Gustard X20U?

**Randy Myers** · February 26, 2016, 10:51 AM

Nice... and happy that it is coming right into line for you. Your description sound exactly the type of improvements I have been noticing... very happy that you like it so far!

**ACHiPo** · March 4, 2016, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Nice... and happy that it is coming right into line for you. Your description sound exactly the type of improvements I have been noticing... very happy that you like it so far!

Thanks Randy!

**sqitis** · April 1, 2016, 06:40 PM

Excellent write up guys! I'm looking at one of these two DAC's as well for an upgrade from a Cambridge DacMagic Plus. Any idea's how these 2 DAC's compare to DMP? Also are either of you guys running them with a regen or recover device and if so which is preferred? TIA!

Also any help with the free DSD downloads would be great!

**joeinid** · April 1, 2016, 07:11 PM

Welcome sqitis, thank you for joining.

**sqitis** · April 1, 2016, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Welcome sqitis, thank you for joining.

Thank you! Glad to be here!

**Randy Myers** · April 1, 2016, 09:54 PM

I am running the Wyred 4 Sound DAC using a Recovery. I also have the Femto clock upgrade in the DAC. Work very well together!

**sqitis** · April 2, 2016, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

I am running the Wyred 4 Sound DAC using a Recovery. I also have the Femto clock upgrade in the DAC. Work very well together!

Good to know! I've got an Uptone Audio Regen on the way and looking forward to the upgrade for the Cambridge DMP. I'm kinda taking it in steps. Next may be a better USB cable then DSD DAC such as the two mentioned here.

**Randy Myers** · April 2, 2016, 10:40 AM

I just checked the Audio Regen website. It says that the next shipping date is April 14th. Reviews say it is a good solid unit, and the brand new W4S Recovery is taking the market by a storm.

I could be wrong on this but I do not believe that the Audio Regen includes a Femto clock. The Recovery unit does. Also, not sure where they are made. Probably not important to you, but the W4S unit is built in the USA (Atascadero, CA).

The Audio Regen comes with a 4 year warranty, which is excellent. Better than anything out there with one exception. The Recovery comes with a 5 year warranty.

Definitely the two best USB reclockers on the market, but I personally feel the W4S is worth the extra $24. I am also sure that both will improve your music through USB considerably.

**sqitis** · April 2, 2016, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

I just checked the Audio Regen website. It says that the next shipping date is April 14th. Reviews say it is a good solid unit, and the brand new W4S Recovery is taking the market by a storm.

I could be wrong on this but I do not believe that the Audio Regen includes a Femto clock. The Recovery unit does. Also, not sure where they are made. Probably not important to you, but the W4S unit is built in the USA (Atascadero, CA).

The Audio Regen comes with a 4 year warranty, which is excellent. Better than anything out there with one exception. The Recovery comes with a 5 year warranty.

Definitely the two best USB reclockers on the market, but I personally feel the W4S is worth the extra $24. I am also sure that both will improve your music through USB considerably.

Thanks for the info Randy! I was lucky enough to find one used on another forum, so no waiting. I doubt it has the Femto clock for that price. I'll keep you posted with my findings.

**Randy Myers** · April 2, 2016, 11:45 AM

Cool beans... I am sure you will love it!

**sqitis** · April 3, 2016, 10:11 AM

Ok so I got the Regen yesterday and the jury is still out. LOL So what do these devices do? It's definitely different though. Only have a couple of hours on it so far so we shall see. I guess it would help to understand the device. Any help would be great!

Edit: Forgot to add, but this thing definitely makes it less digital sounding.

**Randy Myers** · April 3, 2016, 11:38 AM

On the Recovery I noticed that the bottom end tightens up a little and vocals are definitely much more open... the sound stage is definitely wider and deeper and background instruments are more present... not louder but just there more!

**ACHiPo** · April 3, 2016, 01:19 PM

Gustard X20U update: I've read folks that have tweaked the Gustard to higher performance, and since I'm a sucker for wishful thinking I ordered a Schurter 5x20 1A fuse (not just ready to spring for a $50 audiophile fuse, but at $1.89 and claims that they are a lot better than stock fuses I gave it a shot). The fuse arrived Friday, so while I had the unit out of the rack and powered off to install the fuse I figured I'd open up the top and try out a few other tweaks that Ric Schultz recommends.
http://tweakaudio.com/EVS-2/Gustard_X20_Mods.html

1. Remove steel bolts from the center of the torroidal power supply transformers. They can be replaced with nylon bolts, but I just left them "floating". It's been too long since I took electricity and magnetism, so maybe someone can educate me on why having a conductive and magnetic bolt in the center of the torroid is a bad thing?
2. Slip 1/2" plywood donuts under the torroids to get them off the aluminum chassis. I wasn't motivated enough to go out to the shop Friday night, so I repurposed a couple coasters which fit quite nicely.
3. Twist the power supply wires to improve common-mode rejection. This absolutely makes technical sense, so is a no-brainer. Ric removed the sleeve around the bundles, but I felt the somewhat sharp edges on the interior sheet metal warranted keeping the protective sleeve in place, and the wires were easy enough to twist even with it in place.
4. Schurter fuse

I didn't listen after I made all the changes, just plugged it back in and let the bits flow from my Aurender over night. When I listened Saturday morning the X20U did sound a tad better. Bass seemed a bit fuller and tighter. Detail was unchanged. The music seemed to flow a bit smoother, and the soundstage seemed to be a tad narrower. All in all an improvement, but definitely not required to get sweet music out of the Gustard.

**ACHiPo** · April 3, 2016, 01:24 PM

Forgot to add that I have a Triode Wire Labs Digital American power cord coming for the X20U and will post my findings when it arrives.

**Randy Myers** · April 3, 2016, 03:27 PM

Nice... sounds like some nice tweaks... not sure I would trust myself poking around inside too much although I did remove the case and was looking around inside the Goldmund amp the other day

...

**sqitis** · April 14, 2016, 05:58 AM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

On the Recovery I noticed that the bottom end tightens up a little and vocals are definitely much more open... the sound stage is definitely wider and deeper and background instruments are more present... not louder but just there more!

Ok I have 2 weeks on the Uptone Regen and I now understand the value of these devices. I was told the unit only had 20hrs on it, so I assume it will only get better over time. Now I'm wanting one of these DSD DAC's & a great USB cable! Time to save my pennies! LOL

**Randy Myers** · April 14, 2016, 11:33 AM

Nice. They do help a lot. I believe the Recovery was a fantastic addition to my system!

**ACHiPo** · April 14, 2016, 09:41 PM

TWL power cords have a couple hundred hours on them. I'm resisting critical listening for another hundred hours or so, but generally seem to be an improvement. Decided to dive a bit deeper into the rabbit hole and took advantage of Parts Connexion's sale on HiFi tuning fuses. Also have some copper foil coming in to try (temporarily) shunting the fuse on the Gustard.

**ACHiPo** · April 14, 2016, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Nice. They do help a lot. I believe the Recovery was a fantastic addition to my system!

Randy,
I guess I'm a bit surprised that your W4S DAC benefits from the Recovery. I'd think that it would be pretty immune to jitter?
AC

**Randy Myers** · April 14, 2016, 09:59 PM

I know people who own $10,000 - $20,000 DACs who promote the heck out of the recovery units because they have seen what an amazing improvement it makes in their system. Why would you believe that the W4S, Gustard or any other DAC would not benefit from the Recovery.

**ACHiPo** · April 14, 2016, 11:52 PM

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I got the impression that they could do great things for older DACs where jitter was more of an issue. Performance on modern DACs like the W4S, Vega, and up seem a lot more mixed, with benefits more subtle and more reports of no improvement.

Glad to hear you're getting an improvement.

**Randy Myers** · April 15, 2016, 02:10 AM

From what is being reported the Recovery makes a huge difference to most any level DAC, new, old, in between. From my experience is is a huge improvement on either of my DACs. In another forum I frequent it is virtually 100% praise for the Recovery, and my DAC is probably the lowest level of those in the discussion. There are at least 20 different people reporting what an amazing difference it makes in that thread.

**ACHiPo** · April 15, 2016, 09:34 AM

Spent a little more time Googling and realized the basis for my understanding of Regen--I have an Aurender, which supposedly has a better/quieter USB than a typical computer. As a results the reports of Regen with Aurenders have been more mixed than Regens in general, so I'd mentally "binned" the Regen in the "meh" category for me

After looking into it some more (and after Randy's hearty endorsement

), however, I decided to give it a shot to see if I see any improvement. I'll post my findings.

Speaking of findings, I received copper foil last night to short the Gustard's fuse (temporarily), and the impact is not huge. May be a little better, but definitely not night and day. Well, I can take that money I'd planned for a fancy fuse and put it toward an Amber!

**Randy Myers** · April 15, 2016, 10:03 AM

I do know that a lot of people who were very skeptical of the Recovery that finally did give in and give it a try have reported how surprised they are with the results. I am talking people with systems that each component cost more than my entire system. Three in particular that I know have purchased three for each of their systems.

At $199 it is a very inexpensive way of making a fairly large difference in your system! Read Dan's review as an example. He was initially very skeptical and finally got one. He tried it in all of his systems including Esoteric DACs and was very surprised at the difference this little box made. If I am not mistaken he has now gotten three.

BTW- my computer that I have dedicated as a Roon headless server has the exact same mother board and USB ports as many of the top rated dedicated music servers. I have a gold standard power supply liquid cooled Devil's Canyon CPU; the computer is mounted on a granite base even. I would put it against most any dedicated severs out there.

I would be very surprised if you do not hear a nice improvement.

**ACHiPo** · April 16, 2016, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

I do know that a lot of people who were very skeptical of the Recovery that finally did give in and give it a try have reported how surprised they are with the results. I am talking people with systems that each component cost more than my entire system. Three in particular that I know have purchased three for each of their systems.

At $199 it is a very inexpensive way of making a fairly large difference in your system! Read Dan's review as an example. He was initially very skeptical and finally got one. He tried it in all of his systems including Esoteric DACs and was very surprised at the difference this little box made. If I am not mistaken he has now gotten three.

BTW- my computer that I have dedicated as a Roon headless server has the exact same mother board and USB ports as many of the top rated dedicated music servers. I have a gold standard power supply liquid cooled Devil's Canyon CPU; the computer is mounted on a granite base even. I would put it against most any dedicated severs out there.

I would be very surprised if you do not hear a nice improvement.

we'll soon see. Money sent, waiting for shipment info.

**Randy Myers** · April 16, 2016, 11:53 AM

Cool... I can't imagine you not loving it!

**ACHiPo** · April 19, 2016, 10:06 AM

Just a quick listening update: I was in the mood for a little Art Pepper this morning, so I selected "Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section" (DSD) on the Aurender and went about my business of coffee, checking work email, etc. I found it tough to concentrate, as the music kept pulling me in. While not sounding particluarly "real" (as in I'm not in the studio and they're not in my office--I was listening nowhere close to live levels anyway), Philly Joe Jones' stick and brush work grabbed my attention and my toe was tappin'.

At this point I have no idea how much has to do with the DAC, the cabling, tweaks, or even the time of day or my frame of mind. I do know, however, I'm quite happy with the sound I'm getting.

**Mike** · April 19, 2016, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by ACHiPo

Just a quick listening update: I was in the mood for a little Art Pepper this morning, so I selected "Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section" (DSD) on the Aurender and went about my business of coffee, checking work email, etc. I found it tough to concentrate, as the music kept pulling me in. While not sounding particluarly "real" (as in I'm not in the studio and they're not in my office--I was listening nowhere close to live levels anyway), Philly Joe Jones' stick and brush work grabbed my attention and my toe was tappin'.

At this point I have no idea how much has to do with the DAC, the cabling, tweaks, or even the time of day or my frame of mind. I do know, however, I'm quite happy with the sound I'm getting.

That's what it's all about! What DAC do you have again?

**Randy Myers** · April 20, 2016, 01:13 AM

I think he has a Gustard. I have a Wyred 4 Sound. They are very similar and I am fairly certain they use the exact same chipset.

**ACHiPo** · April 21, 2016, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

That's what it's all about! What DAC do you have again?

I have a Gustard X20U with some simple mods. I just received and installed an Uptone Amber Regen, and so far am liking what I hear (well, really more "feel", as I can't "hear" specific differences, but rather find that details jump out in an engaging and musical way, as in "Whoa! Yeah baby!" if that makes any sense?)

**Randy Myers** · April 21, 2016, 10:54 AM

It does make sense... and glad you like it!

With the Recovery unit I hear a fairly large difference; certainly more musical but more importantly to me is it makes my digital sources sound very analog... to me going through the W4S Recovery makes my DSD files, for the most part, as good as if not better than a good vinyl spinner would sound in my system.

**PeteG** · May 30, 2016, 03:48 PM

Using the Intona industrial version USB isolator with my Gustard X20u. Very happy with the sound I'm getting, up-sampling everything to DSD128. Down the road I would like to add the Regen.

**Randy Myers** · May 30, 2016, 03:56 PM

I would recommend researching the Wyred 4 Sound Recovery unit for the USB reclocker...

Here is Dan's full review....
http://www.audioaficionado.org/wyred...ry-review.html

Originally Posted by PeteG

Using the Intona industrial version USB isolator with my Gustard X20u. Very happy with the sound I'm getting, up-sampling everything to DSD128. Down the road I would like to add the Regen.

**Jack** · May 30, 2016, 04:38 PM

Pete

Here's a used latest Regen at a good price.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=143207.0

**PeteG** · May 30, 2016, 07:30 PM

Thanks guys, I'll look at both it's probably a good idea to reclock after the Intona.

**PeteG** · May 31, 2016, 10:12 PM

Ordered the W4S Recovery, will see how it goes.

**Randy Myers** · May 31, 2016, 10:38 PM

Everyone I know who has gotten one has been very happy with the results.

**PeteG** · May 31, 2016, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Everyone I know who has gotten one has been very happy with the results.

Thanks Randy.

**PeteG** · June 4, 2016, 08:33 PM

Put the Recovery in the loop and it's a no-go, if I play 44.1 it's fine as soon as I start up-sampling to DSD64/128 or just play a DSD song all I get is static with the music playing in the back ground. Tried with and with-out the Intona.

**Randy Myers** · June 4, 2016, 08:41 PM

Are both of the little green lights on? Has to be USB 2.0 or higher. I assume it is, and I assume your USB cable going into the Recovery is. I would call their support line on Monday if that does not help.

**PeteG** · June 4, 2016, 09:11 PM

Well I unplug it and pluged it back in, both green lights came on and I started play DSD for about 20s and all of a sudden it went dead and I mean dead. Checked the 9v PS and it's good, so I need a RMA# from W4S.

**Randy Myers** · June 4, 2016, 09:38 PM

Dang... sounds like you got a bad one... I have never heard of some one getting a bad one before... but it does happen...

**PeteG** · June 6, 2016, 08:02 PM

With a little help from W4S (Tony) I got it working, had to reset everything even my Mac. So good news, now is there some burn-in needed.

**Randy Myers** · June 6, 2016, 08:39 PM

Excellent! I was hoping Tony could help you... enjoy it!

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