Good afternoon everyone! I know this may sound stupid but after having this amp (Gustard H10) and the DAC (Gustard Dac X12), I just wanted to know what makes them so special? My brother and I have both have both done back to back blind A-B test with this and the Schiit Uber Stack (Magni 2 Uber & Modi 2 Uber) and barely noticed a difference, perhaps a tad smoother response and a slightly more filled in bass/mid region but even if that were that case it's certainly doesn't seem like it's worth anywhere near it's original price. Those minuet differences are to the point that are borderline neglectable. I admit that it appears "well built" but what's the point of having this (moderate sized/weighty dac/amp combo) if it hardly sounds any different from a DAC/AMP combo that not only cost a bit less together, also well built/comes with a variety of connectors (a pre-amp section in which the Gustard lacks) while taking up significantly less space at the same time?
I'm in no means a fanboy to Schiit Audio but I have to admit that the Gustard Combo didn't really "outclass" the Schiit Uber stack like many head-fiers made it seem like. If anything, the Schiit Uber Stack was just as good; the minuet the differences the Gustard showed were in no ways things I would call "advantages" . I understand that the H10 outputs more power but isn't the Gustard Combo also more power hungry while being "less energy efficient" as well? I'm asking because from a volume standpoint both combos came out quite clean and with plenty of power to not even have me question whether my HE-560s were being "under-driven" in anyway. I'm not here to rip the product or anyone who has it just being absolutely honest. If I came off as "rude" I apologize, if I came off as "ignorant" please feel free to enlighten me. Anyways, take care and I hope you all have an excellent week!
Other info:
Headphones: Hifiman HE-560
Music Player: Foobar 2000 (Wasapi plugin included).
Amps:
Gustard H10 (Fully Stock)
Schiit Magni 2 Uber
DAC
Gustard Dac X12 (Stock)
Schiit Modi 2 Uber.
At the risk of jumping in a pit of fire I'm responding to this post.
It would sound to me based on your subjective analysis that there is nothing that makes the Gustard AMP/DAC combo any more special that the Schiit Magni/Modi Uber combo. If the difference is that negligible to you then it would probably make the most sense to sell the Gustard combo and live happily with the Schiit ubers. You could invest that Gustard money into a trip or some other hobby or even the necessities of life.
Personally I've found my Gustard H10 to be significantly smoother and generally more detailed than the Schiit Magni 2 (non-uber) I used to own. I'd even say I prefer the H10 to the Asgard 2 which I still own. I've never owned a Gustard or Schiit DAC so I don't yet have an opinion there. For the record, I feed my Gustard H10 with balanced XLR from an Aune S16 the Aune being fed AES XLR digital from a Gustard U12 digital interface from my Windows desktop PC.
Maybe those Hifiman HE-560s are so good that neither the Schiit or Gustard combo are revealing enough. I've not had an opportunity to hear the HE-560 however I do have the HE-400i, Audeze EL-8 Open, Sen HD600 and I think they sound generally a bit smoother and more detailed through the H10 than the Asgard 2 and that is with the S16 being source for both. The Asgard does have more top end and a more in your face sound signature. Is the difference night and day? No, more like dawn to daylight.
In regard to power use, I'm sure the Gustard uses more power. Both Gustard components have larger power supplies and it is my understanding that the H10 is class A which would generally point to it being much less efficient. However when comparing the difference in power use over the course of a year I doubt there would be more than $10 or $15 between the two over the course of a year and that's if you ran them 24/7. Just shaving a few degrees off your home thermostat would save much more money/energy, over the course of time, if that is a real concern.
Below are some things I've figured out after spending way too much money in this headphone gear hobby/addiction.
- Sound preference is highly subjective and improvement/differences between various gear is often very subtle
- Cost to objective value quickly diminishes as price increases
- Subjective value varies greatly from individual to individual and is most always dictated by income bracket/disposable income.
Anyway.... sell that Gustard combo if the difference is minimal. Being able to settle on only a few components and headphones is a boon to your pocketbook in this hobby. Your retirement fund will thank you several decades down the road.
Now I've just got to convince myself and quit buying more amps, dacs and headphones.
