This product is available for pre-order now, with an ETA of early April.
Simplified Audio, Reimagined
We’ve reimagined our flagship Amp+DAC to create a listening experience you will notice and appreciate. Element IV operates on our third-generation XMOS hardware and firmware, blissfully integrated with our latest discrete optical encoder. You’ll hear perfect channel balance down to the black noise floor. Automatic gain helps you focus on listening rather than button pressing, and an auto-vanishing display presents the essentials while you toggle between USB and Optical inputs and headphone or preamp outputs. Element IV's all new Core™ web app allows you to intuitively tweak 10-band EQ profiles and more. Element IV is designed and built in the USA.
3.2 W of Clean Power
While most headphone listening demands only milliwatts, Element IV's tetradeca output buffers provide over 3200 mW per channel of absolutely clean, distortion-free power. Element IV drives all headphones on the market to extraordinary levels, from balanced armatures to planar magnetics.
Parametric EQ Powered by Core™
Crafted for simplicity, Element IV's fully custom DSP engine supports up to 10 EQ bands in realtime, coordinating perfectly with auto gain. Graphically tweak EQ profiles through JDS Labs Core, and your settings reside on Element IV. No downloads. Yes, your settings persist when you move Element IV to another room, PC, or console.
Auto Gain
We regularly hear from customers fretting over when to use gain. Element IV eliminates this confusion by automatically toggling gain for you at exactly the right volume level. As you turn the knob beyond 0 dB, high gain activates and volume is compensated for a near seamless transition to higher listening levels.
Perfect Channel Balance
Element IV delivers audibly perfect channel balance all the way down to -127.5 dBFS. You'll immediately hear and appreciate soundstage accuracy.
Preamp Outputs
Element IV's preamp outputs allow you to control volume of your powered speakers. Toggle between headphones and speakers by pushing the tactile volume knob. Listening volume and EQ profiles are stored separately for each output mode.
Customizable Buttons
The tactile knob button toggles between headphones and speakers, so there's no need to disconnect cables. You can also configure the buttons as you see fit through JDS Labs Core.
OLED Display + Gorilla Glass
The display momentarily presents status information while you interact, then powers down to minimize distractions. While you can adjust all settings through the OLED menu, we've developed JDS Labs Core to give you a vastly better experience! Element IV's display is protected by tinted Gorilla Glass.
DC Protection and Safety
Element IV relies on our proven, analog DC detection circuitry with failsafe relay muting to protect your headphones. Relay muting also eliminates pops and thumps during startup. And for extra safety, independent processors continuously monitor internal communications and verify volume state of the DAC.
USB Type C
Element IV's USB Type C input receives up to 32/384kHz PCM over our third-generation XU316 based UAC2 engine, with ASIO and DSD support. While we claim no measurable benefit of high sampling rates, optional ASIO drivers will satisfy your pursuit of high fidelity listening. 10 EQ bands are supported from 44.1-192kHz and 2-bands are supported at higher PCM rates.
UAC2 or UAC1 for Consoles
You can toggle between UAC2 and UAC1 mode from the options menu to support PS5, Nintendo Switch, or legacy operating systems. This flexibility makes it easy to enjoy Element IV with any operating system.
Discrete Optical Encoder - A Knob like No Other
Element IV contains our second generation discrete encoder, with 50% more fins for faster volume knob response, and a large steel shaft for buttery smooth rotation without wobble. Optical sensors detect motion with a lifespan in the millions of turns. You will not find a better knob on the market.
Mains Isolation and +/-17V Rails
Element IV's amplifier and DAC are entirely powered by its external AC transformer, with 13 regulators ensuring consistent rail voltage, super low ripple, and mains isolation. The D/A stage is powered by a dedicated, ultra low noise LT3045 regulator.
