Gustard X16 Balanced MQA DAC Review

[ArturoKiwi]

As I already wrote, the strange thing about the x16's chip is that after more than 3 months, no other brand is out with their own ES 9068AS unit.
The Amirm measures seems perfect

 

[fabriciom]

Anyone have instructions on configuring drivers for this DACs in windows?

 

[A Surfer]

Anyone have instructions on configuring drivers for this DACs in windows?

Configuring, how? Do you mean installing?

 

[fabriciom]

Configuring, how? Do you mean installing?

As I understand it, these unit need ASIO drivers to work in windows.

I think I saw somewhere that the units use generic drivers and they are not simple to install.

 

[Veri]

As I understand it, these unit need ASIO drivers to work in windows.
I think I saw somewhere that the units use generic drivers and they are not simple to install.

On Windows 10, OSX, Linux, the general purpose UAC 2.0 driver works plug-and-play.
Driver is only necessary if you are on windows 7/8, and/or need ASIO support.

 

[fabriciom]

On Windows 10, OSX, Linux, the general purpose UAC 2.0 driver works plug-and-play.
Driver is only necessary if you are on windows 7/8, and/or need ASIO support.

Does windows 10 and audio production software need drivers? Say studio one or reaper?

 

[Veri]

Does windows 10 and audio production software need drivers? Say studio one or reaper?

Not necessarily since you could use WASAPI mode.

 

[fabriciom]

Not necessarily since you could use WASAPI mode.

https://support.presonus.com/hc/en-...le-my-interface-s-audio-driver-in-Studio-One-

I believe I need ASIO drivers...

 

[Veri]

https://support.presonus.com/hc/en-...le-my-interface-s-audio-driver-in-Studio-One-

I believe I need ASIO drivers...

@gustard are drivers already available for download? Perhaps ShenzhenAudio support has them for download somewhere?
Edit: @fabriciom they are available here for Windows, just search gustard and it'll be at the top of the results.
https://download.shenzhenaudio.com/#all

 

[dmac6419]

https://support.presonus.com/hc/en-...le-my-interface-s-audio-driver-in-Studio-One-

I believe I need ASIO drivers...

I have a presonus interface if you're using instruments then you want asio for the latency if that becomes an issue if not wasapi or whatever you want to use is fine,also presonus comes with Studio One if you want to use that daw,install the software and it will install all the drivers

 

[boblinds]

If MQA approval is holding up the release, I'd be pretty cheesed off if I were a Gustard exec. But I'm merely a consumer who pre-ordered this long ago, so I'm just plain old p*ssed off. Happy New Year everyone!!!

 

[A Surfer]

On the USB cable page:
"The sound performance is characterized by a marked improvement in the bass range, which acquires depth, and by a better separation in the mid-high range, which gives brightness and detail to voices. The greater control makes the listening more airy and fresh. Certainly the best result is obtained with lossless source files, but the general improvement is perceivable also in PCM". Err. PCM is lossless. Marketing dude dropped the ball

Sorry to say but this is utter nonsense, snake-oil pandering. Hate to say you probably wasted some good money.

No, they definitely wasted some good money, there is no doubt at all. I can't understand how people get taken in by these cable scams.

 

[A Surfer]

As for the shipping, I will be shocked if this happens anytime before middle of January. Clearly the MQA listening team (eyes rolling) is off until January the 4th, most likely, and the message from Gustard clearly said the new year so not sure why people were interpreting this as anytime in December after Christmas? So let's assume that by January the 8th the green light from MQA is given, we are probably looking at a shipping date of January 11th-15th.

 

[Harmonie]

Ha sorry, I was just joking. Shenzhen Audio announced a shipping date "in december". I've ordered, I am waiting, but frankly speaking, this is the first time and the last time I order a product in a pre-order gambling.

Now I am waiting, I miss the product for Christmas, and I hope it will be send before the Chinese New Year.

Hello @renaudrenaud

I would be interested to know how much tax & vat you will have paid once you get it.
Merci !

 

[dmac6419]

If MQA approval is holding up the release, I'd be pretty cheesed off if I were a Gustard exec. But I'm merely a consumer who pre-ordered this long ago, so I'm just plain old p*ssed off. Happy New Year everyone!!!

ESS is in the mix too, it'll be here before you know it.You sound like you're in pain.

 

[A Surfer]

ESS is in the mix too, it'll be here before you know it.

How do you know that? Gustard clearly said the MQA approval team was off for the holidays, and maybe even with the lockdown due to the pandemic testing might be further delayed. Mid to late January at the earliest I will bet. Maybe even first week of February.

 

[Harmonie]

@gustard are drivers already available for download? Perhaps ShenzhenAudio support has them for download somewhere?
Edit: @fabriciom they are available here for Windows, just search gustard and it'll be at the top of the results.
https://download.shenzhenaudio.com/#all

Most Gustard's USB drivers are common to their dac's
See their now working (& well made) web site http://www.gustard.cn/?page_id=8956
You can dosnload the X16 manual too, in Chinese, but the pics show the adequate USB driver.

 

[dmac6419]

How do you know that? Gustard clearly said the MQA approval team was off for the holidays, and maybe even with the lockdown due to the pandemic testing might be further delayed. Mid to late January at the earliest I will bet. Maybe even first week of February.

Listen it'll be here,got word from MQA about the chip in this DAC, just relax and don't stress yourself out, when it comes treat it like you won the lottery and be surprised.

 

[Harmonie]

 

[A Surfer]

Listen it'll be here,got word from MQA about the chip in this DAC, just relax and don't stress yourself out, when it comes treat it like you won the lottery and be surprised.

I'm not stressed out, I have a DAC in place now that is audibly transparent anyway so when I use the X16 I am not going to hear any difference anyway. Ultimately I went with the X16 as it is SOTA and will be audibly transparent, but really it was that it came in silver to better match my integrated amp. I still think we are talking about a mid January shipping window, but this is one time I would love to be wrong!