Gustard X20U?

**nc42acc** · February 11, 2016, 06:33 PM

Jack when will we get a report back on the Aqua? Heard many great things about this DAC.

**Randy Myers** · February 11, 2016, 06:45 PM

Thanks Jack, I had not hear about the new chip. I spoke with EJ for a bit today. That guys definitely knows his stuff. Obviously he was making the point that there are huge difference in the way that the chip is implemented, which I would very much agree with. Will have to try and remember to ask him about the new chip. I do know they are working on a new higher line of equipment that recently won best of show. Maybe a new DAC for that series? I saw a couple mock ups at the office. Nice looking stuff, can't wait to see some production units.

I can definitely say I don't know if I have ever seen equipment built more solid than W4S. Even though it pains me to say (being from Binghamton and all) but I would say that EJ and crew build equipment as well, if not even better than McIntosh. Obviously time will tell it it holds up over decades like Mc does.

**Jack** · February 11, 2016, 06:46 PM

Was supposed to have it today, but Fedex didn't show up at sellers business as scheduled so it looks like Saturday. Even though it is "broken in" I will let it cook a couple of days before I judge. Will use both AES and BNC inputs. Should be interesting against the LM with it's NOS Mullard and Raytheon tubes. Hopefully CD will give some more thoughts on the one he has been testing the last couple of weeks. I was going to wait up and buy a La Scala but my dealer, also CD's, encouraged me to try the La Voce and to buy the one another of his customers was selling who decided to stick with vinyl for now and bought a new VPI. Then I need to thin the herd some.

**Jack** · February 11, 2016, 06:49 PM

Randy

I think ESS has just announced the specs for the chip so far and it is not available for purchase yet. I suspect the first time we see it may be in a DAC from Resonessence Labs which is the sister company from ESS run by another brother.

**nc42acc** · February 11, 2016, 06:59 PM

Jack I think you will be right. I am sure Resonessence will want to be first to market with the 9038. One reason I will never drop big money on a DAC is the technology is moving at such a fast pace.

Originally Posted by Jack

Randy

I think ESS has just announced the specs for the chip so far and it is not available for purchase yet. I suspect the first time we see it may be in a DAC from Resonessence Labs which is the sister company from ESS run by another brother.

**Randy Myers** · February 11, 2016, 07:02 PM

I don't consider W4S dropping big money, but I agree. I could never (even if I could afford it which I can't) buy one of those mega buck ones.

**Jack** · February 11, 2016, 07:03 PM

I agree and with what I paid for the Aqua, if I don't love it I can let someone else try it out.

**nc42acc** · February 11, 2016, 07:07 PM

Randy when I say big money on a DAC I was talking about those that hit 5 digits. My Gustard makes me happy and I am still smiling when I listen so life is good.

**Randy Myers** · February 11, 2016, 07:34 PM

Totally agreed. I think the $1k +/- range is a solid range for a good DAC.

**Randy Myers** · February 11, 2016, 08:32 PM

After about 4-5 hours on it I can already see it smoothing out a bit. I am thinking this is because it is fully warmed up. The manual definitely indicates that while breaking in it needs to get up to temperature. After break in it does not sound like this is as important. Because of how the DAC and Pre-Amp work I will probably just leave them on.

**nc42acc** · February 11, 2016, 08:53 PM

Randy leave it cooking overnight and you should be listening through the weekend. I know my X20 finally settled in after about 2 weeks. Now I turn it on and within an hour it is golden. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the sound vs your Teac.

**Randy Myers** · February 11, 2016, 09:54 PM

Yea, I am leaving it cooking up in the loft while coming down to watch some TV with my lovely wife!!!

**Randy Myers** · February 12, 2016, 03:40 PM

Just read 6moons review of the DAC-1... wow....

"The W4S DAC 1 is the closest thing I’ve heard to master tape. "

The reviewers conclusion:
"

Wyred4Sound DAC 1. This is the final DAC. You need no other. This is the sound of the recordings you love. It too gets out of the way but even more so. Perhaps better internal parts make for its powerful presentation, richness, authority, cleanness and overwhelming detail retrieval. But it’s not 'detail', it’s not 'resolution'. It’s hyper reality of the kind the musician hears before his music is transformed from sweat and blood into product. I don’t understand how Wyred4 Sound managed but they’re holding up the bar mighty high while we enjoy the music.

"

**nc42acc** · February 12, 2016, 04:16 PM

Randy have you taken a quick listen yet to get a feel for how it sounds? I might look into buying one of the DSDe versions. Thanks

**Randy Myers** · February 12, 2016, 04:29 PM

I listened to a few songs last evening (after only a about maybe 8 hours burn in)... very open sounding, very tight bass... I really like what I am hearing so far... the changes remind me very much like the pre-amp improvements over the McIntosh... a little bright and a very tad harsh, both of which are expected and I fully expect them to smooth out as the pre-amp did. The breakin warning in the manual is the same in the Pre-Amp and the DAC.

**nc42acc** · February 12, 2016, 04:33 PM

Randy once you get all settled in you might want to experiment with power cables. They made a notable difference with my Gustard.

**ACHiPo** · February 12, 2016, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

Randy once you get all settled in you might want to experiment with power cables. They made a notable difference with my Gustard.

Which power cable? Inquiring minds...

**Randy Myers** · February 12, 2016, 04:46 PM

I current have some Wireworld power cables in use on both the pre-amp and the DAC. I have an Audioquest cable on the amplifier and I am using a W4S that came with the pre-amp on the REL. The DAC also came with the same high quality power cable, 14 AWG.... so I am using that on the Teac in my office for now.

Notice the WW and AQ power cables in this picture.

**nc42acc** · February 12, 2016, 04:47 PM

Evan right now I am using a fairly reasonably priced Pangea AC 9SE MKII. It has given a good balance so far. I have some Furutech cable coming next week for more DIY experiments.

**nc42acc** · February 12, 2016, 04:53 PM

Randy that is one neat wiring job in your rack. Impressive!!!!

**Randy Myers** · February 12, 2016, 05:11 PM

Thank you.... I am waiting for another short Wireworld USB cable to go from the Recovery to the DAC. Currently I have the standard USB going out of the unit to the DAC while I have the "purple" WW going from the Surface to the Recovery.

**Randy Myers** · February 12, 2016, 05:13 PM

opps... duplicate post

**ACHiPo** · February 12, 2016, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

Randy that is one neat wiring job in your rack. Impressive!!!!

+1!

**CPP** · February 12, 2016, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by ACHiPo

+1!

Nice job Randy on the wiring. My wife had better not see that wiring job

**Randy Myers** · February 12, 2016, 06:11 PM

Thank you...

Well the rack is basically open and glass.... there is one channel up the middle for "cable management" so without keeping all the wires tight and under control it would look bad....

**Randy Myers** · February 12, 2016, 08:29 PM

Well just sat down to check out the DAC. It has been cookin all day, probably has close to 24 hours on it.... It is really smoothing out already. Really clear, very open, very tight and controlled bottom end. Vocals are incredibly open and accurate. Sound stage is a whole other level.... Listening to Roger Waters now.... I am hearing things that I never heard before in this amazing recording.

Yes, you really need to get one of these!

Beautiful match for the pre-amp!

The slight harshness is already almost gone.... and dammmmmmmm.... I would believe this sucker with a nice DSD recording could hold its own against virtually any vinyl setup... it is that clear and musical.... simply wow and it is barely warmed up, not even close to being broke in.

I just put a DSD128 on... holy crap... I mean.... HOLY CRAP.... and it can do DSD256, if anything at that level is ever actually released....

**nc42acc** · February 12, 2016, 09:07 PM

Randy I love it!!! I can hear your enthusiasm clearly. Go to Native DSD and download a few of the free DSD256 files. Jaw dropping isn't it?

**Randy Myers** · February 12, 2016, 09:16 PM

I am listening to Lyn Stanley in DSD128 now.... DAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

**Randy Myers** · February 12, 2016, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

Randy I love it!!! I can hear your enthusiasm clearly. Go to Native DSD and download a few of the free DSD256 files. Jaw dropping isn't it?

My problem with sites like this is that I am out of my norm... I normally listen to rock, classic rock, been getting into jazz vocalist.... Holly Cole, Lyn Stanley, Patricia Barber, Norah Jones, Shelby Lynn, and other music that I have never listened to before such as Beck, etc. So when I get on a site like that I am lost. I know little to nothing about classical, never really enjoyed jazz until i recently discovered the jazz vocalist... I also did not see the DSD256 free or sample downloads on the site

....

**nc42acc** · February 12, 2016, 09:47 PM

I will find a few links and send to you via PM. There are few classical guitar artists that are great.

**Randy Myers** · February 12, 2016, 09:51 PM

Cool thx...

Photos inbound....

**Randy Myers** · February 12, 2016, 09:52 PM

New photos as requested

....

**nc42acc** · February 12, 2016, 09:58 PM

Fabulous setup and system Randy. The open area behind the speakers I bet makes for great imaging.

**Randy Myers** · February 12, 2016, 10:03 PM

Thank you, getting there.....

Yea it is working real nice in the "Loft Library"! Enjoying the hell out of it up here....

**CPP** · February 13, 2016, 10:06 AM

cool

**ACHiPo** · February 13, 2016, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Thank you, getting there.....

Yea it is working real nice in the "Loft Library"! Enjoying the hell out of it up here....

Very nice. Plus you can "share" your music with the rest of the house. You know you've reached audio nirvana when your wife asks what your band wants to drink after they're done playing.

**Randy Myers** · February 13, 2016, 01:11 PM

Well it definitely can be shared through the house.... Sometimes she likes the music on other times no... but that is what headphones are for

...

**ACHiPo** · February 15, 2016, 11:41 AM

Pulled the trigger on the Gustard. Will know in a couple weeks if my tastes match Marty's.

**Randy Myers** · February 15, 2016, 12:04 PM

Nice! I hope you love it...

**ACHiPo** · February 15, 2016, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Nice! I hope you love it...

Me, too!

**nc42acc** · February 15, 2016, 12:25 PM

Thanks Evan, no pressure at all. I guess I can buy it from you if you don't like it. I could use one in my headphone system.

Marty

Originally Posted by ACHiPo

Pulled the trigger on the Gustard. Will know in a couple weeks if my tastes match Marty's.

**ACHiPo** · February 15, 2016, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

Thanks Evan, no pressure at all. I guess I can buy it from you if you don't like it. I could use one in my headphone system.

Marty

Marty,
I was thinking the same thing

**ACHiPo** · February 24, 2016, 09:42 AM

DHL visited yesterday, but unfortunately no one was home to sign for the package. Fortunately they left a little sticky which we signed so I will have an X20U burning in this evening.

**nc42acc** · February 24, 2016, 06:29 PM

Evan
look forward to hearing your thoughts on the X20.

**Randy Myers** · February 24, 2016, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by ACHiPo

DHL visited yesterday, but unfortunately no one was home to sign for the package. Fortunately they left a little sticky which we signed so I will have an X20U burning in this evening.

Congratulations!!! I hope you love it, I know I love the new W4S...

**ACHiPo** · February 25, 2016, 12:55 AM

Hooked it up tonight and gave it a quick listen. It sounds really good. Some glare and grain, but that's to be expected. Will listen off and on over the next few days and post updates.

**ACHiPo** · February 25, 2016, 09:28 AM

After about 10 hours it is sounding even better. Great detail and immediacy. Musicality improving, but still some glare and tiz. Listening to Nilsson's "Jump into the Fire" and drums are phenomenal on this thing! I am not disappointed and hopeful that I will be even more delighted.

**Randy Myers** · February 25, 2016, 10:47 AM

You are describing pretty much what I was hearing on the W4S... Mine is probably about 120 hours (or more) now and really smoothing out very nicely. I believe, from what you are saying, that they have very similar sound characteristics! I am sure you will like it more and more as it gets broken in.

**ACHiPo** · February 25, 2016, 12:06 PM

I certainly hope so

**ACHiPo** · February 26, 2016, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

You are describing pretty much what I was hearing on the W4S... Mine is probably about 120 hours (or more) now and really smoothing out very nicely. I believe, from what you are saying, that they have very similar sound characteristics! I am sure you will like it more and more as it gets broken in.

Losing track of hours of burn-in, but somewhere around 36 and the X20 keeps getting better and better. It's smoothed out significantly overnight. Listening to Allen Toussaint's "The Bright Mississippi" and the clarinet sounds reedy and sweet, the piano full. Lots of air, tons of detail, but the etched instrument placement is softening. Drums are maybe the big surprise--I'd been auditioning/reviewing another DAC and it was a big improvement over my Oppo 105 that I'd been using. The Gustard has some similarities in increased detail, better bass, more air, but a difference is how real drums sound with the Gustard compare to the Oppo or DAC DAC--I get a sense of the stick hitting the head, and the tonal flavor of how the drum is tuned.

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