Gustard U16 - the first USB Interface featuring ESS USB chip

[bequietjk]

Would the U16 be choice for neutrality to feed a DAC in a music production situation. I'll be editing audio and mixing/mastering audio/music and the truest and neutral sound is what I'm aiming for. At least for the converter. I understand the DAC plays a lasting roll in the digital chain but would definitely be nice to have a converter to feed a flat, neutral and accurate signal to the DAC. Something tells me this U16 or the X-Spdif 2 will be the pick. Singxers may be too warm? @wushuliu Perhaps your modded sky song converter? Hmm....

 

[motberg]

Gustard quotes - 100db at hz. I think it's inaudible at 10hz and above. The noise level (vertical axis) is what matters the most at this point Using a bitching psu will have more impact than the ocxo itself, as long it is able to keep the power clean internally.

This is exactly what a friend of mine who built his DAC (from Audio-GD r2r boards) and has been experimenting with these economy clocks for a few years... in his estimation, if I understand correctly, the clock PSU has at least as much effect as the clock itself, given the parts are all appropriate...

 

[motberg]

Would the U16 be choice for neutrality to feed a DAC in a music production situation. I'll be editing audio and mixing/mastering audio/music and the truest and neutral sound is what I'm aiming for. At least for the converter. I understand the DAC plays a lasting roll in the digital chain but would definitely be nice to have a converter to feed a flat, neutral and accurate signal to the DAC. Something tells me this U16 or the X-Spdif 2 will be the pick. Singxers may be too warm? @wushuliu Perhaps your modded sky song converter? Hmm....

I had a project studio some years ago...
I have had quite a few of these DDC's and for USB I would pick the SU-1 with upgraded PS (or probably better the SU-6).
Besides seeming a bit warm to me, the U16 can be unstable handling different file types, which is the last thing you want in a studio environment.

An Ethernet interface may be a good investment to consider:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/aud...ets-a-new-standard-for-computer-audio.806827/

IMHO - mixing/mastering is a lot about not screwing-up what is already on the tape though... so talent and work process may be more important than the equipment.

 

[FredA]

This is exactly what a friend of mine who built his DAC (from Audio-GD r2r boards) and has been experimenting with these economy clocks for a few years... in his estimation, if I understand correctly, the clock PSU has at least as much effect as the clock itself, given the parts are all appropriate...

It sure has a big impact. I think because of the reclocking done by my dac, a cheap tcxo combined to a very good and cheap psu will bring the best improvment i can get. Those owning synchronous dacs will benefit more when using yet better material..

 

[bequietjk]

@motberg Thank you for the advice. And that you have studio experience is great! It definitely helps to hear someone who has been in the studio environment.

For AOIP, Rob stated that the Ultra USB chain far surpassed AOIP. I have yet to try my chain with the Startech/ICRONS but with just the F-1 and IR I feel the sound is so great as it is. Even just swapping out my JDS Labs OL DAC will make a remarkable difference. So while I do appreciate your recommendation I need to see this path out before the AOIP route.

On the user end, the production and artist, MOST DEFINITELY agree. While the tech may be what enables us to create the product it will come down to the users. AOIP may actually be more reliable! I can see that. The learning process involves trial and error and is exciting for sure.

 

[Asimov-kln]

After upgrading the firmware which i found here: https://download.shenzhenaudio.com/Gustard/.
The Firmware now showing : GSD U16 V1.61 96k Jan 3 201915:08:46
After installing the firmware I am having some clicks.

I am looking for 1.61 NFB, anybody please tell me here to get this version.

Thanks.

 

[Asimov-kln]

After upgrading the firmware which i found here: https://download.shenzhenaudio.com/Gustard/.
The Firmware now showing : GSD U16 V1.61 96k Jan 3 201915:08:46
After installing the firmware I am having some clicks.

I am looking for 1.61 NFB, anybody please tell me here to get this version.

Thanks.

Oh! Got it.

 

[Jellejanssen]

Which clocks did you find best for you?

May i ask why you wire the lifepo4 and cap, as buffer? They would work without, right ?!

I didn't want to get too off topic. It's one of these converters. $45. What makes them a great value is that you can use an external power supply and the on-board regulators are high quality LT1763, unlike the Singxer F1 etc where you can't avoid the noisy regulators. So you desolder the clocks, add whatever new ones you want. Get a A26650 Lifepo4, a battery case, and a switch. Just wire up the battery to VCC/power pin of the clock(s) and ground, bypass with a .1uf cap and that's it. Crysteks are nice and big and easy to work with. I've used lifepo4s on other dac projects and you always get a level of sound quality that is hard to match. In this case with the converter what you get is sonic purity.

 

[wushuliu]

Which clocks did you find best for you?

May i ask why you wire the lifepo4 and cap, as buffer? They would work without, right ?!

No, it is not a buffer. It powers the 22.5792Mhz clock. I disconnected the 3.3v from the board. I have only tried the NDK SDA clock and Crystek 957. Both are excellent, the NDK seems to have slightly lower noise but is more finicky as far as decoupling. The Crystek is warmer and smooth and much easier to connect.

 

[Jellejanssen]

Does it improve the sound quality that much for it to make that upgrade?

The clock i understand

I have a uptone iso audio currently. Curious to see whether that gives another improvement on the noise levels...

Thanks @whusuliu

 

[wushuliu]

Does it improve the sound quality that much for it to make that upgrade?

The clock i understand

I have a uptone iso audio currently. Curious to see whether that gives another improvement on the noise levels...

Thanks @whusuliu

Yes, using a Lifepo4 whenever will always have a substantial improvement in sound quality. I don't want to derail the thread so if you have other ?s please send a PM. Thanks.

 

[PitBul34]

 

[wushuliu]

Shouldn't Gustard be focusing on improving the U16 software instead of selling a $700 clock to use with it?

 

[Ludique]

The U16 resetting/restarting by itself is a peculiar thing. Which of you have this problem?

It always happens after a song has been played and the track changes. Never in the middle of a song. You might not notice it, unless you look at the display which shows the dsd 5.6448, which it always does after rebooting.

The ISO Regen makes the problem worse, but it is not caused by it. The shielding in the usb cable has an effect though, I have Lush2 and the different configurations lessen or worsen the problem. Sometimes I could play for days without resetting.

It surely is a grounding issue. I have only used linux based streamers, Auralic and Lumin. The problem is with both, less with the latter.

 

[FredA]

The U16 resetting/restarting by itself is a peculiar thing. Which of you have this problem?

It always happens after a song has been played and the track changes. Never in the middle of a song. You might not notice it, unless you look at the display which shows the dsd 5.6448, which it always does after rebooting.

The ISO Regen makes the problem worse, but it is not caused by it. The shielding in the usb cable has an effect though, I have Lush2 and the different configurations lessen or worsen the problem. Sometimes I could play for days without resetting.

It surely is a grounding issue. I have only used linux based streamers, Auralic and Lumin. The problem is with both, less with the latter.

It may be the issue i have something feeding it with a usbridge. No issue with just a rpi. Very annoying as i have to reboot the usbridge when this occurs.