GUSTARD DAC-X12 USB Version Discussions | Drop

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GUSTARD DAC-X12 USB Version

Feb 18, 2016

Can be had for $40 more on eBay with free shipping. Also, just to clear something up, the ES1908 cannot, I repeat, CANNOT natively decode DSD. It has to decimate the DSD stream and puts it through all its PCM filters and volume control modules, just like any other PCM stream. Don't be fooled.
The Wolfson chip in the X9, however, CAN natively decode DSD -- if Gustard has chosen to enable Direct DSD processing in thier implementation; can anyone confirm this?

Feb 18, 2016

Socratease

191

Feb 20, 2016

GUTBHmmm... Best ebay price I see is almost $80 more, including MD's shipping. And DSD has to be converted to PCM for editing/mixing and then back to DSD for delivery anyway. Unless there are some DSD recordings that go "direct to disc"? (That used to be a thing back in the LP days.)

Feb 20, 2016

Villy

Feb 22, 2016

GUTB'...the ES1908 cannot...'
GUTB, you sure about that?
http://www.esstech.com/files/1414/4095/2154/ES9018S_PB_v1.7_140916.pdf
One DAC chip may perform better than another whether inferior or not in whatever capacity it might be, it all depends on how the engineers designed and programmed its implementation. There appears to be consensus (if one cares to keep a tab for it) that ES9018 is the best chip out there, with that said and if implemented without taking advantage of its abilities, it will lag behind many other chips Wolfson included.

Feb 22, 2016

GUTB

238

Feb 22, 2016

VillyThe 9018 simply does not handle 1-bit streams. It must convert DSD streams to multibit PCM (I think it still maintains the DSD sample rate though someone needs to confirm that).

Feb 22, 2016

Vote

Socratease

191

Feb 22, 2016

GUTBInteresting discussion on the topic here: http://bit.ly/21jWjEb Short version: "It's complicated."

Feb 22, 2016

Sagacious

124

Feb 24, 2016

SocrateaseYes, it is a complex work around the ESS9018 uses to "output DSD". Probably a bit better than Jriver conversion to pcm but similar in sound. (bleh) The AKM4490 "verita" chip btw has true Native DSD that bypasses the Delta Sigma modulator and the volume control in its internal layout design and even has an internal low pass filter configurable to 50khz, 100khz. AKM4490 is designed to be simple approach to "PURE DSD". The Grace 9xx has the AKM4490 as well as the CEntrance DACport HD and Schiit Bi-frost ( No DSD on BI-frost as Schiit is ANTI-DSD). Btw AKM just released (CES 2016 unveiling) a new Dac with a higher SNR of 128db and 6 internal PCM filters versus 5 and 115db SNR on the 4490. Maybe by next year we will see production pieces.

Feb 24, 2016

Socratease

191

Feb 24, 2016

SagaciousI downloaded a DSD-128 file and played it through my m9XX once. Couldn't tell any difference between it and the 96k/24 version, but maybe that's just my ears.

Feb 24, 2016

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