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Gustard H16 Review (Headphone Amplifier)
- Thread starter amirm
- Start date
renaudrenaud
Major Contributor
I am going to try to sum it up: we don't want H16. We want X16 deliveries, and we don't care MQA. Deactivate it by software modification and deliver the X16 already paid please.
The Gustard has line outs, so it can also be used as a preamp. Don't think the same can be said of the SMSL unit.
Helicopter
Major Contributor
Thanks for the review Amir.
Nice combimation of features and excellent, but mostly unimpressive performance. I like mains in, volume attenuator, input and output layout and selection.
As a discrete circuit, it does really well. If I wanted to try that for some reason, I would probably go for the less impressive SINAD, much less featured, but excellent, Schiit Asgard to match all my other Schiit.
Nice combimation of features and excellent, but mostly unimpressive performance. I like mains in, volume attenuator, input and output layout and selection.
As a discrete circuit, it does really well. If I wanted to try that for some reason, I would probably go for the less impressive SINAD, much less featured, but excellent, Schiit Asgard to match all my other Schiit.
Can someone explain to me what do you mean by discrete circuit? Any advantages/disadvantages?
Helicopter
Major Contributor
It means they designed the whole amplification circuit with transistors (one could also use tubes) and capacitors and resistors etc. rather than using an operational amplifier or chip, which is a device made by a chip company that amplifies the signal. A chip or op amp is more complex and simplifies the engineering and design. There is no sonic or measurement advantage to a discrete circuit. It is just that they pulled off a difficult challenge in getting this level of performance in a discrete circuit.
A long time ago, the first op amps might have been cheap junk not for hifi, but that is no longer. Some people dislike them because if this. They cost a lot less, so people may think they are not as good because people also tend to value things that are scarce.
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You gotta learn how to be patient kid,good things come to those who wait.
Veri
Master Contributor
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The ESS chip is MQA capable. Not sure you can just de-activate it. In any case, it feels like ESS is partly to blame.. was there any procedure for the licensing? Really just "you can buy our chips, rest is up to you" ??. That's some Wild, Wild West shit, honestly.
A discrete circuit is constructed of components which are manufactured separately. Later, these components are connected together by using conducted wires on a circuit board or a printed circuit board. The transistor is one of the primary components used in discrete circuits, and combinations of these transistors can be used to create logic gates. These logic gates can be used to obtain the desired output from an input. Discrete circuits can be designed to operate at higher voltages.
Disadvantages of Discrete Circuits
- Assembling and wiring of all individual discrete components take more time and occupies a larger space required.
- Replacement of a failed component is complicated in an existed circuit or system.
- Actually, the elements are connected using soldering process so, that may have caused less reliability.
- To overcome these problems of reliability and space conservation, integrated circuits are developed.
An integrated circuit is a microscopic array of electronic circuits and electronic components (resistors, capacitors, inductors…) that are diffused or implanted into the surface of semiconductor material wafer such as silicon. Integrated Circuit invented by Jack Kilby in the 1950s. A chip is commonly termed as Integrated circuits (IC).
One can deactivate it in the dac registers. It's eventually up to the end manufacturer to decide to use it and to go through the certification or not. It's basically an equivalent to a program or a section of a code built inside the chip. Just like whether you want to use the MQA library for XMOS. It's the same. It's there and if the designer wants to use it the product will need to go through the MQA certification process.
renaudrenaud
Major Contributor
This is just only audio, a cheap DAC. Not a really big affair anyway.
I guess it's possible to program the XMOS for not sending MQA to the DAC.
The Gustard manual for this unit is somewhat sparse in regard to information.
I already have an X16 on order and am wondering if I go XLR from the X16 to the H16 whether the pre-out can be configured for fixed level output on the XLR output?
I am hoping to use the H16 to pass the audio on to an integrated with XLR input but don't want to worry about the current volume level.
The Topping A90 manual definitely indicates that the pre-out is subject to the current volume setting.
I already have an X16 on order and am wondering if I go XLR from the X16 to the H16 whether the pre-out can be configured for fixed level output on the XLR output?
I am hoping to use the H16 to pass the audio on to an integrated with XLR input but don't want to worry about the current volume level.
The Topping A90 manual definitely indicates that the pre-out is subject to the current volume setting.
Helicopter
Major Contributor
It would be unusual to have a seperate volume control for pre out, line level pre out, or a selection. Most people prefer to have the gain and control there. Good luck.
Thanks for the review @amirm.
I was interested in getting a Gustard x16 and pair it with the H16 for a headphone setup that I am building. However, based on this review I am not so sure. Now, I am considering pairing the x16 with the Topping A90 - Has anyone considered this pairing for a headphone setup? Do you anticipate any issues with this pairing?
I was interested in getting a Gustard x16 and pair it with the H16 for a headphone setup that I am building. However, based on this review I am not so sure. Now, I am considering pairing the x16 with the Topping A90 - Has anyone considered this pairing for a headphone setup? Do you anticipate any issues with this pairing?
Tks
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I like the volume control. Not having to deal with scratchy pots is so high on my list of purchasing amps these days. Also nice to see no channel issues practically speaking.
Helicopter
Major Contributor
The Jniac
Member
You do know that product development and product distribution are separate parts of the company, right? It is not like the R&D of the H16 delayed the manufacturing and delivery of the X16.
The Jniac
Member
Potentiometers tend to track very well until you get near the bottom of their range. Once you reach a certain point, one channel will drop in volume more than the other, creating a volume difference between the channels.
See here, where the dashed blue line indicates the difference between the channels, with the scale being on the right of the graph.
renaudrenaud
Major Contributor
No problem. You're right.
The Jniac
Member
Pretty solid performance, and combined with the preamp functionality, proper volume control (I'm sorry, but if you are charging anything more than budget prices for your product, it should not be relying on a potentiometer for volume control), and being able to be used with a remote control, I think that this unit will sell pretty well. If only the rotary encoder was not recessed...
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