[prot]

This should be renamed to the modding thread

 
Lots of interesting mods indeed but none that is cheap, simple and effective enough for everyone to try ... guess the U12's P/Q ratio is just too good. 

 

[Alexsander]

   
Only one advantage,,,,, ? The power stage is a BIG advantage which can make a huge stepup in SQ
 
Lower crystal frequencies suppose to have lower jitter natively.
 
Design looks good, at least it uses NO ground from USB like U12 does,,,,,,,,,,,
 
Waiting for advanced device: it all depends on how much are you willing to pay for a DDC
 
 
MX-U8 has more possibilities to mod, simply because of it's bigger case. Hope mine arrives soon, will try to build my own HDMI-i2S output

In MX-U8 PSU better..., but not VERY VERY considerably...
lower crystal frequencies were established in the previous model Gustard U10:
http://www.kidultdiagnostic.com/dac-c-13/gustard-u10-native-32bit-384khz-xmos-dac-p-272.html#.VTljINKsWzk
http://www.kidultdiagnostic.com/images/gustard/gustard-u10_08.jpg
I very much doubt that in U12 install worse oscillators!
Design looks good....U12 too looks good!
STOP! full galvanic isolators (like in tanlyAudio)  NOT  have in U12 and MX-U8! And ground from usb always is connected with converter!
You can try to leave in a usb cable only D- and D+ (information line) converter is not working!
In my setup it already fourth converter at about one price they considerably differ...difference between them only in date of purchase...this segment develops very fast!
The following converter I want similar tanlyAudio but at more reasonable price and in other design.

 

[korn-fi]

According the pics from Taobao, tanlyAudio use  Crystek low phase noise oscillators. I just google Crysteck , The Crystek oscillator is not cheap. 

 

[rurika]

Got a customize hdmi cable to connect W4S DAC. (swap pin 1&3,  pin 7&9)
Now the channel swapped problem has been solve.
 
Hi, Alexsander.
Do you have the product link of the one that you want ? I'm also looking for another usb converter and think the Tanly is a little bit expensive.

 

[Alexsander]

  According the pics from Taobao, tanlyAudio use  Crystek low phase noise oscillators. I just google Crysteck , The Crystek oscillator is not cheap. 

all of them not cheap:
 
Crystek oscillator CCHD-957-25-45.1584 US $28.53
http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?s=29728&pv139=2611&FV=fff4000d%2Cfff8016e&k=crystek&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=0&page=1&quantity=0&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=25
 
Vanguard TCXO 0.1ppm 45.1584MHz Ultra precision Golden Oscillator US $28.00
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vanguard-TCXO-0-1ppm-45-1584MHz-Ultra-precision-Golden-Oscillator-/131020895862?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e81743676

 

[Alexsander]

   
 
Hi, Alexsander.
Do you have the product link of the one that you want ? I'm also looking for another usb converter and think the Tanly is a little bit expensive.

Hi
I didn't find such, but progress doesn't stand still
 
Converter with full galvanic isolators so little in the market (EDEL from ABC, audiobyte hydra z, tanlyAudio...)
http://www.abc-pcb.com/?page_id=187
http://audiobyte.net/products/hydra-z
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0195/8522/products/HZ_top.jpg
http://www.odysseyaudiohk.com/image/hydra-z-internal1.jpg
 
p.s.
By the way in tanlyAudio and AudioByte Hydra Z are used oscillators: 49.152000MHz and 45.158400MHz like in Gustard U12

 

[ccschua]

hi
 
i am thinking of changing the power supply of U12.
 
I have 2 TPS LDO.
 
saw that the U12 is using 2 LT 317A regulators. can I just replace the output voltage directly ?

 

[m0reilly]

i'm loving my u12/x12 combo, though at this point any modding will be done via my on going subwoofer integration. in my system, the gustard components are sweet/complete in their intended roles.

 

[pakultra]

Just got my Gustard U12. I am wondering if there is a way if at all to bypass its USB power switch function so that I can use it without USB power. Any help would be much appreciated.
 
Also, anyone has the latest WaveIO 2.26 driver available? It would be sweet to try 2.26 with spytool...

 

[Alexsander]

  Just got my Gustard U12. I am wondering if there is a way if at all to bypass its USB power switch function so that I can use it without USB power. Any help would be much appreciated.
 
Also, anyone has the latest WaveIO 2.26 driver available? It would be sweet to try 2.26 with spytool...

Why you want to use U12 without USB power? 
U12 it use as ONLY switch (on/off)...
In the device not used usb power!
 
 
• smart switch, USB has a current interface to boot.Interface with the computer switch and switch machine(computer to be set off USB power failure), or unplug theUSB cable directly to the shutdown.• smart switch, USB has a current interface to boot.Interface with the computer switch and switch machine(computer to be set off USB power failure), or unplug theUSB cable directly to the shutdown."

 

[abartels]

  Why you want to use U12 without USB power? 
U12 it use as ONLY switch (on/off)...
In the device not used usb power!
 
 
• smart switch, USB has a current interface to boot.Interface with the computer switch and switch machine(computer to be set off USB power failure), or unplug theUSB cable directly to the shutdown.• smart switch, USB has a current interface to boot.Interface with the computer switch and switch machine(computer to be set off USB power failure), or unplug theUSB cable directly to the shutdown."

 
You should know it uses USB-GROUND instead of ground from powercord. Thats why seperate usb power with U12 sounds definitely BETTER.
USB Ground is polluted, and i wonder why Gustard implemented it this way.
 
I will try to seperate it and use ground from IEC320 this weekend.
 
To be continued

 

[pakultra]

My custom USB cable has only data wires and no power wires (cable shield connected to computer end only) so as to isolate any possible USB power pollution. My cable works with NAD D 1050 perfectly. But since U12 uses USB power to switch on its relay, my data only USB cable doesn't work. The relay's model number is

JQC-3F. ​

Here is a link to the schematics from the relay switch's manufacturer's site.
 
http://www.qianji.com/en/cpshow.asp?id=226
 
It seems it would be easy to bypass the relay switch. Will this work? Or does it needs to be provided a ground in addition to the relay bypass to make it work?

 

[Alexsander]

  My custom USB cable has only data wires and no power wires (cable shield connected to computer end only) so as to isolate any possible USB power pollution. My cable works with NAD D 1050 perfectly. But since U12 uses USB power to switch on its relay, my data only USB cable doesn't work. The relay's model number is

JQC-3F. ​

Here is a link to the schematics from the relay switch's manufacturer's site.
 
http://www.qianji.com/en/cpshow.asp?id=226
 
It seems it would be easy to bypass the relay switch. Will this work? Or does it needs to be provided a ground in addition to the relay bypass to make it work?

How your usb cable is called?

It is possible to put a jumper (remove JQC-3F) ​

 

[Alexsander]

   
You should know it uses USB-GROUND instead of ground from powercord. Thats why seperate usb power with U12 sounds definitely BETTER.
USB Ground is polluted, and i wonder why Gustard implemented it this way.
 
I will try to seperate it and use ground from IEC320 this weekend.
 
To be continued

USB-GROUND from computer it is necessary for data (D+ and D-) transmission work.
Use ground from IEC320 doubtfully (imho)... usual work mode usb will be broken and XMOS not started detection data....

 

[ccschua]

has anyone compared the MX-U8 to the off ramp 5 or the hydrabyte Z ? 
 
the only feature missing in MX-U8 is the HDMI.