Gustard X16 Balanced MQA DAC Audio science Review
The X16 is based on the new ESS ES9068AS DAC which has built-in hardware decoding of MQA bitstream. Until now, this was performed upstream of the DAC but now the functionality is core to the DAC chip itself.
The X16 has a solid feel to it but doesn’t distinguish itself from other desktop DACs:
While a remote control is provided, navigation is easy enough using the rotary control and center button. I like the informative display but as with other Gustard products, I question showing the volume level in such tiny letters. It needs to be center and large with the sample rate shown small.
Back panel shows the usual connection including Bluetooth:
Like the nice gold plated connectors.
Gustard X16 Measurements
Let’s open the show with our usual dashboard:
Wow! I must say, I did not know in advance they were shooting for the moon this way. This is superb performance in a $500 package, placing the X16 second in the list of all DACs tested ever:
Here is our top 10 list:
So little separates these DACs from each other.
In both cases, full audible transparency is achieved and then some. Sum of noise+distortion is well below the self-noise of our ears.
Signal to noise ratio is wonderful:
If you have noise in your system, this is NOT the place to look!
Jitter and spurious tones are almost nonexistent (difficult in a low noise DAC) and this is even true of Coax input which these days is typically neglected:
Intermodulation distortion using our 32-tone test is extremely low:
THD+N versus frequency where a lot of DACs fail is excellent as well:
Did ESS take out the other options or did Gustard? Either way, it is fine by me. I used L Fast for my testing by the way. Default is M Slow I think. Wonder if that is also the MQA filter?
Linearity which is a test of accuracy was the most perfect I have seen:
This thing glued itself to the 0 dB error line like nobody’s business!
Conclusions
The Gustard X16 comes in an unassuming package making you think you have bought a mid-priced DAC. But looks are deceiving as it produces some of the best measurements I have seen out of some 350+ DACs I have tested! Talk about getting ready to battle with the best of the best. Yes, there is a hint of ESS IMD Hump but it is not excessive enough for me to worry about it although I hope they look at eliminating this.
It is my pleasure to strongly recommend the Gustard X16 MQA DAC.
