GUSTARD H10 High-current Discrete Class A output Stage Headphone Amplifier

Fiio must've stepped up their game. I heard the e10 and the zdac and the zdac crushed it a year ago . The geek out v2 is another similar product and that thing is fantastic. Used ones around $200. There may be issues with durability there though . I enjoy mine immensely even though I have a much more expensive r-2r dac in my desk top system. I liked he sound of the fiio, but it wasn't very refined and had a little treble glare. The LH pulse I didn't really like with the h10 and he560. I can't remember why though

So it's been about 7 years since I upgraded to a Nuforce Icon HDP (amp/dac) and dt990s from an Asus Xonar Essence STX which I fried accidentally, and HD555s that sound like tin cans compared to dt990s.  They're both still going strong even after very heavy use, but I think it's time to upgrade.
 
I don't expect anyone to know exactly how the amp from the Nuforce compares to the H10 since it's just so old now, but I'll take estimates . The H10 is pretty cheap on massdrop atm and it'll help pave the way when I upgrade to Audeze LCD2s (hopefully once they fix their QC)
 
I'd like to still use the DAC from the Nuforce as it's apparently very good (I have no reference personally though) I'm wondering how I connect the Nuforce to an H10?
 
 
Nuforce

 
 
 
 
H10
 

 
After reading about 200+ pages (backwards of course) I'm hoping it'll be a good enough of an upgrade to last me another 5+ years.  Being able to upgrade to Burson amps is a + (as long as they don't melt)

vanusk said:

  So it's been about 7 years since I upgraded to a Nuforce Icon HDP (amp/dac) and dt990s from an Asus Xonar Essence STX which I fried accidentally, and HD555s that sound like tin cans compared to dt990s.  They're both still going strong even after very heavy use, but I think it's time to upgrade.
 
I don't expect anyone to know exactly how the amp from the Nuforce compares to the H10 since it's just so old now, but I'll take estimates . The H10 is pretty cheap on massdrop atm and it'll help pave the way when I upgrade to Audeze LCD2s (hopefully once they fix their QC)
 
I'd like to still use the DAC from the Nuforce as it's apparently very good (I have no reference personally though) I'm wondering how I connect the Nuforce to an H10?
 
 
Nuforce

 
 
 
 
H10
 

 
After reading about 200+ pages (backwards of course) I'm hoping it'll be a good enough of an upgrade to last me another 5+ years.  Being able to upgrade to Burson amps is a + (as long as they don't melt)

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As an amplifier, I am quite confident that H10 is better than Nuforce and I will not be surprised if H10 is much better.  

zilch0md said:

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You rock.
 
Edit: found the cables

Damn it! I couldn't resist anymore....just bought the full set of V5s. http://www.bursonaudio.com/gustard-h10-v5-ss-opamp-mod/ Lets see how long they take to get here.

You're going for it!

willowbrook said:

  Been lurking this thread for a while and decided to get the H10 for my HE-560, but I have no DAC right now. I am on a budget of $200~300, can anyone recommend a DAC that matches well with the H10?

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Here is nontraditional option.
 
I have got Denon DA-300USB a week ago when it was on deep sale, at the bottom of your price bracket range (down from $500). At first listen, it lacked bass and low-mids pretty badly, making sound thin. After burning it (and my brains) for last 2 days I am starting to really like it. Yes, it is a bit light on bass and is not extremely detailed, that is bad. But if one can get over it, one might discover that soundstage and imaging is to die for (comparing it with m9xx that is having pretty good rep), and musicality is outstanding - it makes pretty much everything sounds great (at least in the genres I care for - classical and jazz). As for bass... it is light, but the silver lining is that it is tighter than anything I have heard so far - very precise and punchy, just do not expect rumbles from it. Built in headphone amp is not too bad either - classical SS sound with no softness (or flabbiness, depending on one's taste) of tube amp; very neutral, does not go to insane loudness, but can drive all headphones I tried fairly well. Very different from H10, but different does not necessarily mean bad.
 
It might not stay in my 'critical listening' setup, but should be quite nice for 'just enjoying the music' setup.
 
As for 'synergy', it is not just synergy with H10, but with your ears/brains as well, typically you will know it when you hear it.

Thanks for all the recommendations, however I'd like something standalone being powered by a wallwart. I guess there aren't many choices sub $200, I might just go for a used modi 2U as a temporary solution. If anyone has better experience, please let me know.

You can consider some older DACs.

willowbrook said:

  Thanks for all the recommendations, however I'd like something standalone being powered by a wallwart. I guess there aren't many choices sub $200, I might just go for a used modi 2U as a temporary solution. If anyone has better experience, please let me know.

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Take a look at the SMSL M8.  It will process most anything you throw at it.  If you can wait for it to Massdrop again it goes very cheaply.

I really regret that I did not participate the previous massdrop. My DAC are all old, even though still good, I feel that they can be easily bettered by modern ones. 

Just grabbed the H10 off massdrop.  Shame it doesn't ship for 3 weeks!

vanusk said:

  Just grabbed the H10 off massdrop.  Shame it doesn't ship for 3 weeks!

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It is worth the wait.

The more you mention H10 from Massdrop, the more I want to snatch another one from it.