GUSTARD X26 PRO DAC Cum PreAmp
Balanced DAC 2x ES9038Pro XMOS Bluetooth 5.0 MQA 32Bit 768kHz DSD512 Black
An enhanced version of the Gustard DAC-X26, the X26Pro offers a series of improvements designed to make it both more powerful and more versatile. These now include a Bluetooth 5.0 receiver, improved clocking, MQA file decoding and improved heat dissipation.
The Absolute reference dac at this price point the Gustard x26 pro does not disappoint using dual 9038 chips PER channel Together with being one of the best DACs in this price range , The Gustard X26 Pro has an excellent volume control which is better that most integrated amplifiers and would better most analog preamps as well under 100000 rs .This allows it to be used as a preamplifier with 3 digital inputs.
Reviews
Here is a review from a highly respected source
https://soundnews.net/sources/dacs/gustard-x26-pro-dac-review/
Another Review showing the comparison of X26 Pro with other DAC’s :
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/gustard-x26pro-review-balanced-high-end-dac.24699/
We recommend following the above forum where all reviews are impartial UNPAID and most importantly done by users who are highly knowledgeable in digital audio
The X26Pro’s no-compromise design incorporates high-end audio components to deliver rich, accurate, dynamic audio as close to the original signal as possible.
ES9038Pro Dual DAC
At the heart of the X26Pro are two DAC ESS ES9038Pro DAC chips for digital-to-analog conversion. Each channel therefore has its own conversion chip and power supply to deliver the best possible audio performance. In addition, these chips support high sample rates, which in the case of the Gustard X26Pro can go up to 32bit 768kHz PCM and DSD512 on the USB and I2S inputs.
These chips are accompanied by a Class A LPF integrating only discrete components, specifically optimized for the ES9038Pro DACs
Ultra low noise clock synthesizer
The X26Pro incorporates a K2 clock synthesizer, which provides a second clock signal and synchronizes decoding. This allows DAC performance to be independent of the source equipment.
Altera MAX II CPLD
The logic functions of the X26Pro are entrusted to a 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.
XMOS USB Interface
Behind the USB-B input of the X26Pro is a high-performance XMOS XU216 USB interface. This interface enables fast and efficient data processing, while supporting high-resolution data streams.
Power supply
The power supply for the X26Pro uses two toroidal transformers and a discrete 8-channel hybrid I/V conversion circuit. This provides the entire system with a consistent and extremely clean and stable power supply, which is essential for high-quality sound reproduction.
In addition, each channel of the X26Pro’s analog circuitry uses an independent power rail to limit interference and noise.
Bluetooth 5.0
New in this Pro version of the Gustard DAC-X26 is the integration of a Qualcomm CSR8675 Bluetooth 5.0 receiver chip. This chip allows you to broadcast your music remotely and in high quality, thanks to the support of protocols such as aptX HD and LDAC.
I2S Pinout
Connectivity
The Gustard X26Pro benefits from a complete set of connectors capable of adapting to many audio systems. Inputs include USB-B, I2S LVDS over HDMI, Coaxial, AES, Optical and Bluetooth reception. On the output side, the X26Pro offers balanced XLR and unbalanced stereo RCA. Note that the analog circuitry of the device uses a balanced architecture without conversion with a total separation of the two outputs.
Technical characteristics
| 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
| GENERAL | |
|---|---|
| Power supply | 115-230V AC (switchable supply voltage) |
| Housing material | Aluminum alloy |
| Dimensions | 330 x 260 x 65mm |
| Weight | 7.5kg |
| Color | Black |
Description
- Synchronous Clock Implantation Technology
- Independent R & D of DSP Digital Filter
- K2 Clock Synthesizer Built-in
- Bluetooth 5.0/USB/Coaxial/Optical/IIS
- Dual ES9038PRO Chips
- Full Function Rmote Control
X26 Pro uses two ESS chips ES9038PRO for dual mono audio digital-to-analogue conversion. Each channel uses a separate ES9038Pro chip, and each channel is a completely independent power supply and grounding for best performance.
Various Input and Output Mode
Gustard X26 Pro with USB/IIS/AES/Coaxial/Optical/Bluetooth 5.0(CSE8675)input mode; with RCA and XLR out to meet different needs.
Ultra-low Noise K2 Clock Synthesizer: Abandon the front-end clock source, DAC only uses local femtosecond clock or external 10M constant temperature clock source synthesis as the main clock.
Therefore, the impact of the front-end signal source clock performance on the decoding link is greatly reduced. USB/IIS/AES/Coax/Opt/BT interface can also enjoy the performance improvement brought by the synthesizer.
CPLD Programmable Logic Chips
Self-constructed digital integrated circuits with logic functions, clock management, 2nd PLL, digital shaping, DOP decoder, PCM/DSD depop switch and other exclusive technologies have laid a solid foundation for excellent sound quality.
DSP Digital Filtering
The solution is a high-performance digital filter solution developed on the Analog Device SHARC digital audio dedicated DSP platform. It is equipped with a self-developed high-performance anti-aliasing noise algorithm, which achieved better sound quality performance.
Product Specifications
COAX : PCM 16-24bit/44.1-192kHz; DSD DOP64
AES : PCM 16-24bit/44.1-192kHz; DSD DOP64
OPT : PCM 16-24bit/44.1-192kHz; DSD DOP64
USB : PCM 16-32bit/44. 1-768kHz ; DSD DOP64-DOP256; NATIVE DSD: DSD64-DSD512
IIS : PCM 16-32bit/44. 1- 768kHz; DSD DOP64- -D0P256; NATIVE DSD: DSD64 -DSD512
BT Bluetooth 5.0 : PCM LDAC, AAC, SBC, APTX, APTX LL, APTX HD and other high frequency
encoding, LDAC can achieve 24B / 96K high code transmission
*USB input supported operating system: Win7 SP1/Win8/Win10 32-64bit; mac0S; Linux
Analog output performance
Amplitude frequency response: 20- 20kHz /±0.1dB .
DNR: >128dB
Crosstalk: -140dB@1kHz .
THD+N: ≤0. 0001%@1kHz
IMD: <0. 0006% @-1dBFs
RCA 0utput level: 2. 5Vrms (Volume 00dB)
Output impedance 100 ohms
XLR Output level: 5Vrms ((Volume 00dB)
Output impedance 100 ohms
Other specifications
AC Power supply: AC 115V/230V 50/60Hz
Power consumption: <60W
Dimensions: Width 330mm * Height 65mm * Depth 260mm (Excluding protrusions)
Weight: 7Kg (including packaging)
