Gustard DAC-X30

[sendler2112]

The LAN input usually offers the best sound if you can use it with your player such as HQ Player.

And converting PCM files to SDM in an external program will sound better if you have enough processor power to use the best modulator and filter.

 

[ms10]

I currently have an R26, fed by an Innuos Phoenix USB and connected to a Mutec Nano 10Mhz clock (itself powered by a decent LPS). I've found the Mutec, in particular, to have a hugely beneficial impact on the sound of the R26.

However, I have recently been wondering if a little more attack and detail is required in my system, which is perhaps now a little too polite. Hence me now considering an upgrade from the R26 to the X30.

I realise there are many reviews of the X30 out there, most comparing it to the R26 at some point. However, what I can't find is any of them reviewing the X30 with a decent external clock like the Mutec. Some might disagree, but there are clocks, and there are clocks. I'm not expecting an LHY or a Gustard clock to perform anywhere near as well as the Mutec.

So, I'm well aware that the X30 has its own OCXO, and I'm sure the upcoming R30 will too. I'm, therefore a little worried that the X30/R30 is no better than an R26 with a good external clock.

My question is, has anyone tried the X30 with a decent square-wave clock such as a Mutec? How much of an improvement was there?

 

[sendler2112]

I currently have an R26, fed by an Innuos Phoenix USB and connected to a Mutec Nano 10Mhz clock (itself powered by a decent LPS). I've found the Mutec, in particular, to have a hugely beneficial impact on the sound of the R26.

However, I have recently been wondering if a little more attack and detail is required in my system, which is perhaps now a little too polite. Hence me now considering an upgrade from the R26 to the X30.

I realise there are many reviews of the X30 out there, most comparing it to the R26 at some point. However, what I can't find is any of them reviewing the X30 with a decent external clock like the Mutec. Some might disagree, but there are clocks, and there are clocks. I'm not expecting an LHY or a Gustard clock to perform anywhere near as well as the Mutec.

So, I'm well aware that the X30 has its own OCXO, and I'm sure the upcoming R30 will too. I'm, therefore a little worried that the X30/R30 is no better than an R26 with a good external clock.

My question is, has anyone tried the X30 with a decent square-wave clock such as a Mutec? How much of an improvement was there?

I now favor the X26III over my R26 or Cyan2 for its increased fine detail, transients, and slam.If you already have a good external clock, you could probably get quite close to an X30 with the less expensive X26III

 

[rafabro]

Still waiting for Saligny GAN bridges

Thanks to your suggestion I will try that rectifier in my Audio-PC power supply.

 

[demi88]

And here are two them in the X30 digital stage, replacing the fast recovery diodes.



The impact is dramatic. I never expected the diodes to have such a strong, literally diffusing effect on the sound. With the active rectifiers space opens up even more, treble is cleaner, perfect coherence across the whole frequency spectrum, more power in the midrange and especially the bass. This is nuts. They will be my must-have modification and go everywhere.

On Monday I am expecting the 2x6V transformer and then I can finally kick the stupid DCDC switcher. This will reduce system complexity, which is always a good thing.

Replaced Digital Section diodes with Saligny GAN, the impact is dramatic indeed, but controversial.
More liquidity, space lil bit opens up, less resolution, midrange are too much & vocals too forward, but lower bass is almost non existent.

As a next step - replaced Analog Section diodes with Saligny GAN - the bass is back, even stronger than before, resolution increased too.
Not sure, why my experience is kinda different - probably related either to 5V lines being pre-regulated by Sparkos at my X30, or Saligny GAN isn't perfect solution to work with SCT2432. Going to measure next week.

Note: for both bridges extra 2.2uF around the bridge - was the must, it helped with the midrange domination and added extra resolution.

 

[HermannS]

Replaced Digital Section diodes with Saligny GAN, the impact is dramatic indeed, but controversial.
More liquidity, space lil bit opens up, less resolution, midrange & vocals are too much, but lower bass is almost non existent.

As a next step - replaced diodes with Saligny GAN - the bass is back, even stronger than before, resolution increased too.
Not sure, why my experience is kinda different - probably related either to 5V lines being pre-regulated by Sparkos at my X30, or Saligny GAN isn't perfect solution to work with SCT2432. Going to measure next week.

Note: for both bridges extra 2.2uF around the bridge - was the must, it helped with the midrange domination and added extra resolution.

Once the switchers are gone, the device stops flipping back and forth. I really recommend that, it's less difficult than it looks.

 

[clsidxxl]

Demi,
Maybe the Gan is not suitable, try exchanging them with a Saligny universal V2 or Saligny standard(designed for digital)
With a bit of luck, Evotronix will take them in exchange, if you explain the context to them.

 

[demi88]

Demi,
Maybe the Gan is not suitable, try exchanging them with a Saligny universal V2,
With a bit of luck, Evotronix will take them in exchange, if you explain your implementation to them.

Thank you, need to do series of experiments and measurements, probably GAN is sort of conflicting with something upstream. Unclear yet, anyway, I will find a use for 2 extra GANs if that's the case.
Another odd part, with GANs installed to digital section - I hear some buzz noise from one of 4R7 Inductors under the digital board.

UPD: Evotronix was really helpful and suggested how to figure out the buzzing issue I've had at the digital section - now we talking

Once the switchers are gone, the device stops flipping back and forth. I really recommend that, it's less difficult than it looks.

Dunno, it means I have to change the trafo.
Not quite sure yet, don't like the solution with 2A linear regulator running full throttle.

 

[clsidxxl]

The standard Saligny is made for digital, you should ask Evotronix for some advice.

 

[pataburd]

Just joining this thread.
Has anyone a/b-ed the X30 vs. Holo May [or Spring] KTE?
My preference would probably be for an "A30".

 

[sendler2112]

Just joining this thread.
Has anyone a/b-ed the X30 vs. Holo May [or Spring] KTE?
My preference would probably be for an "A30".

I quickly moved away from my A26 in favor of the R26 which I also slightly prefer to the HypeTrain Cyan2. My Gustard X26III (two chip, basic clock version of the X30) is the best of all three.

 

[pataburd]

Temporarily decommissioning the Spring 2 KTE, I reverted--short-term--to a lowly AKM-based dongle [Hidizs S9], the sound of which, in limited respects [general sense of energy, speed, precision/well-tempered crispness] "bettered" [in my mind's ear] the Holo(!).

 

[demi88]

And here are two them in the X30 digital stage, replacing the fast recovery diodes.

The impact is dramatic. I never expected the diodes to have such a strong, literally diffusing effect on the sound. With the active rectifiers space opens up even more, treble is cleaner, perfect coherence across the whole frequency spectrum, more power in the midrange and especially the bass. This is nuts. They will be my must-have modification and go everywhere.

I had to make a stop after installing active rectifiers into the digital section & carefully compare with the reference (unmodified DAC).
Dunno why, but something not right - very odd tonal balance & weak bass.

Rolled back Digital Section to diodes one by one, the one on the right is improving things, one of the left - does something nasty for sure.
Analog section active rectifiers do work like a charm, Diodes for Digital + Saligny Universal GAN for analog = can't stop listen the music.

May be I have to try MOFI rectifiers for the digital section, sometimes simpler is better, right?

 

[HermannS]

I had to make a stop after installing active rectifiers into the digital section & carefully compare with the reference (unmodified DAC).
Dunno why, but something not right - very odd tonal balance & weak bass.

Rolled back Digital Section to diodes one by one, the one on the right is improving things, one of the left - does something nasty for sure.
Analog section active rectifiers do work like a charm, Diodes for Digital + Saligny Universal GAN for analog = can't stop listen the music.

May be I have to try MOFI rectifiers for the digital section, sometimes simpler is better, right?

That's really funky what you are experiencing here. I am not suprised that it is always the left one making trouble, however. That darn digital section is so sensitive to the slightest change. I found the MOFI to make a smooth, cleaner sound without any drawbacks. Bass is not the strong suit of my speakers, but I regularily check with my Audeze LCD5 and there I like what I hear.

 

[pataburd]

X30 incoming . . .