# Desktop DAC/Amp **URL:** \ **Category:** I need advice!\ **Created:** [April 16, 2025, 6:42am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537 "2025-04-16T06:42:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lou\_Ford](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/lou_ford/32/32441_2.png) [@Lou\_Ford](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Lou_Ford)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2025, 8:55pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/21 "2025-04-17T20:55:45Z")
> [@ADU](#): > > digital volume control on the Element IV The volume control on the Element IV is discrete, not digital. It’s near the bottom of the page. ![Screenshot 2025-04-17 at 4.50.38 PM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/9/d/9d094ce79cda92ba640fa3fef71b20e764f7b1af.png) One of the reviews mentions “digital volume” but I take that to mean that there is a digital output on the little screen that provides the volume setting. I think the Element IV might have everything you’re looking for. ---
**Author:** ![ADU](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/adu/32/57501_2.png) [@ADU](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ADU)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 5:20am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/22 "2025-04-18T05:20:13Z")
> [@generic](#): > > Dual volume knobs can handle channel imbalance and also compensate for imbalanced drivers. They do require more tweaking, but are quite effective. > > Analog works fine. Appreciate the suggestion, generic. I do have some ability to adjust the L/R balance on my source via digital controls. What I’m hoping to avoid with a stepped volume control is the L/R drift that often occurs at lower or higher volumes with potentiometers. It sounds like the discrete volume control on the Element IV would achieve that though. The Atom 2 appears to use a potentiometer (which is exactly what I’d expect for an amp in its price range). Amir observed [a slight drift in the Atom 2 amp he tested](https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?attachments/jds-labs-atmp-amp-2-headphone-amplifier-channel-balance-measurement-png.328697/), on the order of +/- 0.25 dB. But still described its balance as “excellent”. A _discrete_ or _stepped_ volume control would be an upgrade though (imho) from my current amp, which also uses a potentiometer. ---
**Author:** ![ADU](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/adu/32/57501_2.png) [@ADU](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ADU)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 5:35am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/23 "2025-04-18T05:35:33Z")
> [@Lou\_Ford](#): > > The volume control on the Element IV is discrete, not digital. It’s near the bottom of the page. > > One of the reviews mentions “digital volume” but I take that to mean that there is a digital output on the little screen that provides the volume setting. Cam refers to it as “digital” a couple of times in his review. If that’s wrong, then it needs to be corrected. The high number of steps (255) suggests to me that it could be digital though, and he’s not just referring to the display. I adjust volume alot when I’m listening btw, so that’s why the characteristics/pros/cons of the volume controls are of some interest and importance to me. ---
**Author:** ![generic](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/generic/32/61169_2.png) [@generic](https://forum.headphones.com/u/generic)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 11:30am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/24 "2025-04-18T11:30:47Z")
> [@ADU](#): > > What I’m hoping to avoid with a stepped volume control is the L/R drift that often occurs at lower or higher volumes with potentiometers. Yes, that’s a routine issue with analog pots. > [@ADU](#): > > Amir Taking audio advice from him is akin to asking a crazy cat lady for investing advice. His shaking earlobes from loud music may have rattled his brain. Three factors affect perceived channel imbalance, and separate volume controls address all of them: 1. Amp output mismatch 2. Headphone driver output mismatch 3. Hearing loss or variance in one ear (possible personal factor) ---
**Author:** ![NickZ](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/nickz/32/16394_2.png) [@NickZ](https://forum.headphones.com/u/NickZ)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 8:08pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/25 "2025-04-18T20:08:27Z")
JDS describes the volume knob as using optical sensors. This pretty much would have to mean the volume is controlled digitally. Otherwise, the optical signal would have to be sent to a motor which turns an anolog control. That seems unlikely. ---
**Author:** ![ADU](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/adu/32/57501_2.png) [@ADU](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ADU)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2025, 4:29am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/26 "2025-04-19T04:29:09Z")
> [@generic](#): > > Yes, that’s a routine issue with analog pots. A good stepped analog control shouldn’t drift. There are upsides and downsides though to all of these different approaches. And one of the downsides to stepped analog controls that use resistors is that they have fewer steps. Goldpoint is supposed to be one of the better mfrs of this type of controller. And the most they currently offer are 47 steps, which allows adjustment in 1.5 dB increments. > **[Compare Attenuator Types](https://www.goldpt.com/compare.html)** > > Comparison of Attenuator Types The Element IV’s discrete optical controller offers 255 steps, with 0.5 dB increments according to Cam. So it allows finer volume adjustment. > [@generic](#): > > Three factors affect perceived channel imbalance, and separate volume controls address all of them: > > 1. Amp output mismatch > 2. Headphone driver output mismatch > 3. Hearing loss or variance in one ear (possible personal factor) They won’t address the drift in a poorer quality volume control though. I’m sure that balance controls, or separate volume controls can have many good uses. But this is not one of them imo. ---
**Author:** ![ADU](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/adu/32/57501_2.png) [@ADU](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ADU)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2025, 4:45am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/27 "2025-04-19T04:45:58Z")
> [@NickZ](#): > > JDS describes the volume knob as using optical sensors. This pretty much would have to mean the volume is controlled digitally. > > Otherwise, the optical signal would have to be sent to a motor which turns an anolog control. That seems unlikely. I honestly don’t know enough about it. And will have to leave this question to the other experts here. Some more info on this, and how the discrete stepping is achieved would be helpful though. ---
**Author:** ![Lou\_Ford](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/lou_ford/32/32441_2.png) [@Lou\_Ford](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Lou_Ford)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 1:41pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/28 "2025-04-21T13:41:37Z")
Could be digital, I don’t know for certain, but: 1. There are a lot of resistors around the output connector, which makes me think some sort of resistor-based attenuation, and 2. If JDS had lossless digital volume control (I can’t imagine the company accepting a lossy approach) in a $500-ish DAC/Amp, there would be good reason to crow about it. The way to know for sure is to write to JDS. You’ll get a prompt response, of that I am certain. Let us know what they say. > [@ADU](#): > > Some more info on this, and how the discrete stepping is achieved would be helpful though. Whatever JDS is doing, here is a brief primer on how to do a stepped attenuator with resistors. All of the following is copied from [Khozmo Acoustic](https://khozmo.com/), but I imagine you could find similar material at various electronic tutorial sites. **1. Series.** Main reason to use this is invariant input impedance presented to source. Volume steps up as fewer resistors stand between input and output. ![Screenshot 2025-04-21 at 9.56.06 AM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/8/c/8c866efee5ccdebc32c37fdae656db25feb0a0fc.png) **2. Shunt.** Advantage here is that only a single resistor is in the signal path. Disdavantage is that now the source sees a varying input impedance. ![Screenshot 2025-04-21 at 9.59.31 AM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/5/4/541dd7b5a02592791c5eefcf08a768baea64f028.png) 1. Ladder. Advantage is that it presents constant input impedance to the source while still leaving only one resistor in the signal path. Disadvantage is that it requires 2 resistors per step. ![Screenshot 2025-04-21 at 10.02.34 AM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/c/2/c2fc25ae055e943569ac1c6219b24d625c0c1104.png) Hope that is of some help. ---
**Author:** ![Lou\_Ford](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/lou_ford/32/32441_2.png) [@Lou\_Ford](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Lou_Ford)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 1:51pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/29 "2025-04-21T13:51:25Z")
> [@NickZ](#): > > DS describes the volume knob as using optical sensors. This pretty much would have to mean the volume is controlled digitally. > > Otherwise, the optical signal would have to be sent to a motor which turns an anolog control. That seems unlikely. The question is whether the volume is adjusted in the digital domain, not whether it’s controlled with some digital electronics. The optical encoder could easily be used to switch relays that bring resistors into or out of the signal path. That would work for any of the resistor-based approaches (series, shunt, ladder). ---
**Author:** ![NickZ](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/nickz/32/16394_2.png) [@NickZ](https://forum.headphones.com/u/NickZ)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 6:04pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/30 "2025-04-21T18:04:53Z")
I was going to say it would have taken less time to email JDS than it did to repeat my reply and add nothing to the conversation. Instead I emailed JDS and they confirmed that volume is controlled digitally. Per JDS: Yes, Element IV uses a proprietary digital volume control technique with auto gain. Please find more detail in the Element III and Element IV release articles: > **[Introducing Element IV and Core™ – JDS Labs Blog](https://blog.jdslabs.com/2024/11/introducing-element-iv-and-core/)** > **[JDS Labs Element III – Official Release & Benchmarks – JDS Labs Blog](https://blog.jdslabs.com/2022/01/jds-labs-element-iii-official-release-benchmarks/)** ---
**Author:** ![TRDK](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/trdk/32/63663_2.png) [@TRDK](https://forum.headphones.com/u/TRDK)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2025, 6:15pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/31 "2025-04-21T18:15:23Z")
JDS Labs Element IV max continuous power: 3.2 W (10.18 VRMS) @ 32 Ω 2.3 W (6.11 VRMS) @ 16 Ω @ 16 Ω is not in the specification overview. Torben ---
**Author:** ![ADU](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/adu/32/57501_2.png) [@ADU](https://forum.headphones.com/u/ADU)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 3:32am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/32 "2025-04-22T03:32:18Z")
Thanks Lou and NickZ for the replies. This adds some much-needed clarity on how the Element IV’s volume controller works. The 2nd article in NickZ’s post explains that it is indeed a _digital attenuator_. > [@Lou\_Ford](#): > > There are a lot of resistors around the output connector, which makes me think some sort of resistor-based attenuation I noticed that as well in some of the illustrations. The first article in NickZ’s post explains what the resistors are for… but it’s not part of the volume control. > [@Lou\_Ford](#): > > **1. Series.** Main reason to use this is invariant input impedance presented to source. Volume steps up as fewer resistors stand between input and output. Fwiw, Goldpoint uses [resistors in series](https://www.goldpt.com/attenuator_types.html) for their stepped analog controllers. And they claim they get good transparency with this approach, without some of the disadvantages of the other approaches. The lower the volume, the more resistors will be in the signal path though. This is probably why they feel their _24 step_ controller is best. Because it uses fewer resistors than the 47 step controller. The steps aren’t all uniform in their 24 step controller though. Instead, it uses a tapered approach, to help reduce the size of the steps where it’s potentially needed more. ---
**Author:** ![TRDK](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/trdk/32/63663_2.png) [@TRDK](https://forum.headphones.com/u/TRDK)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 4:03pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/33 "2025-04-22T16:03:02Z")
> [@Lothar\_Wolf](#): > > Hello Torben! > > What I can certainly confirm from my own experience is that Dan Clark and JDS harmonize excellently. 🙂 order has been placed 🙂 Torben PS: Thanks for the great comments and suggestions in this thread ---
**Author:** ![Lothar\_Wolf](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/lothar_wolf/32/58397_2.png) [@Lothar\_Wolf](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Lothar_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 4:38pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/34 "2025-04-22T16:38:38Z")
> [@TRDK](#): > > order has been placed Congratulations​👍 Let me know when it arrives and you have had your first experiences. ---
**Author:** ![TRDK](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/trdk/32/63663_2.png) [@TRDK](https://forum.headphones.com/u/TRDK)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 5:14pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/35 "2025-05-09T17:14:58Z")
Great 🙂 ![JDS Labs Element IV - F](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/5/6/56bfd4f35f5e0b604dfd1d4de3e879bf79f82c82.jpeg) Torben ---
**Author:** ![Bookbear](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/bookbear/32/35615_2.png) [@Bookbear](https://forum.headphones.com/u/Bookbear)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 9:55pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/36 "2025-05-09T21:55:13Z")
ELEMENT IV in da house! ---
**Author:** ![pk500](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/pk500/32/25083_2.png) [@pk500](https://forum.headphones.com/u/pk500)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2025, 5:54pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/37 "2025-05-13T17:54:18Z")
Oh, Torben: That dial is BADASS! Glad you’re digging your JDS purchase. Such quality, honest gear. ---
**Author:** ![TRDK](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/trdk/32/63663_2.png) [@TRDK](https://forum.headphones.com/u/TRDK)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2025, 6:09pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/38 "2025-05-13T18:09:55Z")
> [@pk500](#): > > Glad you’re digging your JDS purchase. Such quality, honest gear. Yes, a great device 🙂 Torben PS: Latest review: > **[JDS Labs Element IV Review](https://www.headfonia.com/jds-labs-element-iv-review/)** > > In this review we take a look at the new $549 USD JDS Labs Element IV - Desktop DAC & Amplifier. Find out all about it, now on Headfonia! ---
**Author:** ![TRDK](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/trdk/32/63663_2.png) [@TRDK](https://forum.headphones.com/u/TRDK)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2026, 10:18am UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537/39 "2026-02-26T10:18:49Z")
Will soon be Roon Tested > **[Roon Ready Devices - Compatible Audio Equipment](https://roon.app/en/partners/226/jdslabs)** Torben [Previous page](https://forum.headphones.com/t/desktop-dac-amp/25537.md?page=1)