I need this on my desk. - JDS Labs Element IV
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Check out the all new Monster Hunter Wilds on Green Man Gaming and save 16% today using our link: bit.ly Jake's excitement for the JDS Labs Element IV combined amp and DAC just keeps ramping up in this video. The Element IV uses their third-generation XMOS hardware and firmware, and the new Core web app allows you to tweak 10-band EQ profiles and hear the result almost instantly! Buy a JDS Labs Element IV AMP+DAC: lmg.gg Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. Want us to unbox something? Make a suggestion at lmg.gg ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► GET A VPN: piavpn.com ► GET EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ON FLOATPLANE: lmg.gg ► SPONSORS, AFFILIATES, AND PARTNERS: lmg.gg CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro 1:08 Output 1:36 I/O 3:32 Knobbing the knob 5:08 USB cable 6:00 Features 7:36 Listening to it 8:28 The Display 9:30 The EQ interface 10:52 More listening 11:20 More EQ - SO AWESOME 13:40 Price
JDS Labs Element IV is introduced as a flagship all-in-one headphone DAC amp with an emphasis on build quality and user experience. The host highlights JDS Labs' reputation for making genuinely excellent audio gear and frames the Element IV as a continuation of this philosophy, combining power, clarity, and ease of use. The device is described in detail, including its 3.2 watts output power, which is positioned as ample for driving demanding headphones without distortion. The review carefully explains the physical layout and inputs, noting the USB-C data connection, RCA outputs, optical input, and a front headphone output with a selectable mode for switching between headphone and speaker outputs. The host stresses the importance of clean power for high signal-to-noise performance, explaining the device uses an internal AC-to-AC transformer to generate the required DC power, allowing tight control over the internal electronics. The discussion then shifts to ergonomics, with a focus on the tactile feel of the volume knob and its ability to provide precise control, as well as the OLED display that reveals sampling rates and other settings. The Element IV’s core feature set is explored next, including a 10-band parametric EQ that can be configured through a browser-based interface, saving profiles to the device and even sharing them with others. The review demonstrates the browser-based core app that drives EQ profiles, and explains how this system enables real-time, on-device adjustments without installing software on a computer. Throughout the unboxing, the host tests headphone options and demonstrates how the device handles very loud playback with minimal distortion, using a Sennheiser HD800-derived headset to illustrate capability. The discussion also covers USB audio class (UAC) modes, with options for 192 kHz support or fallback to UAC 1 for compatibility with devices like the Nintendo Switch, underscoring JDS Labs’ attention to compatibility and convenience. The speaker reflects on the pricing, acknowledging the Element IV’s premium positioning but arguing that the feature set and performance justify the cost for serious audiophiles who want a single, desk-ready unit. The video wraps with a balanced verdict that emphasizes the Element IV as a strong, feature-rich option for enthusiasts seeking precise, customizable sound, while acknowledging it remains a premium purchase for high-end headphones and serious listening setups.
Topics · audio · technology · consumer_electronics · unboxing · headphones · dac · amplifier · audiophile
Questions answered
- What is the primary function of the JDS Labs Element IV?
- The Element IV combines a headphone amplifier and DAC in one unit, designed to power headphones with high fidelity and provide digital-to-analog conversion along with convenient input options.
- What makes the 10-band EQ notable on the Element IV?
- The 10-band EQ is hardware-implemented and can be controlled via a browser-based interface, allowing real-time sound shaping without installing software on a computer, with profiles that can be saved and shared.
- What connectivity options are available on the Element IV?
- It includes USB-C for data, RCA outputs for speakers, an optical input for Toslink, a front headphone output, and a DC power input that uses an internal AC-to-AC transformer.
- How does the device manage power and output level.
- The Element IV uses an internal smoothed power supply to maintain a clean power environment, supports up to 3.2 watts of headphone output, and offers automatic gain control to protect the listening experience.