FiiO
FiiO K11
$142.99Cheaper
Best Dac Amps · head-to-head
FiiO K11 vs JDS Labs Element IV
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. FiiO K11 is cheaper at $142.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
JDS Labs
JDS Labs Element IV
$549
Which is better: the FiiO K11 or JDS Labs Element IV?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The FiiO K11 is the cheaper at $142.99.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | FiiO K11 | JDS Labs Element IV |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $142.99 | $549 |
| Brand | FiiO | JDS Labs |
| Released | — | — |
| Form factor | desktop | desktop |
| Dac chip | CS43198 | ES9018K2M |
| Max pcm (kHz) | 384 | 384 |
| Max dsd | DSD256 | DSD128 |
| Max power mw | 1400 | 3200 |
| Snr (dB) | 123 | 120 |
| Thdn percent | 0.00035 | 0.00025 |
| Balanced output | Yes | No |
| Headphone jacks | 6.35mm/4.4mm | 6.35mm |
| Digital inputs | USB-C/optical/coaxial | USB-C/optical |
| Weight grams | 407 | 570 |
Sources — FiiO K11: fiio.com (verified 2026-07-11). JDS Labs Element IV: jdslabs.com (verified 2026-07-11).
What's the difference between the FiiO K11 and JDS Labs Element IV?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (9 of 11). Matching specs are omitted.
- Dac chip: FiiO K11 CS43198 vs JDS Labs Element IV ES9018K2M
- Max dsd: FiiO K11 DSD256 vs JDS Labs Element IV DSD128
- Max power mw: FiiO K11 1400 vs JDS Labs Element IV 3200
- Snr (dB): FiiO K11 123 vs JDS Labs Element IV 120
- Thdn percent: FiiO K11 0.00035 vs JDS Labs Element IV 0.00025
- Balanced output: FiiO K11 true vs JDS Labs Element IV false
- Headphone jacks: FiiO K11 6.35mm/4.4mm vs JDS Labs Element IV 6.35mm
- Digital inputs: FiiO K11 USB-C/optical/coaxial vs JDS Labs Element IV USB-C/optical
- Weight grams: FiiO K11 407 vs JDS Labs Element IV 570
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
FiiO K11
Positive but single-sourced: among whitelisted testers, only SoundGuys published a hands-on review of the exact standard K11 (What Hi-Fi and TechRadar covered only the R2R variant or other FiiO DACs). SoundGuys praised the clean, detailed output, plentiful I/O and compact size, but flagged a clunky menu, over-bright default LED and too-light chassis. No lab measurements taken. (1 sourced review.)
Praised: Clean, detailed output with no noticeable coloration; Plentiful I/O (optical/coax/USB in; 6.4mm + 4.4mm outputs run simultaneously; line out); Compact, desktop-friendly size with Mac-like aesthetics.
Flagged: Clunky, unintuitive menu; changing gain is a 4-step operation; Default LED is too bright blue and awkward to turn off; Too light; feet lack grip so the unit slides when plugging in headphones; external power brick.
JDS Labs Element IV
No sourced tester review yet.