[rb2013]

I did, along with the HDMI output, and a HDMI kit to install one on my NFB7 too.
I mainly want to see what difference it makes compared to using regular USB input

 
Let us know how you like it

 

[preproman]

I'm late to the party so I apologize if these questions have already been asked.  
 
Looking to build a second system in a different location.  Been looking at two converters, now this one has been added.
 
http://audiobyte.net/products/hydra-z = $1K
 
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/DI2014/DI2014EN.htm = close to $400 with shipping (i'm guessing)
 
And now this one.  
 
One thing is for sure this U12 looks way better than the DI - to me anyway.  
 
I see some have modded this unit.  Have any one tried to use the Femto clocks?
 
This is a really cool thread guys..

 

[rb2013]

  I'm late to the party so I apologize if these questions have already been asked.  
 
Looking to build a second system in a different location.  Been looking at two converters, now this one has been added.
 
http://audiobyte.net/products/hydra-z = $1K
 
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/DI2014/DI2014EN.htm = close to $400 with shipping (i'm guessing)
 
And now this one.  
 
One thing is for sure this U12 looks way better than the DI - to me anyway.  
 
I see some have modded this unit.  Have any one tried to use the Femto clocks?
 
This is a really cool thread guys..

The hydra looks very similar to the Musiland USB 3.0 I used before, the advantage with the hydra is the seperate dc power source.  I did the work around solution on the Musiland using the Aqvox linear PS that feeds through the USB.
 
Have not tried changing the clocks as they look very good stock.  As good as the Musiland's were, the Gustard's are better in my three systems.
 
PS and compared to the above a real bargain at $160.  If I was going to go all out it ($1k+), it would be with the Berkley Alpha USB

 

[preproman]

Yeah, I'm using the Alpha USB in my main system.  Yeah, the DC input is a good feature for those who would like to add a LPSU, I think it's a plus.  
 
Your right, $160 is really a bargain. 

 

[conquerator2]

While the Gustard might have the advantage in exterior, I think as far as internal go, at least on paper, the DI-V2014 is considerably more beefed up.
I might get the U12 in time if I am not happy with the DI

 

[Chodi]

I have the U10 and it has worked flawlessly over many months. You can read hundreds of posts right here on the forum about the audio-gd product with firmware and driver complaints. The Gustard sounds wonderful right out of the box and it cost is a real bargain. Seems like an obvious choice in it's price range. I had the Hiface two and the Gustard was far better in every respect. The newer U12 has a display which the U10 did not. Also they claim a newer xmos chip in the U12. At that price if I were looking for a new usb interface it would not be a difficult decision. At the very least it is an inexpensive trial.

 

[sgbwill2]

Has anyone compared it to the Topping D20? very interested as I am looking for an upgrade.

 

[conquerator2]

I am aware of the DI's shortcomings and I am not trying to devalue the Gustard. It seems very good for the price. Still, a comparison would be nice, no?

 

[rb2013]

I have the U10 and it has worked flawlessly over many months. You can read hundreds of posts right here on the forum about the audio-gd product with firmware and driver complaints. The Gustard sounds wonderful right out of the box and it cost is a real bargain. Seems like an obvious choice in it's price range. I had the Hiface two and the Gustard was far better in every respect. The newer U12 has a display which the U10 did not. Also they claim a newer xmos chip in the U12. At that price if I were looking for a new usb interface it would not be a difficult decision. At the very least it is an inexpensive trial.

I'll have to go over to that thread to read more about it. As I'm always looking to boost my systems performance, I was giving the DI some consideration. The nice part about upgraging from the Musiland's to the Gustard's it was almost cost free. I was able to sell the Musiland's for not much less then the Gustatd's cost. Now after hearing the two, it was a killer upgrade.

 

[Wynnytsky]

  Has anyone compared it to the Topping D20? very interested as I am looking for an upgrade.

If your looking to upgrade a DAC then please roll your dice on the Gustard DAC-X12 and tell us something.  It came out let than a week ago (Dec 15th).  Off the bat I can see the W4S body is gone.  And the vintage LCD screen will make this your ONLY component that isn't adding to the night time listening light show.
 
My friend uses that Topping DAC for his desktop PC.  It's funny because the USB section died on it and he was forced to add a USB transport (though the Gustard he reserves for his primary rig).  He is actually responsible for getting me and several of my friends to purchase the U10, and so far two of us opted to get the U12 as well.

 

[elwappo99]

   
If your looking to upgrade a DAC then please roll your dice on the Gustard DAC-X12 and tell us something.  It came out let than a week ago (Dec 15th).  Off the bat I can see the W4S body is gone.  And the vintage LCD screen will make this your ONLY component that isn't adding to the night time listening light show.
 
My friend uses that Topping DAC for his desktop PC.  It's funny because the USB section died on it and he was forced to add a USB transport (though the Gustard he reserves for his primary rig).  He is actually responsible for getting me and several of my friends to purchase the U10, and so far two of us opted to get the U12 as well.

 
Interesting. Looking at pics and it seems like the H10 stacks quite nicely with it. Looks like the H10 got some pretty positive marks, overall
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/735828/gustard-h10-high-current-discrete-class-a-output-stage-headphone-amplifier

 

[rb2013]

  Has anyone compared it to the Topping D20? very interested as I am looking for an upgrade.

No - but  I just completed a DAC modding project - that turned out killer!  I took a stock Lite DAC60 and did some pretty extensive mods - it now competes with and even beats my 6X more expensive APL DAC.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/740362/lite-dac60-pcm1704-r2r-tubed-dac-mod-project

 

[Benny-x]

  I'm late to the party so I apologize if these questions have already been asked.  
 
Looking to build a second system in a different location.  Been looking at two converters, now this one has been added.
 
http://audiobyte.net/products/hydra-z = $1K
 
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/DI2014/DI2014EN.htm = close to $400 with shipping (i'm guessing)
 
And now this one.  
 
One thing is for sure this U12 looks way better than the DI - to me anyway.  
 
I see some have modded this unit.  Have any one tried to use the Femto clocks?
 
This is a really cool thread guys..

There was a previous, and very similar, model called the U10 that you can see was modded with "upgraded" clocks on the first couple pages. If you just check via pictures, it's got a blue PCB.
 
I'm also going to bite and grab one of these in the next couple days. I'm chomping at the bit to feed my/your PWD Mkii an I2s feed via my PS-Audio I2s-12 cable. And just to be mean I'll provide the link where you can have these delivered locally for ~$125 in China  
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.98.JQd7JS&id=26708612785&ns=1&abbucket=17#detail 
 
Every now and then there's an upside to now calling this place home

 

[Benny-x]

 
No - but  I just completed a DAC modding project - that turned out killer!  I took a stock Lite DAC60 and did some pretty extensive mods - it now competes with and even beats my 6X more expensive APL DAC.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/740362/lite-dac60-pcm1704-r2r-tubed-dac-mod-project

So, did you guys ever come to a conclusion of what to do about the transformer? Did we find out if it's got the standard wiring or if the primary and secondary are switched/proprietary? It looks like a cool and not too challenging mod, so I'd love to give it a shot if you guys settled it.
 
Thanks.

 

[b0bb]

  I see some have modded this unit.  Have any one tried to use the Femto clocks?
 

 
The U12  uses a 45MHz and 48MHz crystal, these are readily available at Mouser or Digikey, however they do not stock the femto clocks at these frequencies.
I modded an older unit similar to the U10 using the Crystek CCHD-957 this is a 500fs jitter device, the ones that are advertised as the femto clock upgrades are typically the Crystek CCHD-575 (82fs) or Abracon ABLNO (100fs) .
 
If you know of a source willing to sell small quantities of these devices at the required frequencies, I would be most interested.
 
(I have been experimenting with the femtos on the Yulong DA8 DAC, and there are some pictures of them on the DA8 review thread for anyone curious about them)