Gustard X18 Review (Stereo DAC)

[testp]

Also nice that they hid the MQA logo around the back where

...it belongs

 

[testp]

Oops. Just went to bed. Will add tomorrow. It was exceptionally clean.

if noone has mentioned it, not importy, but Dynamic range says X16 in pic...

 

[kencreten]

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Gustard X18 Balanced USB DAC with Bluetooth. It was sent to me by their seller, Shenzhenaudio and costs US $749.

View attachment 172199

As you see style is very much the same as other Gustard products. I like the high resolution display with larger volume indicator.

Back panel shows the usual connections:

View attachment 172200

Gustard X18 Measurements
Let's start with our usual dashboard with balanced output with digital input adjusted by -2 dB to get nominal 4 volt output:
View attachment 172201

That is extremely good performance. The second harmonic dominates distortion profile but it is down -135 dB (25 dB below threshold of hearing). This easily qualifies X18 as state-of-the-art, placing it in top 3 DACs ever measured:
View attachment 172202

Switching to unbalanced RCA output, we still get superb performance:

View attachment 172203

Allowing the output to get up to 5.4 volt, we get even better performance due to increased dynamic range:
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Dynamic range is exceptional:

View attachment 172204

Intermodulation+noise performance is superb as expected:

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Jitter test over USB is great:
View attachment 172207

But there is some inconsequential jitter components if you use Toslink or Coax:

View attachment 172208

Linearity is nailed:
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As usual, you have an array of reconstruction filters to choose from:
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Using default L-FAST, we get extremely clean wideband distortion+noise performance:

View attachment 172212

Conclusions
I live for happy days like this: another instrument grade, exceptionally well engineered audio product in the form of X18. It is clear a ton of effort has gone into providing full transparency to input signal. Yes, the cost is up there but if you want the best, you now have one more option.

It is my pleasure to recommend the Gustard X18 DAC.

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As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/

I'm sorry to ask, but when I reply does it include the article as it appears that it is going to as I post? So I guess this is a test.
Another great audio DAC. [LATER] OK, it does appear to attach it. How do I reply to an article and not quote the article as well? Do I remove the article from my post as it is automatically picked up. Sorry for the ignorance. Maybe there is documentation I have not seen?

 

[testp]

Do I remove the article from my post as it is automatically picked up. Sorry for the ignorance.

yes, it will show the article but it will be non-expanded and without pics i believe, so not a biggy. second option: highlight with your mouse the text you want to replay TO, it will show a replay icon and click on that..

 

[TK750]

I am not exactly sure what you mean by “stability,” but if you mean longevity of the company (ie, will they be around next year or are they a just a flash in the pan), Topping has been in existence for quite a while. I remember Parts Express selling Topping amps based on the Tripath chips when they were all the rage 10-15 years ago.

No haha, the chap I was replying to was talking about issues with products/firmware etc, that kind of stability.

 

[kopczas]

It looks like display size is the same as X16. Am I mistaken?

 

[kencreten]

yes, it will show the article but it will be non-expanded and without pics i believe, so not a biggy. second option: highlight with your mouse the text you want to replay TO, it will show a replay icon and click on that..

OK, thanks.

 

[amirm]

Multitone added to the review.

 

[Lambda]

Multitone added to the review.

@196Khz is unusual?
not that i don't like it. just wondering why.

 

[elvisizer]

looks great, where's the high voltage output tho?

 

[F1308]

Lovely, but my next DAC should have Lossless Bluetooth.

 

[Dzhaughn]

Maybe its time for Gustard, SMSL or Topping to release something terrible, just to spice things up because right now its getting boring.

Something with a vacuum tube, perhaps.

 

[testp]

Lovely, but my next DAC should have Lossless Bluetooth.

i believe smsl su-9 has it? or close enough 192Khz i think...

 

[m8o]

@amirm , would love to see how the the bluetooth of these do and compared to other bluetooth solutions, which have mostly been far from stellar. (I say 'these' as I have the X16; dunno if this would translate to that w/o check if it is the same hardware but will assume so).

 

[F1308]

i believe smsl su-9 has it? or close enough 192Khz i think...

I was told Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 will be the first chip offering it...

 

[amirm]

@196Khz is unusual?
not that i don't like it. just wondering why.

It is the way this sample multitone came from AP so I have been using it such to get some coverage of higher sample rates.

 

[amirm]

looks great, where's the high voltage output tho?

What high voltage output?

 

[amirm]

I'm sorry to ask, but when I reply does it include the article as it appears that it is going to as I post? So I guess this is a test.

Yes. So it is better to not quote it. . Just type in a new blank replay box unless you want to reference something in the review in which case, first select it with the mouse and then hit Reply. Then it will only quote that part.

 

[F1308]

What high voltage output?

A mains voltage output to power an amp, perhaps?

 

[amirm]

if noone has mentioned it, not importy, but Dynamic range says X16 in pic...

Thanks. Will fix later.