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Post by MartinT on Sept 18, 2021 21:43:02 GMT
I've been playing all manner of music this week after work, and had a good session earlier this evening.
The thing I've noticed during that time is that everything has sounded good. The LKS made most music sound good, but the Gustard nails it by making everything I've thrown at it have some merit.
That's got to be the measure of a good well-sorted system? I'm happy!
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Post by realysm42 on Sept 19, 2021 7:52:19 GMT
Sounds good.
I've not been keeping up to date; have you modified the Gustard the same as the LKS or is that still to come?
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Post by MartinT on Sept 19, 2021 10:12:08 GMT
No, no mods to the Gustard and no need. They have learned from many other manufacturers how best to implement the ESS9038Pro dual-mono chipset and have absolutely nailed it, as well as the internal clock being very, very good. I am very happy with it and have no plans to mod anything right now.
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Post by John on Sept 19, 2021 10:39:12 GMT
I think you are right not to mod the Gustard I have no desire to mod mine
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Post by MartinT on Sept 22, 2021 19:10:35 GMT
Over the last couple of evenings I've made a relaxed comparison of AES balanced cables feeding S/PDIF from the Mutec to the Gustard.
In the home corner is Canare's top of the range DA-206 thick blue double-shielded and impeccably impedance matched 20cm cable with Neutrik connectors.
The contenders are a Mad Scientist custom AES, presumably made of the same material as my MS USB cable with the same black surround. Also 20cm with Neutrik connectors. Secondly, a 1m length of Coherent 6D with Furutech connectors which it was suggested I should try. Too long for the job, but I was curious.
Try as I might, I cannot hear a difference between the Canare and Coherent cables.
The MS is different, a shade brighter with a little more top end energy. After many swaps, I have decided I prefer the Canare which tells a truer story and allows me a little more insight into what's going on due to its even-handed nature.
So that was fun and the Canare remains as a very neutral and detailed AES cable. It's a pretty blue, too, and just the right length.
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Post by wannarock2 on Sept 22, 2021 22:49:34 GMT
don’t forget the USB trial run  |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 23, 2021 5:20:07 GMT
don’t forget the USB trial run I won't! |
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Post by bigman80 on Sept 26, 2021 21:00:21 GMT
don’t forget the USB trial run I won't! Sorry to rake over previous content with something that was probably covered, but I've just bought a Mutech and had a couple of related Q's. I am quite surprised by what it's done in the system and of course, that now bakes the question of what else could be possible. I have been told a 10MHz Master clock may be worth investigating and I recall you buying a Chinese made one. Could I ask how you found it? Did it make a noticeable improvement? Did you eventually go for something more audiophile or precision related? |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 26, 2021 21:19:31 GMT
Yes, I did buy a Chinese BG7TBL clock made for ham radio operators, and that was the start of my journey with master clocks.
I am now running my Mutec from an AfterDark Emperor Triple Crown 10MHz clock from Hong Kong. This has taken my Coherent-modded Mutec to even greater heights, topped off with the Gustard DAC I recently purchased - now also run from the same clock. What can I say except that the sound quality has got my system to its best sound ever, one that I think will keep me happy for a very long time.
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Post by bigman80 on Sept 26, 2021 21:23:42 GMT
Yes, I did buy a Chinese BG7TBL clock made for ham radio operators, and that was the start of my journey with master clocks. I am now running my Mutec from an AfterDark Emperor Triple Crown 10MHz clock from Hong Kong. This has taken my Coherent-modded Mutec to even greater heights, topped off with the Gustard DAC I recently purchased - now also run from the same clock. What can I say except that the sound quality has got my system to its best sound ever, one that I think will keep me happy for a very long time. Ah, ok. Did I see that you required 75ohm outputs? |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 27, 2021 4:48:45 GMT
Yes, although the Gustard is specified at 50 Ohms. It doesn't matter with a very short cable and sinewave clock.
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Post by bigman80 on Sept 27, 2021 4:49:22 GMT
Yes, although the Gustard is specified at 50 Ohms. It doesn't matter with a very short cable and sinewave clock. Thanks Martin, I'll have a look 👍 |
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Post by brettj on Oct 4, 2021 10:33:26 GMT
Just had a good read of this going back to May.
So much for an early night.
Wanted to know how decisions are arrived at.
I'm even closer to ordering a Gustard A22.
Although, with no system for perhaps another year, maybe I wait for a second hand model to pop up.
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Post by MartinT on Oct 4, 2021 11:15:26 GMT
Good luck whichever way you go, Brett. By all accounts the A22 is unobtanium at the moment.
Perhaps waiting is the best option, while keeping a beady eye on eBay.
Or else, go with the X26 Pro which is truly magnificent.
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Post by John on Oct 4, 2021 12:16:38 GMT
I managed to get mine second hand so keep looking also if you want cheaper and still impressive go for the SMSL M400
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Post by MikeMusic on Oct 4, 2021 14:42:27 GMT
Just had a good read of this going back to May. So much for an early night. Wanted to know how decisions are arrived at. I'm even closer to ordering a Gustard A22. Although, with no system for perhaps another year, maybe I wait for a second hand model to pop up. The way the tech is moving and considering Martin's itchy feet you can have a second hand one, maybe Martin's  |
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Post by MartinT on Oct 4, 2021 14:50:47 GMT
NO WAY!!! |
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Post by MikeMusic on Oct 4, 2021 15:17:35 GMT
Yeah right Come back to this in a year ! |
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Post by MartinT on Oct 4, 2021 17:25:49 GMT
Honestly, it's hard to think of a better 9038 implementation. I know when to say 'stop' and be happy with what I have.
Don't worry, I'll still be tweaking.
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Post by John on Oct 4, 2021 17:47:15 GMT
I get where you coming from Martin
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📶NAS > Gustard x26p DAC > Benchmark LA4 Pre-Amp > NAD M22-V2 Amplifier > Revel F228Be Speakers
