Glad to see you were finally able to get the SS2590s. Geshelli deserves much credit for listening to consumers and redesigning their platform to more easily fit these big op amps (it was tricky in the J2S). The J2S/J3 platform with AK 4499EX and SS2590s has set a high bar for sonic performance attainable for under $1k USD invested.
Hey just FYI, the SS2590 Op-Amps do fit in the J2S. There are forum threads showing you how to fit them using dip-8 extenders. They fit pretty good for a DAC that wasn't designed for the larger Op-Amps. Also, I have the AK4499 J2S with two SS2590s Op-Amps installed in a larger wooden case (as opposed to the aluminum case) to make it even easier to fit them inside. It's possible. Edit: Burson Audio 35mm Extension Lead x2
Yes, that's true. I just try to keep my content geared to the average buyer/user and not as much for those who are looking to do significant tweaking and adapting (unless I'm making a specific video on that sort of topic, of course).
They can be fitted to the XLR outputs as well, but it requires a DIP8 socket adapter to raise the height of the one closest to the jack and a DIP8 extender for the other.
@@TheodoreBreaux Yes, but I found the unit to run a bit warmer than normal. I haven't talked to Geno about it but I will see him in a couple of weeks and will ask.
I was one of the first people to get the Geshelli J3, I originally ordered it with Sparkos SS3602 opamps but after the first month of listening I decided to upgrade to their SS2590 pro discrete opamps. In my system it made a big difference especially with bass texture, dynamics & detail. I’m totally happy with the J3 with the new opamps. I agree with everything in your review including the thought process of going even bigger with the Dayzee. I just couldn’t justify the additional investment and couldn’t be happier to have gone with the J3.
I have the J2 S and upgraded to Burson v7 vivid on my RCA last month. What an improvement. Apparently Gino is evaluating the Staccato op amps and if they fit, I'm going for that to roll. I just love everyone at Geshelli Labs as they are honest and super helpful.
The only rolling that I do is when I sit in my car facing downhill with the hand brake off. Smooth, silent, cost effective, highly efficient and as good as anything else on the market for completing the task. 😊😊😊
@@BobbyBass-x6i Hi and thanks! I have had the Chord Qutest for 6 years, but sold it recently and just ordered the Cyan 2. I was very happy with the Qutest, but I think the Cyan is somewhat better. I also included a Synergistic Research Pink fuse. They say, than it will even sound better.
Great review. The J3 was at the top of my list if I were in the market for a DAC. I would get it over the Dayzee for several reasons. The dual mono design of the Dayzee is technically better, but I question whether it is audibly better. If it is audibly better, I think a really high resolution system would be required to hear the difference and I’m not sure I have that kind of system. Finally, with the J3, I can upgrade the outputs I’m using, single ended or balanced. With the Dayzee, all 8 channels have to be the same which makes op amp swapping VERY expensive. For a cost no object systems, the Dayzee would be the call. For everyone else, I think we would be just fine with the J3.
As if tube-rolling wasn't enough. Now I "have" to roll op-amps? I suppose it's nice to have options but I can tell y'all, looking at the boxes (and I mean BOXES) of tubes I have just behind me, I think I'll stick to one rabbit hole. I don't need another one. The warren is crowded enough. The clutter you see isn't only physical. It's mental and financial. I'm looking to upgrade from my OG Topping D70 (dual AKM 4497 pre-factory fire) to a better AKM 4499EXEQ fully balanced DAC and an R2R ladder DAC. I'm willing to take the gamble that I drop ca USD 1500 for an AKM 4499 and don't hear a damn bit of difference compared to my Topping D70. If so, lesson learned. An R2R DAC is more compelling. This future R2R DAC may cost me more than the future delta-sigma DAC, cognizant that production is more costly. An apples to apples DS vs R2R probably means that a DS á USD 1500 equals an R2R that is USD 2000 - USD 3000. Ish. Then there's tube DACs. Not as common as the other two types but I can assure you that if you show me the tube DAC then I have the tubes to roll it with somewhere here in the warren. I got tubes coming out my azz. Used, NOS, common tubes, rare tubes, expensive tubes, cheap tubes. Tubes that are way too big but look cool. Tubes I need. Tubes I will need... maybe. Tubes I'll never need. There should be a warning label on vacuum tube audio kit similar to those ominous warnings found on maps of yore. "There be tubes!" Maybe don't go there.
I understand where you're coming from, Willie. I don't really recommend regular rolling of op-amps so much as finding the best set you can and sticking with them. There's generally a clear line of performance with op-amps so you can safely say the X is better than Y whereas with tubes, so much is about preference. With the J3, I'd just recommend getting it with the 2590 op-amps and forgetting about it after that...
great review. imho, the only thing that's a competitive issue with this dac is the fact there is no pre-amp functionality with variable output. the source selection (with USB card) is fine. this leaves this as an outstanding dac for a legacy system (you can even put it in a "tape in/out" with a premier receiver). but my primary application for my desktop is more "future-fi", so the Eversolo's and the Cambridge Audio's combine the dac with streamers and gain controls for the self powered monitors i use. for my hi-fi though, this is a big winner and if the modded J3 sounds even slightly close to the Dayzee it's a slamdunk for less money than i was expecting to spend updating my 10 year old dac.
Yes, having preamp controls would be nice, but would result in a larger and more expensive DAC. If you're running something like an EverSolo DMP-A6, you could always run the output from that to the J3 and use the volume control on the EverSolo.
Hello Larchan - Does the J3 require one 2590 for each of the balance channels and a pair 2590s, stacked for the mono outputs? How is the mono vs the balance output sounds, I have a Schiit Lyr 3. I wish Geshelli would give up the TOSLINK & SPDIF input connections in the front (as no one seems to need them there) and add a I2S connection in the back. Is the J3 balanced section truly a duel mono design? How the the J3 with the 2590 sound vs the Holo Cyan 2?
The front inputs was one of the reasons I had bought a J2S from them 😅 It's a great convenience feature for things that won't be plugged in all the time. With regards to the opamps, the XLR will require two stacked pairs. And a single stacked pair for RCA as you have already said. So all of the slots on the J3 (and J2S) require a dual opamp.
I'm also wondering about the Holo Audio Cyan 2 R2R NOS DAC. I'm looking at getting something below $2k and I'm struggling to decide between the Cyan 2 at around $1200 or this at $850.
Nice review.....and very bad annoying background music which makes it hard to listen... especially for elderly people..😊 Why do so many RU-vidrs think that this is professionel? Background music is fine...but not when you are talking to us....thank you ! 😁
I click though the link in your own notes, and while you talk about SS2590 op amps, they are NOT an option. The Sparkos op amp option is the SS3602. How does that compare to the ones your talking about? So what does that mean?
Lachlan has covered the SS3602 before and concluded it's a good opamp but a tier below the V7 Vivid/Classic. I believe Geshelli want customers to buy/fit the SS2590 themselves as I think they shipped some dacs with them installed but had come loose (or fell out completely) when it arrived to the customers due to the extra size and weight of them. Geshelli could likely provide the SS2590 for you if you email them like Lachlan said, but I think they would still want you to install them yourself when the DAC arrives.
