GUSTARD X26PRO DAC - I2S DAC X GIESEMANN 10M MASTER CLOCK

[AfterDark.]

INTRODUCING THE FLAGSHIP GUSTARD X26PRO DAC - I2S DAC X GIESEMANN 10M MASTER CLOCK

 

Since January, AfterDark. introduce the new Giesemann 10M Master Clock. So, we want to share how we optimised with audiophile system, with 10M Master Clock inputs. The Gustard X26PRO DAC is one of the very innovative product with I2S hdmi inputs, MQA full decoding via USB and accepting 10M Master Clock inputs from Giesemann 10M Master Clock. The BNC input is 50ohm same input specification with Esoteric gears.

 

This Gustard X26PRO Flagship DAC is very attractive in price, costing 1/10 when compared to Esoteric. It is worth to examine this Gustard X26pro DAC in details to try them with a high quality Giesemann Clock to maximise the sound quality. 

 

Order via www.adark.com

 

10M Master Reference clock Input Ready 

This X26PRO can be further optimise its sounding, where we can utilities the 10M Master Reference clock to unlock the real performance on DAC flagship chips ES9038PRO X 2 dual mono independently for 2 channels.  

 

Support MQA FULL decoding. Different equipment and different playback methods will play different sound effects of the same MQA file. The way MQA works is to "fold" the analog audio like origami, become a smaller file. Once this file is played on a decoder that can read MQA files, can reopen the folded part to release the highest resolution music. Admittedly, The playback quality will depend on your device, but at least this file has the potential to reproduce the original recording.

 

K2 Technology ULTRA LOW NOISE CLOCK Synthesizer  : USB, I2S, AES, Optical, Coaxial inputs can improve with 10M Master Clock Input

 

AfterDark. Giesemann Clock 10M Reference Master Clock - Audiophilestyle.com Edition

 

 

X26PRO will have USB, Optical, Coaxial, bluetooth, AES and IIS inputs. For outputs, it'll have RCA and XLR capability. Support LVDS level differential I²S reception (using HDMI interface), it can accept the lowest jitter digital audio! Support up to 6 input modes, compatible with most audio sources! 

 

 

8-channel hybrid discrete IV conversion circuit and independent adder circuit, fully meet the requirements of ES9038PRO output current, and ensure high sound quality from the source.

 

ALTERA MAX II CPLD

The logic functions of the X26Pro are enhanced with CPLD, including a clock management system, second PLL digital processing, DoP decoding and many other functions that contribute greatly to the performance of the device.

 

FILTERS & SHARC DSP

The Gustard X26Pro offers several digital filters, PCM and DSD, to adapt the sound reproduction to your listening and audio system, while reducing residual noise. In order to offer high quality filters, Gustard has chosen to develop its own filters using a DSP Analog Device SHARC chip. This solution integrates an anti-aliasing algorithm designed by Gustard, using a high-precision 64bit floating point system. Moreover, this algorithm has been optimized to work perfectly with ESS DACs and ensure the best possible sound quality.

 

DUAL ESS9038PRO x 2 DUAL MONO

Flagship chip ES9038PRO x 2 DUAL MONO, This chip is a 32bits 4-channel switch resistance DAC, which uses newly developed technology to achieve industry-leading low distortion and low noise characteristics (output noise as low as 1.5uVrms). It was the audio industry's highest sound quality and best specification. 

 

Discrete 8 Channels Hybrid I/V Power Conversion Circuit for ESS9038PRO

 

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS
Product type	Balanced DAC
Inputs	1x USB-B 1x I2S via HDMI LVDS 1x Coaxial Bluetooth 5.0 1x AES/EBU 1x Optical 1x BNC
Outputs	1x Balanced stereo XLR 1x Single-ended stereo RCA
DAC Chips	2x ESS ES9038Pro
Bluetooth chip	Qualcomm CSR8675
Supported Bluetooth codecs	AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX LL, aptX HD, LDAC
USB Interface	XMOS XU216
Supported sampling rates	USB : PCM up to 32bit 768kHz, Native DSD up to DSD512, DSD DoP up to DSD256, MQA I2S : PCM up to 32bit 768kHz, Native DSD up to DSD512, DSD DoP up to DSD256 AES / Optical / Coaxial : PCM up to 24bit 192kHz, DSD DoP up to DSD64

 

 

GENERAL
Power supply	115-230V AC (switchable supply voltage)
Housing material	Aluminum alloy
Dimensions	330 x 260 x 65mm
Weight	7.5kg
Color	Black

 

 

[SwissBear]

Interesting to see such equipment on this site :-) Thanks for sharing.

This DAC seems to have some very interesting characteristics, ie a NOS mode, which is well suited to operate with HQPlayer, an external clock input and a seemingly nicely designed full discrete output stage.

The measurements made by 7audiolab.com (https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/measurements-of-gustard-x26-pro/) only briefly touch the subject of the external clock at the end of the test, showing a nearfield J-Test which compares two different cables when connecting the DAC to the Gustard C-18 10MHz clock.

Did you have the opportunity to make your own measurements of the impact of your Giesmann 10MHz Master Clocks when connected to such a DAC. Have you been able to show any measurable improvement, either in terms of THD+N, or in terms of J-Test ?

Thanks.

[AfterDark.]

26 minutes ago, SwissBear said:

Interesting to see such equipment on this site :-) Thanks for sharing.

This DAC seems to have some very interesting characteristics, ie a NOS mode, which is well suited to operate with HQPlayer, an external clock input and a seemingly nicely designed full discrete output stage.

The measurements made by 7audiolab.com (https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/measurements-of-gustard-x26-pro/) only briefly touch the subject of the external clock at the end of the test, showing a nearfield J-Test which compares two different cables when connecting the DAC to the Gustard C-18 10MHz clock.

Did you have the opportunity to make your own measurements of the impact of your Giesmann 10MHz Master Clocks when connected to such a DAC. Have you been able to show any measurable improvement, either in terms of THD+N, or in terms of J-Test ?

Thanks.

 

Hi! SwissBear,

 

We are pre-ordering a demo unit of Gustard X26pro in Black to test with the Giesemann 10MHz Master Clock, will record some YouTube to show how this Gustard X26pro performs in real audiophile systems. There will be more close up photos later on. 

 

The Gustard C18 10Mhz clock has phase noise -110dBC @ 1Hz 

The Giesemann EVA 10Mhz clock has phase noise -121dBC @ 1Hz , the difference will be huge, so we expecting the Gustard X26pro DAC will be at peak performance when we perform tests later on. 

 

The NOS mode which was implemented on most R2R dac, like Denefrips Terminator R2R DAC, which is more preferable and enjoyable without apply any over-sampling, the music will be like vinyl, silk smooth. With the discrete output stage, this is a plus too. 

 

Best Regards,

Adrian

AfterDark. 

 

[w1000i]

On 2/23/2021 at 5:17 PM, SwissBear said:

Interesting to see such equipment on this site :-) Thanks for sharing.

This DAC seems to have some very interesting characteristics, ie a NOS mode, which is well suited to operate with HQPlayer, an external clock input and a seemingly nicely designed full discrete output stage.

The measurements made by 7audiolab.com (https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/measurements-of-gustard-x26-pro/) only briefly touch the subject of the external clock at the end of the test, showing a nearfield J-Test which compares two different cables when connecting the DAC to the Gustard C-18 10MHz clock.

Did you have the opportunity to make your own measurements of the impact of your Giesmann 10MHz Master Clocks when connected to such a DAC. Have you been able to show any measurable improvement, either in terms of THD+N, or in terms of J-Test ?

Thanks.

what I know ESS 9038pro can't run NOS 100% as it will go through it DSP