• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Gustard X16 Balanced MQA DAC Review

Mio

Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2021
Messages
6
Likes
4
After programming you just push it again, it is easy

Now I managed to reprogram the X16.
There was some problems with the software due to it wanted me to update.
But after trying a couple of times i got the correct answer from the software.

I veryfied kt by a DSD=file someone at the forum created with a testsignal.

I appreciate your help and support @k525!

Thank you!
 

k525

Member
Joined
May 26, 2020
Messages
71
Likes
34
Now I managed to reprogram the X16.
There was some problems with the software due to it wanted me to update.
But after trying a couple of times i got the correct answer from the software.

I veryfied kt by a DSD=file someone at the forum created with a testsignal.

I appreciate your help and support @k525!

Thank you!

Great job Mio!!
Do you agree that it is a very satisfying operation??
Now you have a perfect X16!

my compliments!

regards
 
Last edited:

Mio

Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2021
Messages
6
Likes
4
Great job Mio!!
Do you agree that it is a very satisfying operation??
Now you have a perfect X16!

my compliments!

regards
Yes

It feels good to have done this.
Now I don't have to imagine hearing crackling when playing DSD...
Also didn't thought I was able to do this due to lack of knowledge.

Now my set is to look for a preamp and H16 looks interesting...
 

k525

Member
Joined
May 26, 2020
Messages
71
Likes
34
Yes

It feels good to have done this.
Now I don't have to imagine hearing crackling when playing DSD...
Also didn't thought I was able to do this due to lack of knowledge.

Now my set is to look for a preamp and H16 looks interesting...

Great Mio

About preamp I am very satisfied of my Topping Pre 90, it works well with X16

regards
 

Dennis_FL

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Forum Donor
Joined
Feb 21, 2020
Messages
525
Likes
413
Thanks for the firmware date info. In my case, I've been playing DSD for sometime now. No issues at all, my firmware date is 20201210. I'm not using the X16 volume control, output is set to 00.

Edit:
Played around with the volume control on the X16, -10 or -05 into my integrated amp. DSD on my X16 still plays fine without any issue, so I set it back to 00 as before. It's a very good dac, thank you Gustard.

I have an audiophile DSD64 album that has horrible popping and crackling. Roon converts it to PCM and the X16 shows it as PCM. If I play it from Amazon music HD....it also pops and crackles. If I play it from JRiver - it shows up on the X16 as DSD and doesn't crack and pop.

None of my Flac or MQA files do this.
 

Fluty

Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2021
Messages
28
Likes
10
I haven't read all 148 pages here so apologies if I'm repeating a query already discussed. I love my X16 but it won't recognise an SACD input. I've seen reference to SACD in the manual but its all in Chinese - can anyone please explain?
 

Dennis_FL

Addicted to Fun and Learning
Forum Donor
Joined
Feb 21, 2020
Messages
525
Likes
413
You mean an optical input from an SACD player? Or a music file with an .ISO extension? Or a DSD or DFF extension?
 

enricoclaudio

Major Contributor
Audio Company
Joined
Jan 7, 2021
Messages
1,106
Likes
2,149
Location
Houston, TX - USA
I all
I am confused what to buy ,Gustard X16 or topping d70 s . dac only , source will be bludound 2i,
I See review that say this dac sound thin and without emotion
https://soundnews.net/sources/dacs/gustard-x16-dac-review/
please help
choosing

If you are looking to play MQA, then it has to be the Gustard X16 as only the Gustard X16 and Topping D90SE are capable to get MQA from Node 2i via Coax. If you don't care about MQA, then D70s is fine.
 

enricoclaudio

Major Contributor
Audio Company
Joined
Jan 7, 2021
Messages
1,106
Likes
2,149
Location
Houston, TX - USA
Thanks for your help.
So if mqa is not necessary ,d70s is the better dac ?

Check both threads here at ASR and get the most reliable out of the 2. Both are great performers DACs.
 

Fluty

Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2021
Messages
28
Likes
10
You mean an optical input from an SACD player? Or a music file with an .ISO extension? Or a DSD or DFF extension?
Optical or Coax input from SACD player. The X16 will only recognise and play normal CD discs, does not see them if SACD.
 

Snoopy

Major Contributor
Joined
Jul 19, 2021
Messages
1,628
Likes
1,206
Optical or Coax input from SACD player. The X16 will only recognise and play normal CD discs, does not see them if SACD.

Because SACD have a copy protection. You will have to use analog out from the player.
 

JohnYang1997

Master Contributor
Technical Expert
Audio Company
Joined
Dec 28, 2018
Messages
7,175
Likes
18,292
Location
China
what is benefit of this "AK4118 "
thanks shay
It's acknowledged that cirrus logic receivers have some compatibility issues with certain streamers/cd players. I can't say for sure Node 2i is incompatible.
You might try other devices if you want to. Or other devices that has AK4118. AK4118 is shown to have no issue with any of these devices.
 
Top Bottom