Misternavi Posted October 22, 2019 Posted October 22, 2019 Item: Gustard X-20 USB DAC (DUAL ESS sabre 9018) Location: Glen Huntly, VIC Price: 500.00 open to reasonable offers. Item Condition: Good, few scratches on the top chassis Reason for selling: Downsizing - no longer listen to MY music. kids just want to listen to JOJO Siwa. Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, COD Only. Can post but will need to find a box for it. Extra Info: Bought in 2016 as I upgraded from my ifi Micro iDSD. This was a big improvement over the iDSD. I purchased this new for $1139. This is a good DAC - detailed and smooth. Space/depth of recorded instruments sound really good. The 32bit volume control is good. With all the digital inputs this can be a volume control / input selector for multi digital sources and you can bypass a preamp. Forums recommend getting a USB to I2S and use the I2S connection but I got really good results with the USB input with an uptown audio REGEN, TeraDAK 9V LPS & SBOOSTER DC filter. Digital INPUTS Optical (PCM 16-24/44.1-192Khz; DSD DOP64) SPDIF -RCA (PCM 16-24/44.1-192Khz; DSD DOP64) SPDIF- BNC (PCM 16-24/44.1-192Khz; DSD DOP64) AES/EBU -XLR. Haven't tried it. (PCM 16-24/44.1-192Khz; DSD DOP64) I2S via HDMI connector. Haven't tried it (PCM 16-32/44.1-384Khz; DSD DOP64-512) USB - (PCM 16-32/44.1-384Khz; DSD DOP64-512) REMOTE: selects input, adjust volume & mute Can't find the manual- not that you need it. I've compared this to a AudioGD DAC5 and I thought this was a lot better. The audioGD sounded dull and flat compared to the X-20U. Compared to the topping D50 - the Gustard is not as sterile sounding and bass seems fuller and warmer than the D50. Ric at Tweak audio has a few mods that he recommends http://tweakaudio.com/EVS-2/Gustard_X20_Mods.html I have twisted the internal power cables & separated the transformers from the chassis with some transformer foam pads. I don't think it made a difference. I have added Stillpoints ERS on the large capacitors. I find that it does lower noise in the past, this time I can't tell without having listen to one without the ERS. ERS can be removed if you prefer without it. Google it and you will find a few forums with positive reviews. I was also told it has a 100ohm output impedance. Can demo in Glen Huntly, VIC
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