Gustard U16 - the first USB Interface featuring ESS USB chip

[jimmychan]

I have previously owned 2 x U16 + C16, DI-20HE definitely blew away U16+C16. SU1 & SU6 is no need to mention.

 

[DecentLevi]

I got mine DI20 90/98 version last week. Previously owned U16+ GPSDO 10mhz clock. DI20 blew away U16+clock combo. 90/98 version cost under 600. HE version comes with better power supply and etc, but since I have good LPS and power cord, 90/98 version I thought was enough. I can tell you that with DI-20, the depth, detail and layer is so much better compared to Gustard, it's in a another league. And my DI20 still in early burn-in stage.

Well that's good to hear. I already have the top-tier AC power conditioner from Furman, so that should benefit the DI-20. You mentioned you have a good LPS, do you mean you're using a DC LPS or an AC power filter for the DI-20? Also any word on which connection type it works best with? My main connection would be BNC coax to the Qutest DAC. (maybe you have best results with HDMI, AES, etc.?)

Actually I had a very sub-par experience from a recent Audio-GD product recently. I ordered a new R-1 R2R DAC from them new, full upgraded version and let it burn-in for 3 weeks straight but the sound to me was still inferior to even my lowly Modi 2 Multibit DAC. But I'm assuming their DDC is better than their DACs.

 

[roni44]

Well that's good to hear. I already have the top-tier AC power conditioner from Furman, so that should benefit the DI-20. You mentioned you have a good LPS, do you mean you're using a DC LPS or an AC power filter for the DI-20? Also any word on which connection type it works best with? My main connection would be BNC coax to the Qutest DAC. (maybe you have best results with HDMI, AES, etc.?)

Actually I had a very sub-par experience from a recent Audio-GD product recently. I ordered a new R-1 R2R DAC from them new, full upgraded version and let it burn-in for 3 weeks straight but the sound to me was still inferior to even my lowly Modi 2 Multibit DAC. But I'm assuming their DDC is better than their DACs.

Sorry, I mean I already have a really nice conditioner and power cable. I'm using MacBook Pro USB to DI20+GPSDO clock then I2S/HDMI to my Micromega M100. I don't have other Audio GD goods other than DI20 so can't say for sure about the sound signature. I did own Modi 2 multibit DAC for few months, very nice little DAC indeed for the money.

 

[Ludique]

About hdmi cables:

There is one more tweak worth doing. Opening the source side hdmi plug and cutting all unused connections. Of course you need to know which ones your dac has no need for. Often the mlck and couple others. Don’t cut the +5v, U16 needs that.

 

[baramzisyan]

Okay, what best stable firmware for u16?
1.61?

 

[JaMo]

1.61NFB

You will find it here: https://onedrive.live.com/?id=636DC4E8060D66A1!380&cid=636DC4E8060D66A1
@DACLadder is kind enough to store some Gustard U16 firmwares and allow downloads.

/Jan

 

[tuyen]

I recently purchased a U16 from a friend who bought it a long while ago and never used it.

It's buggy as hell compared to say a Singer SU-1 and SU-6 that I borrowed from another friend.

Left and right channels swapped with coaxial output. Tried all firmware versions. I've had to use Equalizer APO 12.1 and add a filter that switches L/R channels.

It does sound a bit smoother/warmer than a SU-6 though, which is a positive for me.

Have a 10Mhz OCXO ext clock coming to pair with the U16.

 

[jimmychan]

U16 sounds better than SU6. Try the latest FW and the setting on the panel to see if it helps.

 

[tuyen]

The latest firmware V1.77 has issue whereby the sound keeps randomly switching between left and right channel.

When running I2S output to my friends Holo Spring 2, I can use the left button to change I2S output type so left/right channels is correct. But doesn't affect coaxial output.

How much better is the AudioGD DI-20 over the U16? Can't really afford one at the moment, but would be nice to know.

 

[roni44]

I got the DI20 90/98, I can assure it's much better than U16. I personally thinks it's a lot of money for DDC, but worth every penny.

 

[jimmychan]

I sold my 2 U16 and bought 2 DI-20HE, it worth the money.

 

[JaMo]

The latest firmware V1.77 has issue whereby the sound keeps randomly switching between left and right channel.

When running I2S output to my friends Holo Spring 2, I can use the left button to change I2S output type so left/right channels is correct. But doesn't affect coaxial output.

How much better is the AudioGD DI-20 over the U16? Can't really afford one at the moment, but would be nice to know.

I think You should try the 1.61NFB from here :https://onedrive.live.com/?id=636DC4E8060D66A1!380&cid=636DC4E8060D66A1

I run it on my two U16's without any issues. I also have DI20HE and it is a number of steps better in all aspects, so I can recommend it as a good upgrade. Until then run the U16 on 1.61NFB.rom
/Jan

 

[crocoyes3]

I've been using the smaller Gustard U12 model for several years with excellent results. This Gustard U16 replaces the U12 in my main hi-fi setup allowing me to relocate the U12 to a separate computer audio setup.

What surprised me was that the Gustard U16 was plug-and-play to my Windows 10 music PC. It appears to use the USB 2.0 audio driver that Microsoft bundled into Windows 10 a few releases back. So I didn't experience any of the driver downloading/fiddling that was required when I first installed the U12. With the Microsoft driver there is no ASIO device, only WASAPI (including Exclusive Mode) but this is fine for me. I set my main audio applications, jRiver Media Center and Qobuz, to use the WASAPI Exclusive Mode device so that sample rates always come out of the PC matching the source.

I haven't had the U16 for long, but so far the sound is pristine. I hesitate to name any difference from the U12, though I suppose it's possible. The U12 did have a nice feature that it went into "standby" mode whenever the PC was turned off (and awakened itself when the PC was turned back on), whereas the U16 requires manual on/off switching.

 

[cold storage]

GUSTARD USBAudioドライバー4.82.0
https://hifi-exquis.com/en/ak4xxx-decoder/675-gustard-dac-a22-dual-ak4499-dac.html
U16で動作します

Quote
https://jyoujian.exblog.jp/

 

[Ludique]

There is a link on Gustard’s Chinese only Facebook page for a new firmware 1.72.

Don’t try to use it. 1.61nfb is still the one and only.