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Gustard DAC-X26 impressions and discussions

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by Vtory, Apr 3, 2019.

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  1. supersergios

    supersergios New

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    keep waiting
     
    supersergios, Mar 26, 2020
    #121
  2. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    download.jpeg xlscKeq.gif
     
    Mithrandir41, Mar 26, 2020
    #122
  3. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    This thread has become like a car wreck that one cannot help but slow down to rubberneck at out of morbid curiosity. You don't golf, do you?
     
    Senorx12562, Mar 26, 2020
    #123
  4. nishan99

    nishan99 Friend

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    And I thought you can get banned here for such behavior, but apparently sbaf is not as grumpy as I thought.
     
    nishan99, Mar 28, 2020
    #124
  5. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Month off for garbage posting. Post once you have some content.
     
    zerodeefex, Mar 28, 2020
    #125
  6. Viper Necklampy

    Viper Necklampy New

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    Aren't you that monster-reviewer of Sound news? Because as you are talking, you seems to.. If not, Nevermind, at least try don't get banned/SBAFFED (Get it? :p), as I see that you are trying your best to.
    I'm interested in D90 also, but maybe now not enough info's of it, at least when i will be asking in this forum i will presenting myself and trying my best to follow rules and not bother people..
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2020
    Viper Necklampy, Mar 28, 2020
    #126
  7. Peter

    Peter New

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    According to the OP the USB input is bad. Can any owners of the X26 please contribute with their opinion of the USB input? Would an interface like this: https://www.matrix-digi.com/en/products/314.html be recommended or not? Any thoughts and experiences are much appreciated. (In reviews I have seen of the X26 online the USB input does not seem to come up for much discussion or condemnation).
     
    Peter, Apr 27, 2021
    #127
  8. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    I don't own X26 any longer, but I enjoyed it with both Matrix x-spdif 2 interface and Gustard's own external box (U16 if I recall correctly). Raspberry-Pi interfaces (Pi2AES is pretty popular and well received in this forum) could be a good consideration too.

    The two interfaces I mentioned worked very well (I used both via AES) for me in reducing haziness and annoyance in ultra high freq.
     
    Vtory, Apr 27, 2021
    #128
  9. Peter

    Peter New

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    Thanks for this, it is much appreciated. Gustard appears to have addressed this since the new X26pro has a xmos XU216 instead of the ess USB interface.
     
    Peter, Apr 28, 2021
    #129
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Have you tried the existing USB on the X26 DAC already? Don't jump the gun because someone said the USB on it sucks.

    I really haven't heard a truly bad XMOS implementation, especially in conjunction with ESS chip based DACs. In fact, I don't recall any XMOS / ESS implementation worse than "good" regardless how "low-end" the XMOS part.

    The thing about USB is not only the USB receiver. It's also just as much the USB source. The USB on your computer. If that sucks, a betterer USB converter can only do so much. This is why the pi2AES is so popular here. It avoids the problem of substandard USB sources all together. Laptop USB tends to sound like ass. Dedicated USB card with its own 5V supply in a tower PC is better. Speshal LPS even betterer.

    If you are set on the X26 after your research, by all means try that and its built-in USB solution first. Looking ahead too far, trying to min-max theory-craft your WOW character, I mean your audio setup, is counterproductive to actually enjoying music.
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2021
    purr1n, Apr 28, 2021
    #130
  11. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Dunno which model he had or looked at, but this dac can come without usb (sold cheaper by 100-ish usd) -- and I assumed he meant it. Considering more functionality and wide variation of external interfaces, not a bad tradeoff I think. I did prefer eitr to built in usb when the loaner unit was in the house. Not twice better but internal usb was a little distracting and something was off on the top end.
     
    Vtory, Apr 28, 2021
    #131
  12. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Eitr at the time was at the top of its class for price / performance, and even then it provided a certain kind of synergy for ESS based DACs, particularly the Chi-Fi cookie cutter variety which tend sound have a that bit of "unnatural" timbre, including this one.

    I just hate recommending extra appendage boxes that cost several hundred bucks more that don't result in any better jitter (if you are an objectivist or even care) if you know what I mean. Lots and lots of options out there. Heck, you've even moved on from the X26 and you've auditioned all the super SINAD Chi-Fi DACs.

    I think the difference between a "whatever" DAC to a X26 even with the built-in stock XMOS would already be hugely significant.
     
    purr1n, Apr 28, 2021
    #132
  13. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    I don't disagree much. Indeed I am one of very rare people who stubbornly reject raspberry streamers as I don't hear as much difference as reported (loss of convenience is way more tangible tho). And my logic to keep rejecting pi2 could be largely in line with what you said. XMOS (at least with Soren's practice in the product) is already good enough to my ears.

    I should have more carefully cautioned about risky choices. I assumed the questioner already knew what he would lose at worst.
     
    Vtory, Apr 28, 2021
    #133
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