Geshelli JNOG2 Review (Balanced DAC)

[Ted B]

Truth

False, patently so.

 

[TrustMeItFitz]

Truth

Test Burson V7V against Burson V7C against Sparkos 3602 against Sparkos SS2590 and tell me (honestly) that you don't hear a different tone and soundstage. I have the J2S with the 4499 chip. I have cycled all 4 of the op amps above through my J2S. I used each for a minimum of 2 weeks before changing to another.

I very much liked the Burson V7V and certainly preferred the Burson V7V over the Sparkos 3602 that came installed. I didn't care for the V7C. However, the SS2590 took this DAC to another level. The dynamics, attack, separation, and soundstage all improved from acceptable or good to excellent. For hard rock and metal (my preference) the SS2590 was easily the best sounding.

I think the ability to easily change op amps puts The Geshelli Labs above comparable SMSL and Topping offerings. I donated my SMSL to a family member after I heard this J2S with The SS2590. The J2S with 4499 chip and SS2590 op amp continues to impress me every time I listen to it.

 

[Veri]

Test Burson V7V against Burson V7C against Sparkos 3602 against Sparkos SS2590 and tell me (honestly) that you don't hear a different tone and soundstage.

I take it you have heard about bias?

 

[Ted B]

I take it you have heard about bias?

Inherent bias cannot explain for example, why I am able differentiate Ti OPA1656, Burson V7V, and Sparkos SS2590 on the output stage of a Geshelli J2S DAC in a matter of seconds with a familiar system and material in a blind test. I wish I could attribute this to a special extrasensory perception that I could eventually harness to win the lottery, but others keep reporting strikingly similar observations for the same respective devices. Either we are all sharing the exact same hallucination or these differences are both real and consistent.

My assessment is like different vacuum tubes, different op amp designs in sensitive audio circuit positions can influence sound in ways that are audible and interesting. The good news is anyone in doubt (like I once was) is free to perform their own testing and reach their own conclusions.

 

[redeyes]

i can too fwiw. ss2590 ftw

i made that j2 sparkos happen. By that I mean I had the first prototype made and still own it. I then hooked up Sparkos with Geshelli and the rest is history. So really I didn't do that much other than spent a bunch of money and then hype it. Oh and I talked with both companies at length and worked out some details. I also begged Sparkos to make adapters for the SS2590 for a dip 8 socket years ago. Then bought the first ones they made. It's been a total pleasure working with both companies for real.

I also have a modified A3 Pro which is run entirely by sparkos. Single ended amp. I removed the protection caps from the circut so the analog out is completely naked running from the sparkos and therefor a bit dangerous in case things go wrong. Only way to fly.

 

[Veri]

My assessment is like different vacuum tubes, different op amp designs in sensitive audio circuit positions can influence sound in ways that are audible and interesting. The good news is anyone in doubt (like I once was) is free to perform their own testing and reach their own conclusions.

As much as your personal anecdotes and opinions go, this is still audio science and not head-fi, these last pages is much less "science" and much more "I hear what I hear",
which (IMO) is not the place, really.

Discrete OpAmp Review: Sonic Imagery vs Sparkos

Recently I reviewed the Nord Three SE 1ET400A Dual Mono Stereo Amplifier. That unit came with the Sonic Imagery's 990ENH discrete operational amplifier ("opamp") in the buffer stage (pre-amplifier). The owner then ordered a set of Sparkos Pro SS2590 discrete opamps. This gave me a chance to...

www.audiosciencereview.com

op-amp rolling has in fact been tested, what matters most is the circuit and without some electrical engineering knowledge as well as design knowledge, you are really just rolling dice. The original design is usually optimized for cost/efficiency, maybe you can get some marginal beter performance placing a more costly and better performing op-amp, but without some back and forth and validation, who knows? You're really just shooting in the dark. Besides, most of this burson, sparkos etc stuff is really just convincing you of "discrete" is better. For some reason, "just use your ears".

Again. Not very scientific. More like hocus pocus. End of rant, enjoy your gear; just think about it.

 

[Ted B]

As much as your personal anecdotes and opinions go, this is still audio science and not head-fi, these last pages is much less "science" and much more "I hear what I hear",
which (IMO) is not the place, really.

In post #8 of the discrete op amp discussion you provided, Amir plainly states, "We are actually (about subjective impressions). It is just that the subjective testing needs to be controlled and be within the cycle of our short-term memory."

For anyone curious as to if the differences between various op amps are audible in, for example, the input buffer of an audio amplifier, using the same system, same content, same everything except the op amp, with all test clips being accessible within the cycle of one's short term memory, here is just one such test posted to YouTube: 10 Op Amps Tested . In this format, the viewer can toggle back and forth between different op amps and reach their own conclusions. Obviously, this is best observed through a good audio system. To get around the YT audio compression, provided in the text is a direct download link to a 6 GB higher resolution version of the same video for those so inclined.

 

[yakaki_]

A little bit off-topic
When a DAC does not have a 12v trigger input, in a case like with the Geshelli, can I leave it on all the time and only connect my streamer's trigger to the amp's trigger?

 

[Jimster480]

A little bit off-topic
When a DAC does not have a 12v trigger input, in a case like with the Geshelli, can I leave it on all the time and only connect my streamer's trigger to the amp's trigger?

You should be able to leave it on all the time

 

[MaxBuck]

Test Burson V7V against Burson V7C against Sparkos 3602 against Sparkos SS2590 and tell me (honestly) that you don't hear a different tone and soundstage. I have the J2S with the 4499 chip. I have cycled all 4 of the op amps above through my J2S. I used each for a minimum of 2 weeks before changing to another.

I very much liked the Burson V7V and certainly preferred the Burson V7V over the Sparkos 3602 that came installed. I didn't care for the V7C. However, the SS2590 took this DAC to another level. The dynamics, attack, separation, and soundstage all improved from acceptable or good to excellent. For hard rock and metal (my preference) the SS2590 was easily the best sounding.

I think the ability to easily change op amps puts The Geshelli Labs above comparable SMSL and Topping offerings. I donated my SMSL to a family member after I heard this J2S with The SS2590. The J2S with 4499 chip and SS2590 op amp continues to impress me every time I listen to it.

Uh huh.

 

[vuittion]

My Topping E70 pisses all over this.

 

[Veri]

My Topping E70 pisses all over this.

better get that looked at!

 

[redeyes]

My Topping E70 pisses all over this.

Having heard both, no.

 

[vuittion]

It measures so much better in nearly every way.

 

[yakaki_]

It measures so much better in nearly every way.

Hello
I'm new here, I dont understand, have you heared it in comparison in your system?
edit: If yes, in what way is the e70 sounds better to you? soundstage? depth? clarity?