Gustard U16 - the first USB Interface featuring ESS USB chip
Sep 27, 2019 at 4:05 AM Post #1,366 of 1,697
Thanks, I'll try those! the non nfb is the one available on the website? currently using it able to play only 96/24 and above.

PS: I could use 48/24 with the nfb version though the non nfb sounds better at 96/24.
 
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Sep 27, 2019 at 2:25 PM Post #1,368 of 1,697
Hi ProLoL
I dont have the link here for the 1.61 firmware (Im on another PC), but I guess it's the one JaMo says.

It's important to mention that I've only tried it with Tidal at 44.1 kHz, not higher sample rates. I will do it this weekend. Nevertheless, it would be upsampling with Audinirvana and, honestly, I don't know if I've ever noticed a difference in quality sound, at least not big at all. I'm perfectly fine with 44.1.

The most important thing is that with that firmware I don't have noise when I change tracks.
 
Sep 27, 2019 at 2:31 PM Post #1,369 of 1,697
Hi ProLoL
I dont have the link here for the 1.61 firmware (Im on another PC), but I guess it's the one JaMo says.

It's important to mention that I've only tried it with Tidal at 44.1 kHz, not higher sample rates. I will do it this weekend. Nevertheless, it would be upsampling with Audinirvana and, honestly, I don't know if I've ever noticed a difference in quality sound, at least not big at all. I'm perfectly fine with 44.1.

The most important thing is that with that firmware I don't have noise when I change tracks.

Thanks, the 44.1k is a more snappy sounding and oversampling adds a bit of smoothness. I'm fine with 96/24, sounds chocolaty with my R2R11.
 
Sep 27, 2019 at 2:54 PM Post #1,370 of 1,697
Well, I've found more impact changing other things like Ethernet cable vs WiFi, antivibration feet, cables lenght, etc. In my experience upsampling with software hasn't change much the sound, may be a little bit, but it could be placebo effect. In fact, with the U16, it only gave me trouble! Nevertheless, I will try it again this weekend with the 1.61 firmware.
 
Sep 30, 2019 at 2:33 PM Post #1,372 of 1,697
One last thing. I've found out a way to avoid random pink noise on the U16 with the R8 DAC, with V3A firmware at least.

I setted Syn on "1" from the front panel and I've got no more out of the blue random pink noise. It works fine in my system streaming Tidal (PCM 44.1 Khz) with Audinirvana+ on Windows 10, the SOtM SMS-200 Ultra feeding the U16 and the 1.61 NFB firmware on it. I knock on wood as it's been a pretty frustrating experience during this days. I almost gave up on the U16.

If you have the R8, R7, or their HE versions, and you have noise, may be this setting can work fine for you.

PS: I must say the SMS-200 Ultra Neo is a beast. It's incredible how it changed the sound. I love it. Now working flawlessly, with the U16 and the R8 the sound is unbelievable! I've heard systems costing 5 to 10 times and they don't sound as good as mine. The SMS-200 + U16 + R8 are a incredible combo!
 
Oct 20, 2019 at 6:00 PM Post #1,377 of 1,697
For those who are interested, simply adding the code highlighted in red below into linux kernel audio/usb/quirks.c

Linux kernel with this update will enable native dsd for U16. Tested and working perfectly on 1.61nfb all supported DSD 44.1k/48k based both OK. (even though U16 display will only show 44.1k based frequency number). On 1.61 it won't work properly.

Can somebody take time to merge this into linux mainline?


case USB_ID(0x22d9, 0x0461): /* OPPO UDP-205 */
case USB_ID(0x2522, 0x0012): /* LH Labs VI DAC Infinity */
case USB_ID(0x2772, 0x0230): /* Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital */
case USB_ID(0x292b, 0xc4b3): /* Gustard U16/X26 USB Interface */
if (fp->altsetting == 2)
return SNDRV_PCM_FMTBIT_DSD_U32_BE;
break;
 
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