digicidal
Major Contributor
I know it's already been mentioned, but I wonder how this compares to the SU-9. I just got an SU-9 that I only use for MQA and DSD [Gumby for PCM]. Should I send the SU-9 back and get either this or the SGD1? I like the SU-9, but wish it was more 3d sounding like my Gumby [prob doesn't even matter as I am going to guess that you guys will say they all sound pretty close]. Audiophilia Nervosa in full effect, obviously...
Not that it would have any weight for your decision, but I'm certainly not sending my SU-9 back and I'm definitely still within the return period. I'm not entirely sure what you mean by "3D sounding" - since that is something that shouldn't be different. The DAC is transparent (as is the Gustard obviously) and the difference between the two devices is so minimal that it requires precision equipment to even document - i.e. no human ears are capable of it.
My guess would be that the "Gumby" (is that the Schiit Gungnir?) is far less transparent and possiblly coloring the output somehow that is pleasing to your ears? If that's the case then probably none of those options (this, the SU-9 or the SGD1) will sound "as good" to you because you've acclimated to the colored sound.
Not that I'm saying there's anything inherently wrong with that - but it's not exactly what the source recording contains and nothing else (at least presuming your presentation is the same i.e. same HP/Speakers, etc.). If non-linearity, noise, distortion, etc. weren't very appealing to many... there wouldn't be a market for tubes and vinyl either. The bottom line is that all three of those DACs will sound identical to any human - so either go with features and appearance alone... or look for devices which measure similarly to your gumby (even if this is much worse objectively).
EDIT: Of course @amirm beat me to it... and much more succinctly as well.