High End Audio Just Got Destroyed by the Geshelli Labs J2 AKM 4499

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0:00 Start
0:32 Intro
2:28 Sponsored Content
3:53 Partnering Equipment
5:17 The Chipset
6:37 Current Based
7:34 Op Amps
8:39 Which Op Amp?
11:08 4493 vs 4499
12:42 Final Thoughts

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[cheapaudioman]

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[earthoid]

Too late Randy. I just spent the budget on an Ares 12th-1 DAC (also under $1, 000) so I'm going to have to assume (for my mental well being) that the Ares is much better than the new Geshelli. In fact I'm going to have to deny that I ever watched this video.

[ordinaryjoe]

I don't doubt that it sounds as good as you say that it does. But at a total cost of almost $670, to say that "high-end just got destroyed by" is like saying that one Bentley just destroyed another one. With a base price of $260, the cost of the options are more than 1.5x the base price. As others have pointed out, at that price it sounds like it's time to start comparing it to other $700 DACs, not $200 or $300 DACs.

[TheodoreBreaux]

A month ago I sent my J2 AKM 4493 to Geshelli to be upgraded to the J2S board with AKM 4499EX and Sparkos SS3602 on the XLR output. The cost was akin to buying another J2, but it proved to be a no brainer. The results are easily worth it. Anyone with a decent system who knows the J2 well will hear the improvement in soundstage depth and dynamics within the first minute. This is a stellar product made by stellar people.

[irisfinchmusic]

The Orchard Audio PecanPi+ uses these same AKM chips:
(AKM) flagship AK4499EXEQ combined with AK4191EQ

It's got a good clock: Crystek CCHD-575 oscillator

The PecanPI+ comes packaged with a streamer and headphone amplifier for $800.
I don't know if one can change op-amps - it comes with TI op-amps.

I've heard it's really good. (IIWI channel gave it a detailed review, with lots of comparisons)

[dimitriskontos]

Hi Randy. How the full loaded J2 compares to the Denafrips Ares II ? They are a bit closer in their price now, so a comparison of them makes sense... What are your thoughts about them ? Thanks a lot...!!!

[landosazo]

by the way Sir cheapaudioman...the J2 upgraded to the hilt is no match to the $599 Rose Technics RT500 that just came out with built in headphone amp...your review of the Rose Technics RT500 is greatly anticipated

[skjlion]

I know in a previous video you noted jnog2 was not that different from a denafrips ares. How would the 4499 compare to the ares? As i currently use the ares 12th

[rodross]

Careful Randy it’s a slippery slope, there is a lot more information contained in both digital and analog that can be drawn out but as I found out that’s when it starts becoming addictive and expensive 😂😂
The standard of kit for the money a the low to mid end is exceptional nowadays, it’s just nice to see people enjoying their music 😁

[jackstraw]

I thought long and hard about getting the Geshelli loaded, went with a Bifrost 2/64 for the reason that it is modular, when they upgrade it I can buy just the upgrade parts and swap them myself. DACs and the tech changes too often and too fast for me to lock in on something. As far as I know Schiit and McIntosh on their integrated and pre-amps offer this. I’m sure there are others

[psyphonyxaudio]

I LOVE that DAC chip... That's what I always say about AKM ... 4499ex is really great.
... it is NOT the first to use it ... Topping E70 Velvet has had the 4499ex for a while... and a few others.
Randy, C'mon man. Don't be doing that.

Glad this one was a positive and emotional experience. That's a magical thing! =)

[bsail]

I got this dac with the sparkos 2 weeks ago. I was replacing the Saber version. I was worried that I wouldn't hear much of difference, but ended up having the same reaction Randy did. One additional thing I noticed was even older poorly recorded tracs sounded significantly better. No regrets on the purchase. Also highly recommend

[rapier]

I winced when I saw "destroyed". I am a grumpy old grandpa and maybe I am the only one who cares but destroy is an ugly word and evidently 90% of monetized channels use it. So maybe, don't.

[tonep]

They give you a fully stacked up product for free, and even put your logo on them, making it obvious that you get to keep the unit, then we have to watch a sponsor advert too, then affiliate links, then Patrao, then coffee…. Jeez. I assume nearly everything you review is given to you to keep? I don’t think this channel is for me. Is certainly not cheap, and you simply cannot say the reviews are unbiased, even if money does not change hands.

[beaverish]

I would rather get a Schiit Bifrost 2 at this price range.

[keith]

Randy, You failed to mention if you used the rca or the balanced outputs during testing. Is there a difference in sound?

[Markd]

SMSL recently released the D0300EX, which is another AK4499EX + AK4191 chip DAC. No idea how it sounds, but features wise it is really rich, has a headphone amplifier, i2s input, bluetooth capability, pre-amp function, remote control, MQA, and it has a screen. Basically everything you would ever need in a DAC unit. It costs $469 so even less expensive than the J2 with AK4499EX with the lowest cost options.

[yayhoo]

Do they have a bedazzled option? That would be pretty cool.

[PhillioDoede]

Would be interesting to get mini roundup of 'budget' high-end DACs. This compared with the Bifrost 2 64, and Denafrips maybe.

[Photoboy]

Sound stage freak here. Looks like I’ll be shipping my J2 AKM back for a few upgrades once they are able to do upgrades. Thanks for the great descriptions.