JDS Labs
JDS Labs Element IV
$549
Best Dac Amps · head-to-head
JDS Labs Element IV vs SMSL DO100
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. SMSL DO100 is cheaper at $239. Every spec and price links to its source.
SMSL
SMSL DO100
$239Cheaper
Which is better: the JDS Labs Element IV or SMSL DO100?
The SMSL DO100 wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The SMSL DO100 is the cheaper at $239. The SMSL DO100 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 |  JDS Labs Element IV |  SMSL DO100 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $549 | $239 |
| Brand | JDS Labs | SMSL |
| Released | — | — |
| Form factor | desktop | desktop |
| Dac chip | ES9018K2M | ES9038Q2M |
| Max pcm (kHz) | 384 | 768 |
| Max dsd | DSD128 | DSD512 |
| Max power mw | 3200 | — |
| Snr (dB) | 120 | — |
| Thdn percent | 0.00025 | 0.00008 |
| Balanced output | No | No |
| Headphone jacks | 6.35mm | none |
| Digital inputs | USB-C/optical | USB-C/optical/coaxial/Bluetooth |
| Weight grams | 570 | — |
Sources — JDS Labs Element IV: jdslabs.com (verified 2026-10-20). SMSL DO100: smsl-audio.com (verified 2026-07-11).
What's the difference between the JDS Labs Element IV and SMSL DO100?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 11). Matching specs are omitted.
- Dac chip: JDS Labs Element IV ES9018K2M vs SMSL DO100 ES9038Q2M
- Max pcm (kHz): JDS Labs Element IV 384 vs SMSL DO100 768
- Max dsd: JDS Labs Element IV DSD128 vs SMSL DO100 DSD512
- Thdn percent: JDS Labs Element IV 0.00025 vs SMSL DO100 0.00008
- Headphone jacks: JDS Labs Element IV 6.35mm vs SMSL DO100 none
- Digital inputs: JDS Labs Element IV USB-C/optical vs SMSL DO100 USB-C/optical/coaxial/Bluetooth