Latest Thread Images

Gustard U12 USB Interface 8 Core XMOS chip
Jul 24, 2015 at 2:02 PM Post #2,086 of 3,700
dacladder said:
Not really stock but... I designed my own HDMI I2S board but the later AGD version works and is pinned out the same/ functions identically.  I do not own a Master 11 but since it is PCM only should be the same as the Master 7 as far as how its HDMI I2S port works.  But you can say my Master 7 works just like the factory built models.  

I can't comment on the NFB-28 and DSD over the HDMI I2S interface.  That is another mode specific to sigma-delta DACs and doesn't apply to ladder DACs.  But you can also send PCM over HDMI I2S to the NFB-28 and that mode may have the same connection issues as the Master 7 but don't know for sure.   These would be Kingwa questions or perhaps someone familiar can clarify.

If you have no ability or find someone to modify the Gustard U12 HDMI I2S port (or cable) then it will not work correctly and/or give best performance with any of the AGD products as they all use the same HDMI I2S receiver board.  The U12 only works for me with PCM to the Master 7 as it is modified to conform to the PS Audio method,  The U12 though with work great as-is with a Gustard DAC over HDMI I2S as they are both pinned out to be compatible.  You would though have the exact same signal polarity issues going the other way with say using the Off Ramp 5 and a stock Gustard DAC.  There is a lot of confusion in this area as there is no industry standard for I2S over the HDMI hardware and seems every manf. does something differently.  But the PS Audio method does work for a lot of higher end DACs and seems to be favored - at least in N. America.
Click to expand...

I'm going to make a custom HDMi cable and I just need a little guidance on how to modify the pins.

What should be done to side A for audio-gd and side B for bustard gustard.
Assuming that only one end of the cable needs to be modified? Please advise.
I bought a couple cables that can be opened, also a breakout connector with plastic cover, and basic connectors too. Will make something they hopefully works. :)
I'm just trying to avoid modifying the gustard u12.
I'm "ok" with a soldering iron so should have no problem. I want to be sure I have a visual of what I need to do. I'll be sure to label the cable for custom use and only use it with the master 11. If it sucks, oh well. I will report back. And sell my u12 on here or return to Amazon. Depending on what I can do.
 
Jul 24, 2015 at 2:18 PM Post #2,087 of 3,700
bimmer100 said:
I'm going to make a custom HDMi cable and I just need a little guidance on how to modify the pins.

What should be done to side A for audio-gd and side B for bustard gustard.
Assuming that only one end of the cable needs to be modified? Please advise.
I bought a couple cables that can be opened, also a breakout connector with plastic cover, and basic connectors too. Will make something they hopefully works.
smily_headphones1.gif

I'm just trying to avoid modifying the gustard u12.
I'm "ok" with a soldering iron so should have no problem. I want to be sure I have a visual of what I need to do. I'll be sure to label the cable for custom use and only use it with the master 11. If it sucks, oh well. I will report back. And sell my u12 on here or return to Amazon. Depending on what I can do.
Click to expand...

There are four main twisted pairs of signals as shown in diagram for the U12 HDMI interface below.   On one side only of the cable you reverse the connections at 1 <--> 3 (DATA) and also at 7 <--> 9 (LRCLK) and that is all.  That is connect pin 1 wire to pin 3 connector and pin 3 wire to pin 1 connector, etc.  Easier said than done but shouldn't be that tough if you go slow and use visual aid if required. 
 
Edit: After modification you can connect either end to the U12.  Makes no difference.  Wireworld HDMI cables have removable headshells.  Expensive but the ultraviolets are pretty good. 
 

 
Jul 24, 2015 at 3:23 PM Post #2,088 of 3,700
dacladder said:
There are four main twisted pairs of signals as shown in diagram for the U12 HDMI interface below.   On one side only of the cable you reverse the connections at 1 <--> 3 (DATA) and also at 7 <--> 9 (LRCLK) and that is all.  That is connect pin 1 wire to pin 3 connector and pin 3 wire to pin 1 connector, etc.  Easier said than done but shouldn't be that tough if you go slow and use visual aid if required. 

Edit: After modification you can connect either end to the U12.  Makes no difference.  Wireworld HDMI cables have removable headshells.  Expensive but the ultraviolets are pretty good. 
Click to expand...


Awesome! Thank you for a more clear response. I think that makes sense.
 
Jul 24, 2015 at 8:58 PM Post #2,089 of 3,700
Hi folks, Just got my gustard u12 today. I ran through the install but i do not see it as an option to select as a playback device. What am I missing here? Side note...it does show up in jriver under audio devices. 
 
Any help is appreciated
 
Jul 25, 2015 at 3:32 AM Post #2,090 of 3,700
What is the HDMI pin layout of U12. Don't want to accidentally choose wrong picture. Also wonder if it is worth asking for custom pin layout for a-gd Master 11 to work with U12.
 
Jul 25, 2015 at 4:18 PM Post #2,091 of 3,700
lancerfin said:
  What is the HDMI pin layout of U12. Don't want to accidentally choose wrong picture. Also wonder if it is worth asking for custom pin layout for a-gd Master 11 to work with U12.
Click to expand...

The U12 HDMI pinout is the diagram directly above in my post (the yellow one). 
 
Not to confuse you or others but for reference the IC chip swap or cable rewire method is to match the PS Audio like HDMI I2S receiver interfaces such as shown in the link below.  In the diagram on the left side is the cable connector for these receiver boards.  Pins 1 - 3,  7 - 9 are reversed from what the Gustard U12 puts out and, of course, the need to redo something to make it right.   The other two clock signals match OK so no changes needed for them.
 
http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/6797612/i2s-lvds2lvttl-rev3-1-pdf-55k
 
Jul 25, 2015 at 4:34 PM Post #2,092 of 3,700
audiochubb said:
  Hi folks, Just got my gustard u12 today. I ran through the install but i do not see it as an option to select as a playback device. What am I missing here? Side note...it does show up in jriver under audio devices. 
 
Any help is appreciated
Click to expand...


My U12 comes up in Windows -> Playback Devices as "Speakers" and you can see "XMOS XS1-U8...." as well.   I think the driver loader on the supplied CD (2.26) just moved he driver files to my local drive under "Program Files->XMOS\" directory.   You will find an 'setup.exe' lower down in this path.  This is what actually loaded the Windows driver and made things work.  Connect the U12 USB before attempting driver loads. And I'm using WIn 8.1 x64.   Try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver. 
 
Jul 26, 2015 at 8:31 PM Post #2,093 of 3,700
Thank you very much for replying to my post. Unfortunately my gustard does not show up in playback devices even under speakers. You are correct that the driver shows up under program files but it is missing the setup.exe folder. 
 
Jul 26, 2015 at 8:59 PM Post #2,094 of 3,700
audiochubb said:
  Thank you very much for replying to my post. Unfortunately my gustard does not show up in playback devices even under speakers. You are correct that the driver shows up under program files but it is missing the setup.exe folder. 
Click to expand...

 
If using Windows 8 / 8.1 be sure to turn off driver signing.
First uninstall driver and reboot your pc. Connect U12 to usb port and install driver. After installing driver restart pc.
 
It should be ok then.
 
Here's explanation on how to turn off driver signing in windows 8 / 8.1
 
http://www.howtogeek.com/167723/how-to-disable-driver-signature-verification-on-64-bit-windows-8.1-so-that-you-can-install-unsigned-drivers/
 
Regards,
 
Alex
 
Jul 26, 2015 at 9:26 PM Post #2,095 of 3,700
yes driver signing off, or it will not show. remember to restart winders after entering command :wink:
you should see something like this after you restart, in the lower right hand area of you screen:
 


 
Jul 27, 2015 at 9:43 AM Post #2,097 of 3,700
audiochubb said:
  Thank you very much for replying to my post. Unfortunately my gustard does not show up in playback devices even under speakers. You are correct that the driver shows up under program files but it is missing the setup.exe folder. 
Click to expand...


The directory path on my machime is Program Files\ XMOS\USBAudioStDriver_3033...  This is the location where "setup.exe" is found to load the Windows driver.  Driver version 2.26 is the only one I could find that would load up straight away on Win 8.1 as it seemed to be signed properly.  . 
 
Jul 27, 2015 at 9:56 AM Post #2,098 of 3,700
Received a 2nd U12 from a forum member at a good price. Thank you!  I do not seem to have the USB connection issue that plagues my first unit.  Yeah!
 
After reworking the 2nd unit for PS Audio HDMI I2S (chip method) the sound quality is good on these stock U12s.   Comparable to the Off Ramp 5 but the Off Ramp 5 is a bit more liquid.  I do plan to rework the 2nd unit to change the bulk filter caps and add sockets for the two oscillators.  Crystek oscillators took the first U12 to a new level of SQ and hope the same for the 2nd.  Also plan to try other oscillators as well.  So things are looking up for my U12 experience!    
 
Jul 28, 2015 at 1:01 AM Post #2,099 of 3,700
I've been listening to the Master11 with the U12 today and not seeing a reason to keep it. As the sound quality so similar to being literally the same. I've applied a reverse channel filter in Jriver to compensate for the channel reversal. Sounds basically the same now. I should be getting the Amanero Combo 384 on wednesday. And that should be an improvement above the Via USB32.
I don't hear an improvement with the Gustard U12 as much as I want to hear something. If anything I'm going to side on the loss of performance side. 
I didn't have any issues installing it with windows 8.1
everything works great. I'm using Jriver, reversed L and R channels, and chose HDMI streaming for bitperfect. I switch back to normal settings when going back to Via KS Direct [ASIO] for my M11.
 
Worth a shot, but not an improvement IMHO. Likely with some of DACLadders personal tweaks it would be something special.  I have only tested for about 4 hours now, but played all my favorite common songs I know very well. There is a very very very small difference. 
 
I would consider paying to have these mods done just out of curiosity. And hold nobody responsible if it was damaged. :D 
 
but that likely won't happen. I should just return the unit.
 
Jul 28, 2015 at 2:41 AM Post #2,100 of 3,700
I may end up doing the same when ever I get the Gustard X12 and see if the U12 I have that I bought modded would make any difference to my ears in compare to the usb of the X12. Tho I might keep it and use it any way even if their a small difference to my ears, since I also have a Yamaha RX-V367 with Sony SS-B1000 speakers that I use for desktop and I much rather connect the Coax from the U12 into the receiver since the I would be using the I2S from the U12 into the X12 any way. That way i wont have to worry with issues from my onboard audio or my GTX 970 HDMi audio into my receiver.
 
I wonder have any one tried plugging the I2S from the U12 into a home audio receiver HDMi, I doubt it would work and may damage something of course I wont try it and find out and burn something out if it doesn't work but I kind of curious Unless the pin layout  on the U12 for the I2S is not the same pinout standard for HDMI.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top