Gustard X16 Balanced MQA DAC Review

[renaudrenaud]

Shouldn't be long for this level performance under $200.

More or less.

You have to pay 100$ for each step in functionality: 100$ base, then add XLR for 100$, next Bt for 100$, 100 more for MQA, then...

Shouldn't be long for this level performance under $200.

I do not want to wait, I've just ordered.

This website is not fair.

 

[xmal]

More or less.

You have to pay 100$ for each step in functionality: 100$ base, then add XLR for 100$, next Bt for 100$, 100 more for MQA, then...

I do not want to wait, I've just ordered.

This website is not fair.

It has turned out to be an expensive day for me too. I have no idea what HA will partner well with this, but very open to suggestions.

 

[Veri]

It has turned out to be an expensive day for me too. I have no idea what HA will partner well with this, but very open to suggestions.

Topping A90?

 

[Labjr]

More or less.

You have to pay 100$ for each step in functionality: 100$ base, then add XLR for 100$, next Bt for 100$, 100 more for MQA, then...

I don't need BT or MQA for that matter. But I like the increase in performance. Not sure that is from the new ESS chip, good implementation or both. The ES9068AS is a quad(?) DAC chip and X16 uses two. I guess you pick up couple db of performance in a balanced configuration for each channel. I have an older ESS based DAC which I like so I look forward to hearing newer silicon from ESS.

 

[Ron Texas]

State of the art performance with balanced outputs for $499. What's not to like.? I don't care about MQA. Thank you for another detailed review @amirm

 

[pkane]

It is kind of fresh model, there are also no other reviews than Amir`s.

https://l7audiolab.net/f/measurements-of-gustard-x16-9068dac/

 

[Harmonie]

I'm tempted to buy one, though I do not need it at all

Conclusion:
This web site drives addicted members nuts !!

 

[Music1969]

Hi @amirm

Did they "cheat" with a high output impedance ?

 

[Celty]

Hi @amirm

Did they "cheat" with a high output impedance ?

Quote from specs on Shenzhenaudio.com:

Single port output impedance(6.35mm): 0.1Ω
Balance port output impedance(XLR 4 PIN, TRS4.4,3.5PRO):0.2Ω

 

[Music1969]

Quote from specs on Shenzhenaudio.com:

Single port output impedance(6.35mm): 0.1Ω
Balance port output impedance(XLR 4 PIN, TRS4.4,3.5PRO):0.2Ω

If true, that's nice and low. No cheating then

 

[Tks]

M400 still has better performance at 5.3V which is at AP's best performance voltage level. You can parallel left and right just to see the future. But at 4V, the noise performance is really limited by AP.
I would say when everyone reaches this level of performance we finally can see the other things that differentiate the product like DSP, ADC, integration with power amp etc.

I sure hope that's your way of hinting to us you're working on an ADI-2 Pro competitor.

 

[kopczas]

Quote from specs on Shenzhenaudio.com:

Single port output impedance(6.35mm): 0.1Ω
Balance port output impedance(XLR 4 PIN, TRS4.4,3.5PRO):0.2Ω

Are you talking about proper device?

 

[Oklei]

Quote from specs on Shenzhenaudio.com:

Single port output impedance(6.35mm): 0.1Ω
Balance port output impedance(XLR 4 PIN, TRS4.4,3.5PRO):0.2Ω

This cannot be true. Those are values for a headphone amp. Even thousandfold would be a good value for a dac.

It's 100 Ohm SE and 300 Ohm XLR!

 

[LightninBoy]

I think we can safely say that the DAC is solved.

 

[Labjr]

I think we can safely say that the DAC is solved.

Until next week.

 

[restorer-john]

Quote from specs on Shenzhenaudio.com:

Single port output impedance(6.35mm): 0.1Ω
Balance port output impedance(XLR 4 PIN, TRS4.4,3.5PRO):0.2Ω

The X-16 doesn't have any of those connectors...

 

[pkane]

Quote from specs on Shenzhenaudio.com:

Single port output impedance(6.35mm): 0.1Ω
Balance port output impedance(XLR 4 PIN, TRS4.4,3.5PRO):0.2Ω

Wolf’s measurements seem to indicate 357Ω, although I can’t tell which of the two outputs:

 

[amirm]

@amirm thank you for all your handwork here. All your reviews are wonderful eye openers. Is RME ADI-2 still you main desktop setup. I read somewhere that you mention that you liked it so much and will be using it.

It is indeed. I use it a lot for testing and seeing the informative display is critical to my work.

 

[amirm]

A minor correction. Multitone test did not have the tones at 0 dB so made the performance look a bit worse than it was. I just corrected that and updated the review:

Note that this is a graphing update. The measurement is the same in both cases.

 

[GradyBeach247]

The best name for a DAC should be Mustard Mustard, for really spicy sound.

I would relish that.