I do agree with the post above, in respect to thoughts on depth , space and clarity.
I am also surprised more has not been said about the Gemini 2000, so I had to rely on professional reviews of which their are now many
(Chris Martens for HiFI Plus and 6Moons was the best, also Partime audiophile review was worthwhile, Tone Audio did a good review, also the Absolute Sound).
Baseline
Have been using a CEntrance DACmini CX for the last couple of years, for my ears this was the most pleasing DAC/AMP combo under $1K
(actually I still think it special ... I have a lot of respect for CEntrance), so my thoughts will be based on this.
I have had my hearing checked by Audiologists and doctors, so a baseline my hearing is extremely good to superior in midrange and treble , bass is a different story... it is like a rollercoaster ranging from OK to looking like a train wreck in some of the lower octaves (got some damage in the lower octaves, probably from working construction jobs during my summer jobs during university).
I am using Audeze LCD3 via balanced to the Auralic Gemini 2000 ... also have a backup pair of AKG 701 single ended, though have not yet tried these with the Gemini 2000.
Music taste is ecletric, from 80's Rock to modern Nashville to Jazz ... not really into classical. I do tend to prefer "stripped down" or "unplugged" sound.
Just thought I would make some notes on this as "baseline", though YMMV, this is just my thoughts, and all the other disclaimers.
My thoughts
I would also add "tone" especially of instruments ... I was trained on piano for a couple of years as a kid so I know what it should sound like,
this is only 1 of 2 companies that I have found really can get the sound of Piano significantly right (Meridian is the other).
Drums also sound better. Wood instruments (like used in Allison Kraus song "Forget about it") also sound superior to the DACmini.
For vocals, I am noticing more the "inflection" of tone that the singer is implying ... I find this worthwhile as it evokes the emotion that the singer is delivering more effectively.
PRAT ... Pace, Rhythm and Timing is the other significant improvement.
I am also finding the Gemini 2000 has significant power to drive my Audeze LCD3 ... currently I am listening with just 1 of the 5 LED lights lit up ...
so within the first 20% of available volume ... and it is within my normal listening levels (I used to listen to the DACmini between 9 and 11 o'clock on it's volume).
My main concern prior to buying the Gemini 2000 was that it would not have enough power to effectively drive my LCD3.
This fear was completely unfounded.
I am very sensitive to grain in mid range and harshness in treble ... I can not find any issue with the Gemini 2000.
Also hearing more details in songs that I am very familiar with.
I can hear more of the "interplay" of the instruments within a song (the forrest) as well as be able to focus on one aspect (the trees).
One thing that the professional reviews mentioned a couple of times is that the Gemini 2000 scales up especially with HD recordings like 24/96, more so than 16/44 CD rips.
I am not finding that so much ... it sounds consistently great across the board, whether CD or HDTracks quality.
Do not really have any MP3' though I do have a lot of Music videos which are about Dolby Digital stereo quality (about the same bit rate as high quality MP3's), they sound great
as well.
I used a kilowatt to measure power draw ... 12W. So "green" even if it is a Class A design.
On the minus side .... I do find it takes a bit of time to warm up .... but that's just an aspect of Class A amps.
So it sounds great when first turned on .... though a bit more magic after 15 minutes warmed up.
These are my thoughts, I hope they help someone.