Topping
Topping DX5 II
$299Cheaper
Best Dac Amps · head-to-head
Topping DX5 II vs JDS Labs Element IV
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Topping DX5 II is cheaper at $299. Every spec and price links to its source.
JDS Labs
JDS Labs Element IV
$549
Which is better: the Topping DX5 II or JDS Labs Element IV?
The Topping DX5 II wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Topping DX5 II is the cheaper at $299. The Topping DX5 II 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 | Topping DX5 II | JDS Labs Element IV |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $299 | $549 |
| Brand | Topping | JDS Labs |
| Released | — | — |
| 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 |
Sources — Topping DX5 II: topping.store (verified 2026-07-11). JDS Labs Element IV: jdslabs.com (verified 2026-07-11).
What's the difference between the Topping DX5 II and JDS Labs Element IV?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (9 of 11). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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 true vs JDS Labs Element IV false
- Headphone jacks: Topping DX5 II 6.35mm/4.4mm/4-pin XLR vs JDS Labs Element IV 6.35mm
- Digital inputs: Topping DX5 II USB/optical/coaxial/Bluetooth vs JDS Labs Element IV USB-C/optical
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
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, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Poised, spacious, detailed and dynamic sound with strong low-frequency control; Exemplary build and finish quality across black, silver and white options; Comprehensive specification and flexibility (DAC, preamp and headphone amp) at an aggressive $299 price.
Flagged: Treble can tend toward brightness/edginess, making it picky about partnering equipment; Supplied remote control handset feels less tactile and interesting than the unit itself.
JDS Labs Element IV
No sourced tester review yet.