iFi Audio
iFi Zen DAC 3
$229Cheaper
Best Dac Amps · head-to-head
iFi Zen DAC 3 vs JDS Labs Element IV
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. iFi Zen DAC 3 is cheaper at $229. Every spec and price links to its source.
JDS Labs
JDS Labs Element IV
$549
Which is better: the iFi Zen DAC 3 or JDS Labs Element IV?
The iFi Zen DAC 3 wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The iFi Zen DAC 3 is the cheaper at $229. The iFi Zen DAC 3 both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
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Key specs, head to head
The numbers that decide it, drawn to scale — longer bar wins, the accent bar is the stronger figure.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | iFi Zen DAC 3 | JDS Labs Element IV |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $229 | $549 |
| Brand | iFi Audio | JDS Labs |
| Released | — | — |
| 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 |
Sources — iFi Zen DAC 3: ifi-audio.com (verified 2026-07-11). JDS Labs Element IV: jdslabs.com (verified 2026-07-11).
What's the difference between the iFi Zen DAC 3 and JDS Labs Element IV?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (10 of 11). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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 true vs JDS Labs Element IV false
- Headphone jacks: iFi Zen DAC 3 6.35mm/4.4mm vs JDS Labs Element IV 6.35mm
- Digital inputs: iFi Zen DAC 3 USB-C vs JDS Labs Element IV USB-C/optical
- Weight grams: iFi Zen DAC 3 456 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.
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.)
Praised: Refined, detailed and spacious sound presentation; Flexible connectivity: 4.4mm balanced + RCA outputs, USB-C, fixed/variable output; Solid build and finish.
Flagged: Sound lacks verve, punch and rhythmic drive on energetic tracks; Needs good headphones and hi-res files to shine; disappointing with compressed audio; Not a clear step up over the previous generation, now in broad price parity with AudioQuest's DragonFly Cobalt.
JDS Labs Element IV
No sourced tester review yet.