[dukja]

I have this DAC for sometimes and it sounds great via my old Audio-GD Digital Interface feeding SPDIF through coax.  However, I noticed that it would lose lock on SPDIF at 44.1 kHz from time to time.  I cannot duplicate the issue at will but it comes and goes.  I have two DIs, one at home and one at office.  This X12 suffered the same issue with both DI, hence I suspect that it might have some issue.
 
The USB input to it runs fine but the sound quality is inferior to the SPDIF input from DI. I listen to it with the chain:
DI > SPDIF > X12 > Audio-GD Phoenix > HD800
 
and sound was very smooth and clear at high with good bass.  The stage is nice and wide with great dynamic range.  I have little to complain except the losing lock issue.
 
So I would like to check any X12 owner who might experience the same issue?

 

[GioF71]

Hello, I have the X12 with the U12 interface.
I use a HDMI connection between the two boxes, and I am not using SPDIF (I assume you are talking about Coaxial).
But it happened once that the X12 lost the connection and on the display I could see the "Unlock" string.
 
Turns out it was due to a loose cable connection. Once the cable has been seated firmly the problem disappeared.
However I replaced that generic hdmi cable with the one from Ricable (an Italian brand). No issues since then.
 
 

 
So it MIGHT be a similar issue. Worth a check

 

[dukja]

Thanks a lot for the input.  I did use Coax and it was very tight connection, hence I don't think loose connection was the issue.  And I have used different coaxial cable with no difference.
 
I have been thinking about another USB transport such as U12 that may has I2S.  However, some impression seems to prefer DI over U12.  That was my hesitation.  And I really hate to discard my good old DI to buy another one.
 
So still looking for SPDIF experience....

 

[GioF71]

so does your DI have a I2S port?

 

[dukja]

Apparently not or I have not problem.    and  
 
It was the older generation DI with only BNC and coax output of SPDIF.  I had one tied up with my Audio-GD Ref-7 with BNC coax. 

 

[GioF71]

ok. still a very nice unit. I am dreaming of a new audio gd stack with di + nfb1 dac + nfb1 amp :-D

 

[dukja]

Not much people using this DAC and I cannot resolve the issue with any post here.  So Gustard DAC-X12 is gone back for a refund.  I was glad that Massdrop offers full refund with even shipping covered.