[jgwtriode]

If your streaming with a computer using HQplayer or Jplay and don't have the money or want to spend it. Consider the Intel i350 V4 or V2 T2 PCIE NIC. It specs like a JCAT XE network card in jitter and isolation. They retail for around 200, but can be had for substantially less. I actually got a brand new Intel, not OEM or other brand for 100 on Mercari. Burning in now. Significant improvement. Sound substantially better after about 8 hours of burn. I find most things really need 200 sometimes moe. But it sounds better every couple hours I check it. No idea how it compares sonically to the JCAT's but it is the same chipset as JCAT uses on both it's cards. Here are the measurements, check them out! Look for the chart at the end that summarizes the oscope measurement.

https://www.open-end-music.com/foru...astruktur-switches-nur-lesen/page3#post680071

Happy listening,

jgwtriode

 

[kumar402]

Can Gustard U18 use a 1A fuse, guys? thanks for your advice

You can use but it won't provide any protection at all.

 

[doitttt]

snakeoil I looked at when I was at a 2-day seminar
was shunyata hydra-deltad6
it contains no other mov and switch
it should give good sound for 4000 dollars
I think it stays in your brain
nice review in hifi pages
https://shunyata.com/products/power-distributors/performance-line-power-distributors/hydra-deltad6/
shunyata hydra-deltad6

 

[Mihai IOV]

Hello,

Now that the R26 DAC received the new firmware that enables the display to be turned off is there any chance that this function to be available also on the U18? Is is possible to update the FW on U18 as long as it doesn't have a USB-C port like the R26? Maybe someone who keep in touch with the Gustard team can answer this question. Thank you.

 

[Flyblues]

Does anyone no how to use the WCLK output (not to be confused with the 10Mhz CLK input) the U18 offers?

I read the manual and searched to forum but have not found tnfo.

From the U18 manual this are its specs:
Word Clock output:
Word Clock Frequency: PCM: 44.1k-768k DSD:2.82M-22.57M Word Clock Voltage: 3.3Vpp MAX @ 100k load

 

[Flyblues]

User error: duplicate post. Deleted.

 

[Highfive99]

Hello,

Now that the R26 DAC received the new firmware that enables the display to be turned off is there any chance that this function to be available also on the U18? Is is possible to update the FW on U18 as long as it doesn't have a USB-C port like the R26? Maybe someone who keep in touch with the Gustard team can answer this question. Thank you.

I've not seen Gustard release any FW updates for the U18 in the year and a half I've owned mine. If it they do, it would be updated via the USB-B connection it has. This would similar to the X26Pro which is updated via USB-B as Gustard didn't produce those with USB-C for FW updates. That's a R26 and A26 thing.

 

[jimmychan]

Does anyone no how to use the WCLK output (not to be confused with the 10Mhz CLK input) the U18 offers?

I read the manual and searched to forum but have not found tnfo.

From the U18 manual this are its specs:
Word Clock output:
Word Clock Frequency: PCM: 44.1k-768k DSD:2.82M-22.57M Word Clock Voltage: 3.3Vpp MAX @ 100k load

The word clock is for some DAC that use the ext. word clock as the reference.

 

[DeafSound]

It appears that there was a software for the Gustard U18 that was just released late last year, see below. Link to the software update: https://download.shenzhenaudio.com/#gustard_u18/1

 

[duffer5]

It appears that there was a software for the Gustard U18 that was just released late last year, see below. Link to the software update: https://download.shenzhenaudio.com/#gustard_u18/1

just an FYI the updates are just drivers for USB / windows drivers. The updates don’t do anything for the functionality of the U18. So if you don’t use a computer as your music source no need to update.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Does anyone no how to use the WCLK output (not to be confused with the 10Mhz CLK input) the U18 offers?

I read the manual and searched to forum but have not found tnfo.

From the U18 manual this are its specs:
Word Clock output:
Word Clock Frequency: PCM: 44.1k-768k DSD:2.82M-22.57M Word Clock Voltage: 3.3Vpp MAX @ 100k load

WCLK is for pro audio. If you record off the U18 you should run WCLK into the recorder.

 

[doitttt]

K2 can generate the audio-specific frequency using a 10Mhz clock source with extremely low loss.
the masterpiece from gustard.
no matter how poor a 10mhz master clock is.
K2 gets the optimum, in the noise floor

 

[Thetaburn]

Ali Express and Shenzhen audio are having a sale on the U18 tomorrow.

How much improvement will there be if I add a U18 to an x26pro? The source is a PC.
I watched the Golden Sound review and he stated there is only a slight improvement in using I2s.

 

[Highfive99]

Ali Express and Shenzhen audio are having a sale on the U18 tomorrow.

How much improvement will there be if I add a U18 to an x26pro? The source is a PC.
I watched the Golden Sound review and he stated there is only a slight improvement in using I2s.

It's all a matter of perspective and how resolving the rest of your gear is. I got more than what I consider a slight improvement with my X26pro. And you can improve a U18 further with a good fuse. I would consider a DDC a must have if your music source is from USB via a PC. And IMHO the U18 is a great bang for the buck as far as DDC's go.

 

[joenetic]

I am using Rpi4 with Digione through coaxial to Bifrost 2, to upgrade Digione to U18, should be a significant improvement? Singxer SU6 is better than U18 ? I learned that feed U18 good quality USB signal, use I2S interface, get the best result, not sure anyone use U18 coaxial output? Can share experience?