[rb2013]

  Couldn't tell you with the U12 as I was already using the AC5 with the U10 and just swapped it with the 12 when it arrived.
 
That said, I haven't met a single piece of equipment yet that hasn't been improved with the use of a good quality PC.
99% of my system is powered through PS Audio AC12's, 10's, or 5's.

+1 My other Gustard was noticeably improved by an old CPCC model 11 pc I had laying around.  The Shunyata Venom 3 is quite a bit better.  It'll be interesting to see what changes it makes.

 

[sandab]

Have you guys tried the Highwire Powerwraps?  Snake oil or do they make any difference?

 

[b0bb]

  Do you think the pinouts are the same on both the stock and Amgis trannys?  It [size=13.3333330154419px]appears so except sideways.[/size]  The Amgis is  115VAC on the top - 7VDC on the bottom.  Looking down neg on the left - pos on the right. The stock is looking down 115V on the left - but looks like 9V on the right.  Is that Neg to the left on the DC - the AC to the right?  Wondering if I might need a 9V version?
 
It looks like these might be better in this unit - both 9V http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/L01-6341/TE2245-ND/2137075
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/70041K/1295-1041-ND/3881432   The Amgis is $19 and the Talema is $22.
 

 
Also the caps to the right of the FCs the metal cans look like 16V 330uf (C55 & C56) - what do you think?  Will replace with Oscons. The stock ones have a little black box SMD on the bottom, those are the polymers?  
Digikey has the through the hole Nichicon FP's http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/RHT1C331MDN1/493-3739-ND/2207349 
 

18V Center Tap (9V-0V-9V) is the secondary voltage based on the pictures. The little metal can caps with the blue stripe on top are SMD, this can either be polymer or regular aluminum electrolytic, can't quite make out the markings on your picture. These have to be SMD not thru hole if you are replacing them.
 
The unit in my pictures is not the U12  and the secondary voltage of the transformer is different.
 
The ones you selected are 10VA, Gustard is using 15VA. The link below are the candidate units
 
Before you buy, measure the sides of the Gustard unit. The ones in the link below are 60mm x 60mm
 
http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?pv258=60&FV=19440081&k=15va+toroidal&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=0&page=1&stock=1&quantity=0&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=25
 
Either the  Talema or Amgis in the link will do the job 

 

[rb2013]

  18V Center Tap (9V-0V-9V) is the secondary voltage based on the pictures. The little metal can caps with the blue stripe on top are SMD, this can either be polymer or regular aluminum electrolytic, can't quite make out the markings on your picture. These have to be SMD not thru hole if you are replacing them.
 
The unit in my pictures is not the U12  and the secondary voltage of the transformer is different.
 
The ones you selected are 10VA, Gustard is using 15VA. The link below are the candidate units
 
Before you buy, measure the sides of the Gustard unit. The ones in the link below are 60mm x 60mm
 
http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?pv258=60&FV=19440081&k=15va+toroidal&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=0&page=1&stock=1&quantity=0&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=25
 
Either the  Talema or Amgis in the link will do the job 

Thanks for the guidance.  It looks like the 115V pins on the stock are lined up to the left of the unit when viewed from the top and the model numbers on the top.  The Amgis looks like the 115V pins are on the top, again viewed from the top and the model numbers on the top.
 
Wouldn't I align the 115V pins?  So mount the Amgis with the 115V pins to the left as well?
 
 
It looks like Berkerly Design Audio Alpha (the statement $1800 USB interface) uses the same silver SMD cap with the half blue circle along with the XMOS chip.  I think I'll keep those.
 

 

[b0bb]

  Thanks for the guidance.  It looks like the 115V pins on the stock are lined up to the left of the unit when viewed from the top and the model numbers on the top.  The Amgis looks like the 115V pins are on the top, again viewed from the top and the model numbers on the top.
 
Wouldn't I align the 115V pins?  So mount the Amgis with the 115V pins to the left as well?
 
 
 

 
Post a picture of the underside of the board, it has to be a flat, straight on view. The important part is the layout of the output pins, the Amgis only goes in one way. The 115V (Primary side) has pins that are closer together.
 
Amgis datasheet: http://www.amgistoroids.com/assets/files/L01%20Series%2050%2060%20Hz%20PC%20Mount%20Toroidal%20Transformers.pdf
 

The distance between pins 2 and 3 is 0.1" or 2.54 mm closer together compared to the distance between pins 6 and 7

 

[rb2013]

  

   
Post a picture of the underside of the board, it has to be a flat, straight on view. The important part is the layout of the output pins, the Amgis only goes in one way. The 115V (Primary side) has pins that are closer together.
 
Amgis datasheet: http://www.amgistoroids.com/assets/files/L01%20Series%2050%2060%20Hz%20PC%20Mount%20Toroidal%20Transformers.pdf
 

The distance between pins 2 and 3 is 0.1" or 2.54 mm closer together compared to the distance between pins 6 and 7

Yes - it does appear the 115V pins would be to the left - measuring from the outside pins they are approx 44mm versus the ones near the edge to the right at approx 51mm -looking down.
 
The outside case does appear to be 60mm x 60mm.
 


 
Thanks!
 
PS It looks like the stock has a center hole mount.  On the Amgis it look like an equiv M4 threaded screw 
 
Since it looks like Digikey has both the Amgis and the Talema - which do you think is better?  The Talema is $5 more expensive.

 

[b0bb]

    
Yes - it does appear the 115V pins would be to the left - measuring from the outside pins they are approx 44mm versus the ones near the edge to the right at approx 51mm -looking down.
 
The outside case does appear to be 60mm x 60mm.
 


 
Thanks!
 
PS It looks like the stock has a center hole mount.  On the Amgis it look like an equiv M4 threaded screw 
 
Since it looks like Digikey has both the Amgis and the Talema - which do you think is better?  The Talema is $5 more expensive.

>>Yes - it does appear the 115V pins would be to the left - measuring from the outside pins they are approx 44mm versus the ones near the edge to the right at approx 51mm -looking down.
 
I suggest holding off, Gustard may be using an inverted pin setup to the standard layout (that is the Primary and secondaries are swapped).
 
I have ordered the U12 which arrives in about 2 weeks. On the Amgis the closer pin set is the primary, it looks like the primary on the Gustard is the pin out that is spaced more widely apart.
 
Tracing from the mains input socket is the safest option, see where the 115V input is going into, if it goes to the narrower pin set then you can replace it with the Amgis or Talema, otherwise this is a proprietary pinout.

 

[rb2013]

  >>Yes - it does appear the 115V pins would be to the left - measuring from the outside pins they are approx 44mm versus the ones near the edge to the right at approx 51mm -looking down.
 
I suggest holding off, Gustard may be using an inverted pin setup to the standard layout (that is the Primary and secondaries are swapped).
 
I have ordered the U12 which arrives in about 2 weeks. On the Amgis the closer pin set is the primary, it looks like the primary on the Gustard is the pin out that is spaced more widely apart.
 
Tracing from the mains input socket is the safest option, see where the 115V input is going into, if it goes to the narrower pin set then you can replace it with the Amgis or Talema, otherwise this is a proprietary pinout.

OK I'll hold off.  Thanks for your help

 

[btbluesky]

Ordered one as well, I've been using the essence xonar spdif out from computer, would be interesting to compare.

 

[rb2013]

  Ordered one as well, I've been using the essence xonar spdif out from computer, would be interesting to compare.

Great!  Do you know what processor chip the essence uses?

 

[stjj89]

Just got my Gustard U12 last night. Briefly listened to it using the default ASIO XMOS driver feeding it via  a 75 ohm Coaxial RCA cable to my Bifrost/Lyr stack. I actually could not pick out any distinct differences between this setup and the optical out on my desktop to my Bifrost. This might be because I'm not using the most revealing headphone around, my ZMF V1s (my HE-560's are out for a week), or maybe because I don't have sensitive-enough ears (I couldn't tell the difference between WASAPI (event) and Directsound on my Bifrost or my ODAC).

I'm gonna wait till my HE-560 comes back and let my U12 burn in for a bit before passing any judgement. More impressions soon!

 

[muterecords71]

Hi there,
one of the owner could please post the size of the Gustard U12 (L x H x P) ?
I have a small slot between the NAS and the DAC Musical Fidelity...
Thank you in advance

 

[rb2013]

  Hi there,
one of the owner could please post the size of the Gustard U12 (L x H x P) ?
I have a small slot between the NAS and the DAC Musical Fidelity...
Thank you in advance

L 6 1/2" x H 2" x D 4 3/4"

 

[rb2013]

  Just got my Gustard U12 last night. Briefly listened to it using the default ASIO XMOS driver feeding it via  a 75 ohm Coaxial RCA cable to my Bifrost/Lyr stack. I actually could not pick out any distinct differences between this setup and the optical out on my desktop to my Bifrost. This might be because I'm not using the most revealing headphone around, my ZMF V1s (my HE-560's are out for a week), or maybe because I don't have sensitive-enough ears (I couldn't tell the difference between WASAPI (event) and Directsound on my Bifrost or my ODAC).

I'm gonna wait till my HE-560 comes back and let my U12 burn in for a bit before passing any judgement. More impressions soon!

Thanks for the update.  In all systems it may not always be an improvement.  I know in both of mine it certainly has been.
 
Just got the Shunyata Venom 3s power chord  - will give it a try tonight on the Gustard in my main system.

 

[stjj89]

I'm considering letting my Gustard U12 go, and have put up a interest check on the For Sale/Trade forum here:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/740647/ic-gustard-u12-usb-to-spdif-interface
 
If anyone is interested in getting their hands on this without having to deal with shipping from China, let me know!