R2R next? Don't like ESS

Geshelli J2 has option of AKM 4493 or 4499, I was just on the site the other daylooking into it and again just now.

The J3 has the AKM 4499 listed as the DAC, looking  into that as well.

I currently have a Topping V70 Velvet with the 4499EX, not sure I can really warrant spending more on a Sparkos chipped J3

Rick

op

your findings are bizarre Ess chips  are considered very transparent however the Ess dacs you tried wer not using their highest performing dacs which are the 9038pro  series 

theES9038Q2M is an older and less capable chip which doesn't represent the best Ess does the older dac is a two channel dac the 9038 pro has eight channels most companies employ all eight channels to lower distortion with the 9038 pro

by the way many of the worlds best dacs use the 9038pro: lumin ideon weiss all use this chip and all of these companies products are considered superb

one could also wonder how you are feeding your dac?

most of these dacs sound best playing high res via USB  and not through spdif the source feeding the dac is also extremely important.

if you want transparency look at chord.

Dave and Troy

audio intellect NJ

digital specialists

Look for a nice used MHDT DAC like the Orchard or Stockholm. R2R NOS Tube output

While I am glad you are using listening techniques to make your decision, your premise is incorrect IMHO.  The processing technology alone does not dictate SQ but rather the design intent of the engineering team, especially the combination of the processing technology and output technology.  While outside of your price point, I will give you four examples from my personal experience in choosing my DAC.  Each has different  processing/output technology  - the Mola Mola Tambaqui (proprietary/SS), the Bricasti M1 (switchable chip or ladder/SS, the AR DAC9 (chip/tube), and the DCS Bartok (ladder/SS).  Each is near world class in its own right.   Each has similar SQ attributes while sounding different at the same time (further elaboration is another discussion).  The point is ESS chips implemented in quality designs sound great and some ladder processors in inferior designs do not.  I had a Wyred ESS design for years that had the clarity you seek, sounding “analogue” like.  
+1 @ghdprentice   and though I hate to say it ​@audiotroy.  At your price point it is difficult to get what I describe and what you seek.  I personally recommend you seek a preowned retail $3-5k DAC regardless of the processing technology.  Preowned DACs usually sell for 25-40% of retail. 

Switched from the Benchmark DAC3 with ESS to the MSB Discrete DAC R2R. Difference is night and day. Smooth, liquid analog like. No Digital characteristics.