ functionality; a trend shared in common with the Element).

As a He6se owner, i was a little disappointed there isn't a bigger jump in power from previous models and the Atom 2, though in my experience the Atom Amp 2 can drive the He6se just fine (with some EQ too). Could it be driven better? Perhaps. I don't have a more powerful amp to compare against.

As I see it the benefits I'll get from the Element IV are:

Form factor - small, sleek all in one

No messing with gain adjustment - not much of an issue on the Atom 2, given low gain is already enough power

Perfect channel balance - this is an ACTUAL benefit because, while the Atom products have hade excellent channel matching in my experience, you're still limited in what you can drive with usable volume range without also adjusting the Windows volume. Just leaving Windows volume alone and doing all volume control with the Element is a subtle but potentially massive improvement in usability when driving sensitive headphones.

Bit perfect EQ - does using Peace and resampling most audio through Windows actually degrade sound quality? I tend to doubt it. But if you're like me, you'd rather just have bit perfect audio and not worry about it.

System level EQ - Meaning the EQ profiles exist within the Atom and will apply when used with other devices. It hadn't occurred to me until I started writing the post, but the Element IV actually solves a problem for me: desktop listening while WFH (with a work laptop I don't use for anything personal).

With the Element IV and Synapse, I can actually easily swap between my desktop PC connection and my phone or DAP, while retaining EQ and without putting stress on the USB-C connection (because of the Synapse go-between).

What are the cons?

Limited IO

Not the most power

That's about it, if it delivers. Based on prior experience with JDS, I expect it will.

 

[dami1]

The peq makes this an interesting product, however switching between a few different headphones, I would love the option to store/preload a couple of different EQ profiles on the device itself and a easy way to switch between them. Then it would have been an instant buy from me, as I switch both headphones and between PC/Mac with a kvm switch all the time. Not having to think about EQ software would be nice!

 

[emilsoft]

Anyone compared it with RME ADI 2 fs sound wise - putting aside the features between them, I'm interested if the element 4 improves upon the ADI which has a sightly glassy lit up treble, which is not the best pairing with HD800 (EQ or not)

 

[Sunset1982]

Anyone compared it with RME ADI 2 fs sound wise - putting aside the features between them, I'm interested if the element 4 improves upon the ADI which has a sightly glassy lit up treble, which is not the best pairing with HD800 (EQ or not)

Insold my RME for the Element, but it has not arrived yet. I can tell you the difference from my memory when the Elementarrived, but I can't direct compare with my Arya Organic. I hope for a bit warmer midrqnge and and a bit smoother highs. But the main reqson was 10 band eq for me.