Gustard X16 Balanced MQA DAC Review

[gofry]

I updated my post: No thump through RCA either (A18 2nd Edition).

Sigh. I’ll check mine next week..it might act differently with my setup. If the SQ is great and the thump exists..I’ll be in deep sh1t

 

[dmac6419]

Anyone have a chance to verify powering on and off with xlr connection only? Any noise? Thx!

H16 and x16 has a mute circuit built in, just mute it

 

[dan kolov]

So not very much?

This is the difference in core load between the Topping D30 and Gustard X16.The larger the buffer samples, the more the cores are loaded.
Only 13 services are included on my Window 10.All other applications and services in Windows 10 are excluded.

 

[gofry]

This is the difference in core load between the Topping D30 and Gustard X16.The larger the buffer samples, the more the cores are loaded.
Only 13 services are included on my Window 10.All other applications and services in Windows 10 are excluded.
View attachment 109074

Which one is which..hard to follow your posts
Seriously: How to Take a Screenshot on Windows 10

 

[gofry]

H16 and x16 has a mute circuit built in, just mute it

will mute mode work in DAC mode as well?

 

[Pdxwayne]

H16 and x16 has a mute circuit built in, just mute it

But you need to turn ON x16 first to mute it. The issue is about noise when turned on x16....

 

[ABall]

But you need to turn ON x16 first to mute it. The issue is about noise when turned on x16....

It also does it turning off but I wouldn't call it noise, its DC and loudspeakers do not like DC!

 

[dmac6419]

But you need to turn ON x16 first to mute it. The issue is about noise when turned on x16....

It doesn't pop when I turn it on (jbl305),let me test further and get back

 

[Pdxwayne]

It doesn't pop when I turn it on (jbl305),let me test further and get back

Via RCA? Anyway, turning off I heard odd sound too....This is via RCA.

Since XLR supposed to be no noise, I will connect XLR directly to subs (have no power on or off switch). I will connect RCA to amp, which I will power on after I turn on x16, and power off first before I power off x16.

 

[Geared4me]

Is there a reason why the x16 can't just be left on?

 

[A Surfer]

The Bluetooth signal is strong and stable. I was doing LDAC on the Balanced setting and was at least 25 feet away with a wall in between my phone and the X16 and it played without a hitch for over 15 minutes before I went closer again so rock stable so far.

 

[A Surfer]

Finally got the X16 home and hooked up. earlier I had been testing it at another location so not in my main system. Pretty darn pleased.

 

[Pdxwayne]

Hmm, another setback using node2i as streamer and directly connect x16 to amp and subs. Just found out my node2i must be in fixed volume mode for the x16 to show OFS. It means I must control volume via x16....

 

[A Surfer]

Bummer. Sorry to see you are having so many implementation issues. Makes me glad my user scenario is so simple X16 > XLR out > NAD M3. Lucky me in that respect. I also have been using the X16 exclusively with BT and it sounds fantastic. May never bother with USB.

 

[Pdxwayne]

Bummer. Sorry to see you are having so many implementation issues. Makes me glad my user scenario is so simple X16 > XLR out > NAD M3. Lucky me in that respect. I also have been using the X16 exclusively with BT and it sounds fantastic. May never bother with USB.

Yeah, all I have for preamp are Marantz AV8801 and Onkyo TX-NR808... Might as well using x16 as preamp....

 

[Pdxwayne]

One thing I noticed is that using at 0 dB, the x16 is louder than E30 used at 0 dB. I need to turn up my L30 much more to get similar bass kicks. Still, the bass kicks seems much stronger with x16....

 

[Frio]

One thing I noticed is that using at 0 dB, the x16 is louder than E30 used at 0 dB. I need to turn up my L30 much more to get similar bass kicks. Still, the bass kicks seems much stronger with x16....

Even in rca this thing delivers max 3.3v. in xlr even double of what the topping es capable of.

 

[linger63]

Yeah, all I have for preamp are Marantz AV8801 and Onkyo TX-NR808... Might as well using x16 as preamp....

So why not try the Marantz Pre Pro?
You could hook the X16 up to it using XLR and also get to experiment with Audyssey Room EQ for possible improved outcome vs using X16 as a DAC/PRE.
You would expect the 8801's Pre section alone to outperform the Gustards surely!!!!

 

[Pdxwayne]

So why not try the Marantz Pre Pro?
You could hook the X16 up to it using XLR and also get to experiment with Audyssey Room EQ for possible improved outcome vs using X16 as a DAC/PRE.
You would expect the 8801's Pre section alone to outperform the Gustards surely!!!!

I never did like the sound of Marantz using RCA inputs from DAC.....You can check the measurements of newer one, 8805 by Amir.... Nothing special...

 

[Pdxwayne]

Even in rca this thing delivers max 3.3v. in xlr even double of what the topping es capable of.

So, that 3.3v max is the difference in bass punch? I could sense my headphones vibrates hard when using x16, even at not too loud level. But I can't get the same effect when using E30, even when turning up L30 way up...With E30, it got too harsh in the high before I could even reach the headphones shaking effect.