EVS modified Gustard X20/Gustard X20 thread

[Val33]

Hi Quadman. No, I was referring to the two small clocks next to the original 100mhz clock on the input board. However, as explained by Ric, these do not seem to be used at all once you have removed the coax link.

I've now fitted the new clock and also replaced the two LT17633 regulators with TPSA4700's.

I've not fitted a 15pf load capacitor to the clock, have others? Do I need to?

It's sounding pretty good already.

 

[bibo01]

@Ric

Have you mounted the Pulsar clock? Could you please report on it? I don't think you did...

 

[Quadman]

@val33 Yes it is highly recommended to put a 10 pF ceramic cap between ground and Vin. Hard to tell in the picture but do you have the clock soldered into the x3.3 pad? If so that is the gustards internal 3.3 V supply and i strongly suggest against that. I see you have a battery connected to the clock so I hope it is also not soldered to x3.3. It is also suggested to put a regulator similar to what you have done elsewhere between the clock PSU and the clock. The PSU will then be 5V and stepped down by the regulator to 3.3V. Also that clock draws a lot of amps and needs to be a nice and toasty mid 50 C temp. I suggest making a boot similar to what b0bb did in the LKS 003 thread on head fi P16 thread 233. And Yes I believe that when you clock this way those two other clocks are out of the circuit. Then that clock will take 100 hours of signal to show its potential, it is really good for the $ when you consider what a pulsar costs.

 

[Val33]

@Quadman Thanks for the feedback.

The clock is plugged in to an adaptor that is soldered to the board. The 3.3 supply from the board is cut. Looking at the data sheet, the Abracon clock takes 0.610A on startup, dropping to 0.3A when warm. I'm constant charging the lifepo4 with a 1A 4us supply.

The capacitor I'm referring to is the Load Capacitor, that is recommended to go from the output pin to ground, not Vcc. But I'm not clear if there is already capacitance on the board?

Thanks

 

[Quadman]

I followed what the accusilicon (mfg of the clock gustard uses) guys said, put across VCC and ground. If you make the boot, current draw will come down closer to .1A.

we think the .15 load is on the board.

 

[jhrlrd]

So...what's the latest update on this DAC mod? and the pro model?

 

[Brucemck2]

So...what's the latest update on this DAC mod? and the pro model?

???

 

[Ric Schultz]

Because the Pro DAC, the modified output transformers and the modified IFI SPDIF Ipurifier are so dang revealing and transparent, it has forced me into spending many hours tweaking and retweaking the Gustard. I have discovered even more things to make it sound better and retweaked some old tweaks......now it is totally mind blowing. So, the current full mod is ready to go and I am sure everyone receiving them in the next few weeks will tell many a tale.

 

[stereo_phile]

Hi Ric been a while since you modded OPPO 105. Very interested in your Custard pro DAC mod. Your previous Comcast email no longer works.

 

[Ric Schultz]

You can get me through my website: tweakaudio.com The new email is listed there. Call me anytime to discuss.

 

[jjk]

Has anybody heard from Ric lately? Seems like he has gone to the basement. I have emailed him several times at the address listed at tweakaudio, but no answer.
He modded 3 Gustards for me and and Oppo 103, along with the iPurifiers. I run a multichannel system.
Best wishes to all on Memorial Day.

 

[NoridcNorm]

So I just received my Gustard x20Pro and Singxer SU-1, and I'm looking forward to pulling out the soldering iron and performing some of these mods.

I set the jumper pins 3 & 6 on the Singxer, connected an HDMI cable between the two and fed the SU-1 with a USB cable from my pc.

The Gustard just says "UNLOCK"? What gives? I don't have a battery for the remote yet.

Can I still update the firmware version on the Gustard by going through the Singxer? I have the non-USB Gustard.

Cheers,
Norm

 

[pkane]

So I just received my Gustard x20Pro and Singxer SU-1, and I'm looking forward to pulling out the soldering iron and performing some of these mods.

I set the jumper pins 3 & 6 on the Singxer, connected an HDMI cable between the two and fed the SU-1 with a USB cable from my pc.

The Gustard just says "UNLOCK"? What gives? I don't have a battery for the remote yet.

Can I still update the firmware version on the Gustard by going through the Singxer? I have the non-USB Gustard.

Cheers,
Norm

You should be getting a lock. A few things to check:

1. Are you sending audio from your PC? Is it PCM or DSD? How are you sending it? What are the audio settings in your software? Does it work if you use another output from SU-1 into X20pro?
2. Did you install SU-1 driver on your PC and is the SU-1 audio driver selected in your playback software?
3. When you are playing PCM which LEDs are lit on the SU-1? How about if you are playing DSD?
4. Make sure X20Pro has the IIS input selected (it doesn't auto-detect the input)
5. Try a shorter or different HDMI cable.

I've not seen any firmware releases for X20pro, but I would be surprised if you could update its firmware over the I2S input from SU-1.

 

[NoridcNorm]

You should be getting a lock. A few things to check:


4. Make sure X20Pro has the IIS input selected (it doesn't auto-detect the input)

Can I change it without the remote? I don't think so.I'll have to wait until I can find a battery.

Thanks for the suggestions.

cheers,
Norm

 

[pkane]

Can I change it without the remote? I don't think so.I'll have to wait until I can find a battery.

Thanks for the suggestions.

cheers,
Norm

Sure you can: just push and release the volume button to change input. Press and hold if you want to get to the additional settings. Press and hold again to exit settings.

 

[NoridcNorm]

Sure you can: just push and release the volume button to change input. Press and hold if you want to get to the additional settings. Press and hold again to exit settings.

That worked, thanks!

But when I play a DSD file, all I see is "PCM 352.8KHz"? And the SU-1 DSD light isn't lit up? I've installed the drivers. What am I missing?

 

[pkane]

That worked, thanks!

But when I play a DSD file, all I see is "PCM 352.8KHz"? And the SU-1 DSD light isn't lit up? I've installed the drivers. What am I missing?

Sounds like you didn't select DSD output in your audio player software.

 

[NoridcNorm]

Sounds like you didn't select DSD output in your audio player software.

Bingo! I missed a setting. Thanks! Now getting full-on DSD!

 

[Brucemck2]

Ric, what's the quality of the USB implementation in this and the new L.K.S. unit?

 

[Ric Schultz]

Ric, what's the quality of the USB implementation in this and the new L.K.S. unit?

Don't know as I use coax only. There are tons of people who are using Singxer SU-1s (stock and modded) that say that it is way, way better to use that than a stock internal usb board (usb to Singxer and I2S to Gustard or LKS). The LKS sounds better using coax if you disconnect (remove power) its usb board.

What is for sure is that the Gustard is no longer my "Gem". Even my modded Oppo is better and, of course, the LKS as well. I am doing more mods to the Oppo and LKS this week and will have updated info on my site and here, as well. I will start a thread on the Oppo as it is shocking what this thing can do. The Oppo works perfectly at DSD512 via usb (according to those that have tried it) and has Ethernet so I guess? could be used that way to get high speed DSD into it as well.