# iFi Zen DAC 3 vs JDS Labs Element IV: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the iFi Zen DAC 3 (iFi Audio) and JDS Labs Element IV (JDS Labs) among dac amps. iFi Zen DAC 3 is the cheaper of the two at $229.

## Side by side

| Spec | iFi Zen DAC 3 | JDS Labs Element IV |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $229 | $549 |
| Brand | iFi Audio | JDS Labs |
| Form factor | desktop | desktop |
| Dac chip | Burr-Brown True Native | ES9018K2M |
| Max pcm (kHz) | 768 | 384 |
| Max dsd | DSD512 | DSD128 |
| Max power mw | 300 | 3200 |
| Snr (dB) | 113 | 120 |
| Thdn percent | 0.005 | 0.00025 |
| Balanced output | Yes | No |
| Headphone jacks | 6.35mm/4.4mm | 6.35mm |
| Digital inputs | USB-C | USB-C/optical |
| Weight grams | 456 | 570 |

## Key differences

- Dac chip: iFi Zen DAC 3 Burr-Brown True Native vs JDS Labs Element IV ES9018K2M
- Max pcm (kHz): iFi Zen DAC 3 768 vs JDS Labs Element IV 384
- Max dsd: iFi Zen DAC 3 DSD512 vs JDS Labs Element IV DSD128
- Max power mw: iFi Zen DAC 3 300 vs JDS Labs Element IV 3200
- Snr (dB): iFi Zen DAC 3 113 vs JDS Labs Element IV 120
- Thdn percent: iFi Zen DAC 3 0.005 vs JDS Labs Element IV 0.00025
- Balanced output: iFi Zen DAC 3 Yes vs JDS Labs Element IV No
- Headphone jacks: iFi Zen DAC 3 6.35mm/4.4mm vs JDS Labs Element IV 6.35mm

## What reviewers say

**iFi Zen DAC 3** — Two whitelisted testers (TechRadar, What Hi-Fi) reviewed the exact iFi Zen DAC 3. Both praise its refined, detailed and spacious sound, flexible connectivity and the USB-B to USB-C upgrade. TechRadar is enthusiastic and rates it near-flawless value; What Hi-Fi is noticeably cooler, finding the sound smooth but lacking verve and punch and not a clear step up over the V2. Neither outlet published lab measurements. (2 sourced reviews.)

## Sources

- iFi Zen DAC 3: https://ifi-audio.com/products/zen-dac-3/ (ifi-audio.com, verified 2026-07-11)
- JDS Labs Element IV: https://jdslabs.com/product/element-iv/ (jdslabs.com, verified 2026-07-11)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/dac-amps/ifi-zen-dac-3-vs-jds-labs-element-iv/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, iFi Zen DAC 3 ($229) vs JDS Labs Element IV ($549) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/dac-amps/ifi-zen-dac-3-vs-jds-labs-element-iv/
License: CC BY 4.0.