Hi Barry... I hadn't seen the ASR info but it wouldn't have made any difference to the decision to purchase. Every now and again, I take a peek at the ASR site for mild entertainment but I have this novel approach to hi-fi components: listening to music, not lab results / numbers
To balance the books, here's a link to an entirely subjective (and very positive) review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USbDI8OQP7s
The reviewer won't be everybody's cup of tea and, sometimes, I find him plain irritating. But, every now and again, something grabs my interest as was so for the J2.
Other online written reviews / user comments are mostly positive in terms of SQ but, as I have long since learnt, it's usually down to personal preference when it comes to audio character.
If I followed ASR as the sole basis for purchases, much of my setup would be regarded as distinctly less-than-great. However, the setup has been steady for a whole year and there is no inclination to make major changes. The J2 purchase is a one-off experiment - I will be truly astonished if it competes with the Pontus II despite the YT reviewer's enthusiasm for the J2. There is space in my second system for the J2, so it won't be a waste. If I don't like it, it should sell reasonably easily.
Whatever anyone's setup, happy listening all.