GUSTARD H10 High-current Discrete Class A output Stage Headphone Amplifier
- Thread starter phcassa
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Massdrop will ship next month so it will be some wait but yes.
stuartmc
500+ Head-Fier
Very nicely done. We are putting together quite a data base on H10 op-amps. The more people learn about the flavors with personal anecdotes, the more focused they can be on their choices. Being a pecunious Scotsman, I appreciate not having to buy five or more op-amps to find my gem. That being said, I did pull the trigger on the dual 797BRZ's from Analog Metric to try in place of the AD823's.
mandrake50
Headphoneus Supremus
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Ya know, I was going to write something similar but you beat me to it.
When I got the H10 and first plugged it in... the music coming from the darn thing was very nice. Usually it takes me a bit to get used to a new piece of gear before I can get into it at all. Not so with the H10.
One of the reasons I have all of these opamps and have never spent the time to swap them in and out is that I just think the thing sounds great as is...
I guess I am not as afflicted with the ,must compare to live, syndrome. I just like to listen to good music ...
Shaffer
Headphoneus Supremus
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You may be talking about me. I don't recall even implying that everyone was deaf. I did say that the facts at play did not point to a single individual who actually heard a V200 in a controlled setting next to the Gustard. Like one's own system. Comparisons to a V200 were based solely on wishful thinking. FWIW, I did audition the Gustard when I owned a V200. They sat right next to each other. I genuinely hope you enjoy yours.
You may be talking about me. I don't recall even implying that everyone was deaf. I did say that the facts at play did not point to a single individual who actually heard a V200 in a controlled setting next to the Gustard. Like one's own system. Comparisons to a V200 were based solely on wishful thinking. FWIW, I did audition the Gustard when I owned a V200. They sat right next to each other. I genuinely hope you enjoy yours.
Ahh...your the one! Darn man...why did you have to go rain on my parade.
Well, I think at some point, everyone was parroting everyone. I remember I kept reading the same couple members who kept posting how the Gustard was the superior V200 clone without actually owning the V200. In the end, everyone has different ears so maybe it is superior to some ears. Who knows, I may think so. At a certain point, it's a preference thing. Cheers.
First, looking over the thread again, what gives me assurance that the Gustard H10 is indeed a decent if not nice piece of gear, and not just a cheap V200 knock off, is that there are throughout this thread, positive impressions by very seasoned members who have or had owned and auditioned really good equipment and seems to know their stuff. I look at their experience and gear and judge how much their impressions are worth.
Second, it's funny how there are so many who were head over heels about the Gustard H10 no longer own it. For example, few who found it superior to the Lyr 2 still have the Lyr 2 but no longer have the Gustard H10. Not making fun of anyone. Its what the hobby does to us. We're constantly looking to match our gear as our gear changes.
Currently I have the Lyr 2 and Vali because it seemed to work well with the LCD-2F. But because I no longer have the LCD-2F, I'm looking for an amp to suit my Grado GH-1 and JH13pro.I'm hoping the Gustard H10 will do the job.
It's an interesting hobby.
Second, it's funny how there are so many who were head over heels about the Gustard H10 no longer own it. For example, few who found it superior to the Lyr 2 still have the Lyr 2 but no longer have the Gustard H10. Not making fun of anyone. Its what the hobby does to us. We're constantly looking to match our gear as our gear changes.
Currently I have the Lyr 2 and Vali because it seemed to work well with the LCD-2F. But because I no longer have the LCD-2F, I'm looking for an amp to suit my Grado GH-1 and JH13pro.I'm hoping the Gustard H10 will do the job.
It's an interesting hobby.
Koolpep
Headphoneus Supremus
First, looking over the thread again, what gives me assurance that the Gustard H10 is indeed a decent if not nice piece of gear, and not just a cheap V200 knock off, is that there are throughout this thread, positive impressions by very seasoned members who have or had owned and auditioned really good equipment and seems to know their stuff. I look at their experience and gear and judge how much their impressions are worth.
Second, it's funny how there are so many who were head over heels about the Gustard H10 no longer own it. For example, few who found it superior to the Lyr 2 still have the Lyr 2 but no longer have the Gustard H10. Not making fun of anyone. Its what the hobby does to us. We're constantly looking to match our gear as our gear changes.
Currently I have the Lyr 2 and Vali because it seemed to work well with the LCD-2F. But because I no longer have the LCD-2F, I'm looking for an amp to suit my Grado GH-1 and JH13pro.I'm hoping the Gustard H10 will do the job.
It's an interesting hobby.
Yep. And it's as well interesting how the people still hang around in the H10 thread even if they don't own one anymore (like me). I sold mine when I realized the difference between the H10 and my Burson conductor being very marginal with my cans. Though I preferred the Gustard by a bit. Since I needed the DAC of the Burson, I kept the conductor and sold the H10. I still miss it and am probably buying it again eventually or step up and go for the H20 (who knows when) .... I also wanted to buy a Violectric V200 just to have a comparison and pay homage to the "real innovators" from my home country.
Bu currently my desire to purchase more amps has slowed down tremendously, so this might have to wait
jackharm
100+ Head-Fier
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Just got my H10 setup, now time to let it burn . . .
moriez
Headphoneus Supremus
First, looking over the thread again, what gives me assurance that the Gustard H10 is indeed a decent if not nice piece of gear, and not just a cheap V200 knock off, is that there are throughout this thread, positive impressions by very seasoned members who have or had owned and auditioned really good equipment and seems to know their stuff. I look at their experience and gear and judge how much their impressions are worth.
Second, it's funny how there are so many who were head over heels about the Gustard H10 no longer own it. For example, few who found it superior to the Lyr 2 still have the Lyr 2 but no longer have the Gustard H10. Not making fun of anyone. Its what the hobby does to us. We're constantly looking to match our gear as our gear changes.
Currently I have the Lyr 2 and Vali because it seemed to work well with the LCD-2F. But because I no longer have the LCD-2F, I'm looking for an amp to suit my Grado GH-1 and JH13pro.I'm hoping the Gustard H10 will do the job.
It's an interesting hobby.
FWIW, H10 really isn't a cheap knock off compared to V200. I don't hear it and will say they're much rather equals to my ears. Had the two next to each other for about a week and the only things that really struck me is the blacker background and slightly more compressed soundstage of the V200. That's it! Not worth the extra money in my opinion. Decisive factor was also the near perfect stackability with BH Crack. Furthermore plenty power, multiple inputs, swappable op-amps (I'm 797ANZ-ready but haven't even bothered). For the money? A winner.
Edit: going back over the thread for a bit I now remember not only the V200's slightly compressed soundstage but also the slight more darkness for lack of a better word. H10 was perceived as a bit more airier which may have come only from the more emphasized top.
Glad to hear it. It's great to hear from someone who did some direct comparisons.
Massdrop should have it to me by the second week of Nov. But it's been several years since I had the V200. My opinions won't count as much since it will be from memory. Nevertheless, I think the Gustard will either complement my Lyr 2 or make it unnecessary.
Hi Maties. This sounds like a really fun thread. I purchased the H10 because of all the hoopla on this thread. I wasnt expecting much. I'm very glad I listened. This is an exceptional amp. It's the best sounding desktop SS amp I've owned by a large margin. I went to tubes for a long time but wanted to try something new.
Now it's time for some opamp rolling. Would you go for the AD797/AD832 combo or the Bursons?
Now it's time for some opamp rolling. Would you go for the AD797/AD832 combo or the Bursons?
stuartmc
500+ Head-Fier
Welcome aboard Swabbie! I'm an old school tube guy and I too found much to love about the H10. Thank goodness that op-amp "swabbing" is much less expensive than tube rolling. That being said, you might want to try out some of the less expensive op-amp combinations like the 797/832 before popping for something as pricey as the Bursons. I haven't listened to the Bursons, so I can't say anything about whether the price matches the performance. If you can get the 797BRZ variant pre-mounted on an adaptor, I would definitely go for that over the 797ANZ. I got mine from Analog Metric in Hong Kong and the price for two shipped was only $26. Well worth the few extra bucks, in my opinion. http://www.analogmetric.com/goods.php?id=2030
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