Geshelli J2S DAC and Sparkos SS2590 - YES!

[matthia]

Received the replacement for the bottom board of the SS2590 (I broke the original one trying to install it). Followed Andrew’s advice and sanded down both boards as far as I could without hitting metal, and it just barely fit! Used one riser to get it to the right height. The boards are touching the inside of the analogue jacks, but the unit is working! I will not comment on the sound until the op-amp burns in a bit. So far so good.

A big thank you to Andrew for the amazing customer service. Charged me half price for the half of the op-amp, honored my original discount code and told me how to make it fit.

Am I right you replaced only the opamps for the RCA output with SS2590?
Do the Sparkos fit into the original case or did you replace the case as well?
Thx

 

[JerseyD]

Am I right you replaced only the opamps for the RCA output with SS2590?
Do the Sparkos fit into the original case or did you replace the case as well?
Thx

Yes - only the RCA output for me. The SS2590 did not originally fit, but I was able to sand down the edge of the two boards and make it fit (with a riser).

 

[JerseyD]

Comparing op-amps is difficult, since I really can't A-B test them, what with the time and hassle of swapping them out. So going by my memory and gut feel for the sound, after a few days of burn-in, I can say that I do prefer the sound of the J2S with the SS2590 (single-ended only) more than either the SS3602 or Burson V6V. There is a clarity and layering of sound that I did not find with either of the other two. The V6V had a wider and more expansive soundstage than the SS3602, but was a little woolly sounding in comparison. The SS2590 has that same spacious sound, but adds more clarity at both ends of the spectrum. Treble is more precise and bass is impactful and detailed.

It was kind of a pain in the ass, since I broke part of it trying to make it fit. But now that it's in there, the sound is well worth the effort. It even has me reconsidering my plan to try out a decent R2R dac, since I am happy with what I'm hearing. Knowing me, though, I'll keep wondering, "sure, but could it get even better?" Let's see how long I go until I get the itch

 

[TedB]

For whomever wondered about the Burson V7 Vivid, I just posted a review: Review: Geshelli J2S with Burson V7 Vivid Op Amps

 

[JerseyD]

An email from Sparkos came this morning with news that Mr. and Mrs. Sparkos are expecting a baby - and with that cause for celebration - here's a discount code for a limited time only. Grerat time to snag a SS2590 or three (or anything else you might need).

We ain't done this in awhile.
And since we are all still feeling frisky around here, we decided it was time, and that we now had a good reason.
Here is the code -
BABEH25
For 25% off everything, for the next little bit.
Tell all your friends.

 

[TedB]

One thing worth pointing out to anyone using SS2590s is be certain all the pins make positive contact in their sockets. When rolling op amps, I reinstalled SS2590s and noticed one channel was a little down on volume. The SS2590 with the extender was secure, but the one plugged into the sandwiched DIP8 socket (to raise the SS2590 slightly) was just a little loose to the touch. I removed the SS2590 and carefully put just the slightest pressure on the pins toward the outside so they would maintain a positive connection when reinserted. This little exercise recovered the missing volume plus extra, and the soundstage widened as well. I can clearly see the volume difference on my dBU level indicators. I didn't experience this with the Bursons. Just be certain all the pins are making positive contact or you will not get full performance and you may not even notice!

 

[Emilar]

Let me chime in and suggest to go the whole mile by using the Sparkos Regs to power the SS2590. It will give you an even better 3D presentation, better clarity and Instrument separation.

Cheers Klaus

 

[Patswalker]

Let me chime in and suggest to go the whole mile by using the Sparkos Regs to power the SS2590. It will give you an even better 3D presentation, better clarity and Instrument separation.

Cheers Klaus

How would one go about installing the Sparkos Regs in the J2S. Or better yet, in the new J3?

 

[TedB]

Let me chime in and suggest to go the whole mile by using the Sparkos Regs to power the SS2590. It will give you an even better 3D presentation, better clarity and Instrument separation.

Cheers Klaus

How would one go about installing the Sparkos Regs in the J2S. Or better yet, in the new J3?

This is a power supply component. I don't believe this is applicable to anything on a J2 or J3 board. If a DAC has an internal PS board or is powered by a third party LPS, that's where it would go. Integrated components with onboard DACs (e.g. CD players) are also candidates.

 

[Emilar]

I managed to put the SS2590 and the regs in my dac and it's not even DIP8.
With the Burson flexibel extenders it's an easy Job.

 

[matthia]

I managed to put the SS2590 and the regs in my dac and it's not even DIP8.

Which DAC do you have?

 

[Emilar]

Which DAC do you have?

SMSL DL200

 

[Patswalker]

The new Geshelli J3 is ready to just accept the ss2590 without any extra extenders. Haven’t heard if yet but I’m going to order one soon.

 

[TedB]

SMSL DL200

SMSL DL200 has an onboard power supply. Geshelli DACs do not. As such, Sparkos voltage regulator upgrades do not apply. If one is using a third party power supply (.i.e. discrete LPS), then it is a possibility.

 

[Patswalker]

Anyone here pair the sparkos V7 opamps with their SS2590 in the J2s to get two options, one with each output? I LOVE LOVE my SS2590 but was pondering the idea of having two options after reading about other people doing so.