ProudArmyBra
Active Member
So since my WiiM Pro Plus is my first streamer and DAC I had to see what a non Chinese designed and manufactured dedicated DAC might sound like. It uses the AKM4493.
I have been super satisfied with the performance of my WiiM Pro Plus. I compared it to my Emotiva TA1 with it's AD1955 DAC and compared it to the Wolfson DAC in my Onkyo 7030 CD player.
So I really wanted to get a Geshelli Labs JNOG2 J2S socketed so I could compare one AKM4493 Chi-Fi device against an American AKM4493 device. The $259 price point on the J2S "S" standing for socketed which is $10 more than the base model to allow you to easily roll opamps. I was not concerned about being able to run crazy powerful opamps my smaller opamps would have been fine.
I ended up getting the Geshelli Labs JNOG3 J3 which only comes socketed. It has a better user interface. It has a beefier power supply and voltage regulators for your high current big boy opamps. It has enough space between the opamp sockets to allow you to fit 3 Sparkos SS2905 Dual Pro Dip 8 opamps. It has the newer AKM4499 Multi-Bit hybrid switched capacitor DAC chip set. The case is taller as well to give more room for future opamp designs.
Why? Well the main selling point for me was the fact that it will fit my largest most powerful opamps in every position with no need to jump through hoops and it's beefier internal voltage regulators! The newer AKM4499 chip set was initially a negative in my book because I already know I like the AKM4493 and I wanted to ABX! That said after a few days I caved decided to pull the trigger on the J3.
I think Geshelli Labs is established enough to not question the credibaility of their ability to design and build world class DAC and other audio gear. Enough reviews have been done that we know it is a solid product. That does not mean I will like it or that you will like it.
I think that the chipset, ability to roll in the largest and hotest opamps, and build quality are such that it should be future proof for at least a decade. The price point of $529 to $600 is reasonable for what you are getting in the J3. Sure there are other units rocking the AKM4499 with more features not that much more expensive or the same price but I do not think any of those can handle the SS2950 opamp. I like that it is American made and family owned and operated.
I also wanted to hear the "Geshelli Sound" people seem to either absolutely love the Geshelli sound or they hate it! Sadly while I can still A-B it against my WiiM Pro Plus but since the chipset is different I wont know if it is the chip set or the design or both.
I never thought I would be purchasing another DAC so soon. I do not need it I just want to see if I can hear the difference! Every review I have heard for the J3 and the Dayzee all coment on the breadth and depth of the sound stage over and over again! They all claim that the lows and mids are very powerful, tight and clean.
I have been super satisfied with the performance of my WiiM Pro Plus. I compared it to my Emotiva TA1 with it's AD1955 DAC and compared it to the Wolfson DAC in my Onkyo 7030 CD player.
So I really wanted to get a Geshelli Labs JNOG2 J2S socketed so I could compare one AKM4493 Chi-Fi device against an American AKM4493 device. The $259 price point on the J2S "S" standing for socketed which is $10 more than the base model to allow you to easily roll opamps. I was not concerned about being able to run crazy powerful opamps my smaller opamps would have been fine.
I ended up getting the Geshelli Labs JNOG3 J3 which only comes socketed. It has a better user interface. It has a beefier power supply and voltage regulators for your high current big boy opamps. It has enough space between the opamp sockets to allow you to fit 3 Sparkos SS2905 Dual Pro Dip 8 opamps. It has the newer AKM4499 Multi-Bit hybrid switched capacitor DAC chip set. The case is taller as well to give more room for future opamp designs.
Why? Well the main selling point for me was the fact that it will fit my largest most powerful opamps in every position with no need to jump through hoops and it's beefier internal voltage regulators! The newer AKM4499 chip set was initially a negative in my book because I already know I like the AKM4493 and I wanted to ABX! That said after a few days I caved decided to pull the trigger on the J3.
I think Geshelli Labs is established enough to not question the credibaility of their ability to design and build world class DAC and other audio gear. Enough reviews have been done that we know it is a solid product. That does not mean I will like it or that you will like it.
I think that the chipset, ability to roll in the largest and hotest opamps, and build quality are such that it should be future proof for at least a decade. The price point of $529 to $600 is reasonable for what you are getting in the J3. Sure there are other units rocking the AKM4499 with more features not that much more expensive or the same price but I do not think any of those can handle the SS2950 opamp. I like that it is American made and family owned and operated.
I also wanted to hear the "Geshelli Sound" people seem to either absolutely love the Geshelli sound or they hate it! Sadly while I can still A-B it against my WiiM Pro Plus but since the chipset is different I wont know if it is the chip set or the design or both.
I never thought I would be purchasing another DAC so soon. I do not need it I just want to see if I can hear the difference! Every review I have heard for the J3 and the Dayzee all coment on the breadth and depth of the sound stage over and over again! They all claim that the lows and mids are very powerful, tight and clean.
