Geshelli Labs J2S w/ AKM 4499 DAC Review - New Chip, New USB, Same Excellence

Thanks to Geshelli Labs for the loan of J2S 4499!

**The cheaper SGC LPS can be adjusted up to 12V but you need a DMM to measure it...for advanced users only.

My Reviews of Some Mentioned Gear...

Timestamps...

00:00 Intro & Disclaimer
01:56 Shameless Self Promotion
02:28 Pricing
04:38 Opamp Options
05:49 Build & Aesthetic
06:30 Test Gear
07:55 New USB Module's Performance
14:14 Sound w/ TI OPA1656
19:05 Sound w/ Sparkos SS3602
21:08 Sound w/ a LPS
23:30 Comparison with 4493 Variant
25:40 Comparison with Schiit Bifrost 2/64
29:55 Balanced vs Single-Ended Outputs
31:43 Final Thoughts

[russellnedland]

A Sparkos SS2590 pro op amp will fit in the single ended side of a this dac and really closes the gap between single and balanced. A huge improvement.

[brianmiller]

Upgrading the power supply to an IFI X power 12v made a pretty big improvement in sound.

[TheFrugalAudiophile]

I really like my J2S! I went with the AKM4499 DAC and Burson op amp upgrades. I did not include USB on mine because I am using it in a stereo system that does not have a computer. I basically did mine in a blacked out version because the rest of my gear is black. I chose the black aluminum casing with the smoked acrylic front and back panels. It came out really nice!

[Mugway]

I've been running the J2S 4499 w/sparkos op amp with the Aune S17 Pro for over a year now. The DCA E3 are my go to headphones. I'm happy to say I have completed my audio journey. I am satisfied with everything.

[mnmlist]

Another awesome review as always. Thank you. How would you compare this to a entry level R2R dac like maybe a Ares or Musician Draco or even the Fiio K11 ?

[TriAmpHiFi]

Fiber Optic USB is available
Stop PC noise to DAC? There's 10-gig Fiber Optic (not spdif toslink) USB connection & cables available now that uses SFP modules & LC to LC cable.
Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊

[Jamie-]

Do you game on your PC? If so, maybe do a video on your recommendations?

[masterazlan]

U should brought geshelli dayzee bra not this...ha4..Peace!

[marcopignone]

The Bifrost 2/64 is amazing...except... the highs are oddly rolled off in my system. It's pretty extreme. Aside from that it's phenomenal.

[brianmiller]

Anyone going to SoCal CanJam this weekend?

[deltak]

Another nice thorough review, thanks.

[cau]

Thank you for the video. Maybe it's just me (new to the game but loving/listening to music for 30 something odd years), I find so many variable in the chain including Singxer-SU-6 digital interface, Sonore Rendu, external power power supply, Geshelli new DAC, OP amp/new USB, etc....how much of each component affects the sound individually and compounding.

[officialMainspring]

I still own the original Jnog and love it. Still sounds great, no issues. Very well made unit. I asked for bit more flakes in the paint on mine and they delivered. Geshilli are great people to work with.

[carlabudephane]

I of course understand the whole 'there's nothing new these days' conversation, but there is actually lots of new stuff, and good stuff, coming out year-on-year. There have been a lot of cool horror/dark thrillers that have come out over recent years. One just has to be aware, through whatever means, of them.

[AudioPhile-lg]

Wow, this is just great. I listen to this channel every day and I love it! keep it up Dr. Wave!!

[aldepal]

how bout using power banks to power the DAC? No idea if they make 12v banks tho

[crate]

I have the usb from Geshelli and never got any noice what so ever. I have a gaming pc and i also utilize both balance and rca

[janwillemkuilenburg]

Did you have a chance to test the Sparkos 2590, comparing it to the 3602?

[johnrus]

If something is galvanicly isolated no noise should get through.

There is 3 possible ways sound would change, that I can think of off the top of my head. Probably more if I sat down and thought about it.

1.
It's not truly isolated and some noise is getting through

2.
The DAC the way it implements USB is different than Optical or other connections.

3.
I doubt this is the case, but if it is getting clock timing from the source rather than using the internal clock

But in theory, a high quality DAC will sound the same regardless of the connection and is properly isolated for noise and not using the clock timings from the source. It would not matter where you got the files. The same 1's and 0's are getting to the DAC. It's a matter of implementation to eliminate other external factors affecting sound.

But obviously that's not the case with these more value based DAC's.

[ReverendDr.Thomas]

Professor, thank you for another wonderful digital to analog converter review! 👌

Reverend Dr. Thomas,
✝️ The Vegan Vicar 🌱