Gustard U16 - the first USB Interface featuring ESS USB chip

[roni44]

@roni44 thank you, ...but as always, the i2s as short as possibile, the termination and echo relevant for digital cables? 50-Ohms? and therefor no additional advice for the clock cable?

I haven't compare other 50ohm cables yet, but since the one I got supposedly a military spec so I assume it will be enough. I'm sure there are better cables out there, but not sure how much effect on the overall sound.

 

[JaMo]

It'd be nice to have the noise plot to know what this $55 buys you but it would be interesting to pair this with a low-noise regulator [Pulsar or SparkoS] and if it can fit, mount it right inside the USB>I2S converter.

I should advice You to go with this one instead. Link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-MHz-Double-Oven-OCXO-Double-sinewave-OSCILLOQUARTZ-8663-XS-10MHZ/253288060152?_trkparms=ispr=1&hash=item3af92514f8:g:zb4AAOSwGzhaIOt4&enc=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&checksum=253288060152bff0385493bd4ccebfbc098fa6985c90
I got mine delivered and it is excellent.
/Jan

 

[motberg]

I should advice You to go with this one instead. Link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-MHz-Double-Oven-OCXO-Double-sinewave-OSCILLOQUARTZ-8663-XS-10MHZ/253288060152?_trkparms=ispr=1&hash=item3af92514f8:g:zb4AAOSwGzhaIOt4&enc=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&checksum=253288060152bff0385493bd4ccebfbc098fa6985c90
I got mine delivered and it is excellent.
/Jan

What voltage are you using ?

 

[JaMo]

What voltage are you using ?

Hi,
I am using an universal 12V 2A power supply right now (5.5 mm x 2.1 mm, center postive). It works just fine with it but I am waiting to get a LPS delivered (same values 12V, 2A) to get even better performance from it.
/Jan

 

[anroj]

i was sceptical, and you where right as you suggested -> Wait - the u16 needs to burn in/ the V2A boards are clearly better/ the acusilicon clocks are a must have...
So to try the OCXO with the linear power source is a clear way for me, but i will also wait for the C16 feedback here…
Thank you very much @FredA, @JaMo and @DACLadder for sharing this!

I just saw your post about waiting on the C16. I got mine yesterday and connected it for some initial impressions as I'm waiting on a new USB Blaster so I can finally upgrade my R8 firmware. What I heard during my short listening session was a greater sense of height, soundstage width and depth, more three-dimensionality, better separation of instruments and performers, better timing and pop. Also, the same songs seem to be louder through the C16 vs. U16 internal clocks. I will post more once the USB Blaster arrives and I have a chance to upgrade the firmware and burn the R8 in a bit.

 

[Toni-Mang]

Thank you very much for your impression...i see the c16 as an expensive alternative to the semi diy ocxo...and i think,
the combination should look and feel perfect!

 

[anroj]

I was going to go the GPSDO route, but I have quite a bit of distance from my equipment to the nearest window, plus, I don't think my wife would have gone for the antenna hanging out a window. The C16 was definitely more than I planned to spend, but I'm happy with it and I keep peace in my household.

 

[JaMo]

Hi,
I just wanted to report that the Oscilloquarts OCXO, the one in the very long link above, performs very well. It is cheap for what is is and it does an excellent job som far. Mine has been powered on since saturday, so it's about 90 hours. The performance from it clearly beats the accusilicons inside the U16, and this already.

This is a low cost solution that seems to be a high value upgrade in the setup. The C16 should also, but at its high price.
/Jan

 

[DACLadder]

Yesterday I received the same Oscilloquartz OCXO described above by @JaMo. I was a skeptic but no longer. I have better sound on my Audio GD DACs with the 10Mhz OCXO driving the U16 external clock input. And I am using a +12V power supply (Off Ramp 5 Dynamo linear supply). Worthy upgrade for a several percent better, clearly audible sound improvement.

 

[UsoppNoKami]

Yesterday I received the same Oscilloquartz OCXO described above by @JaMo. I was a skeptic but no longer. I have better sound on my Audio GD DACs with the 10Mhz OCXO driving the U16 external clock input. And I am using a +12V power supply (Off Ramp 5 Dynamo linear supply). Worthy upgrade for a several percent better, clearly audible sound improvement.

Is there a casing available for the OXCO board ?

 

[DACLadder]

Is there a casing available for the OXCO board ?

Looking into that now that I have the board.

 

[517269]

Yesterday I received the same Oscilloquartz OCXO described above by @JaMo. I was a skeptic but no longer. I have better sound on my Audio GD DACs with the 10Mhz OCXO driving the U16 external clock input. And I am using a +12V power supply (Off Ramp 5 Dynamo linear supply). Worthy upgrade for a several percent better, clearly audible sound improvement.

It'd be nice if there was an OCXO upgrade for the PCM clock on the Audio GD DACs.... Probably better served discussing on the Audio GD DAC thread but there is overlap in topic so what the heck -
When I used the original Uptone USB Regen I swapped the oscillator out with a $25 Connor Winfield TCXO [Crystek hadn't committed to building a 24MHz TCXO at that time] and noticed the soundstage snapped into a noticably more precise focus. I later upgraded the two oscillators on the Vega DAC USB board but to no effect. I wonder if there was any difference when Kingwa did the oscillator upgrade on the Amanero USB board on the Audio GD...

The noise plot of the Connor Winfield was on par with the Crystek 575 and the sound of the modded original regen was similar to the newer Uptone ISO Regen. I heard about the Pulsar OCXO on a Computer Audiofile thread where tweekers were upgrading the Uptone Regen with outboard mounted New Class D clocks to very positive effect. A few doubting tech-heads [validly so in terms of the very long clock leads likely offsetting some of the gains in jitter reduction from the expensive New Class D] speculated that there couldn't be a difference [there was definately a positive difference experienced from my own mod] and asserted that any clock upgrade would be best served on the DAC itself.
So I ordered a 100MHz Pulsar OCXO and regulator [it took five months of customs red tape and lost forms through the mail from US to Italy] for my Auralic Vega DAC which already used the [outstandingly good for $25] Crystek 575. I would say the jump in soundstage focus was several times that of the Uptone USB oscillator upgrade. But the Pulsar was over $400USD. Several years later, I'm sure there are cost effective alternatives... It'd be great to have an OCXO upgrade for at least the PCM playback on the Audio GD DACs. Probably a more appropriate post under the Audio GD thread but I just received my AGD R8HE a week ago, have about 170 hours on it [plus 300 factory] and find it is very natural and relaxed [compared to a more spot lit and clinical Vega] has good 180 degree width and detail but not nearly the last word in depth. Although I can attest that a good USB source makes a very significant difference, maybe it's time for me to explore getting off that Amanero USB interface on the Audio GD that nearly everyone has moved on from.

 

[PLGA]

Yesterday I received the same Oscilloquartz OCXO described above by @JaMo. I was a skeptic but no longer. I have better sound on my Audio GD DACs with the 10Mhz OCXO driving the U16 external clock input. And I am using a +12V power supply (Off Ramp 5 Dynamo linear supply). Worthy upgrade for a several percent better, clearly audible sound improvement.

Hello Scott,
Thank you, JaMo and Fred for the information.

A couple of questions.

1. You say that you are using a 12V PSU, but I understand that seller posts on ebay 13/15V. Am I correct? Can you use it with a 12V PSU with no problem?

2. How much do you estimate its consumption? 1A? 2A?

 

[PLGA]

Hello guys,
Wich cable do you recomend to use to connect the OCXO to the U16? Can anyone post a link for ebay?

Of course one cheap with good price/performance ratio.

 

[JaMo]

Hello Scott,
Thank you, JaMo and Fred for the information.

A couple of questions.

1. You say that you are using a 12V PSU, but I understand that seller posts on ebay 13/15V. Am I correct? Can you use it with a 12V PSU with no problem?

2. How much do you estimate its consumption? 1A? 2A?

The circuit board has printed +12 to +15V. Current needed is about 1,5 Amps so with a little margin 2 Amp is enough and works well for me. Scott uses 12V 3 Amps.
/Jan