Gustard X16 Owners feedback...

[ADF]

Thanks for the information. I was looking at a used M21 but it is quite pricy. I'll check out the M3 with the MDx board. I don't think I would take advantage of all the features of the M21.

 

[kopczas]

Hi.
Have any of you noticed that x16`s enclosure changed it`s color?
My unit was black...
@gustard what happened with black paint?

 

[raif71]

 

[k525]

Hi.
Have any of you noticed that x16`s enclosure changed it`s color?
My unit was black...
@gustard what happened with black paint?

Can't be some powerful cleaning product used by you wife?

 

[kopczas]

There would be no mystery if she did so.
It did not have any direct sunlight exposure in past 1,5 years. Back panel is still black (ish), but not as black as Topping. So black is fading from enclosure.

 

[k525]

There would be no mystery if she did so.
It did not have any direct sunlight exposure in past 1,5 years. Back panel is still black (ish), but not as black as Topping. So black is fading from enclosure.

I will check the one of mine this evening..

 

[kopczas]

I will check the one of mine this evening..

Ok, thanks. I wonder if discoloration of my unit is unique fault.

 

[raif71]

Can't be some powerful cleaning product used by you wife?

If it is, could be WAF thingy

 

[EbanksMS]

I searched Roon communities for white noise, DSD, DAC and there were a few postings but all before 2018. Perhaps the Roon delay option on the DAC device setup was instituted for this???

I had it at the default (zero) and since have changed it to 1000. No issues with noise since.

I've been plagued with the DSD issue on my X16 and had the programmer in my cart but kept reading this thread. Good thing I did, because your fix worked wonders for me. I am profoundly grateful sir!

 

[Dennis_FL]

Ok, thanks. I wonder if discoloration of my unit is unique fault.

You didn't by any chance leave that blue plastic film on ?

 

[kopczas]

blue plastic film on

I can`t recall any blue film on .

 

[Gidub]

Hello!
This question has probably already been addressed, but I haven't found the answer...
Is the balanced output of the Gustard X16 DAC achieved through an active balancing circuit or a balancing transformer? This is important when you want to unbalance a balanced output, because unbalancing by connecting the XLR connector's negative pin to ground is detrimental in the case of an active balanced output!

 

[Gidub]

I ask to myself using Gemini and here is the answer :

Since the Gustard X16 utilizes an active balanced output stage (using Op-Amps), shorting the XLR connector's negative pin (Pin 3) to ground (Pin 1) to unbalance the output is generally detrimental and should be avoided.

• Overheat or go into current limiting.
• Increase distortion significantly.
• Potentially damage the output stage components, especially if the device lacks adequate protection circuitry.

The balanced output of the Gustard X16 DAC is achieved through an active balancing circuit using operational amplifiers (Op-Amps), specifically the OPA1612 high-performance operational amplifier, which is mentioned as composing the analog circuit part of the DAC.

The circuit uses:

• Dual ESS ES9068AS DAC chips which are inherently capable of providing a differential (balanced) output.

There is no mention of a balancing transformer being used in the audio signal path of the Gustard X16 for the balanced output.

Recommended Method for Unbalancing​

To safely convert the balanced XLR output of the Gustard X16 to an unbalanced RCA connection, you should use a purpose-built adapter cable or a transformer-based converter that does not short Pin 3 to Pin 1.
The correct passive cable wiring for unbalancing an active output is generally:

• XLR Pin 2 (+ Hot) → RCA Center Pin (Signal)
• XLR Pin 1 (Ground/Shield) → RCA Outer Ring (Ground/Shield)
• XLR Pin 3 (− Cold) → Left Floating (or sometimes connected to Pin 1 via a resistor, but never direct short to Pin 1 for Op-Amp outputs).

For the Gustard X16, given its active Op-Amp output, leaving Pin 3 floating (unconnected) at the RCA end is the safest and most common practice for a passive unbalancing cable, though it will result in a 6 dB loss of output voltage compared to the full balanced signal.