Gustard X20U?

Randy

That is a a pretty good review and pretty much matches the description of other units utilizing the AKM 4490 chipset instead of others especially the ESS chips. So for AC it comes down to which "camp" he falls into, the musical vs detail debate again. My experience is that a large number of the ESS equipped DACs fall towards the detail side. I will have a chance to try an AKM 4490 DAC soon. AC another new DAC using the same chip is the Nuprime DAC-9. Most all of Jason's dealers have 30 day money back guarantees as does Audio Advisor. Might want to see if one of the dealers will let you demo one. That will take you below $800.
 
I've had my share of dacs, the Mytex 192 DSD Dac, w4s dac2 DSD-se with the femto click upgrade, teac ud501, the Chord Hugo & now the Chord 2qute. I like the sound from the chord. But my favorite for music is from my little Lumin. But I would like to hear the new Mytek Brooklynn and the Yggdrasil and the Metrum Pavane. But this Gustard sounds interesting.
 
Jack you are very correct. I had a Schiit Gungnir with the AKM4490 before upgrading it to the multibit. Had the same sound characteristics of the TEAC UD-503. The Auralic Vega and my Oppo BDP105 are both ESS based and have similar sound signatures. To me the Gustard X20 even though it is ESS based is different than all of them. It has the most "analog" sound of any DAC I have tried in my system. Meaning it is the closest to the timbre of my analog setup. The Yggdrasil is just different, not in a way that sounds right to me. All I know is after I hooked my X20 direct to my power amp I haven't had any desire to spin an LP. I cannot say this will be the same as everyone but for the price it isn't a huge outlay of funds.

Jack said:
Randy

That is a a pretty good review and pretty much matches the description of other units utilizing the AKM 4490 chipset instead of others especially the ESS chips. So for AC it comes down to which "camp" he falls into, the musical vs detail debate again. My experience is that a large number of the ESS equipped DACs fall towards the detail side. I will have a chance to try an AKM 4490 DAC soon. AC another new DAC using the same chip is the Nuprime DAC-9. Most all of Jason's dealers have 30 day money back guarantees as does Audio Advisor. Might want to see if one of the dealers will let you demo one. That will take you below $800.
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Just a point of reference this is my system configuration.
Aurender N10, Gustard X20, Rogue Audio ST100, Von Schweikert VR5 Anniversary MKII.
 
I just spoke with Wyred 4 Sound. The DAC-1 Limited Edition that they are now offering for $999 is essentially the same as the DAC-2 DSD... they not only added the DSD capability but they upgraded the USB input among other things. It uses the ESS Reference 9018 32-bit DAC, is hand made in the US and is backed with a full 5 year warranty. I tend to trust made in US over made in China. Not saying anything negative about Gustard, just saying I have been to the W4S factory and I know they are hand made in the US.
 
Randy I bought the Gustard on a whim by a few reviews on Head Fi. I took a chance and bought one knowing I could be out $900. I really wanted for the Schiit Yggydrasil to be my end game DAC, also American made. But in the end sound quality won the day for me. I have never enjoyed digital more than I do know.
 
That's excellent and very cool. I believe the Gustard and the W4S use the same chip set, if I am not mistaken. I know W4S goes all out and is built really well.

I do know from my pre-amp that they need an extensive break in period. The pre-amp started really singing at about 100 hours. It honestly was not very good out of the box; too bright and kind of harsh. But, they specifically said to expect that in the manual. At about 200 hours or so now I can say it is the best sounding pre-amp I have ever heard.

I just read the DAC-1 LE manual and again they are saying 200 hour break in. I am thinking seriously about giving one a try :)...
 
Randy if you prefer an open airy detailed presentation you will like the W4S DAC using the ESS chip. On well recorded material it is glorious but if the recording is shrill, compressed and hard this is what you will hear. Please keep us updated if you give it a try.
 
Randy Myers said:
I am thinking about the DAC-1 LE with the Femto clock, however I am not sure if I need this upgrade sine I have their Recovery unit?
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W4S directly addresses this on the Recovery product page, where it states that even with the Femto clock version of their DAC the Recovery still benefits the DAC by providing it with a cleaner input signal.
 
nc42acc said:
Randy if you prefer an open airy detailed presentation you will like the W4S DAC using the ESS chip. On well recorded material it is glorious but if the recording is shrill, compressed and hard this is what you will hear. Please keep us updated if you give it a try.
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You are definitely talking right up my alley! I have been enjoying the heck out of Jazz vocals lately.... Holly Cole, Patricia Barber, Rickie Lee Jones, Norah Jones, Lyn Stanley, Diana Krall, Shelby Lynn... all in DSD.... some amazing recordings....

I look for open, sound stage, mainly what we used to refer to as the British sound back in the day....
 
Randy

I've owned a DAC-2 for almost 2 years and I find Marty's description of it to be pretty accurate. In the end, of the ESS Sabre DAC's I have I prefer the tube output stage of the Line Magnetic LM-502CA for overall listening enjoyment on all types of recordings. Plus you get to tailor the sound even more by swapping out NOS rectifiers and input tubes. So my DAC-2 really needs to go on the market. I should have a fully broken in Aqua La Voce S2 here by the end of the week to take on the LM.
 
Jack I also have a LM502-CA, I will do another comparison this weekend with the X20. I keep second guessing myself but the X20 has always ended up on top in regards to sound enjoyment.
 
nc42acc said:
Jack I also have a LM502-CA, I will do another comparison this weekend with the X20. I keep second guessing myself but the X20 has always ended up on top in regards to sound enjoyment.
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Marty,
Mebbe I should just wait for you to move on from the X20? ;)
 
Marty

To your ears in your system you may still prefer the Gustard. I make no bones about the fact that I am not in the "detail" camp when it comes to sources or speakers. If I buy a piece that sticks out in that direction it comes out of the system or better yet out the door.

Plus at this point I am not concerned about DSD, so more choices.
 
iFi IDSD micro falls into this category price point. This is a great very capable little DAC for its price.
 
Evan you are NOT getting my X20. This one is a keeper. :P

Jack the DSD capabilities of the X20 is one of the main reasons it is staying. I have a large DSD library.
 
nc42acc said:
Evan you are NOT getting my X20. This one is a keeper. :P

Jack the DSD capabilities of the X20 is one of the main reasons it is staying. I have a large DSD library.
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Yet even more of an endorsement!
 
I believe I am going to be trying out the Wyred 4 Sound. The recently enhanced the unit, better USB connection, better internal clock, added DSD, same chip set, the ES9018 I believe... however I like that they are made right around the corner. I can literally pick it up at the factory, and they back it with 5 year warranty.
 
Hopefully within the next couple days. I was doing quite a bit of research recently on the various DAC chip sets. From several sources it sounds like the Sabre ES9018 is considered one of the best. It is what is use in both the W4S models and the Gustard, and interesting enough it is what is used in my portable player the Ayres Pono.

I also noted that several companies, such as McIntosh are now using their slightly lower version, the ES9016. However from my readings the 9018 is newer and considered better and according to what I read the most detailed accurate available.
 
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