[801evan]

Moved to a Soundaware D300REF recently.... After about 4 days burn in it's already equaling what I was getting with my LPS powered mini PC, Gustard U18 + Afterdark Emperor Double Crown OCXO clock..... Far more expensive though it turns out worth the extra $. I'll be adding an Afterdark 3 output Emperor Double Crown to the mix in the coming weeks as well which should improve things still further.

But yeah, loved my U18 but the D300REF at about 4x the cost is clearly the better performer..... Likely because the Roon Bridge is built in though I find the USB input to be every bit as good also.

Nice. I've been close to buying one but it lacks reviews. Some ppl were underwhelmed with the UI.

Can u add the u18 in the chain?

 

[Matthew Willims]

Nice. I've been close to buying one but it lacks reviews. Some ppl were underwhelmed with the UI.

Can u add the u18 in the chain?

UI almost non-existent. I only got it to switch between Roon streamer for music and USB interface for the media PC for video. This not just does away with Roon taking over the audio interface necessitating a reboot but also seems to give a very nice improvement sonically. The first few days of burn in I was wondering what on earth I was thinking but inside of a week it is matching what I achieved for a similar cost. I imagine it will continue to improve.

It seems integration of the streamer has greater sonic benefits than the Afterdark Emperor Double Crown clock I ran with the U18. Unfortunately the D300REF doesn't use 10MHz clock inputs so a new clock is on order. That should improve things still further.

One thing that has been obvious from the beginning is how much more impact it adds to bass though initially is seems a bit thin and edgy in the treble region, not natural. Thankfully that has now gone away and it's just getting better and better the more I use it.

No point adding the U18 to the chain hey as the Soundaware actually sounds better and also has it's own USB interface

 

[801evan]

UI almost non-existent. I only got it to switch between Roon streamer for music and USB interface for the media PC for video. This not just does away with Roon taking over the audio interface necessitating a reboot but also seems to give a very nice improvement sonically. The first few days of burn in I was wondering what on earth I was thinking but inside of a week it is matching what I achieved for a similar cost. I imagine it will continue to improve.

It seems integration of the streamer has greater sonic benefits than the Afterdark Emperor Double Crown clock I ran with the U18. Unfortunately the D300REF doesn't use 10MHz clock inputs so a new clock is on order. That should improve things still further.

One thing that has been obvious from the beginning is how much more impact it adds to bass though initially is seems a bit thin and edgy in the treble region, not natural. Thankfully that has now gone away and it's just getting better and better the more I use it.

Oh wait let's start again, can u clarify if ur using the d300ref as a ddc or as a streamer?

 

[Matthew Willims]

Oh wait let's start again, can u clarify if ur using the d300ref as a ddc or as a streamer?

I'm using it for both. Roon network streamer for music, and USB input when watching video via the media PC.

 

[801evan]

And yea. That's the thing...I was interested in the 300ref coz it's compatible with my ocxo. I think my soundwarrior ocxo is better than the after dark since I power it with the ifi elite + dxpwr combo. If future ddc by gustard has that option...omg

 

[801evan]

I'm using it for both. Roon network streamer for music, and USB input when watching video via the media PC.

Right...while not final, can you rank what's best for you? Roon + 300ref, 300ref as streamer, u18, 300ref as streamer + u18.

 

[Matthew Willims]

And yea. That's the thing...I was interested in the 300ref coz it's compatible with my ocxo. I think my soundwarrior ocxo is better than the after dark since I power it with the ifi elite + dxpwr combo. If future ddc by gustard has that option...omg

Yeah, I was powering mine with the Farad Super3 LPS but the one I have coming has power built in.

Right now with 4 days burn in the Soundaware as streamer is even with U18 + Farad Super3 LPS power Afterdark Emperor Double Crown which is impressive seeing as there's plenty of burn in required still. The U18 took about a month or so to get to its best so I expect this will be no different.

 

[801evan]

Yeah, I was powering mine with the Farad Super3 LPS but the one I have coming has power built in.

Yes. Its the only option they got and I couldn't commit to it. They gave me the specs where I can do custom but the soundwarrior is more convenient as I don't need a dedicated build.

 

[Matthew Willims]

Yes. Its the only option they got and I couldn't commit to it. They gave me the specs where I can do custom but the soundwarrior is more convenient as I don't need a dedicated build.

Just looked it up. Very good price but description is a bit light on details like phase distortion etc..... No mention of it at all actually. Not right for the Soundaware either was as that required 50ohm inputs.

 

[801evan]

Just looked it up. Very good price but description is a bit light on details like phase distortion etc..... No mention of it at all actually. Not right for the Soundaware either was as that required 50ohm inputs.

Those 50/75ohms stuff don't really hold up in the real world. I've tried on spec cables and my builds are better and it's a twisted pair design. There is no phase but the manual says .001ppm but so better psu can easily trump a unit with better phase noise performance.

 

[Matthew Willims]

Those 50/75ohms stuff don't really hold up in the real world. I've tried on spec cables and my builds are better and it's a twisted pair design. There is no phase but the manual says .001ppm but so better psu can easily trump a unit with better phase noise performance.

Interesting, will have to try my existing 75ohm Farad Super3 powered Afterdark Emperor Double Crown with the D300REF

 

[801evan]

Interesting, will have to try my existing 75ohm Farad Super3 powered Afterdark Emperor Double Crown with the D300REF

It is bizarre if one follows the philosophy of what's within spec. My design is a 4 core 20awg solid occ silver twisted cable design. A derivative of my digital cable build. I reckon to give it a shot but expected the two core per signal design might muck the accuracy but it didn't.

Plug quality matters too! So do adapters! I used an adapter and it gave the same response as me using an adapter on interconnects or HP to amp. It's this slower thicker sound that's rolled odd. Just on cable that's delivering clock data. It's crazy.

There's also that thing of 1.5m is the minimum to resist reflections but that isn't true in real world usage...shorter is still better.

 

[vassago]

hi all, i ordered a gustard fuse for my u18. I would like to ask how thefuse should be oriented as it has an arrow. for the gustard x26pro there is an image, but for the u18 I have not found anything. Thx for the reply

 

[Highfive99]

hi all, i ordered a gustard fuse for my u18. I would like to ask how thefuse should be oriented as it has an arrow. for the gustard x26pro there is an image, but for the u18 I have not found anything. Thx for the reply

I have both U18 and X26p and fuse orientation is the same for both.

 

[tedacura1]

hi all, i ordered a gustard fuse for my u18. I would like to ask how thefuse should be oriented as it has an arrow. for the gustard x26pro there is an image, but for the u18 I have not found anything. Thx for the reply