Short answer: the D&A Alpha Pro. It ranks #5 of 43 DAC and headphone amp combos by measured performance, rated 4.9/5, at $699. The JDS Labs Element IV ranks #9, rated 4.8/5, at $549, $150 cheaper, which does not close the gap in measured performance.
Why pick the D&A Alpha Pro: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 121 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. The tradeoff: It costs far more than the Topping DX1 II, which rates the same and measures the same 121 dB SINAD.
What the JDS Labs Element IV does well: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 118 dB, so the DAC and amp are transparent. The tradeoff: It has no balanced headphone output, and the 4.4 mm jack is only available as a build option replacing the 6.35 mm jack.
Buy the D&A Alpha Pro. It is rated higher, and saving $150 with the JDS Labs Element IV does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Headphone Amps and DACs rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| D&A Alpha Pro | JDS Labs Element IV | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.00 | $549.00 |
| Ranked | #5 of 43 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos | #9 of 43 in DAC and Headphone Amp Combos |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp | DAC and headphone amp |
| SINAD | 121 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) | 118 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 6,000 mW (manufacturer rated) | 3,200 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 700 mW (manufacturer rated) | - |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced | 6.35 mm (4.4 mm available as a build option in place of 6.35 mm) |
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) | No |
| Inputs | USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth, RCA | USB-C, optical |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR | RCA |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC | - |
| DAC Chip | ES9039MSPRO | - |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob | Hardware knob (discrete optical encoder) |
| Dimensions | 8.9” x 2.2” x 7.8” (225 x 55 x 199.3 mm) | 5.8” x 1.6” x 5.8” (147 x 41 x 147 mm) |
| Weight | 3.9 lbs (1,760 g) | 1.3 lbs (570 g) |
| Equalizer | - | Yes (12-band parametric) |
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- D&A Alpha Pro vs SMSL DO400
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Amps and DACs In Full
D&A Alpha Pro: $699.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 121 dB, so its noise and distortion are inaudible. A rated 6,000 mW into 32 ohms and 700 mW into 300 ohms will drive nearly any headphone, including demanding planars, through 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced or 4-pin XLR outputs. It doubles as a full desktop hub with USB, optical, coaxial, RCA and Bluetooth inputs (LDAC, aptX HD, AAC) plus RCA and XLR outputs.
Cons: It costs far more than the Topping DX1 II, which rates the same and measures the same 121 dB SINAD. The SMSL DO400 also matches its rating for less while measuring slightly cleaner. At 1,760 g and 225 mm wide, it needs real desk space.
Full D&A Alpha Pro review and specifications →
| Released | May 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Balanced Output | Yes (4.4 mm, 4-pin XLR, XLR line out) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC |
| DAC Chip | ES9039MSPRO |
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 8.9” x 2.2” x 7.8” (225 x 55 x 199.3 mm) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm, 4.4 mm balanced, 4-pin XLR balanced |
| Inputs | USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth, RCA |
| Output Power (300 ohms) | 700 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 6,000 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Outputs | RCA, XLR |
| SINAD | 121 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob |
| Weight | 3.9 lbs (1,760 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JDS Labs Element IV: $549.00 JDS Labs eBay
Pros: Audio Science Review measured a SINAD of 118 dB, so the DAC and amp are transparent. A rated 3,200 mW into 32 ohms drives nearly any headphone, and a built in 12 band parametric equalizer lets you correct headphone response without software. It takes USB-C and optical inputs and has RCA outputs for powered speakers.
Cons: It has no balanced headphone output, and the 4.4 mm jack is only available as a build option replacing the 6.35 mm jack. The Topping DX5 II rates higher with more rated balanced power for less.
Full JDS Labs Element IV review and specifications →
| Balanced Output | No |
|---|---|
| Device Type | DAC and headphone amp |
| Dimensions | 5.8” x 1.6” x 5.8” (147 x 41 x 147 mm) |
| Equalizer | Yes (12-band parametric) |
| Headphone Outputs | 6.35 mm (4.4 mm available as a build option in place of 6.35 mm) |
| Inputs | USB-C, optical |
| Output Power (32 ohms) | 3,200 mW (manufacturer rated) |
| Outputs | RCA |
| SINAD | 118 dB (measured by Audio Science Review) |
| Volume Control | Hardware knob (discrete optical encoder) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (570 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons