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It's h-e-r-e

173.254.204.203

The Geshelli J3 arrived yesterday and got hooked up immediately. The first question was whether it would be a better DAC than the resident one in the Rotel CD11. It was clearly superior. That was a relief because it eliminated the idea of returning it.

I am not much of a reviewer but here are my initial impressions. Currently it has the stock TI OPA1656 opamp installed. Even with that modest chip the soundstage is wider and higher. There is an overall improvement in clarity. The bass is definitely more detailed. The bass violins sound much more like bass violins, not just something that adds bass notes. The highs are also more detailed. Bells and triangles have more ring to them.

The improvement in sound certainly validated the $529.98 expenditure. It is a welcome addition to my sound system.

Soon the Sparkos 2590 opamps will be installed. Every reviewer I've heard says that the Sparkos tranforms the J3, taking it to a much higher level.

I want to listen to the TI opamps long enough to get adjusted to the sound so that when the Sparkos go in, any significant differences will be clear.

And then, of course, there will be the swapping of digital cables. There are three available right now and a fourth will be ordered shortly.

Nothing like an improvement in gear to get me back in the listening chair more often.

More to follow when the Sparkos get installed.

Follow Ups:

Always a fun experience - E-Stat 15:19:02 11/01/24 (0)
when you introduce a new component with more transparency that allows you to revisit your music library.

While I used Burson discretes years ago (likely choose Sparkos today), I detailed a similar experience with a DAC where I noted the differences.

Primary system DAC already uses discrete JFETs in a balanced configuration that doesn't require "correction" for linear operation.
- My journey (Open in New Window)
RE: It's h-e-r-e - AbeCollins 13:05:30 11/01/24 (1)
Glad that you are sufficiently impressed with the new DAC so it wasn't just a side-ways move. Looking forward to your upcoming stock TI OPA1656 vs Sparkos comparison. I'm not familiar. Does Sparkos have different models?
- Sparkos options - psgary 11:43:20 11/08/24 (0)
  The good thing about Geshelli is their options to customize.
  
  The RCA op amp options are:
  
  Sparkos SS3602
  Burson 7 Vivid Pro
  Burson 7 Classic Pro
  Burson V5i
  
  Upgrades range from $35 to $89.
  
  The Sparkos 2590s are not an option listed on the website. Geshelli sells them ($126) but since they can't be installed during production, they have to be ordered separately and installed by the purchaser. The reason being that due to the size of the 2590s, they fall out during shipping. Sherri Geshelli noted they learned that through painful experience.
  
  The Sparkos still aren't in the system yet. I want to do some cable switching first. Plus, since I much prefer listening after the sun goes down, I have a propensity these days for falling asleep while listening, or sometimes before even getting to it. That slows down any evaluation considerably. I'm working on staying awake.

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