# Topping DX5 II vs JDS Labs Element IV: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Topping DX5 II (Topping) and JDS Labs Element IV (JDS Labs) among dac amps. Topping DX5 II is the cheaper of the two at $299.

## Side by side

| Spec | Topping DX5 II | JDS Labs Element IV |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $299 | $549 |
| Brand | Topping | JDS Labs |
| Form factor | desktop | desktop |
| Dac chip | ES9039Q2M | ES9018K2M |
| Max pcm (kHz) | 768 | 384 |
| Max dsd | DSD512 | DSD128 |
| Max power mw | 6400 | 3200 |
| Snr (dB) | 133 | 120 |
| Thdn percent | 0.00006 | 0.00025 |
| Balanced output | Yes | No |
| Headphone jacks | 6.35mm/4.4mm/4-pin XLR | 6.35mm |
| Digital inputs | USB/optical/coaxial/Bluetooth | USB-C/optical |
| Weight grams | — | 570 |

## Key differences

- Dac chip: Topping DX5 II ES9039Q2M vs JDS Labs Element IV ES9018K2M
- Max pcm (kHz): Topping DX5 II 768 vs JDS Labs Element IV 384
- Max dsd: Topping DX5 II DSD512 vs JDS Labs Element IV DSD128
- Max power mw: Topping DX5 II 6400 vs JDS Labs Element IV 3200
- Snr (dB): Topping DX5 II 133 vs JDS Labs Element IV 120
- Thdn percent: Topping DX5 II 0.00006 vs JDS Labs Element IV 0.00025
- Balanced output: Topping DX5 II Yes vs JDS Labs Element IV No
- Headphone jacks: Topping DX5 II 6.35mm/4.4mm/4-pin XLR vs JDS Labs Element IV 6.35mm

## What reviewers say

**Topping DX5 II** — Only one whitelisted tester, TechRadar, published a hands-on review of the exact Topping DX5 II. TechRadar rates it a near-excellent budget DAC/amp (verdict 'generally excellent'), praising its poised, detailed and dynamic sound, exemplary build and comprehensive specification at $299, while flagging a tendency toward top-end brightness. (1 sourced review.)

## Sources

- Topping DX5 II: https://www.topping.store/products/topping-dx5-ii-hi-res-dac-headphone-amp-combo (topping.store, 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/topping-dx5-ii-vs-jds-labs-element-iv/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Topping DX5 II ($299) vs JDS Labs Element IV ($549) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/dac-amps/topping-dx5-ii-vs-jds-labs-element-iv/
License: CC BY 4.0.