I'm not someone who spends a ton on sources, but no doubt Geshelli Labs is on my wishlist. Their products ooze quality, attention to detail, and being assembled in America while maintaining reasonable price is a big pro. Thanks for the reviews TDM
Sorry Bro...Watched several of your videos and was surprised that I had neglected to subscribe. I have the exact same listening profile as you as evidenced by Rel 10 in and SVS 12 in subwoofers. Geshelli J2S w/Burson v7 vivid to be replaced next month w/J3 w/Sparkos 2590. IotaVX amp and Cabasse Antigua MC 170 undergoing 200 hours of burn-in. Waiting today for my delivery of SMSL PO100 Pro digital to digital to correct my Wiim Ultra of the jitters. My gear digs deep but those French Speakers have air up top. Looking forward to more content from your channel.
I have a J3 and tried the 2590 and it was sublime! I also tried the Burson classic, and it was good, but not as clean as the Sparkos 2590. What is the consensus on USB vs Coax on input on the J3? Any differences?
I think the USB implementation is superb can I hear a difference honestly i don't think so , or if there was one when I was going back and forth I would guess sometimes correctly sometime wrong on a blind listening test. So I am going with a No on that one.
@ToneDeafMonk, did you compare head-to-head the J2S w/AK4493 & SS2590 vs J3 w/AK 4499EX & SS2590? I know you said at the end you prefer the J3, so I guess that my answer?
Regarding the Amanero USB on the J3. Can that be used as an input from, say, the Eversolo DMP-A6's USB out to use the DAC from the J3? Assuming the USB input would give the best performance over the optical and coax.
For the record, although AKM4499+4191 was previously Asahi Kasei's flagship DAC chip, it is no longer. The current flagship DAC chip is AKM4499EX + 4191.
Thanks. Sounds like your a Geshelli fan. & wearing the merch. :) I'm a fan of Geshelli as well. Maybe you can get a Gemini amp from Sparkos in for review since ? Thankks
Andrew offered to loan me one but it would take some serious time and I would want to tube roll as well. I heard its a fantastic Amp but I gotta pass just for lack of time.
I've got both and tried on each output; RCA and XLR. And there is enough difference to warrant the purchase. It's not super massive but if you have the money it's worth it.
More about the slightly more open bigger stage and the tip end has more detail for me on the SS2590 but not massive difference but enough to go yeah that's nice!
@@malintha.leanageInteresting! I currently have the Mk1 version of the SMSL VMV D1SE as my only DAC and I'd be curious to see if this J3 would be a worthy competitor to it.
So you said the j3 sounds a bit warmer? So if you already have a somewhat warm sounding speaker then this wouldn’t be good I’m thinking. Do you have any thoughts on that? Right now I have the j2 socketed with 4499 and sparkos 3602. I really like the looks of the j3 but don’t want to waste any money if it’s on the warm side.
Good points. I'm going with the J3 because I didn't take the hint and opted for the 4493 chip. That J3 is going to allow me the 4499 chip plus op amp options to include 2590 and apparently now STACCATO. I believe the op amps will keep me happy for future upgrades.
The elephant in the room is the Burson v7 vivid.
I have this on the RCA of my J2S 4493. You mentioned the V6 and I wonder how Sparkos 2590 compares.
I'm not someone who spends a ton on sources, but no doubt Geshelli Labs is on my wishlist. Their products ooze quality, attention to detail, and being assembled in America while maintaining reasonable price is a big pro. Thanks for the reviews TDM
It's not a 'source'. That's a PC, CD transport, Record player etc.
Sorry Bro...Watched several of your videos and was surprised that I had neglected to subscribe.
I have the exact same listening profile as you as evidenced by Rel 10 in and SVS 12 in subwoofers. Geshelli J2S w/Burson v7 vivid to be replaced next month w/J3 w/Sparkos 2590.
IotaVX amp and Cabasse Antigua MC 170 undergoing 200 hours of burn-in.
Waiting today for my delivery of SMSL PO100 Pro digital to digital to correct my Wiim Ultra of the jitters.
My gear digs deep but those French Speakers have air up top.
Looking forward to more content from your channel.
This will be my next dac. Already have a pair of the SS2590 to plug into it. Excellent video, mate!
Good choice!
The fact that you had Kendrick Lamar on the playlist.. Im subscribing haha. Too many "Audiophiles" don’t have a diverse palette
I have a J3 and tried the 2590 and it was sublime! I also tried the Burson classic, and it was good, but not as clean as the Sparkos 2590.
What is the consensus on USB vs Coax on input on the J3? Any differences?
I think the USB implementation is superb can I hear a difference honestly i don't think so , or if there was one when I was going back and forth I would guess sometimes correctly sometime wrong on a blind listening test. So I am going with a No on that one.
@ I agree. Thanks for the thoughtful reply.
@ToneDeafMonk, did you compare head-to-head the J2S w/AK4493 & SS2590 vs J3 w/AK 4499EX & SS2590? I know you said at the end you prefer the J3, so I guess that my answer?
Yes sorry if that wasn't clear.
@@tonedeafmonk Interesting, as I remember you preferred the 4493 in the J2S vs the 4499...
What are the gain levels the J3 outputs? And have you ever tried the Schiit Bifrost 2/64?
Regarding the Amanero USB on the J3. Can that be used as an input from, say, the Eversolo DMP-A6's USB out to use the DAC from the J3? Assuming the USB input would give the best performance over the optical and coax.
Yes, this is my setup. Works well.
For the record, although AKM4499+4191 was previously Asahi Kasei's flagship DAC chip, it is no longer. The current flagship DAC chip is AKM4499EX + 4191.
According to the J3 Pro's user manual, it has the 4499EXEQ + 4191.
Thanks.
Sounds like your a Geshelli fan. & wearing the merch. :)
I'm a fan of Geshelli as well.
Maybe you can get a Gemini amp from Sparkos in for review since ?
Thankks
Andrew offered to loan me one but it would take some serious time and I would want to tube roll as well.
I heard its a fantastic Amp but I gotta pass just for lack of time.
That’s my current desktop setup - J3 and Sparkos Gemini Amp. Covers all my bases - excellent excellent sound.
Do you know if there's a big enough difference in sound between the Sparkos SS3602 and SS2590 by any chance?
I've got both and tried on each output; RCA and XLR. And there is enough difference to warrant the purchase. It's not super massive but if you have the money it's worth it.
More about the slightly more open bigger stage and the tip end has more detail for me on the SS2590 but not massive difference but enough to go yeah that's nice!
@@malintha.leanageInteresting! I currently have the Mk1 version of the SMSL VMV D1SE as my only DAC and I'd be curious to see if this J3 would be a worthy competitor to it.
So you said the j3 sounds a bit warmer? So if you already have a somewhat warm sounding speaker then this wouldn’t be good I’m thinking. Do you have any thoughts on that? Right now I have the j2 socketed with 4499 and sparkos 3602. I really like the looks of the j3 but don’t want to waste any money if it’s on the warm side.
Good points. I'm going with the J3 because I didn't take the hint and opted for the 4493 chip.
That J3 is going to allow me the 4499 chip plus op amp options to include 2590 and apparently now STACCATO.
I believe the op amps will keep me happy for future upgrades.
Hi TDM, wondering did you use IEMs or headphones or speakers for your sound impressions.
I used the Cantor, Omega, a few other IEMS and my only set of headphones the HiFiMan 400i sorry I should have said that.
WHY NOT JUST CALL THE DAC J3 SPARKOS...SEEMS LIKE THE SPARKOS IS WHAT DEFINES THE J3
Not it all the J3 is fantastic as is, the OP Amps just take it the next level- for those who chase butterflies!
all sources should be as neutral as possible; you add "color/warmth" with your preamp
We have a new project, how do I go about contacting you? I'm sorry I forgot your e-mail before.
tonedeafmonk.audioreviews@gmail.com