Gustard DAC-X30 User Manual

Table of Contents

• Front Panel Introduction

• Rear Panel Introduction

• Display and Panel Operation

• Settings Menu

• Infrared Remote Control

• Windows Driver Installation

• Foobar2000 DSD Hardware Decoding Setup

• Foobar2000 DSD Hardware Decoding Troubleshooting

• Product Parameters

• After-sales Service

Front Panel

The front panel features several controls and indicators:

• 1. Power Button: Switches between standby and operating modes. The rear power switch can keep the X30 in standby.

• 2. Display: Shows current input channel, encoding format, and sampling rate.

• 3. Volume Control: Displays volume from -90dB to 00dB. 'FIXED' indicates volume bypass mode.

• 4. '-' Button: Typically used to decrease volume. In menu mode, it navigates through options.

• 5. Gear Icon Button: Short press cycles through input sources. Long press enters or exits the settings menu. In the menu, short press cycles through menu items.

• 6. '+' Button: Typically used to increase volume. In menu mode, it navigates through options.

The display shows input status, encoding format, sampling rate, and volume. For example, it might display 'USB EXT DSD 22.4M FIXED'.

Rear Panel

The rear panel provides various input and output connections:

• Inputs: Clock Input, Coaxial Input, AES Input, USB Input, LAN Input, Firmware Upgrade Port.

• Outputs: Balanced Outputs (XLR Right, XLR Left), Unbalanced Outputs (RCA Right, RCA Left).

• Other Connections: IIS Input (Adjustable), Optical Input, TF Card Slot, Power Input, Power Switch.

• Voltage Selection: 220V/110V voltage conversion switch and a fuse.

Note: When operating the 220V/110V voltage switch, ensure both switches are set to the same voltage to prevent damage to the internal transformer.

Display and Panel Operation

The X30 utilizes a large OLED display for real-time status and function operations. The main screen displays:

• Input Channel

• External Clock Display

• Encoding Format

• Sampling Rate

• Volume

Input Channel Selection: There are 7 input channels. Pressing the gear icon button cycles through COAX, AES, OPT, USB, STREAMER, IIS(G), and IIS(M*). IIS(G) uses a fixed Gustard pinout, while IIS(M*) offers adjustable pinouts for automatic PCM and DSD detection.

Volume Adjustment: The '+' and '-' buttons adjust the analog volume attenuation from 00dB down to -90dB. Pressing '+' at 00dB engages the FIXED output mode, bypassing volume control. Pressing '-' in FIXED mode first exits FIXED mode before adjusting volume.

Settings Menu

Access the settings menu by long-pressing the gear icon button on the main screen. Use the '+' and '-' buttons to navigate and adjust settings. Long-pressing the gear icon button again returns to the main screen.

The menu structure includes:

• 1. PCM FILTER: Adjusts PCM digital filter characteristics. Options: VIVID, GENTLE, COMPOSITE.
• 2. DSD FILTER: Selects DSD filter bandwidth. Options: 47K, 50K, 60K, 70K.
• 3. NOS MODE: Enables or disables the Non-Oversampling mode for PCM signals, bypassing the oversampling filter. Options: DISABLE, ENABLE.
• 4. REF CLOCK: Selects the reference clock source. Options: INTERNAL (built-in OCXO), EXT. 10Mhz (external 10MHz source).
• 5. IIS MODE: Configures the IIS interface pinout. Options: MODE1, MODE2, MODE3, MODE4. MODE1 is compatible with Gustard front-ends.
• 6. PHASE: Sets the output phase for RCA and XLR. Options: NON-inverted (RCA normal, XLR US standard), Inverted (RCA inverted, XLR EU/Japan standard).
• 7. TRIGGER CH.: Selects the input channel to activate via a 12V trigger signal. Options include LAST (previous input) and specific input sources.
• 8. TRIGGER VOL.: Sets the output volume when activated by a 12V trigger signal. Options: LAST, FIXED, -20dB, -30dB, -40dB.
• 9. DISPLAY: Controls screen brightness. Options: AUTO (auto dimming), AUTO OFF (screen off) to protect the OLED display.

Menu Function Introduction

Detailed explanations for each menu item:

• 1. PCM FILTER: The X30 features 3 custom DSP PCM filters: VIVID (Fast roll-off, excellent ringing characteristics for detailed sound), GENTLE (Slow roll-off, softer sound), and COMPOSITE (a hybrid for balanced sound).
• 2. DSD FILTER: Offers 4 bandwidth selections for DSD playback.
• 3. NOS MODE: When enabled, PCM signals bypass the oversampling filter, directly feeding the ES9039SPRO DAC. This also disables the internal PCM oversampling filter. A note mentions potential clicks when switching between PCM and DSD formats in this mode.
• 4. REF CLOCK: Utilizes the GUSTARD-K2 low-noise clock synthesizer for high-precision timing. Options are INTERNAL (OCXO) or EXT. 10Mhz. The display indicates 'EXT' when the external clock is locked and 'EXT ERR' if it's lost or out of specification.
• 5. IIS MODE: The X30 has two IIS inputs. IIS(G) is for fixed Gustard pinout and requires a DSD FLAG from the source. IIS(M*) is for adjustable pinout mode, automatically detecting PCM/DSD and not requiring a FLAG signal. Four modes (MODE1-MODE4) are available for IIS(M*), with MODE1 being compatible with Gustard sources like U12, U16, U18, S16, S26. Pinout diagrams are provided for each mode.
• 6. PHASE: Sets the phase relationship between RCA and XLR outputs. NON-inverted provides a normal phase for RCA and US standard polarity for XLR. Inverted provides an inverted phase for RCA and EU/Japan standard polarity for XLR.
• 7. TRIGGER CH.: Allows the unit to turn on and switch to a selected input channel using a 12V trigger signal. The 'LAST' option recalls the previously used input channel.
• 8. TRIGGER VOL.: Sets the output volume level when the unit is activated by a 12V trigger signal. Options include recalling the last volume, setting a fixed volume, or specific attenuated levels (-20dB, -30dB, -40dB).
• 9. DISPLAY: Provides options to manage the OLED display's brightness to prevent burn-in. AUTO dims the screen, and AUTO OFF turns it off.

Infrared Remote Control

The remote control allows operation of the DAC-X30. Key buttons include:

• Standby Button: Toggles power between standby and active states.

• Menu Button: Accesses the device's settings menu.

• Directional Buttons (Up/Down/Left/Right): Navigate menus and adjust settings.

• Mute Button (Center of Directional Pad): Mutes/unmutes audio.

• Return Button: Returns to the main display screen.

• Volume Down/Up Buttons: Adjusts the audio output volume.

The remote can switch between DAC, AMP, and STREAM modes for controlling different Gustard products. Notes advise on optimal usage, distance, and battery care.

Windows Driver Installation

This section guides users through installing the USB driver for Windows systems.

Compatibility: The driver is compatible with Windows 7 (SP1 and later), Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11. MAC OS has a built-in driver.

Installation Steps:

1. Connect the Gustard device to a USB 2.0 port on the computer. It is recommended to use rear panel ports for better signal integrity.

2. Turn on the Gustard device. Windows should detect new hardware and prompt for driver installation. If not, try a different USB port or restart the device.

3. Run the installer executable (e.g., Gustard_UsbAudio_v4.82.0_setup.exe). Confirm any User Account Control prompts.

4. Follow the on-screen prompts, clicking 'Next' or 'Install' as required.

5. The wizard may check system status. If an error message appears (e.g., 'Setup requires that the device is...'), reconnect the USB cable or restart the device.

6. Upon successful installation, click 'Finish'. Confirm any additional English prompts by selecting 'YES'.

Foobar2000 DSD Hardware Decoding Setup

This guide explains how to configure Foobar2000 for DSD playback using ASIO.

1. Install ASIOProxy:

• Locate the foobar2000_DSD_0.7.X folder.

• Run ASIOProxyInstall-0.7.2.exe and follow the installation prompts (Next/Install).

2. Configure Foobar2000 Components:

• Open Foobar2000.

• Go to File > Preferences.

• In the Preferences window, navigate to Components on the left pane.

• Click the Install... button.

• Browse to the foobar2000_DSD_0.7.X folder and select both foo_input_sacd.fb2k-component and foo_out_asio.fb2k-component (use Ctrl to select multiple files).

• Click Open.

• The new components will appear in the list. Click Apply.

• A prompt will ask to restart Foobar2000. Click OK.

3. Configure ASIO Output:

• After restarting, reopen Foobar2000 Preferences.

• Navigate to Playback > Output > ASIO.

• In the Device dropdown menu, select ASIO: foo_dsd_asio.

• In the ASIO configuration window that appears:

  • Set ASIO Driver to Gustard USB Audio.

  • Set DSD Playback Method to ASIO Native.

  • Configure other settings (DSD to DSD Method, PCM to DSD Method, DSD/PCM Transition) as desired or as shown in diagrams.

  • Close the ASIO configuration window.

4. Configure SACD Output:

• Navigate to Tools > SACD.

• In the Output Mode dropdown menu, select DSD.

• Click OK to save the settings.

Foobar2000 DSD Hardware Decoding Troubleshooting

Issue: ASIO option is missing in Playback > Output.

• Cause: The ASIO component (foo_out_asio.fb2k-component) is not installed.

• Solution: Install the ASIO component by dragging the file into the Foobar2000 components list and clicking 'Apply'. Restart Foobar2000.

Issue: SACD option is missing in Tools.

• Cause: The SACD component (foo_input_sacd.fb2k-component) is not installed.

• Solution: Install the SACD component by dragging the file into the Foobar2000 components list and clicking 'Apply'. Restart Foobar2000.

Issue: DSD playback reports an error (e.g., "The process receiving or sending data has terminated").

• Cause: Version conflict between ASIOProxy and SACD components. The correct versions are typically 0.7.X for both.

• Solutions:

• Update the SACD component version.

• If component replacement is locked, reinstall Foobar2000.

• Alternatively, use an older version of ASIOProxyInstall (e.g., 0.6.5.exe).

Product Parameters

After-sales Service

Thank you for choosing Gustard HIFI products. To protect your rights, please read the following warranty terms carefully.

1. Product Warranty Period:

• Gustard warrants its electronic products for 2 years of free repair from the date of purchase, with lifetime maintenance.

• Within 15 days of purchase, a factory exchange service is available (for units without scratches). The first month offers completely free warranty service, with the manufacturer covering round-trip shipping costs.

• For the period of 1 month to 2 years, shipping costs for warranty service are borne by the user and the manufacturer respectively.

• Note: The manufacturer's shipping coverage is limited to mainland China. Overseas shipping costs and taxes are subject to negotiation between the user and the seller.

2. Conditions for Free Warranty Service:

• Gustard electronic products are eligible for free warranty service during the warranty period if faults occur due to component quality or manufacturing defects under normal usage conditions.

3. Situations Not Covered by Warranty:

• a. Products outside their warranty period.

• b. Mismatched product model, serial number, or purchase date compared to the warranty card.

• c. Products modified or repaired by unauthorized Gustard personnel.

• d. Damage caused by irresistible natural forces.

• e. Damage due to exceeding permissible operating environment limits.

• f. Damage from improper use or storage (e.g., voltage surges damaging circuits, impact damage, liquid ingress, excessive dust, oxidation, or corrosion).

4. Services Beyond Warranty Scope:

• For machines outside the warranty period or scope (e.g., individual component failure, human-induced cosmetic damage, unauthorized software modifications), Gustard offers paid repair services, provided major component or circuit board damage has not occurred. Shipping, repair, and material costs will be borne by the user.