Gustard U16 - the first USB Interface featuring ESS USB chip

[FredA]

Yep... I just placed a U16 order to try with my R1....
Thanks to everyone who has been reporting their observations.....

Has anyone seen any reference to using an external power source with the U16? (similar to the Ghent adapter for the SU-1)

From the pictures, the whole power supply is on board. So it is not as simple as with the su-1. There seems to be a single rectification bridge. So one could apply the required voltage passed it. Or even before rectification i suppose, but it is not ideal. There is an optimal place where to apply the voltage TBD and maybe it would be better to chop off some components.

 

[slex]

Interesting DDC. Anyone here own a Etir for comparison?

Love to see a future ESS dac with its own ESS USB chip.

 

[rafabro]

From the pictures, the whole power supply is on board. So it is not as simple as with the su-1. There seems to be a single rectification bridge. So one could apply the required voltage passed it. Or even before rectification i suppose, but it is not ideal. There is an optimal place where to apply the voltage TBD and maybe it would be better to chop off some components.

Ya, there are rectifying diodes. It would work when provide DC through them, but better avoid in this case - no need for additional noise if can be avoided.

Possibly Linear Technology regulator could be replaced with something different with lower noise and higher PSRR.

 

[Whitigir]

To properly replace or upgrade the PSU in the U16....it is better if we can have a schematic, which I heavily doubt ...lol

Single board is good stuff, no pins connector

Linear tech is good stuff, Wima and Nichicon are also good stuff....I can’t find anything bad in U16

 

[Whitigir]

Ok, an interesting observation now from DSD512 Upsampling vs PCM with Pinkfaun I2S and OCXO clock (Built Pc). Using LKS004 with upgraded OCXO

1/ major problems, the DSD left and right channel is swapped on the U16....I had notified Shenzhen Audio to ask for a firmware to fix this.

2/ Pinkfaun PCM+OCXO is superior: micro dynamic, extensions, resolutions of the edges, depth projection, soundstage presentation, timbres....etc....the Pinkfaun I2S and PCM is fuller, more authentic and authoritative on dynamic slam, density of energy. Hence the Pinkfaun I2S is ultimately more realistic than U16

If I thought Delta Sigma had this Oversaturated feeling, then using a DDC such as U16 and USB interface has vastly increased this over saturated feelings. It is now all about the details, sharpness but not harsh or sibilant, a lot of good and fine treble without grain, but is lacking the smoothness, the fluidity and realism of depth or density and musicality of realism.

Anyways, U16 is still the best DDC I had heard up until now

It is all could be a result of me not building or buying a Pinkfaun USB card (onboard usb now)? I am debating myself should I buy a Pinkfaun UsB card and further enlighten myself...or stick with Pinkfaun PCM...going with this option, it will be another expensive build as I will need OCXO option too....Damn this hobby...

Or I could just sell this U16 back to someone who is interested within the US. Any taker ?

 

[rafabro]

To properly replace or upgrade the PSU in the U16....it is better if we can have a schematic, which I heavily doubt ...lol

Single board is good stuff, no pins connector

Linear tech is good stuff, Wima and Nichicon are also good stuff....I can’t find anything bad in U16

Nichicon Muse sound signature is the problem here. Too bright, lack of timbre and dynamics.
U16 can be even better.

 

[FredA]

Ok, an interesting observation now from DSD512 Upsampling vs PCM with Pinkfaun I2S and OCXO clock (Built Pc). Using LKS004 with upgraded OCXO

1/ major problems, the DSD left and right channel is swapped on the U16....I had notified Shenzhen Audio to ask for a firmware to fix this.

2/ Pinkfaun PCM+OCXO is superior: micro dynamic, extensions, resolutions of the edges, depth projection, soundstage presentation, timbres....etc....the Pinkfaun I2S and PCM is fuller, more authentic and authoritative on dynamic slam, density of energy. Hence the Pinkfaun I2S is ultimately more realistic than U16

If I thought Delta Sigma had this Oversaturated feeling, then using a DDC such as U16 and USB interface has vastly increased this over saturated feelings. It is now all about the details, sharpness but not harsh or sibilant, a lot of good and fine treble without grain, but is lacking the smoothness, the fluidity and realism of depth or density and musicality of realism.

Anyways, U16 is still the best DDC I had heard up until now

It is all could be a result of me not building or buying a Pinkfaun USB card (onboard usb now)? I am debating myself should I buy a Pinkfaun UsB card and further enlighten myself...or stick with Pinkfaun PCM...going with this option, it will be another expensive build as I will need OCXO option too....Damn this hobby...

Or I could just sell this U16 back to someone who is interested within the US. Any taker ?

You have to have a clean usb signal. A usb card sure would help and perhaps the gap with your i2s board would be reduced to not much.

 

[Whitigir]

You have to have a clean usb signal. A usb card sure would help and perhaps the gap with your i2s board would be reduced to not much.

Yeah, I know...I just need to decide whether sticking to I2S interface or usb ...lol

 

[Whitigir]

Nichicon Muse sound signature is the problem here. Too bright, lack of timbre and dynamics.
U16 can be even better.

Elna will work, or even blackgate

 

[Chopin75]

You can choose only one audio output in time. How you gonna resolve this?

I just need 1 I2S output from each unit, I would need to use 3 units and clock them together with external clock

 

[Chopin75]

Yeah, I know...I just need to decide whether sticking to I2S interface or usb ...lol

The USB allows DSD and DXD where as I2S only works on PCM. USB with OcXo clock + galvanic isolation should work very Well. Did you compare PCM only or DSD512 vs PCM?
Try doing only PCM at same rate without upsampling and see the difference.

 

[rafabro]

I just need 1 I2S output from each unit, I would need to use 3 units and clock them together with external clock

Physically yes. But software players run only one output in time.

 

[Whitigir]

The USB allows DSD and DXD where as I2S only works on PCM. USB with OcXo clock + galvanic isolation should work very Well. Did you compare PCM only or DSD512 vs PCM?
Try doing only PCM at same rate without upsampling and see the difference.

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

 

[FredA]

Elna will work, or even blackgate

It would be a quick an easy swap.

Were you able to fix the channel inversion issue?

 

[Whitigir]

It would be a quick an easy swap.

Were you able to fix the channel inversion issue?

Nope, that is firmware issues...I don’t think they released new firmware yet