Gustard U12 Question

Posted by: dsc on 06 June 2016

I have searched the Internet for detailed specifications for the Gustard U12 but cannot find the manufacturer's website. Owners of this product might be able to answer a specific question that I have: does it carry the CE mark to signify compliance with European safety and EMC standards? If not, then the importers of the product (whoever they are) are acting unlawfully.

Posted on: 06 June 2016 by Innocent Bystander

The regulations regarding CE marking apply only to supply in the EU, as opposed to importationinto the EU, and to the best of my knowledge it is not illegal for an individual to purchase from a seller outside the EU for their own personal use. I am unaware of any seller supplying in the EU, though there are sellers in the far east, where CE marking regulations do,not apply. Should any supplier within the EU wish to supply the product they would indeed be legally obliged to certify that it complies with relevant EU legislation, which is the function of the CE mark.

Posted on: 08 June 2016 by likesmusic

Can't understand why anyone, least of all all someone with some nice Naim kit, would buy a cheap unit from China with no CE approval, track record or UK/USA dealers. Talk about spoiling  the ship ... You can get decent, CE approved, USB to spdif converters from the likes of IFiAudio and quite a few others for not seriously more. And if you buy in the EEC you get the right to return so even if you just wanted to prove the concept, or have a play, you've far less risk.

Posted on: 08 June 2016 by Peter Dinh

Cheap, and cheerful Chinese products have already taken over the world, stuffs like Apple iPhone, MacBook, and many other products

Posted on: 08 June 2016 by Innocent Bystander
likesmusic posted:

Can't understand why anyone, least of all all someone with some nice Naim kit, would buy a cheap unit from China with no CE approval, track record or UK/USA dealers. Talk about spoiling  the ship ... You can get decent, CE approved, USB to spdif converters from the likes of IFiAudio and quite a few others for not seriously more. And if you buy in the EEC you get the right to return so even if you just wanted to prove the concept, or have a play, you've far less risk.

Maybe because it is good? Plenty of favourable comment around recommending it, and to some people - me included- making the relatively modest punt worth the risk. 

You never know, after Richard Dane has finished his present evaluation of it it could even  end up being recommended by Naim, and maybe once the market is clearly big enough someone may set up tp import  into the EU and duly certify it. Then perhaps they'll charge £1000 and more people will think it must be great.