Gustard H20 headphone amp
May 22, 2017 at 10:18 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 652

mtoc

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No specs yet (I know this sounds silly, but when you have no way to listen to, the only the way that makes sense is the specs), might be a high power gear, btw, the design guy uses Liquid Gold for years, so H20 gotta be some LG sound-alike, just assuming.
 
Jul 13, 2017 at 5:19 PM Post #2 of 652
The feedback in China is pretty good, some said it's comparable to Liquid Gold.
6e8c4de1gy1fg9gk8p5djj215o0rsx4k.jpg
 
Jul 15, 2017 at 11:47 AM Post #3 of 652
I'm gonna pull the trigger and eat the bullet if it's below $600. Haven't find any satified hp amp yet (nor DAC), audio industry is full of deep(ly) flaws, /flawed notions. /full of frost. It's far from perfect/satisfied. it has op amps in signal paths

looks good for orths though

I hate digtial vol and I hate crappy analog pots, but I usually use PC's vol due to lazyness, don't wanna move my fat ass during causal listening
it includes a remote (or maybe not, canceled i guess)
Relay vol also has all kinds of topology, but I'm too tired to ask them which kind they've used (they didn't choose the best option, I'm sure, budget talks/takes it all)
I have to make sure that the unit I receive will have the white omron relay as in the photos (these white stuff are not bad, but pretty good choice, the resistors could be modded but I'm gonna leave them alone)
at least the output z is pretty low 0.x ohm level
and high power
 
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Jul 15, 2017 at 11:14 PM Post #4 of 652
I'm gonna pull the trigger and eat the bullet if it's below $600. Haven't find any satified hp amp yet (nor DAC), audio industry is full of deep(ly) flaws, /flawed notions. /full of frost. It's far from perfect/satisfied. it has op amps in signal paths

looks good for orths though

I hate digtial vol and I hate crappy analog pots, but I usually use PC's vol due to lazyness, don't wanna move my fat ass during causal listening
it includes a remote (or maybe not, canceled i guess)
Relay vol also has all kinds of topology, but I'm too tired to ask them which kind they've used (they didn't choose the best option, I'm sure, budget talks/takes it all)
I have to make sure that the unit I receive will have the white omron relay as in the photos (these white stuff are not bad, but pretty good choice, the resistors could be modded but I'm gonna leave them alone)
at least the output z is pretty low 0.x ohm level
and high power
Ouch, msrp in China is 5380 rmb with is around 800 usd
 
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Jul 22, 2017 at 10:41 PM Post #5 of 652
Jul 22, 2017 at 10:52 PM Post #6 of 652
No specs yet (I know this sounds silly, but when you have no way to listen to, the only the way that makes sense is the specs), might be a high power gear, btw, the design guy uses Liquid Gold for years, so H20 gotta be some LG sound-alike, just assuming.

From Aliexpress:

Gordon GUSTARD H20 amp; pre-class full-balanced class A headphone amplifier;
Song Shide H20 technical characteristics:

• The post-stage amplifier circuit uses its own application for many years to separate the sub-line, each channel 2 pairs of power tube, a total of 8 pairs of power tube;

• Each channel uses two independent amplifying units to form a symmetrical output line, which outputs both single-ended and balanced;

• The front class consists of a separate 4-way amplifier circuit, using two LM49720 dual op amp;

• Have a separate pre-stage output, can be connected to active speakers or pure after the class;

• The use of matrix relay volume, effective to ensure that 4-way volume unanimous;

• Native full-balanced architecture, from input to volume control to before and after zoom, without any conversion, complete four-way architecture;
• Equipped with third gear gain (high middle low), amp and line (XLR) at the same time;

• There are three inputs: RCA * 1, XLR * 2 \
• The left and right channels each adopt a custom 50W audio ring transformer, completely independent of each other without interference;

• All aluminum chassis, full silver and all black colors available;

• Machine size: width 330 * deep 260 * high 65MM (without protruding parts);

• Packaging size: length 420 * wide 360 * high 175MM;

• Package weight: 6.5KG;

• International voltage AC100V-240V (manual adjustment);

• XLR interface definition: US standard (1, 2 hot, 3 cold).

H20 Parameters:

• Analog input:
RCA standard input group, input sensitivity typical value: 2Vrms; input impedance 47kΩ
XLR balanced input two groups, input sensitivity typical: 6Vrms; input impedance 2.4kΩ

• Front analog output (XLR):
Output impedance 200Ω
Frequency response: 20-80kHz /-0.1dB
Signal to noise ratio:> 122dB
Channel crosstalk: -130dB @ 1kHz
THD + N: <0.0004%
IMD: <0.0004%

• amp output:
Frequency response: 20-80kHz /-0.1dB
Signal to noise ratio:> 120dB
Channel crosstalk: -120dB @ 1kHz
THD + N: <0.0005% @ 6000mW into 32Ω LOAD
IMD: <0.0005% @ 6000mW into 32Ω LOAD
Maximum distortion output power 6000mW into 32Ω LOAD
Maximum output power 12000mW @ 32Ω (when THD = 1%)

• Load power:
64Ω 5360mW
150Ω 2680mW
300Ω 1340mW
600Ω 670mW
 
Jul 23, 2017 at 1:48 AM Post #8 of 652
I see it listed for $1300.00
A bit steeper than that $600.00 that was mentioned as acceptable, but the specs do look good.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/GUS...19029768.html?spm=2114.search0304.4.50.KMRinQ
It would be nice if I could find some reviews. Maybe Massdrop will get it for around $800.
I doubt that's legit bc Gustard said they are still looking for transformer for 110V, there's only 220V version right now.
Also 5380rmb=800usd, 1300-800 = 500 importer took $500 to their pocket...
 
Jul 23, 2017 at 4:55 PM Post #9 of 652
TPSRA,
Can you tell us where you are reading the information on this amp?
I would be interested in following its development too.
 
Jul 24, 2017 at 2:32 AM Post #11 of 652
TPSRA,
Can you tell us where you are reading the information on this amp?
I would be interested in following its development too.
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?sp...1UaUEl&id=553344102668&ns=1&abbucket=5#detail
5380 rmb.
"H20仅限中国大陆上市,请代理商不要发布于国际平台,国外上市时间另外通知。
暂时只有230V版本,没有115V版本."
Roughly translated to "H20 is limited to China right now, distributors please don't release on international platform. Currently there's only 230V version."
 
Aug 2, 2017 at 3:31 PM Post #12 of 652
Even below 1000$ I wouldn't try it considering the almost end-game, trusted options like
* Shiit Audio mjolnir (850$)
* Cayin iHA-6 (Auralic Taurus clone, no preamp) for 999$ and
* Auralik Taurus MKII for slightly more - 1500$ brand new. King of all SS amps.

I wander if there are any headphones, planar, dynamic or whatever that will really benefit from more power Taurus provide (Stax is an exception)
 
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Aug 2, 2017 at 7:35 PM Post #13 of 652
Well, You name some fine amps here. Still, I would like to see what people say about the amp... after they hear it. I am going by my experience with the H10. I find it to be a very nice amp for the price. So I think I will give it a chance. If they run some hot deal on Massdrop, I may even pick one up to try.
 

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