Gustard U12 burn in?

Dear all, many thanks for your contributions on this topic. Unfortunately it is clear that my Gustard 12 has developed a fault. After a while the USB input appears to lose its signal, and the display reverts to '----' (signifying an unknown sample rate). This first started happening within a couple of weeks of receiving the unit, but the frequency has increased to it now cutting out within songs, typically after 5-10 minutes. I've fed the Gustard from MacMini and from PC, using two different USB cables, and situated in different rooms, all with the same effect. So I will have to find a way to return the Gustard. 

Having said all that, I will be requesting a replacement unit. The Gustard definitely improved my MacMini to Hugo setup. The coaxial connection was high on PRaT but was a little harsh in my setup. The Gustard's optical connection was much closer in timbre to the MM direct to Hugo via USB, but having the Gustard there improved the gravity of the bass. To my ears it made the music appear to be built upon a strong foundation of bass rather than having the bass being merely part of the frequency spectrum. 

So despite this fault, it was a good investment and I hope to have a functioning replacement that I can enjoy. I'll let you know how I get on. In the meantime, I'll revert to the USB input on the Hugo.

Hi All,

I bought a U12 to allow me to use a Sonore microRendu (mR) with my Bel Canto DAC, and was impressed with it. However, last night I turned off the mR and this morning when I turned it back on I got silence.

The U12 is reporting the correct file frequency, as is the mR and the DAC. I power cycled the U12 and unplugged and re-plugged the mR, no difference.

I went through a troubleshooting cycle to prove what was causing the issue. I am currently listening to music from my NAS using the mR and Bel Canto by using my Oppo 105D in place of the U12 - works OK.

I have dropped the seller a message asking for advice or a replacement.

Any suggestions gratefully received. 

M

SOLVED!

By Martin @Vortexbox. If you are using the microRendu and change apps/DACs then you need to re-initialise the communications with the DAC. This is done via the relevant app in mR.

In my case I have been using MPD, going into the MPD app there is nothing to change, just press 'save changes' - voila, MUSIC.

M

I'm thinking of giving a Gustard U12 a go. Just a quick question though, and forgive me if I'm being an idiot but I'm not familiar at all with digital connections/cables... So, what would be the optimal connection from the Gustard to Hugo? Would it be from Optical Out on the Gustard to Optical TOSLink digital in on the Hugo? And if so, is the required cable supplied with the Hugo?

Hi Mayor West. The Gustard U12 has a variety of output options. The two which are immediately suitable for the Hugo are the coaxial output and the optical output. I've tried both, but in my home/setup I experience dropouts with the coaxial cable when switching lights. This is not related to the Gustard (I also had this with my CD player going directly into the Hugo), and no-one else seems to have experienced this. The coaxial connection seems to be most people's favourite. I'm very happy with the optical connection, and I am currently using the thin optical cable that comes with the Hugo. 

Unfortunately my first Gustard developed a fault and was returned. I've had the replacement for just over a week, and it is behaving so far. Although the replacement process was inconvenient, I really recommend the Gustard. To my ears, it really cleans up the USB signal from my Mac Mini, delivering greater clarity and timing. My system has never sounded so good. 

I hope this helps!

Thanks for that Flumpet. I'm pleased that you're finally enjoying your Gustard

I'll post my thoughts when I get mine.

Richard,

Have you tried any further AES cables? Any observations?

I am currently using a DvH AES.

M

Hi IB,

I thought spdif was specified as 75Ω? Is the Hugo different?

M

Mr Underhill posted:

Hi IB,

I thought spdif was specified as 75Ω? Is the Hugo different?

M

Ooops, you're quite right - thanks for spotting. i had been thinking of something else. Will delete my post to avoid confusion

Mayor West posted:

I'm thinking of giving a Gustard U12 a go. Just a quick question though, and forgive me if I'm being an idiot but I'm not familiar at all with digital connections/cables... So, what would be the optimal connection from the Gustard to Hugo? Would it be from Optical Out on the Gustard to Optical TOSLink digital in on the Hugo? And if so, is the required cable supplied with the Hugo?

(Amended reply due to error in original)

I believe elecrical SPDIF is supposed to be better than optical, though I haven't compared myself, just using electrical.

I don't recall a cable supplied with the Hugo. The important thing with electrical is that although it has RCA socket it should be a 75Ω cable, not any old audio RCA cable.

Thanks IB. The Hugo comes with a TOSLink to TOSLink cable, and a 3.5mm Mini-TOSLink to TOSLink cable.

Which cable are you using?

Hi MW, its a 0.5m Van Damme 75Ω RCA-RCA cable, 

Thanks IB :-) 

Mr Underhill posted:

Richard,

Have you tried any further AES cables? Any observations?

I am currently using a DvH AES.

M

I'm currently using a Transparent Premium AES/EBU lead.  What can I say?  It looks good.  And it possibly sounds better than the basic studio grade Van Damme 110ohm cable I had in there before.  Rather more expensive though...

Thx Richard,

Well the Van Damme is what I am using - worth the investment?

M

Hi Richard,

Just went and looked at the cost, don't worry I'll pass!

M

Grateful if someone here could let me know if the Gustard U12 is available from UK retailers?  Thanks.

I bought mine via ebay - I think you can buy via amazon uk ....with whatever protections either route offers you.

I think that the Audio Breeze (Telema) is clearly better in my system.

If you have the money available the MC3+USB is reportedly better than both, and you can get a 30 day return included.

M