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

[stuartmc]

Well guys, I have to give analog metric a huge thumbs up. They took very good care of me with the replacement dual 797brz's. They even sent them express mail. If anyone wants the standard single 797brz's pre-mounted on adaptors, I wouldn't hesitate to use them. Their prices are great and their customer service is very good.

I say use them for the single ones, because the dual ones don't play nice with the H10. I got the dual ones to try instead of the AD823's and apparently they aren't an electrical equivalent. They sound horribly distorted. I suppose an EE could look at the specs and confirm that they are not equivalents and I was an idiot to try them.

No worries 'mates. I'm so pleased with the Bursons that I wasn't seriously considering a change anyway. I thought these might be a cheap alternative that would get you closer than the 823's to the dual Bursons goodness. They clearly don't.

 

[natemact]

I've read you typically want to replace a bipolar with another bipolar (5532 is bipolar)
 
Usually safe to swap a JFET for a bipolar but not the other way around (797 is jfet)
 
Glad everyone's enjoying their Burson's so much!

 

[jerick70]

Funny story....
 
Since I switched out my AD797/AD823 for the Burson v5s my H10 has sounded like crap.  Yes the H10 sounded horrible with the Burson's.  I've been reading all of the positive comments about the Burson's and thinking everyone is full of it.  I wasted my money.... these are going back.
 
Today I was totally fed up, but then it dawned on me, maybe I plugged in my DAC incorrectly to my H10.  I'm using the balanced connections, and my Yulong DA8's back connectors are laid out funny.  (NO WAY, I'D NEVER DO THAT.  I'M SUPER HEAD-FIER.  TOTALLY OUT OF THE QUESTION)  So I listened a little longer, and finally gave in.  I switched the cables and VOILA the sweetest music greeted me.
 
Turns out it wasn't the Burson's, it was my stupidity and ego.  I feel like such a dumb *****.
 
ROFL

   

 

[PWGuy]

  Funny story....
 
Since I switched out my AD797/AD823 for the Burson v5s my H10 has sounded like crap.  Yes the H10 sounded horrible with the Burson's.  I've been reading all of the positive comments about the Burson's and thinking everyone is full of it.  I wasted my money.... these are going back.
 
Today I was totally fed up, but then it dawned on me, maybe I plugged in my DAC incorrectly to my H10.  I'm using the balanced connections, and my Yulong DA8's back connectors are laid out funny.  (NO WAY, I'D NEVER DO THAT.  I'M SUPER HEAD-FIER.  TOTALLY OUT OF THE QUESTION)  So I listened a little longer, and finally gave in.  I switched the cables and VOILA the sweetest music greeted me.
 
Turns out it wasn't the Burson's, it was my stupidity and ego.  I feel like such a dumb *****.
 
ROFL

   

So don't hold back - what is your opinion on the sound comparison between the two sets!?

 

[jackharm]

Happens to the best of us

 

[jerick70]

 
So don't hold back - what is your opinion on the sound comparison between the two sets!?

I've only been listening properly for a couple of hours.  But initial impressions are very positive.   
 
I'm listening to Diana Krall's Girl In The Other Room album in DSD 64. 
 
1) There is more air around the instruments. 
2) The sound stage has expanded and has that "holographic" sense to it. 
3) There is more sparkle in the treble.  But it is not painful. 
4) And my big love is the Burson's dig more into the micro detail.  I always listen for the strike of the hammers on the piano strings in "Almost Blue" and Diane's breaths on the entire album to gage micro detail.  And it is there as clear as I've heard it on much more expensive equipment.  
5) The Burson's are not as "warm" as the 797/823 combo, I don't think. But I haven't listened to the 797/823 combo in a while.
 
I really think the Burson's are worth the extra cost.  They give you that much more.     

 

[jerick70]

 
I've only been listening properly for a couple of hours.  But initial impressions are very positive.   
 
I'm listening to Diana Krall's Girl In The Other Room album in DSD 64. 
 
1) There is more air around the instruments. 
2) The sound stage has expanded and has that "holographic" sense to it. 
3) There is more sparkle in the treble.  But it is not painful. 
4) And my big love is the Burson's dig more into the micro detail.  I always listen for the strike of the hammers on the piano strings in "Almost Blue" and Diane's breaths on the entire album to gage micro detail.  And it is there as clear as I've heard it on much more expensive equipment.  
5) The Burson's are not as "warm" as the 797/823 combo, I don't think. But I haven't listened to the 797/823 combo in a while.
 
I really think the Burson's are worth the extra cost.  They give you that much more.     

I've switched back to the AD797/AD823 combo.  I've put in the AD797BRZ instead of the ARZ though.  This is my first time listening to the BRZ. 
 
Here are my observations:
 
1) Definitely a more laid back sound. 
2) The sound stage is smaller.
3) Not as much micro detail.
4) Slower and less punchy.
5) The bass is less plentiful.  Also bass is not as hard hitting.
 
I'll try the AD797ANZ next and report.

 

[wwmhf]

Thanks a lot for your reports and looking forward to your next one on 797ANZ

 

[PWGuy]

Agree - it's really helpful!

 

[jerick70]

Thanks a lot for your reports and looking forward to your next one on 797ANZ

Agree - it's really helpful!

You're very welcome. This stuff makes me tick, so I really enjoy sharing it.

Sorry I'm not the most eloquent in my descriptions.

 

[bavinck]

OK crew. I just hooked up my new x12 to my h10. It has what appears to be a volume attenuation ability, it came default at - 9db. Using usb input. Why would I want to use this feature? I changed it to 0db, any reason why I would want to attenuate volume on a dac?

 

[jerick70]

OK crew. I just hooked up my new x12 to my h10. It has what appears to be a volume attenuation ability, it came default at - 9db. Using usb input. Why would I want to use this feature? I changed it to 0db, any reason why I would want to attenuate volume on a dac?

Correct me if I'm wrong anyone....
 
I believe it's for better component matching.

 

[moriez]

  Funny story....
 
Since I switched out my AD797/AD823 for the Burson v5s my H10 has sounded like crap.  Yes the H10 sounded horrible with the Burson's.  I've been reading all of the positive comments about the Burson's and thinking everyone is full of it.  I wasted my money.... these are going back.
 
Today I was totally fed up, but then it dawned on me, maybe I plugged in my DAC incorrectly to my H10.  I'm using the balanced connections, and my Yulong DA8's back connectors are laid out funny.  (NO WAY, I'D NEVER DO THAT.  I'M SUPER HEAD-FIER.  TOTALLY OUT OF THE QUESTION)  So I listened a little longer, and finally gave in.  I switched the cables and VOILA the sweetest music greeted me.
 
Turns out it wasn't the Burson's, it was my stupidity and ego.  I feel like such a dumb *****.
 
ROFL

   

 
LoL! Those exact same things happen to *ahem*

the best of us.
 
 

3) There is more sparkle in the treble.  But it is not painful. 
 
I really think the Burson's are worth the extra cost.  They give you that much more.
 

I've switched back to the AD797/AD823 combo.  I've put in the AD797BRZ instead of the ARZ though.  This is my first time listening to the BRZ.   
Here are my observations:
  4) Slower and less punchy.
5) The bass is less plentiful.  Also bass is not as hard hitting.

 
More sparkle in the treble could mean more quantity or do you think it's at the same level but just easier to hear?
 
Points 4 and 5 could exactly be what I'm looking for at the moment. It's greatly appreciated if you could listen and reaffirm that this really is the case to your ears.
What's other owners opinion in this specific area?

 

[swannie007]

Just installed the Burson V5S's a few hours ago and to say that I'm impressed is an understatement! The bass has definitely ramped up, but not so as to sound overdone or unnatural, just more present and very clean and tight. Kinda like mama went to the gym and tightened up her rear end. Nice and controlled.
The mid range is also cleaner but not sibilant. As it is at the moment, with about five hours of play, I am very happy. If it gets better with burn-in, that would just be a bonus. Not sure if I would install the dual op-amps as I think I am reaching a point of diminishing returns and would have a hard time justifying the expenditure against the small increment in performance. If I left this amp as it currently is, I would be happy for some time. Until, that is, Gustard makes a balanced amp with similar, or improved performance at a reasonable cost.
I will leave the amp on overnight playing music and have listen in the morning before work and see if I can detect an improvement in sound quality.
Thanks to the Captain for turning me on to this upgrade. Greetings and salutations to all SS Gustard swabbies from "The Bosun in The Bush".

 

[jerick70]

   
LoL! Those exact same things happen to *ahem*

the best of us.
 
 
 
More sparkle in the treble could mean more quantity or do you think it's at the same level but just easier to hear?
 
Points 4 and 5 could exactly be what I'm looking for at the moment. It's greatly appreciated if you could listen and reaffirm that this really is the case to your ears.
What's other owners opinion in this specific area?

I think the reason there is more sparkle is because the treble is cleaner.  I'll listen closer once I swab the Burson's back in and let you know what I think.
 
That is the great thing about the H10, you can choose what sound you want.  This amp is so responsive to opamp swabbing it's mind blowing.  The stock opamps will give you the most laid back sound out of the bunch.  Then the AD797/AD823.