Gustard X18 DAC Review, NOS Feature is A Big Plus!
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- Опубліковано 6 сер 2024
- Gustard Audio X18 DAC
Price: 749USD (Jan,2022)
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Affordable price with high end performance and setting the new benchmark is not an easy task, no matter where is made, highly recommended!
Demo Music by Janis Ian: amzn.to/3IhGCZM
Associated Equipments,
Gustard X18 DAC: amzn.to/31fpFhQ
Gustard U18 DDC: amzn.to/3F5Wahi
Musician Aquarius DAC: amzn.to/33Wzan9
KEF R11 Speaker: amzn.to/3acMlB8, ebay.us/nXCI8d
Sony HAP-Z1ES: amzn.to/3ckCZ5w
Denon PMA-SX11 Integrated Amplifier: ebay.us/NllM5G
Oyaide Neo D+ Class A USB Cable: amzn.to/3uGFAi4
JIB OCC HDMI Cable: amzn.to/3qCSAFj
Mogami Gold XLR Cables: amzn.to/3mlTGTB
Monosaudio A200X7R XLR Cables: ebay.us/hW9w2B (test in progress)
iFi SuperNova AC Power Cable: amzn.to/3J1j3Vu
iFi Nova AC Power Cable:amzn.to/321DPUm
Oyaide Black Mamba Alpha AC Power Cord: ebay.us/5T2uZP
Mogami AES Cable: amzn.to/3q5RYaV
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Hey!
Only Option To Listen UA-cam Sound Demo is with good headphones, not your favorite sound system because listening to two rooms at once is not a good thing, no matter how good your sound system is.,
Closest Possible You Can Hear My UA-cam Sound Demo is with Sony MDR-7506 amzn.to/2wAkk54 or MDR-CD900St amzn.to/3p4PHNM
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Video Timeline
0:00 X18
1:25 Setting Menu
3:05 Compatibility
4:25 Sound Quality
10:28 Sound Sample
Happy New Year @Tharbamar ! from Canada ,... thanks for all these incredible reviews !
Your room is improving with time and knowledge good for you
Thanks for review!
Happy New Year!
sounds amazing
Thanks for your great channel Tharbamar, on your recommendation I bought the X18. It’s amazing! A question on my side has to do with the USB cable. I’d like to use the new Supra Excalibur US - B to A audio cable, however my MacBook Pro M1 only supports US - C this means I’ll need a B - C converter. Will this effect the sound? Should I rather use an Audioquest A to C cable? Thank you.
Will you ever make a DAC shooutout video would be really great :)
Thank you for your review! Can you share your opinion on the difference between X18 and D90SE? Which one gives better sound quality?
Did you look at Ian Canada stuff for DAC / Streamer? I would be curious how they compare. For 800 USD you can build a very unique DAC streamer.
Tharbamar I purchased the gustard x18 and I can't believe how much better it is over my gustard x16. So I sold the x16. The x18 is a much better DAC worth the extra money 💰 🤑 💸. A big improvement.
Enjoy!
What's better about it?
The X18 sounds more detailed and is smoother in the highs.And the Bass is better.. as with audio equipment you pay double and get maybe 10 percent more if you are lucky. At a certain point you have to decide if it's worth it. Because there's always a better mouse 🐀 trap.
It seems a little bright as it gets louder. Good detail.
Thank you for your work and knowledge sharing.
How do you compare this gustard x18 with newer E70 velvet?
is the x18 still better than E70 velvet?
E70 Velvet is more organic.
Compare to Musician Pegasus, which one sounds better?
Which one sound better: X18 or ifi neo idsd???
Hey Tharbamar
Any chance you could compare the x18 to the x26pro? It would help a lot of people
No plan for it this time, thanks
Just curious, can you talk a little more about the soundstage and decay of the Gustard X18 vs R2R’s?
X18 decay as good as any top end DAC but soundstage depth is not as deep as my reference Aquarius DAC. Thanks
Thank you, love your channel! One last question Gustard x18 vs MA Draco?
Hi, you recommended the SU-9 over the D90 not so long ago. In your opinion, does SU-9 still compete with the X18? If not, how much of an upgrade is the X18 over the SU-9. Thanks
SU-9 still is very good DAC, X18 is just more transparent and better resolution, Thanks
@@Tharbamar Thanks. I so am amazed at how these guys can make audibly transparent gear even more transparent, but nice to know. Great review!
Happy New Year Tharbamar, thanks for your reviews. If compare Draco, Musician R2R DAC with this X18, which sounds more transparent, rich, and detailed in your opinion, with a very similar price, what could be the best choice? Thank you!
X18 is more transparent, Draco is something like really good analog playback with warmish sound signature, happy new year!
@@Tharbamar I love the fact you give direct and honest answers. Happy New Year!
What components do you have ?
In your opinion how much different is the sound for the x16 x18 and x26 pro? Also are these good enough to use as a pre and run directly to an amp?
I am also debating the CSS criton 1 or 2 (upgraded). Im thinking minidsp with mic, then CsS speakers, then I'm not sure after that.
If you have the opportunity, try the Geshelli J2 with USB. It took my crown xls amp that I didn't like the sound of and added the perfect synergy to it like magic. It warmed it up a bit with HUGE sound stage.
I can't answer you, I use x16 on a pc with amplified speakers and the x26 pro connected to a preamp. One last piece of advice: pay attention to the support, gustard, it does not have a website and the Chinese shop that acts as a distributor disappears after your purchase ... Nobody was able to answer me because both devices do not read the DSD512 files. If I had a more serious problem, the customer is abandoned.
@@alessandrosibona4554 I saw your response on another comment. If you had to start over and could have 1 which way would you have gone? Thank You!
@@alessandrosibona4554 why do you need dsd?
PCM 24 bit 48khz is enough for me
@@LimePieMusic If the technical specifications declare this, the device must respect them, otherwise there is no seriousness
Which one you prefer? D1SE or X18? DO200 is one level below D1SE/X18 or it can compete with those more expensive dacs? Thanks!
I have not tried D1SE yet, X18 is more transparent and quiet, DO200 is slightly richer in tonality than X18 but in detail and resolution is not on par with X18, thanks
@@Tharbamar Thanks for your feedback, I appreciate it 🙏
It seems there is no way to disable the volume control/pre-amp & use X18 purely as a DAC, is that right? I guess just keep it at 0 and don't fiddle with it?
Yes there no feature for it.
SMSL D300 vs X18? Also which has a better soundstage? Thanks
D300.
At 200 more both this Gustard and the SMSL D1SE have serious competition from the SMSL Do200 at 200 less. The D1SE is less neutral and tipped to show more highs. I am not really clear on either the feature set differences that the Gustard offer are all that different from the Do200 at 200 less. Try the Do200 and see if the technical glitch you experience isn't a non-issue for the SMSL Do200. Then an A-B comparison would be great.
Would you kindly list all of the cables you use on this set-up? Looking at the areal picture above the unit I could not quickly identify all the connecting cables in use. Thanks for an otherwise lovely presentation.
Happy New Year!
Yes I have tested back to back, DO200 is slightly richer in tonality and X18 is more transparent but I will have to try them again, all the cables are listed in the video description (sound sample is recorded with Mogami Gold XLR) Thank You!
@@Tharbamar I purchased the Do200 after your review. Your points and the points of 4 or 5 others made me let go of something like an RME, a D1SE. I was thinking about the X18 and D1SE, but realized the similarities are more than the dissimilarities.
I intend to purchase speakers too. Do you have the intention to review the KLH model 5 at some point, also?
The Linton is too broad. I am considering the EVOs, Polk Audio Reserve 5R00 or R600, or even the FYNE. If you could shine a light on the KLH and these other speakers, it would be a big help.
I have not received offer to review KLH speakers yet, FYNE is pretty decent but better speakers are in higher price range, I’m not that impressed with entry level models, as of right now Polk or Wharfedale is great choices, to be honest Polk Reserve series deserve the audition, personally I liked them more than Evo series for sound quality as well as better pricing, thanks
Hi, I'm torn between Draco and Gustard X18. Does Draco has better Soundstage and depth than Gustard? I listen mostly to EDM and modern pop, which should I go with?
It will depends on paring components, if you like ultimate transparency X18 is a good choice, if you like good analog like sound quality Draco R2R is ultimate choice in opinion, thanks
@@Tharbamar I have tried many delta sigma dacs and chords FPGA before. I will go with Draco this time. Never heard a R2R before. So excited it hear it. Fingers crossed
I have the u18, it makes no difference to the sound of the A18, x16, smsl400. It does let you run i2s to the dac and aes/coax to a sub, but it sounds no different to usb straight into the dac.
Yes thats how it should be it can only improve for slightly better and precision, there will not be night and day different.
It all depends on the quality of other gears in the system. I can tell you U18 in my X26 pro system provides a significant increase in soundstage size and instruments separation. If there is no difference in one's system after adding U18, it is either that your USB connection from PC/streamer is already perfect (which is quite impossible) or that it is time to upgrade your amp and speakers as they probably are not having enough quality to reflect changes in your front end.
@@9876rayray Yeh it must be my Neurochome 686 amps, Bruno Putzeys Pre, and Yamaha NS1000m with Raal ribbon tweeters that are letting the side down.
@@BestKiteboardingOfficial In hifi, what equipment doesn't matter, it is all to do with the setup and environment when it comes to hifi. I have heard worse sound from a supposedly higher end equipment like Gryphon amps that sound worse than my much cheaper system. All I am saying is the difference of adding U18 should be quite obvious compared to USB direct in to the DAC, if it sound no different there is something wrong with the analytical power of the whole system.
I 💯% agree about how the U18 adds nothing to the sound of my Gustard R26...I wasted money on that too...recently returned it.
Hey Tharbamar, happy new year! Hey I got a denon pma-1600ne as per your good word about denon. The phono dac on it is amazing but I am watching you doing a lot of dac's reviews... do you thinks it is a good deal to get a dac even having an amp like yours?
Happy new year! it may not be night and day upgrade in this price range but some may preferred external DAC, thanks
@@Tharbamar thanks for replying!
I'm skeptical and it remains to be heard if adding an external clock will help or hype (I will test) ...I do know this, U18 added to R26 DAC / is not needed because it didn't achieve best sound...I found out using Chrome Cast on my Android Beelink GT-King achieves higher bit rate 48k excellent sound quality... I sent my new ifi zen stream and gustard U18 back...I will invest that money towards a second Rel T7X...Don't do like me and get caught up in the hype...streaming Chrome Cast to R26 is very sweet, detailed, punchy, and a warmth I love when paired with Gustard R26...also I get to see my music streaming on my TV...the phone is only a remote and it streams Tidal straight from Tidal without a 3rd party app😁that is why the higher bit rate and higher sound quality...USE Chrome Cast w/R26 and thank me later; better sound and less money...all these streaming companies devices try to just take your money...I'm keeping it REAL!
Looks like you didn’t read my comment regarding external clocks.
I did not remove anything it must the setting of duplicate filter, please try again.
one of the better sounding dacs, still sounds digital though
HNY!
Is x18 worth the price over x16?
For the performance Yes but sound quality is just a bit of upgrade. Thanks
what the difference between performance and sound quality@@Tharbamar ?
hi Tharbamar,
have you tried with the DSD512? I have the x16 and the x26 pro, both get to read the DSD256 files but not the files in DSD512, this in both, DOP and Native way, they both return an error message. In my opinion Gustard does not support the DSD512.
Hi, I only have up to DSD256 so I have not tried DSD512 yet, thanks
How much different is the sound between the x16 and the x26 pro?? Is it something you have to listen for or is it something that's immediately noted with an obvious wow difference?
@@ufarkingicehole The difference is not sensational, let's say that you don't notice a device with a three times higher price. Certainly the bass and vocals are more defined. Unbelievable that the two products have the same plastic remote control. I would have expected a different remote control on the device that costs 1500 dollars on the price list. But better quality, although not great, is there
@@alessandrosibona4554 thank you! Seems like the less expensive may be the way to go.
@@ufarkingicehole
x18 could be the right compromise