[WHO23]

Geshelli Labs Archel2.5 PRO is available for $179. It features XLR balanced inputs that “will perform noise rejection in hardware” though output is still SE. The output is increased to 1W@16Ω and the Op-amp has been upgraded from the TI OPA1652 to OPA1656. I just purchased one to support the company

 

[Baten]

Geshelli Labs Archel2.5 PRO is available for $179. It features XLR balanced inputs that “will perform noise rejection in hardware” though output is still SE. The output is increased to 1W@16Ω and the Op-amp has been upgraded from the TI OPA1652 to OPA1656. I just purchased one to support the company

OPA1656, very cool! Probably one of the highest performing BB amps out there!

 

[My Cats Account]

I picked this up and it's single ended output is indistinguishable from my THX 789's. Probably going to sell the 789 now because the balanced outputs on it actually sound a tad worse in the highs than the archel 2.5's single ended (my ether's/HD 650 work single ended too). Could be a dac pairing thing because I've had the enog2 for a year and I know they made it to work well with the enog. I really like having gain toggles on the dac and amp. The new build is sizable step up from the original archel. It's just thicker and the smoked out glass looks great. Don't know if the balanced inputs have changed much compared to the RCA, I can't hear any difference, but it looks cool. For 170 it's one of the best measuring amps out there, it's compact, well built with sturdy materials, and made by a small business in USA. A lot to get behind here. They avoid a lot of the audiofoolery that goes on in the DAC and AMP industries too.

I've tested the following with it:
Ether CX
DT 1990
HD 650
AKG k7xx
Sundara (these are getting sent back, got them to compare to Ether's to see if it was worth the extra $)
IEMS:
KZ AS 16 (ultra efficient, THX 789 almost broke them, for reference)
Shure 425

No issues with anything here

Also some people are misquoting the power per channel. The 2 is 600mw per channel at 16ohm and the 2.5 is 1W per channel at 16ohm. I have the 2.5 and cannot speak for the 2.

 

[npfries]

I’m planning on picking up the 2.5 soon. I can’t believe this amp isn’t being talked about more. Just wish it had a preamp out

 

[DontMezeTheZohan]

I picked up the J2 DAC and the Archel 2.5XL stack and couldn't be happier. The customization/personalization is so cool. I picked exactly what I wanted so the look suits me perfectly and the sound quality is off the charts. Love everything about this setup.