Geshelli J2S DAC and Sparkos SS2590 - YES!

[Elegiac]

I'm curious, I currently only rock an SMSL VMV D1SE as my DAC, would getting the J3 with either the 2590 or 3602 be a major improvement in sound compared to what I get with the SMSL DAC?

Probably not. It would be a matter of taste. The new AK4499 is very smooth. Smoother than the smoothest.

But if you want more resolution and... other stuff. Probably not. The point of rolling better op amps into the J2S/J3 is to get it up to the level of a $1k DAC. Which you already own.

 

[PaulBeenisDerPapagei]

My DACs MSRP price goes for I believe $700 something and uses the ES9033PRO chip, tho.

 

[JerseyD]

My DACs MSRP price goes for I believe $700 something and uses the ES9033PRO chip, tho.

Like Elegiac said, moving from the ES-based DAC to the AK-based Geshelli will be more a matter of preference vs one being objectively better. You may have to do what I did - Buy one and listen to both in your own system for a few weeks, then sell the loser. Sure, you’ll lose a little money, but you’ll have sound you prefer for years.

 

[PaulBeenisDerPapagei]

Like Elegiac said, moving from the ES-based DAC to the AK-based Geshelli will be more a matter of preference vs one being objectively better. You may have to do what I did - Buy one and listen to both in your own system for a few weeks, then sell the loser. Sure, you’ll lose a little money, but you’ll have sound you prefer for years.

Which do you honestly prefer, if I may ask?

 

[TedB]

I'm curious, I currently only rock an SMSL VMV D1SE as my DAC, would getting the J3 with either the 2590 or 3602 be a major improvement in sound compared to what I get with the SMSL DAC?

Which do you honestly prefer, if I may ask?

Perhaps the most detailed dive into the D1SE can be found here: Soundnews.net Review. It seems SMSL took cost intensive steps to remove some of the digital glare and clinical "etch" typical of ESS platforms, adding bonuses like an on board linear power supply and a mix of discrete components in the output section instead of leaving it all to the usual Ti OPA op amps. In comparison to the Topping D90SE, the D1SE seems to take a step in the sonic direction of the J3 according to the reviewer's comments. As compared to the J3, the D1SE has the fancy screen and such that the J3 lacks. I would estimate a swap to a fully upgraded J3 to be more of lateral move for you than if you were coming from something like a D90SE. I would expect the SS2590 equipped J3 to perhaps give some degree of a boost in dynamics and a slightly expanded soundstage, but it would come only with some cost and hassle. Perhaps it makes more sense to set your sights on a Dayzee, which represents a solid step up.

 

[G8torbyte]

I have found the AKM implementation done very well with Geshelli's DAC. I've had the original JNOG2 using the 4493 chip (without the customizable opamp sockets) for a couple years and been very pleased with the sound. I have ordered the J3 Pro recently since I like how they improved on the input switching and it'll be interesting to swap out op amps if a choose so. Not yet arrived and looking forward to pairing it with my HP8 amp or a Decware also arriving soon.
@PaulBeenisDerPapagei, Similar to what @Elegiac and @JerseyD are saying you may notice a bit more musicality with the AKM. Nothing against ESS and it works well in my K9 Pro and RME but it tends to be more analytical in my humble/limited experience.

 

[TedB]

I have found the AKM implementation done very well with Geshelli's DAC. I've had the original JNOG2 using the 4493 chip (without the customizable opamp sockets) for a couple years and been very pleased with the sound.

That's where I started. If you are happy with the AK 4493, you are going to be very happy with the AK 4499EX and extremely happy with the big Sparkos op amps fitted.

 

[Patswalker]

That's where I started. If you are happy with the AK 4493, you are going to be very happy with the AK 4499EX and extremely happy with the big Sparkos op amps fitted.

I have had the exact same experience as mentioned and I agree with everything everyone has said here. I have had many Geshelli dacs and keep moving up their upgrade path. I have had all the J2 models and really love the 4499ex version. Highly recommended. I also agree that the 4493 is great but the 4499ex for me is almost as if they took all the specific parts of the 4493 I love and improved specifically on them.

I have the J3pro as my desktop dac. I have it connected to the Erish 3 Pro and I cycle through my tube amps as I see fit. The 4499ex chipset in my opinion sounds amazing on everything I connect it to. I listened for hours and hours and hours and can’t se to find anything that I dislike that o connect to it. It seems to add just enough flavor to sound great but not so much flavor that it changes sound. It’s not neutral to be but it’s not warm in the way that it needs specific amps to synergize with it. Hope that helps.

 

[PaulBeenisDerPapagei]

Perhaps the most detailed dive into the D1SE can be found here: Soundnews.net Review. It seems SMSL took cost intensive steps to remove some of the digital glare and clinical "etch" typical of ESS platforms, adding bonuses like an on board linear power supply and a mix of discrete components in the output section instead of leaving it all to the usual Ti OPA op amps. In comparison to the Topping D90SE, the D1SE seems to take a step in the sonic direction of the J3 according to the reviewer's comments. As compared to the J3, the D1SE has the fancy screen and such that the J3 lacks. I would estimate a swap to a fully upgraded J3 to be more of lateral move for you than if you were coming from something like a D90SE. I would expect the SS2590 equipped J3 to perhaps give some degree of a boost in dynamics and a slightly expanded soundstage, but it would come only with some cost and hassle. Perhaps it makes more sense to set your sights on a Dayzee, which represents a solid step up.

I didn't find out about the Dayzee's price until now. I honestly thought it would be like $2500 or something, I don't see myself getting something like that in a year or two, so for now I'll consider getting J3 with those Sparkos op amps. After reading what @G8torbyte stated with what you get out of either DAC chip, I think as I go along on my audiophile Journey (8 years), I'm starting to see I lean more on the musical side of things a bit more than pure analytical stuff.

 

[Patswalker]

I didn't find out about the Dayzee's price until now. I honestly thought it would be like $2500 or something, I don't see myself getting something like that in a year or two, so for now I'll consider getting J3 with those Sparkos op amps. After reading what @G8torbyte stated with what you get out of either DAC chip, I think as I go along on my audiophile Journey (8 years), I'm starting to see I lean more on the musical side of things a bit more than pure analytical stuff.

I highly recommend getting the Sparkos V7 vivid. I switch between those and the sparkos toy mentioned. I use the sparkos much more but it’s just nice to have both as an option. This to me is the man selling point for the J3. Its a spectacular dac at an amazing price for what you get.

I sold my chord qutest after a few months of getting my J2S. Not that the geshelli is better, it’s just more of what I want plus it has options plus the company is so so so nice and sweet. Win win win all around.

 

[JerseyD]

I highly recommend getting the Sparkos V7 vivid. I switch between those and the sparkos toy mentioned. I use the sparkos much more but it’s just nice to have both as an option. This to me is the man selling point for the J3. Its a spectacular dac at an amazing price for what you get.

I sold my chord qutest after a few months of getting my J2S. Not that the geshelli is better, it’s just more of what I want plus it has options plus the company is so so so nice and sweet. Win win win all around.

I’m sure you meant the Burson V7V, which you switch with the Sparkos. I tried that one too, but prefer the Sparkos SS2590… a little silkier

 

[JerseyD]

That's where I started. If you are happy with the AK 4493, you are going to be very happy with the AK 4499EX and extremely happy with the big Sparkos op amps fitted.

I still have not jumped up to the 4499 from my 4493 with sparkos ss2590. I got worried when @ToneDeafMonk said the 4499 was TOO smooth and laid back and he preferred the 4493. Now y’all have me thinking I should try the 4499.

 

[Patswalker]

I’m sure you meant the Burson V7V, which you switch with the Sparkos. I tried that one too, but prefer the Sparkos SS2590… a little silkier

You’re right. I did mean that.

I switch back and forth between them. Hence the value of the J3

 

[ttys0]

I had Burson V7Vs in my J2S with a 4499, and liked them a lot. I didn't want to go through the calisthenics required to get 2950s to work in the J2S, so the J3 was basically an instabuy for me when it came out. I have mine running into an Erish3, which is also connected to an xDuoo MT-604, though I only occasionally have that turned on. I've been happy enough with the J3+2950s that I basically stopped entertaining other DACs, and sold the others that I'd collected along the way. And the Geshelli folks are really great besides.

 

[s2kphile]

I still have not jumped up to the 4499 from my 4493 with sparkos ss2590. I got worried when @ToneDeafMonk said the 4499 was TOO smooth and laid back and he preferred the 4493. Now y’all have me thinking I should try the 4499.

Its dependant on your chain. Ive tried my J3 with 2590s on Erish 3 Pro & Archel 3 / Wells Audio Milo / Nitsch Piety & Maxmium Pietus.

And I would not say its too smooth and laid back but my experience is using Modi 2 Multibit, Bifrost 2/64, Cyan 2 and using Eversolo A6 DAC. Its one of the better DAC offerings at the price and if chained properly can be one of the most powerful, open staged and dynamic DACs on the market.