stuartmc
500+ Head-Fier
Those that have visited the Gustard H10 thread - http://www.head-fi.org/t/735828/gustard-h10-high-current-discrete-class-a-output-stage-headphone-amplifier and the Gustard Amplifiers and DACs thread - http://www.head-fi.org/t/752522/gustard-amplifiers-and-dacs will know me as "Captain" of the good ship SS Gustard. We are a friendly group of "swabbies" that share a passion for affordable high-end gear that punches WAY above its weight class, or in keeping with our jaunty nautical theme, it rips a broad reach like nobody's business. Gustard has quite a track record of these price/performance champions - the U12 USB- DDC, the X12 DAC and their previous king of bargains, the H10 headphone amplifier. The Gustard crew has dished up another product that, in my humble opinion, may beat out the H10 for the "king of values" status.
With no further ado, here is the new Gustard X20 DAC - it's enough to bring tears to a swabbie's eye and definitely will stiffen your peg leg.









The following comes from Gustard's Taobao site with translation from Chinese to English courtesy of Google Translate:
GUSTARD Costa de DAC-X20 double ES9018 XMOS program supports DSD DOP 384K
X20 chip uses two main ESS Technology ES9018 Sabre Reference 32bit chip, with XMOS 32bit / 500MIPS performance digital signal processing unit.
• the first use of adaptive technology and asynchronous master clock master clock technology, two clock mode can be freely selected.
• Full interface supports DSD decoding. USB support DSD hardware solution, Coaxial Optical AES / EBU support DOP decoding, which can be accessed several broadcast SACD listening to music. Full interface supports 24Bit 192khz (USB 32B 384K).
• using CPLD programmable logic device. MESNAC ES9018.
• 3-speed gain, volume can be adjusted, a total of 100 stalls adjustable volume attenuation from 0 to -99DB.
• USB sub card using XMOS program, PCM highest support 32B 384khz, DSD up to DSD128.
• six kinds of input methods: IIS fiber `BNC coaxial port` AES / EBU`USB, through the key switch.
• Adopt TFT LCD display, adjustable contrast
• power supply with two O-type transformers, digital and analog independent power supply, and the use of discrete components regulation.
• Fully balanced analog line discrete components. Unbalanced RCA output simultaneously.
The main chip: the ESS Technology ES9018 Sabre Reference 32bit chip differs from conventional sigma-delta D / A converter, ESS Sabre32 innovative patented circuit out of the general digital audio system timebase jitter, get a very wide dynamic. range, low distortion and precise sound field. Left and right channels use a sound and stable dynamic enough rich detail.
The first use of adaptive technology and asynchronous master clock master clock technology, two clock modes free switch. Integer CPLD digital technology.
Analog Line is using the newly developed discrete analog line and X12 who has been unanimously praised by users. And with three gain.
Using two O-50W transformer , O- power transformer silicon steel with high magnetic flux produced using completely non-cutting-type iron core, such a circular cross section with a transformer having a core made smaller volume and good electrical properties, is ideal transformer.Compared with toroidal transformer:. A coil . The average turn length decrease 11.4% - 30%; b coil without knuckle, so the magnetic field distribution is more uniform. Features: no fracture core; approximately circular cross-section; flat circular structure, height shorter, larger diameter; more uniform magnetic flux leakage is smaller. Compared with the R-type transformers, coils unrestricted skeleton, and the coil close to the core, the coupling better and more efficient. Mellow degree of O-type transformers in sound quality, and in the actual comparison, there are significant differences.
USB version of the built-in USB Daughter Card: using XMOS used in professional audio field of X-CORE digital signal processing unit, which includes a powerful processing capabilities, is by far the industry's most advanced digital audio solutions. USB Audio Class 2.0 implements asynchronous transfer playback, and supports low latency ASIO, KS and other professional audio software interface, support for Windows and Mac operating systems. (Basic version without this daughter card)
USB 2.0 asynchronous interface can playback 1BIT / 2.8224MHz or 5.6448MHz DSD digital signal sampling rate. That is supported DSD64 and DSD128. Coaxial BNC fiber AES / EBU support DOP64, IIS support DSD64 128 256 512. SACD playback can be accessed by the number of broadcast music ʱ??
IIS pin definitions
Technical parameters:
DAC Specifications:
ESS Technology ES9018 Sabre Reference 32-bit DAC
8 mono to stereo configuration 2, four D / A Converters per Channel
Digital Input:
Coaxial
BNC :
PCM: 16-24bit / 44.1,48,88.2,96,176.4,192 kHz
DOP: DOP64
Optical:
PCM: 16-24bit / 44.1,48,88.2,96,176.4,192 kHz
DOP: DOP64
AES / EBU:
PCM: 16-24bit / 44.1,48,88.2,96,176.4,192 kHz
DOP: DOP64
IIS:
PCM: 16-32bit /44.1,48,88.2,96,176.4,192 , 352.8 , 384kHz
DSD: DSD64 , DSD128 , DSD256 , DSD512
DOP: DOP64 , DOP128 DOP25 6 , DOP512
USB: 16-32bit / 44.1,48,88.2,96,176.4,192,352.8,384 kHz
DSDx64 (2.8224 MHz), DSDx128 (5.6448MHz)
Analog Output:
RCA Output level: 2.3 Vrms @ 0dBFS
XLR output level: 4.6 Vrms @ 0dBFS (XLR interface definition: 1 ground, 2 hot, 3 cold)
Frequency Response: 20-20K Hz +/- 0.15dB
Power Requirements:
Power Supply: AC 230V 50 / 60Hz (AC 115V 50 / 60Hz)
Power consumption: <50W Machine size (not including protruding part): Width 380MM * 65MM * deep high 260MM.
Operating System Support:
Windows XP / Vista / 7/8 systems need to install specific drivers http://pan.baidu.com/s/1ntDUtqp
Mac OS X 10.6.4 and above systems without having to install drivers
FOOBAR2000 Chinese version DSD Kit: http://pan.baidu.com/s/1bnwGCiF
DSD plug-in download to Address: http://sourceforge.net/projects/sacddecoder/files/?source=navbar
Machine Standard: GB three-prong power cord 1
International guidance: X20 = $ 799, X20U = $ 866
With no further ado, here is the new Gustard X20 DAC - it's enough to bring tears to a swabbie's eye and definitely will stiffen your peg leg.
The following comes from Gustard's Taobao site with translation from Chinese to English courtesy of Google Translate:
GUSTARD Costa de DAC-X20 double ES9018 XMOS program supports DSD DOP 384K
The foregoing: Costa Germany is among the first to develop applications ESS9018 chip products. 2012 launched X10,2014年推出的X12 are subject to the majority of users, sales are ahead of the same products. The company did not stop there, is has been engaged in research and exploration ESS9018 this chip, and continue with the ESS official exchanges in various aspects of technology, after years of unremitting efforts, we are now on this chip ES9018 Cognitive mettle has reached new heights. With all these years of knowledge and understanding ESS9018 tried numerous times over the years analog mixer, after the X10 and X12 post, which lasted more than two years, after a number of adjustments, and finally launched a new DAC-X20. X20 digital circuit is redesigned on the basis of the original increase the stability, the first use of adaptive technology master clock . And use more humane modular USB daughter card, allowing users to have more choices when selecting products. The analog line is using the newly developed discrete analog line and X12 who made the user's praise.
Thanks brothers love and support all the way, the first has been booked. Now only accept the second batch of book wholesale goods second time around mid-August.X20 chip uses two main ESS Technology ES9018 Sabre Reference 32bit chip, with XMOS 32bit / 500MIPS performance digital signal processing unit.
Product Features:
• DAC-X20 core chip uses two ES9018, left and right channels for each one.• the first use of adaptive technology and asynchronous master clock master clock technology, two clock mode can be freely selected.
• Full interface supports DSD decoding. USB support DSD hardware solution, Coaxial Optical AES / EBU support DOP decoding, which can be accessed several broadcast SACD listening to music. Full interface supports 24Bit 192khz (USB 32B 384K).
• using CPLD programmable logic device. MESNAC ES9018.
• 3-speed gain, volume can be adjusted, a total of 100 stalls adjustable volume attenuation from 0 to -99DB.
• USB sub card using XMOS program, PCM highest support 32B 384khz, DSD up to DSD128.
• six kinds of input methods: IIS fiber `BNC coaxial port` AES / EBU`USB, through the key switch.
• Adopt TFT LCD display, adjustable contrast
• power supply with two O-type transformers, digital and analog independent power supply, and the use of discrete components regulation.
• Fully balanced analog line discrete components. Unbalanced RCA output simultaneously.
Black: X20 = 3980 (no USB input)
Black: X20U = 4280 (with USB input)
The main chip: the ESS Technology ES9018 Sabre Reference 32bit chip differs from conventional sigma-delta D / A converter, ESS Sabre32 innovative patented circuit out of the general digital audio system timebase jitter, get a very wide dynamic. range, low distortion and precise sound field. Left and right channels use a sound and stable dynamic enough rich detail.
The first use of adaptive technology and asynchronous master clock master clock technology, two clock modes free switch. Integer CPLD digital technology.
Analog Line is using the newly developed discrete analog line and X12 who has been unanimously praised by users. And with three gain.
Using two O-50W transformer , O- power transformer silicon steel with high magnetic flux produced using completely non-cutting-type iron core, such a circular cross section with a transformer having a core made smaller volume and good electrical properties, is ideal transformer.Compared with toroidal transformer:. A coil . The average turn length decrease 11.4% - 30%; b coil without knuckle, so the magnetic field distribution is more uniform. Features: no fracture core; approximately circular cross-section; flat circular structure, height shorter, larger diameter; more uniform magnetic flux leakage is smaller. Compared with the R-type transformers, coils unrestricted skeleton, and the coil close to the core, the coupling better and more efficient. Mellow degree of O-type transformers in sound quality, and in the actual comparison, there are significant differences.
USB version of the built-in USB Daughter Card: using XMOS used in professional audio field of X-CORE digital signal processing unit, which includes a powerful processing capabilities, is by far the industry's most advanced digital audio solutions. USB Audio Class 2.0 implements asynchronous transfer playback, and supports low latency ASIO, KS and other professional audio software interface, support for Windows and Mac operating systems. (Basic version without this daughter card)
USB 2.0 asynchronous interface can playback 1BIT / 2.8224MHz or 5.6448MHz DSD digital signal sampling rate. That is supported DSD64 and DSD128. Coaxial BNC fiber AES / EBU support DOP64, IIS support DSD64 128 256 512. SACD playback can be accessed by the number of broadcast music ʱ??
IIS pin definitions

Technical parameters:
DAC Specifications:
ESS Technology ES9018 Sabre Reference 32-bit DAC
8 mono to stereo configuration 2, four D / A Converters per Channel
Digital Input:
Coaxial
BNC :
PCM: 16-24bit / 44.1,48,88.2,96,176.4,192 kHz
DOP: DOP64
Optical:
PCM: 16-24bit / 44.1,48,88.2,96,176.4,192 kHz
DOP: DOP64
AES / EBU:
PCM: 16-24bit / 44.1,48,88.2,96,176.4,192 kHz
DOP: DOP64
IIS:
PCM: 16-32bit /44.1,48,88.2,96,176.4,192 , 352.8 , 384kHz
DSD: DSD64 , DSD128 , DSD256 , DSD512
DOP: DOP64 , DOP128 DOP25 6 , DOP512
USB: 16-32bit / 44.1,48,88.2,96,176.4,192,352.8,384 kHz
DSDx64 (2.8224 MHz), DSDx128 (5.6448MHz)
Analog Output:
RCA Output level: 2.3 Vrms @ 0dBFS
XLR output level: 4.6 Vrms @ 0dBFS (XLR interface definition: 1 ground, 2 hot, 3 cold)
Frequency Response: 20-20K Hz +/- 0.15dB
Power Requirements:
Power Supply: AC 230V 50 / 60Hz (AC 115V 50 / 60Hz)
Power consumption: <50W Machine size (not including protruding part): Width 380MM * 65MM * deep high 260MM.
Operating System Support:
Windows XP / Vista / 7/8 systems need to install specific drivers http://pan.baidu.com/s/1ntDUtqp
Mac OS X 10.6.4 and above systems without having to install drivers
FOOBAR2000 Chinese version DSD Kit: http://pan.baidu.com/s/1bnwGCiF
DSD plug-in download to Address: http://sourceforge.net/projects/sacddecoder/files/?source=navbar
Machine Standard: GB three-prong power cord 1
- Our all products support 7 days unconditional return (Trial 7 days), the buyer will be responsible for the return postage.
- X20 free 2-year warranty ( failure within seven days of free return postage seller is responsible for a new machine, more than seven days Shipping AA) . Overseas (including Hong Kong, Macao , Taiwan) International and tax incurred by the buyers themselves responsible for
all repair only accept courier / post, no open reception
International guidance: X20 = $ 799, X20U = $ 866