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

[Kyno]

   
Are you double-amping - using both the O2 amp and the H10, in series?  
 
Or are you taking a Line Out from the ODAC to the H10, bypassing the O2 amp?
 
Mike

 
Guess I'm double-amping the O2 in this case, quite a difference if I disconnect the Gustard or power it off, but it doesn't happen the other way around (no difference on the Gustard whatsoever if the O2 is powered on or not) so I suppose the ODAC is working alone.
 
I'll also be receiving an AMB Labs Gamma 2 in a few days
 
By the way, I proceeded to a "cold" listening getting up this morning.
 
Gustard H10 : WAAA, impressive, so "full" ! 
Polaris : Nice ! (especially on vocals, where the Gustard H10 may not shine as much (yet?)) But less rich and always feels like it's missing something regardless of how the jumpers are set up. Also feels like there is a tiny bit of grain in comparison. 
O2 : A bit more transparent but so dry and thin. And that's only for the treble, the rest doesn't compare.
 
50h in, but already enjoying it 

 

 

[Joong]

Hi,
I have got one, and listening to it connected to Conductor that lacks in powder to drive He-6s.
Now Gustard H10 has enough power to drive the inefficient phones.
 
From out of the box, it sounded wonderful, better than all that I have got: Marantz PM6005, TP60, and Burson Conductor itself.
He-6 thread should know this wonderful amp, while they are talking about several K$ amping with lots of R&D. 
It's amazing that I could hardly turn the volume knob more than 3 o'clock.
The sound is clean, fuller, and good separation of instruments without being grainy.

 

[No_One411]

  Hi,
I have got one, and listening to it connected to Conductor that lacks in powder to drive He-6s.
Now Gustard H10 has enough power to drive the inefficient phones.
 
From out of the box, it sounded wonderful, better than all that I have got: Marantz PM6005, TP60, and Burson Conductor itself.
He-6 thread should know this wonderful amp, while they are talking about several K$ amping with lots of R&D. 
It's amazing that I could hardly turn the volume knob more than 3 o'clock.
The sound is clean, fuller, and good separation of instruments without being grainy.

Which pre-gain setting are you using for the HE-6?
 
I find that 0 is usually enough for most headphones. I switch to +6 for Paradox Slants and -6 for my UERMs. 
 
Haven't heard anything that needs the +12 setting, but that may be necessary for something like the HE-6s. 
 
It does have plenty of power though. I don't turn the knob past 12 like...ever.

 

[Joong]

+12 gives good enough power I think.
At +12 the amp generates noticeably more power than Conductor, which demands me the maximum level setting.
Very impressive!
It seems a Conductor with additional power.
 
Actually I bought it as preamp for my Rotel amplifier, and tried to drive He-6.
I need another one for Rotel.
Gustard engineers should consider RCA pass-through for preamplifier application.

 

[Lorspeaker]

what going on here... i was researching on a killer dac, and stumbled onto this drained out Lake..
Does this same company have a killer dac to match? 

 

[jaywillin]

  what going on here... i was researching on a killer dac, and stumbled onto this drained out Lake..
Does this same company have a killer dac to match? 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GUSTARD-DAC-X9-Balance-decoder-Dual-WM8741-XMOS-USB-support-DSD-384K-32BIT-/251550061870?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item3a918d552e
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GUSTARD-DAC-X9-Balance-decoder-Dual-WM8741-XMOS-USB-support-DSD-384K-32BIT-/251550061870?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item3a918d552e
 
the second one looks an awful lot like a wyred4sound dac
 
not sure they are killer or not

 

[Joong]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gustard-ES9018-DAC-x10-DAC-Decoder-Xmos-USB-Support-DSD-XLR-Balanced-Output-AQ-/121481755592?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c48e07bc8
 
Is it a killer?
I am curious about this one.

 

[stuartmc]

I have no idea how the dac sounds, but given the stellar performance of the H10, I think it is safe to say that the designers who are behind Gustard know what they're doing. They don't reinvent the wheel - they take proven designs and build on them with their own mojo.

 

[FlySweep]

I'd be very interested to hear the X10 cause I wonder how they'd implement the 9018.. it's a great chip in terms of resolving ability.. but in most all the implementations I've heard, it's always exhibited a certain glare (commonly referred to as the "Sabre glare").. considering how well engineered the H10 is, I'd bet their 9018 implementation would be something worth taking a gamble on.  I was close to ordering the X9, though.. I like the WM8741 chip.. and I think in Gustard's hands, they could tweak it to sounds pretty damn NOS-like w/o coming across as a "wannabe."
 
I'm listening to Brian Simpson's, "It's All Good" LP (streaming in hi res via my Tidal subscription) w/ the H10 & HD650.. hot damn, it sounds great.  The smooth, natural, effortless quality of the dynamics is something I've come to relish with this amp.

 

[zilch0md]

 
[snip]
 
the second one looks an awful lot like a wyred4sound dac
 
[snip]

 
Yes!  That's the first thing that came to my mind.  
 
It's a shame, because it suggests they are chasing something, rather than standing on their own merits - which could very well be substantial, given the reputation their amp is developing.

 

[zilch0md]

  I'd be very interested to hear the X10 cause I wonder how they'd implement the 9018.. it's a great chip in terms of resolving ability.. but in most all the implementations I've heard, it's always exhibited a certain glare (commonly referred to as the "Sabre glare").. considering how well engineered the H10 is, I'd bet their 9018 implementation would be something worth taking a gamble on.  I was close to ordering the X9, though.. I like the WM8741 chip.. and I think in Gustard's hands, they could tweak it to sounds pretty damn NOS-like w/o coming across as a "wannabe."
 
I'm listening to Brian Simpson's, "It's All Good" LP (streaming in hi res via my Tidal subscription) w/ the H10 & HD650.. hot damn, it sounds great.  The smooth, natural, effortless quality of the dynamics is something I've come to relish with this amp.

 
I'm with you on the ESS9023 and ESS9018 "glare."  I don't mind using the Sabre DACs with the shelved highs of my LCD-2, as with the OPPO HA-1, but I can't stand Sabre treble with the HD800, for example. I too, prefer the Wolfson sound among all of the oversampling DACs.  I've come to prefer the Metrum Octave MkII (NOS DAC) with both my LCD-2 and HD800.  I had bought it to satisfy the HD800, but ended up liking what it did for the LCD-2, also.
 
I'm still waiting for someone experienced with an HD800 to chime in on the Gustard H10.  Sydneyaudio didn't know it, but he dropped a grenade in my lap eight days ago, posting that he likes the H10 with both his LCD-2 and HD800, but I just checked (again) and he hasn't been online since.  In fact, he has only made four posts in the past year, five in the past two years, thirteen in the past three years, having been a member since 2006. I guess he has "a life" outside of Head-Fi - no harm no foul there...  

  But I'm bummed that he hasn't returned since posting to this thread.  

 
 

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

  Have had this amp for a little while now. Amazing value for money, sounds fantastic with both my HD800 and LCD2. Love the large volume control.

 
 

Hi!

How long is "a little while?"

Which DAC are you using?

Is your HD800 modded?

Do you find you can listen to the HD800 for long periods as easily as you can the LCD-2, without fatigue?

Thanks!

Mike

 

 
Mike

 

[4Real]

There are owners of the DAC X10 on here
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/668857/dac-x10-worthy-budget-32-384-es9018-rig

 

[sydneyaudio]

Wow, didnt think anyone would be hanging out for me to post!
Yes, I am not on here very often these days - no time.
 
Anyway I am using the H10 with a Audio GD ref 7 and some aftermarket cables.
It sounds great with the LCD2 and HD800 - gives me as much pleasure as my previous Stax 02Mk1 and SRM323s. That system has been my reference point for a while.
I now have and LCD-XC to play with as well.
Its a very capable amp, as with all things it depends on your own listening tastes and how much you want to spend. I am sure some of the more expensive amps will sound better, but is it worth it?

 

[zilch0md]

Wow, didnt think anyone would be hanging out for me to post!
Yes, I am not on here very often these days - no time.

Anyway I am using the H10 with a Audio GD ref 7 and some aftermarket cables.
It sounds great with the LCD2 and HD800 - gives me as much pleasure as my previous Stax 02Mk1 and SRM323s. That system has been my reference point for a while.
I now have and LCD-XC to play with as well.
Its a very capable amp, as with all things it depends on your own listening tastes and how much you want to spend. I am sure some of the more expensive amps will sound better, but is it worth it?

Wait! Come back! The bolded questions are still unanswered!

Quote:
Originally Posted by zilch0md


Hi!

How long is "a little while?"

Which DAC are you using?

Is your HD800 modded?

Do you find you can listen to the HD800 for long periods as easily as you can the LCD-2, without fatigue?

Thanks!

Mike

Thanks!

Mike

 

[lukeap69]

Yeah, don't go yet.

I have both HD800 and H10 on the way. Can you provide more info about the pairing?