Geshelli Erish 3 Pro – Amazing Drive and Clarity

Given the lack of time to write long and detailed reviews while maintaining my YouTube channel at the same time, I have fallen behind on the website schedule. So I’ve decided to make my written reviews as short as possible. No long intros, specs tables, and long talks about features. Here I’ll focus on the most important thing – pure sound talk with some comparisons. At least until it catches up with the YouTube channel.

Geshelli Labs is a relatively new name on the market, but I was positively surprised by their J2S DAC I reviewed earlier. Ladies and gentlemen from Geshelli Labs have seen my review and my love for their product, so they offered to send their flagship headphone amplifier – Geshelli Erish 3 Pro.

Just like it was the case with the DAC, Erish 3 also has this almost Do It Yourself feel when it comes to looks and build. Some people like it, some don’t, but I may be a bit biased here since they actually put an effort to assemble one using two iiWi-reviews colors, which put a smile on my face.

But moving to a more practical matter. This is a straightforward headphone amplifier with an ON/OFF button, gain select, and LED color select. Analog inputs are balanced XLRs; there are pre-outs on the back, too, and balanced XLR headphone output in front. Nowadays, I’ve got used to seeing a richer selection of headphone outputs, with two or even three different types of connectors. Geshelli decided to keep it simple here, so be prepared to shop for an XLR cable if your favorite headphones don’t come with one.

Sound

Let’s start by saying that this is a powerful amplifier with up to two watts of power per channel. And you can hear that. Dynamics and control are great, and no matter what headphones I used, I never felt Erish 3 was losing control. Bassline is present and bold, but even more importantly, it’s handled with great speed and precision. It doesn’t just thump, it plays the tunes it is given in a very nimble and accurate manner. Midrange is not any less competent and once again offers exceptional clarity and tidy, focused notes. Highest frequencies are well extended, clean, and with a touch of brilliance that is seductive. Their natural tone is never questioned since they remain very fluid and coherent at all times. This is not something that is often found, not only in this price range but even in the higher ones.

Soundstage is not the biggest one, but it’s still very spacious nonetheless. What’s even more important is how dark the background is, and how skillfully everything is pinpointed and separated. This creates a great virtual three-dimensional space around your head that is always neatly organised.

Finally, let’s talk about dynamics one more time. This is a lively-sounding amplifier, but not the kind that will emphasize slam and kick in a brute or splashy way. Instead, it offers speed, nimblness, and control that many amps would be jealous of. It is as fast-paced as one could hope for, which makes for a great temporal resolution, leading to a fast-paced and engaging sound.

Comparisons

Topping A70 Pro is a powerhouse with more outputs and features, but it can’t fully match Erish 3 Pro’s performance. Geshelli’s amplifier is more nimble, precise, layers better, and offers more fluidity in the highest frequencies.

Aune S17 Pro is a class A beast that once again offers better connectivity and build, but it is much bigger and runs much hotter. These two amps both have their strong suits. Aune sounds warmer with a richer inner tone texture. It creates a bit bigger soundstage but with more diffused tones. Erish 3 Pro is quicker on its feet, more precise, a bit cooler sounding, and closer to neutral, with less air in the highs but more brilliance. Both are fantastic, don’t make me choose.

Conclusion

Geshelli Labs proved that J2S DAC was not a fluke, and that Erish 3 Pro is an equally capable amplifier. These two pieces fit great together, by the way, both visually and tonally. Yes, the overall build and looks leave something to be desired, but once you hear them sing, I believe you’ll quickly forget all about it.