Gustard U16 - the first USB Interface featuring ESS USB chip

[soumya.banerjee]

 

[soumya.banerjee]

Received mine today after almost a month of hold by customs. Anyways, the difference even from my puny SMSL M8A via TOSLINK/Coaxial was outright mind numbing. I am not going back to USB again.
I will test out the I2S output to Holo Spring tomorrow. That will be some fun!

 

[DACLadder]

I hope the best for the U16. But looking at U16 pictures on Ama$on its HDMI I2S connector pinout is not “PS Audio” compatible. This affects many DACs like Audio GD. You will hear music but L-R channels are swapped and absolute audio phase is 180 deg. out of phase for PCM audio. Maybe there is a switch or jumper but U16 owner’s manual does not mention. The Gustard U12 is the same in this regard.

Also does the U16 provide galvanic isolation? Can’t tell from the pictures....

 

[peteg]

I hope the best for the U16. But looking at U16 pictures on Ama$on its HDMI I2S connector pinout is not “PS Audio” compatible. This affects many DACs like Audio GD. You will hear music but L-R channels are swapped and absolute audio phase is 180 deg. out of phase for PCM audio. Maybe there is a switch or jumper but U16 owner’s manual does not mention. The Gustard U12 is the same in this regard.

Also does the U16 provide galvanic isolation? Can’t tell from the pictures....

You download an AUTO I2s software.
https://download.shenzhenaudio.com/Gustard/GSD U16 V1.4 0dB/

 

[DACLadder]

@peteg Thanks! Had to been an easy solution.

 

[newtophones07]

Can someone explain what the difference is between the two settings for the BNC output (OMODE); Option A is for the BNC to operate "world clock" mode, and Option B is for the BNC to operate in "s/pdif" output.

I have a male BNC to 2 pole mini 3.5mm coaxial, already in my stash. I want to make sure this cable will function off the BNC OUTPUT of the U16, to send a input signal to the coaxial end, and I don't quite understand what these two settings mean.

 

[FredA]

Can someone explain what the difference is between the two settings for the BNC output (OMODE); Option A is for the BNC to operate "world clock" mode, and Option B is for the BNC to operate in "s/pdif" output.

I have a male BNC to 2 pole mini 3.5mm coaxial, already in my stash. I want to make sure this cable will function off the BNC OUTPUT of the U16, to send a input signal to the coaxial end, and I don't quite understand what these two settings mean.

Just means you can output a clock signal or spdif. If you intent is to send music to a dac, choose spdif. The world clock can be used combined with another digital output if you own a dac that can accept both types combined. This allows synching both devices.

 

[myshush]

I compared pcm vs pcm ...yeah, it is confusing...only way for sure is to compare both at it best myself..lol

Is the U16 as good as Pinkfaun I2S?

 

[Whitigir]

Is the U16 as good as Pinkfaun I2S?

I don’t have the best for usb interface yet, but so far....no

 

[batfier]

https://download.shenzhenaudio.com/Gustard/

Latest firmware update 1.4:

V1.4 firmware update diary:

1. Optimized the logic of NATVIE DSD playback;
   
   
2. Optimized the compatibility of S/PDIF DOP output, and solved the problem that some decoders can not correctly recognize DOP signals when connecting coaxial or AES;
   
   
3. Solved the problem that running STEAM program may cause NATIVE DSD to be silent;
   
   
4. Fixed the phenomenon that the level meter will be full when the professional decoder is connected without playing music.
   
   
5. Fixed the stability under the MAC system;
   
   
6. Added WCK word clock hold function in PCM sampling state, can continue to output WCK word clock signal without playing music state;
   
   
7. Added the audio signal hold output function in the PCM sampling state, and can continue to output the audio signal without playing music

below some experiences with different firmware versions on U16, incl. HDMI/I2S on AudioGD R2R/R7

Firmware GSD U16V1.4 0db was installed on delivered unit. It's the only working FW for all output at the same time!

• HDMI/I2S (max 768khz output)

• Firmware GSD U16V1.2 0db
  • works fine AudioGD R2R/R7 until 384kHz (max input)
  • left/right output are reversed (you need to swap analog L/R on DAC or AMP)

• Firmware GSD U16V1.4_0db
  • works fine AudioGD R2R/R7 until 384kHz (max input)
  • left/right output are reversed (you need to swap analog L/R on DAC or AMP)

• Firmware GU16V1_4_PSA_0db_PS_Audio_I2S
  • works fine AudioGD R2R/R7 until 384kHz (max input)
  • left/right output is correct

• Coax/SPDIF (max 384khz output) / BNC(Coax)/SPDIF (max 384khz) / Optical/SPDIF (max 192khz) / XLR/AES3 (max 384khz)
  • Firmware GSD U16V1.2 0db
    • works fine with Hugo2 until 384kHz (max single input) (coax, optical)
    • works fine with NAD C510 until 192kHz (max input) (coax, optical, XLR)
    • works fine with AudioGD R2R/R7 until 192kHz (max input) (coax, optical, bnc, XLR)

• Firmware GSD U16V1.4_0db
  • works fine with Hugo2 until 384kHz (max single input) (coax, optical)
  • works fine with NAD C510 until 192kHz (max input) (coax, optical, XLR)
  • works fine with AudioGD R2R/R7 until 192kHz (max input) (coax, optical, bnc, XLR)

• Firmware GU16V1_4_PSA_0db_PS_Audio_I2S
  • disorderd/crackling sound with Hugo2 (coax, optical)
  • disorderd/crackling sound with NAD C510 (coax, optical, XLR)
  • disorderd/crackling sound with AudioGD R2R/R7 (coax, optical, bnc, XLR)

edit: reflashed GSD U16V1.4_0db, now all outputs seems to work, updated above​

 

[Whitigir]

Oh, I see. So for PCM, everything is fine. However, on DSD, the channel is reversed per the Pin-out terminals. Given that Gustard claims the firmware can change the Pins out. Then that will be what we need to make U16 pins compatible in DSD for LKS004

 

[batfier]

deleted pls see above

 

[soumya.banerjee]

GU16V1_4_PSA_0db_PS_Audio_I2S is absolutely unusable with other (than Holo Spring) DACs using Coax/TOSLINK. Get loud static/crackling sound.

Firmware GSD U16V1.4_0db:
1. Works fine with PCM content both using Coax and Optical
2. DoP does not work (DSD64) for Coax or Optical
3. I2S for Holo Spring - PCM channels are swapped. DSD is fine - both native or DoP

 

[allhifi]

Another day, 49hrs now. Highs are not so sharp anymore, mids still smooth. But lower mids I would expect be fuller. Instruments still doesn't have proper mass. Vocals sounds to high.

Unfortunate Gustard used same Nichicon Muse capacitors (same as with X20) which I don't realy like. They presents to much highs, sound imbalanced.
Obviously Gustard never listen own devices during development process...as obviously never learned...

Another day, 49hrs now. Highs are not so sharp anymore, mids still smooth. But lower mids I would expect be fuller. Instruments still doesn't have proper mass. Vocals sounds to high.

Unfortunate Gustard used same Nichicon Muse capacitors (same as with X20) which I don't realy like. They presents to much highs, sound imbalanced.
Obviously Gustard never listen own devices during development process...as obviously never learned...

Hmmmm ..... " ... Unfortunate Gustard used same Nichicon Muse capacitors (same as with X20) which I don't realy like" (????????)

Interesting you claim the SQ 'problem to be the "Nichicon Muse capacitors", when in fact it's far more likely that the SQ "imbalance" you observe may be (and in fact is most likely) issues within your ancillary gear/or cabling ?

pj

 

[rafabro]

Interesting you claim the SQ 'problem to be the "Nichicon Muse capacitors", when in fact it's far more likely that the SQ "imbalance" you observe may be (and in fact is most likely) issues within your ancillary gear/or cabling ?

No as I own also SU-1 and Dante DIO XLR. And had many times my friends SU-1 so my test bench is quit wide to compare what device can do. Direct comparison tells you much more.

You can get used to to the sound it presents but when you switch you know, it could be better.
Besides I know those caps very well and them sound signature.