Been listening all day today between the s9c and jot2. Both are brand new to me, and we're directly compared back to back. The jot2 has the 9028 DAC card installed as well, and I also tested it using the s9c as the DAC source (so amp vs amp, same DAC).
I used to own an violectric v281, so that's my reference memory of a what a great amp should sound like. Just to contextualize what I like.
Tldr: I'm keeping the jot2 (I think lol), but the s9c is extremely good value and it's truly just a preference of flavor thing, not any objective reasons.
I won't repeat what the other impressions and reviews have already said about the s9c. It's all true, crisp and clear, neutral with a slight analytical lean, smooth but extended treble, articulate and punchy bass, large soundstage, and all the details. Plus great build quality and user interface (other than the slightly dim screen).
The jot2 on the other hand, with its internal DAC card, was seriously close overall. Like close enough where my first impression of both devices was they're more similar than different. After some time though it became more apparent what the differences were. The main ones are the jot2 is slightly thicker/warmer (still overall close to neutral though) and is slightly more dynamic/engaging. While trading off some soundstage width for more depth, and some of the micro details for macro details (it still presented the same details as the s9c, they were just more obscure behind a layer or two requiring some focus to hear, vs the s9c where it's all laid out clearly with zero effort to hear them).
The s9c is a little smoother in the treble, with slightly greater extension. It's wider in soundstage with great separation, but lacking in depth by comparison (still has good depth, but in direct comparison it has less). They trade off width for depth with each other. The s9c is also more articulate in terms of note attack, especially in the bass department. Although the jot2 is not soft/rounded over at all, it's just a bit less defined on the initial attack by comparison. The s9c is a little bit leaner in the midbass, with just a slight less overall weight to the sound. While the jot2 is fuller/thicker on the midbass, has a bit more weight to the sound. Both have similar levels of extension in the bass. Both have similar dynamics, but the jot2 has slightly more engagement. The jot2 also does a better job at layering in the depth of the stage and sounds, while the s9c spreads everything more two dimensionally around to achieve good separation but some layers can feel stacked on top of each other in terms of depth (mainly in the treble area).
The s9c made me want to hear what little details are hidden inside my favorite songs, and presents everything smoothly and crisp while does so. While still having a slight organic/natural tonality to everything, with only the treble reaching into some brightness. The jot2 has a slightly edgier treble but it's less bright so the edginess doesn't linger long or cause an issue. Both devices kinda trade blows here: s9c is smoother but the treble extension adds some brightness and can be slightly hot on some songs. The jot2 is a little warmer and won't get hot in the treble, but the less smooth edginess can stand out more. Will be a matter of preference here.
The jot2 has an overall slightly better sense of engagement and dynamics. It moved me more easily, feeling the rhythm and drive of the song more effortlessly. At the compromise of some of the detail retrieval (the ease of hearing those details, both devices resolve similarly actually), and trading soundstage width for extra depth/layering. Trading treble smoothness and extension, for more neutral/warmth and some edge. Trading a fuller, weightier low end for the slightest lack of articulation/definition in leading edge note attack (without the direct comparison it's not noticeable really).
Both devices do mid-range very similarly to my ears honestly. Neither stood out over the other in any way here. Other than the difference in how easy it is to hear the details (jot2 has them behind a layer or two, and the s9c lays everything out on the same plane).
Using the DAC of the s9c to feed the jot2 adds some of those details and smoothness, but actually takes away some of the engagement and dynamics. Nothing drastic here, but enough to notice it. The amp section of the s9c definitely pairs with its dac better than just feeding the DAC output to another amp. It also showed that the 9028 DAC card for the jot2 is actually not that far behind the DAC of the s9c. Like yes the s9c is still better as a DAC overall, but it's much closer than I would've thought. The amps have more noticeable differences than the dacs honestly.
Ultimately it came down to one thought that determined my current (may change as I listen more, but unlikely) decision of which one I'm keeping. That was engagement with the music. The jot2 just moved me more than the s9c did. What would happen is the s9c would sound more impressive and interesting initially. All the details so easily heard, the smoothness, and overall neutral balance to the sounds, large soundstage width. It's all very impressive at first, but after I listened to the same songs over and over for evaluation.
After I got accustomed to the details and presentation of the sound, what was left was just a slightly underwhelming feeling in engagement. The s9c felt just slightly holding back by comparison, in terms of overall rhythmic energy. I could hear everything clearly, and it was dynamic and defined, natural timbre, but after the novelty of the details wore off it just wasn't making me that engrossed with the music. Perfect for a studio setting though, like I'd choose the s9c in a heartbeat for any studio or mixing work. I heard everything, perfectly neutral, and smooth. But for listening enjoyment the jot2 just has that little extra energy and drive to its sound, more akin to a live concert in many ways. While the s9c is like a studio setting (in terms of experience, not soundstage size).
That said both devices are genuinely more similar overall than they are different. That's why it came down to preference of flavor, because there wasn't anything objectively better or worse overall that made one device better than the other. They trade off what they do well and not as well, balancing each other out on the end. The only difference that ultimately mattered after everything was which one made me feel more engaged with the music. Both have enough details, soundstage, layering, smoothness, dynamics, extension, etc to lean a little one way or the other but you won't really miss out on anything regardless which device you go with. It's only the engagement and drive that's distinctly different here, and even then not in a drastic way. Just enough that depending on your preferences you'll be compelled to want one over the other.
I can just ask easily be happy with the s9c, and there's definitely good arguments I have for preferring it over the jot2 at times. Especially when my goal is easily hear all the details in a smooth, neutral, natural presentation. But I'm not running a studio or making mixes, so for just pure music/audio emotional joy the jot2 is better able to present that. It took many hours of constant back and forth listening to even come to this conclusion. If either product existed without the other being available, they'd individually be a top choice. I'd happily live with the s9c if the jot2 didn't exist. Even then the jot2 only edges it out in those few areas, while accepting the compromise in the others.
Both devices are amazing DAC/amps, you'll prefer one over the other entirely on just a couple key preferences. Otherwise they're like siblings with slightly different personalities. If you want to have zero compromises then you gotta step up into the gear over 1k each, and then diminishing returns will hit hard. But for sub 1k all in ones, both the jot2 and s9c are probably the top choices currently imo. Try both see which you prefer, they're similar enough that I could not imagine wanting to keep both for any reason. (Also wanted to add a special mention that the single ended outputs of the jot2 is not very good, like good enough, but not even close to the balanced out. While the single ended of the s9c is very similar to the balanced outs. Don't get the jot2 for single ended use, the s9c would be better suited here).
Alright that's everything I guess lol. I can answer any other comparisons questions between the two if I didn't mention something.
