Gustard U12 USB Interface 8 Core XMOS chip

[rb2013]

  have you tried and compared the DXIO Pro3A to a Tamly or Berkeley ?

No I don't have a Tanly or the Berkeley - but I have compared the DU-U8 to the Hydra Z.  The Hydra Z and the Tanly have similar designs - FPGA , CCHD-957 clocks - but a better PS with the R-Core LPS TeraDak on the Z.  The DU-U8 (Zbing transformer and before the Cerious Graphene) - crushed the Z.  The DU-U8 really excells at bass extension and definition - something I really enjoy.  The Du-U8 with the Talema and Cerious Graphene - is in a whole other league.
 
The Berkeley and the OR5 have been compared to each other  - I believe the Berkeley is better - but that's just a guess.  And the DU-U8 did very well in a head to head with the OR5.  That was before the addition of the Cerious Graphene power cord - that has really made an improvement in the DU-U8 sound.  Greater detail and even smoother now - even at extreme vol levels on the very picky Maggies.  The Cerious is fully broken in and sounding just great.
 
So I'm in a happy place right now - kinda focusing on maxing the DU-U8 out.  Will get a DXIO Pro3A at some point and a set of CCHD-957 clocks to send to Breeze for a go at a 'custom' DU-U8.   That'll come first.
 
Cheers!

 

[DACLadder]

 
There were some folks asking about this cable over on that CA thread - not much in the way of positive feedback.  But I love those catalogs that AA sends!
 
Quote:Originally Posted by GCTD /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Has anyone recommended the Pangea Audio USB cable yet?

I've use a 2m Pangea cable for several years.  No special reasons other than I have it and is well made for the cost.  I quit chasing USB cables after cleaning up the +5V feeding the USB cable with the JCAT USB board and external linear +5V power supply.  Due to the asynchronous nature of USB data transfer the claims of slightly lower jitter affecting sound quality is suspect.  But the cable has to be made well enough to transfer data without error and interference.  Clean USB power made the largest difference in sound quality on my system.

 

[rb2013]

  I've use a 2m Pangea cable for several years.  No special reasons other than I have it and is well made for the cost.  I quit chasing USB cables after cleaning up the +5V feeding the USB cable with the JCAT USB board and external linear +5V power supply.  Due to the asynchronous nature of USB data transfer the claims of slightly lower jitter affecting sound quality is suspect.  But the cable has to be made well enough to transfer data without error and interference.  Clean USB power made the largest difference in sound quality on my system.

Well since the DU-U8 doesn't use the +5V power and with the split cable the power line is not even connected it will be interesting to see if the LS 2g is better then the Forza Twin Copper Split.
 
My music servers have ultra clean fanless PS's with ripple approaching a LPS, and a whole host of Elfidelity and SotM filters on each SATA drive and CPU fan for example.  So it's pretty clean right through the MB.  I also have the PC plugged into a common and differential mode AC power filter (Art Audio PB 4X4Pro) on a separate line from the DACs and DDCs (each with their own PB4X4Pro).
 
Then of course the experiments with the LPS fed Regen - which did not help the sound on my main system - but is working great on the office system (along with a LPS fed Remedy).  So much for all the USB 'Packet noise' and impedance issues in theory. I just trust my ears and for me and my systems USB cables have made a major difference, as have power cables, IC's, Speaker cables, etc... 
 
I think for a DAC or DDC that takes a 5V PC power feed the JCAT or PPA OXCO or SotM USB card is a worthwhile avenue.  Or you can use a split cable with the power leg to a 5VDC LPS like the TeraDak - completely eliminating the PC power to the DDC or DAC from the equation (also you can use a Li Ion battery like the XIAMOI).
 
Pangea does look well made. 

 

[ccschua]

Pangea looks like Taiwan OEM version of Furutech.
 
still deciding over DXIO Pro3A vs DU-U8.
 
USB cable, I am sold to 10G but not sure about 2G. I have tried audioquest Silver starlight, etc it helps a lot with good cable too, considering I am already using LPS with ultra low noise 0.9uV into PPA V3. I am curious with LT3042 vs the SR3.
 
do u think with DU-U8 going for 957 will help improve the sound ?

 

[ahendler]

I have and use the 10G USB cable. It is very good.  If you want an inexpensive cable that is very close to the 10G try the Supra 2.0 high speed usb cable. Don't let its cheap price fool you. It is a great sounding cable
Alan

 

[Joeybgood]

Quick question.. a bit confused.. I just picked up my U12. It is externally powered not USB bus powered. correct? my MB has a special DAC USB port  that I can disable the power to it.. so I did. Now my computer doesn't recognize the U12 . I'm guessing I need to enable the power to the USB again but... why? The whole purpose of having the ability to disable the USB bus power is to keep the connection even cleaner/quieter and if the DAC(or in this case USB converter) isn't bus powered then the power to it shouldn't be necessary. What am I missing here? Tks

 

[GCTD]

Quick question.. a bit confused.. I just picked up my U12. It is externally powered not USB bus powered. correct? my MB has a special DAC USB port  that I can disable the power to it.. so I did. Now my computer doesn't recognize the U12 . I'm guessing I need to enable the power to the USB again but... why? The whole purpose of having the ability to disable the USB bus power is to keep the connection even cleaner/quieter and if the DAC(or in this case USB converter) isn't bus powered then the power to it shouldn't be necessary. What am I missing here? Tks

If you're ocd about this particular aspect maybe consider AudioQuest's USB Jitterbug or Schiit's Wyrd USB Decrapifier.

 

[Joeybgood]

If you're ocd about this particular aspect maybe consider AudioQuest's USB Jitterbug or Schiit's Wyrd USB Decrapifier.

I have the Regen on order so I guess problem solved once it arrives. Backordered.. tks

 

[ahendler]

There is a relay in the Gustard that requires an initial 5 volts to turn on.  If you are worried about the 5 volts get a regen from uptone audio. You go from your USB port on the computer over a USB cable to the Regen to the Gustard. The Regen can be powered by its wal wart or an external power supply. The Regen will make sure any 5 volts is clean from your computer This is what I do and it works well. You could also use an Audioquest Jitterbug at the output of your computer to clean things up.
Alan

 

[rb2013]

  Pangea looks like Taiwan OEM version of Furutech.
 
still deciding over DXIO Pro3A vs DU-U8.
 
USB cable, I am sold to 10G but not sure about 2G. I have tried audioquest Silver starlight, etc it helps a lot with good cable too, considering I am already using LPS with ultra low noise 0.9uV into PPA V3. I am curious with LT3042 vs the SR3.
 
do u think with DU-U8 going for 957 will help improve the sound ?

I can't see how having the Crystek CCHD-957 clocks vs the TXCO OEMs could hurt the sound - it would have to help it.  How much is a guess?
The DXIO Pro3A would require me getting another TeraDak or a Paul Hynes LPS - another $150 to $300, as it takes a 5-6VDC clean power supply.
 
http://www.diyinhk.com/shop/audio-kits/97-xmos-192khz-high-quality-usb-to-spdif-with-ultralow-noise-1uv-regulator-wmanual-power-switch.html
 
My 2 TeraDaks are now being used to power my Regen and Wyred for Sound Remedy in my office system.
 
You have the 10G?  Lucky dog
 
A kind member has offered to lend me his Curious USB cable!  This is getting rave reviews - see 6moons:
http://6moons.com/audioreviews2/curious/1.html

 

[rb2013]

  I have and use the 10G USB cable. It is very good.  If you want an inexpensive cable that is very close to the 10G try the Supra 2.0 high speed usb cable. Don't let its cheap price fool you. It is a great sounding cable
Alan

I have one and it is very good - replacing my Silnote Poseidon which replaced a Synergistic Research Tesla Apex.
 
I like the Forza Twin Copper split better in my main system.  And prefer a data only or split cable as one of the advantages of the DU-U8 is it does not any USB power fed from the PC.

 

[ahendler]

  Quick question.. a bit confused.. I just picked up my U12. It is externally powered not USB bus powered. correct? my MB has a special DAC USB port  that I can disable the power to it.. so I did. Now my computer doesn't recognize the U12 . I'm guessing I need to enable the power to the USB again but... why? The whole purpose of having the ability to disable the USB bus power is to keep the connection even cleaner/quieter and if the DAC(or in this case USB converter) isn't bus powered then the power to it shouldn't be necessary. What am I missing here? Tks

There is a relay in the Gustard that requires an initial 5 volts to turn on.  If you are worried about the 5 volts get a regen from uptone audio. You go from your USB port on the computer over a USB cable to the Regen to the Gustard. The Regen can be powered by its wal wart or an external power supply. The Regen will make sure any 5 volts is clean from your computer This is what I do and it works well. You could also use an Audioquest Jitterbug at the output of your computer to clean things up.
Alan

 

[rb2013]

  Quick question.. a bit confused.. I just picked up my U12. It is externally powered not USB bus powered. correct? my MB has a special DAC USB port  that I can disable the power to it.. so I did. Now my computer doesn't recognize the U12 . I'm guessing I need to enable the power to the USB again but... why? The whole purpose of having the ability to disable the USB bus power is to keep the connection even cleaner/quieter and if the DAC(or in this case USB converter) isn't bus powered then the power to it shouldn't be necessary. What am I missing here? Tks

The U12 like some DAC's and DDC's requires a USB power handshake to activate the relay inside.  It can be bypassed - but it's not an easy mod.  So although it does use PC USB power it is connected to the unit.
 
The Melodious, Hydra Z and the Breeze DU-U8 need absolutely no PC USB power.

 

[rb2013]

If you're ocd about this particular aspect maybe consider AudioQuest's USB Jitterbug or Schiit's Wyrd USB Decrapifier.

That would help somewhat - I use AQ Jitterbug on both my systems to good effect.  Really  JCAT, PPA or SotM USB card is what would be needed - or a different DDC

 

  I have the Regen on order so I guess problem solved once it arrives. Backordered.. tks

They have been running a long wait list - I have the Regen in one system - it helped a lot.  But funny in my main system is hurt the sound - it was to bright with the Regen, adding a hint of edge to the sound.  The DU-U8 was better without.   So I sold the second one.  Note the Regen needs very clean power - I have tried a Li Ion battery and two linear power supplies.  So far the TeraDak R-Core LPS DC-30W is the very best feeding the Regen so far - the included SMPS wall wart is terrible (as even Uptone admits).
 
Good luck!

 

[rb2013]

Don't know if everyone saw this - Melodious is coming out with a new unit that uses the double regulation like the Breeze.  Have not heard it.
 
From Alex's Melodious Mod thread:
 

 

1. [img]http://cdn.head-fi.org/5/59/100x100px-LS-59876906_4699N_Phil_AUT41264.jpeg[/img]

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The new look of MX-U8:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
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