# Schiit Magni Unity vs JDS Labs Element IV: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Schiit Magni Unity (Schiit Audio) and JDS Labs Element IV (JDS Labs) among dac amps. Schiit Magni Unity is the cheaper of the two at $119.

## Side by side

| Spec | Schiit Magni Unity | JDS Labs Element IV |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $119 | $549 |
| Brand | Schiit Audio | JDS Labs |
| Form factor | desktop | desktop |
| Dac chip | — | ES9018K2M |
| Max pcm (kHz) | — | 384 |
| Max dsd | — | DSD128 |
| Max power mw | 2500 | 3200 |
| Snr (dB) | 122 | 120 |
| Thdn percent | 0.0001 | 0.00025 |
| Balanced output | No | No |
| Headphone jacks | 6.35mm | 6.35mm |
| Digital inputs | — | USB-C/optical |
| Weight grams | — | 570 |

## Key differences

- Max power mw: Schiit Magni Unity 2500 vs JDS Labs Element IV 3200
- Snr (dB): Schiit Magni Unity 122 vs JDS Labs Element IV 120
- Thdn percent: Schiit Magni Unity 0.0001 vs JDS Labs Element IV 0.00025

## Sources

- Schiit Magni Unity: https://www.schiit.com/products/magni-unity (schiit.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/schiit-magni-unity-vs-jds-labs-element-iv/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Schiit Magni Unity ($119) vs JDS Labs Element IV ($549) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/dac-amps/schiit-magni-unity-vs-jds-labs-element-iv/
License: CC BY 4.0.