Fanmusic GUSTARD U18 DDC USB Digital Interface DSD512 PCM768Khz XU216 K2 Fully Isolation AS338 Hi-End Crystol IIS USB Audio Interface (Black)

So I have had the Gustard R26 DAC for over 6 months now. When I first plugged it in, it was a WOW moment. It had so much space, clarity and detail over my previous DAC. But as the months wore on, I found it much more to admire than to love. It was very, very controlled....maybe a bit too controlled, and although had great front-to-back depth, the sound never seemed completely unpinned from the speakers in a way I know they are capable of.So what did I do? Well FIRST I got an external clock. A modestly priced LHY OCK-1 model. By the time I added in a custom built length of LMR400 50-Ohm coax and trew in an after market fuse I had over $500 into it. Plus another $200 for a Pangea power cord.I spend weeks listening with and without the clock-something that can be done using the R26 remote on the fly. And I could not hear a single difference between running the R26 with its internal clock, or slaving it to the OCK-1. I probably would have sent it back, but since I got it on Ali Express, the return shipping would have not left me with much refund (assuming I ever got one).So then I throught I would try a risk-free trial of the U18 D2D convertor, which I got through Amazon with about an 8 week window to return it for full refund, and no shipping expenses. So I got it.Now I have the external clock, R26 and the U18.I use the USB into the U18 and the I2S HDMI cable out from it into the R26.Without any external clock, the R26 clock slaves to that of the U18's when connected with the HDMI.And that is how I first tried it...the Node N130 (with outboard DC linear power supply) -->DDC-HDMI-->R26 with no external clock.And from the very first note I knew something special was happening-which was NOT the case when I had used the OCK-1 clock. The sound was more relaxed, yet more involving with a much enhanced sense of space and timing compared to the R26 with/without external clock. And I listened to it in this way for a while.A few days later I re-introduced the external clock back into the mix. I had to get another 50-Ohm coax, but the end result was I slaved BOTH the U18 and the R26 in parallel to the same OCK-1 external clock.And BINGO....finally the external clock did make a difference. The overall presentation is quite addictive, taking everthing that the U18-R26 pairing did, and improving it in every way. Bass control and textures especially were enhanced.So now I am more than happy with what the external clock does for the R26. But do NOT get a clock before the U18, as you probably will have the same underwhelming experience as I did. The external clock should only be considered after a U18 is in place.The R26-U18 should really be considered a 2 piece integrated DAC, as the modest additional cost of the U18 only adds 30% to the purchase price, but gives an 80% boost in listening pleasure.I still have another 6 weeks trial period, but I already know-there is no way I will be returning the U18.

Before changing my main DAC, I used a Mytek Brooklyn DAC, and I always had complaint that why the sound quality a FLAC file from the computer USB is not good as that of coax or optical output of a CD player playing the same CD. I tried several expensive USB cables. But the cable was not the answer.A few months ago, I watched a YouTube clip showing the effectiveness of a DDC with this U18.This DDC is accepting the USB signal from a PC through its isolated input section to get rid of USB's ground and electrical noise and regenerates the USB signal based on its own super accurate internal clock oscillator. This is true.My audio system sound quality is changed completely. Just like watching through a glass window before cleaning and after cleaning. I solved the sound quality issue.Now I'm using a cheap USB cable. Please use a short, as short as possible, cable. This DDC is a small investment but gives you a BIG satisfaction. Two thumbs up. Highest recommendation.

PC（ HQPlayer 4 デスクトップ）~U18～X18～マークレビンソンＮＯ320S～マッキントッシュMC602～エレクトロボイス（アリストクラット１２Ｎ/DYN）の構成です。Ｕ18～X18のＩＩＳケーブルをaudioquest - HDMI Carbon48/1.0mに交換したら最高の音に成りました。

My audio streaming setup was an overhauled Bluesound Node 2i connected to a Gustard X26 PRO DAC. The Bluesound overhaul consisted of a package from LHY Audio with a new internal power supply board and external LPS. The difference in sound quality after installation was considerable. Still, the sound was not quite there. I read about the effect of adding the U18 to the mix and gave it a shot. What an improvement! As a system, the sound is rounder, more detailed, displays ample bass and even a bit louder at the same volume setting as before. Each upgrade, including cables, has added to the sound quality. This step, however, has had an altogether surprisingly powerful positive impact. Whereas before, SQ was a bit lacking. Now, it is where I wanted it all along. I was concerned about the need to get a fancy I2S cable to connect U18 to X26 PRO, but the U18 enables a standard HDMI cable connection between it and the same brand DAC. I am at the point where money thrown at higher priced components is unnecessary, a very nice place to be.

DDCなんて必要ないと思っていましたが、全然変わりますね。安物のDDCも直前に購入してましたが、安物はな何の効果もないです。欠点は、電源は入れっぱなしにしないといけないのと、発熱がそこそこあるので暑い部屋だと何かしら対策しなければならないことでしょうか。