Gustard Dac X 20 Pro
Which Gustard product should Massdrop drop next?
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6
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16
GUSTARD H10 High-Current Discrete Class A HiFi Stereo Headphone Amplifier - She
GUSTARD DAC-X12 ES9018 XMOS Balance DAC 32Bit / 384KHz DSD DOP Decoder - Shenzh
GUSTARD U12 32Bit / 384KHz XMOS USB Digital Audio Interface - Shenzhenaudio.com
VRacer111follow
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Okay, coworker brought in the HD6XX that he just got this weekend and is letting me use them for the day. Initial impressions after a couple hours and switching to my modded TH-X00PH (stock ones are at home...):
The HD6XX does have a certain 'veil' to the sound, not muffled, but like you are very aware you are listening to a recording, while my TH-X00PH sound very 'live'. This is more noticeable on live/acoustic music, less so on electronic music...
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His desktop setup is okay -- but not from an audiophile perspective. The monitors are junk (which he admits), no USB regeneration, no name interconnects, mid-fi Stax (with a plastic cover, lol), his low-end Matrix amp. Basically, what most Reddit and Massdrop "audiophiles" aspire too, including the non-ironic use kid's toys as presentation aids.
I don't have a "desktop setup", but rather a reference chain.
Source: Dedicated PC, i5 100% fanless, ex...
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Got them in last night and have been listening to them since. Tried on the Vesper pads, but am very dissapointed with how they sound - don't like the change in sound they give, seems like they introduce some reflection/reverb and are slightly harsher. Also seem to introduce a very slight, HD6XX like veil to the sound. Overall think the Vesper pads, even though more comfortable and help bring out more bass, are a detriment to the sound quality t...
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Well, what kind of sound profile or music do you like to listen to would be helpful information. I will say, I was pretty impressed with the Sennheiser HD6XX I had the chance to listen to for a couple of days (coworker let me borrow his). It was demoed with my modded Gustard H10 amp and X20U DAC though, which is not within the budget. The HD6XX are very nice all around cans and would be a very safe bet to start off with, and the better DAC/amp ...
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If you are really tight on a budget search eBay for "finished DAC". There's plenty of Chinese DIY based DACs with much better components than this thing for roughly the same price range. Get a unit with a Amanero board if you can, better than XMOS. There's a million 9018 DACs, but see if you can land a 4495/4490/4497 DAC. Two transformers are best. If you can swing $800 get a Gustard X20 Pro it uses the new and better 9028 chip is balanced, has I...
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Both the LCD-X, LCD-2.2Fazor, K7XX and K553 all sound amazing with the Gustard H-10 amp. The H-10 will make any headphones sing. Makes all headphones sound better. Both the LCD-X and LCD-2 paired with the Ghustard H-10 are end game scenario setups. For a lot less than 5K. Add the Gustard X-12 DAC to complete the
stack and you will be done.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/735828/gustard-h10-high-current-discrete-class-a-output-stage-headphone-amplifier
T...
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Not at that price range, they all suck to be honest. I bought a $300 eBay DIY unit that was better than my $150 Modi 2 Uber. My Gustard X20 (non Pro) obliterated those other two -- clarity dynamic control, etc. Just on a different planet.
To get your DAC playback to a level I have mine at I won't lie, you're looking at bare minimum $1500 and a lot of setting up a dedicated music server and audio ciruit, learning about power isolation ground loops ...
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