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GUSTARD

GUSTARD - DAC-X18

Desktop DAC With MQA Decoding
Sale price₹ 69,999 Regular priceMRP: ₹ 74,999
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Color: Black

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DELIVERY

1. What is a Pre-Order product?
A Pre-order product is a product that we especially order for you from the brand. Once you place an order with us, we will order it from the brand for you.

2. How do I know when the product will be delivered?
There is a rough timeline on the product availability and once it has been confirmed with the brand, we will inform you.

3. Do you order the product from the brand as soon as I place the order?
We do not immediately order the product but add it in the upcoming order.

4. Will you be giving me updates?
Once we have ordered the product and have a confirmed timeline, we will give you an update.

5. I’d like to make changes to/cancel my order?
You can only cancel/make changes to your order until we place the order with the brand. Since the product is specifically being ordered for you, we will be unable to cancel/make changes once we order the product from the brand.

Free Shipping
7 Day Replacement Guarantee

In case you receive the GUSTARD - DAC-X18 with a manufacturing defect, please raise a return request within 7 days of delivery.

However, if you receive an incorrect / damaged / different product or one with missing accessories, please raise a return request within 24 hours of delivery. In case you receive a product with a missing, incorrect, or faulty accessory, you will be given a replacement accessory instead of the entire product.

Please make sure that the product is in the original packaging with all the accessories it came with. We'll also need an unboxing video and images of the parcel to investigate about the discrepancy. You may be asked to share images of the product and the packaging received for us to determine the damage or defect prior to approving the return request. The free replacement will be shipped only once the original order is returned.

A replacement will be issued only if:

- It is found to be defective
- It is determined that the product was not damaged while in your possession
- The product is not different from what was shipped to you
- The product is returned in original condition (with brand’s/manufacturer's box, MRP tag intact, user manual, warranty card and all the accessories therein)

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Warranty & Services

Don't sweat it, this GUSTARD - DAC-X18 comes with a 2 Year warranty from GUSTARD that covers manufacturing defects. All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.

Read more about GUSTARD's warranty in India.

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Why GUSTARD is Special

🇨🇳

Designed in China
Young Maverick Brand

New on the scene, but bringing seasoned expertise!


This headphone or gear might come from a fresh, up-and-coming brand, but it boasts the quality and innovation of a well-established name.


If you see a product marked as "🥊 Young Maverick Brand”, it means you're getting cutting-edge technology and top-notch performance from a brand that's already making waves in the industry.
Specialist

A masterpiece from the experts who know audio inside and out!


This headphone or gear is crafted by specialists who know their stuff, ensuring every detail is perfect.


If you see a product marked as “🌟 Specialist”, it means you're choosing a device designed by experts who specialize in creating this specific category of device.

Why we love this DAC/Amp

Premium Economy

Sensible spending and class above in quality. 


This headphone or gear offers top-notch sound and performance without much impact on your pocket, promising a delightful experience that exceeds your expectations at an economical price point.


If you see a product marked as “💎 Premium Economy," it indicates that you're getting a high-quality audio product with exceptional sound clarity and reliable performance, all at a budget-friendly price.

Serious Audiophiles Only

Diving deeper into exploring the hobby is never enough.


If you're an audiophile on a hunt for a device that meets your high standards, this is one such headphone or gear designed for discerning audiophiles like you in mind.


If you see a product marked with “🦈 Serious Audiophiles Only" we assure you that this device can match your depth of knowledge and expertise to take your passion for audio to the next level.
Use Wirelessly with Bluetooth

Enjoy the convenience of seamless wireless connectivity


This headphone or gear indicates that the product supports wireless connectivity via Bluetooth, freeing you from the tangles of cords and cables.


If you see products marked as “✂️ Use Wirelessly with Bluetooth”, enjoy the freedom to stream music, make calls, and more, all without being tethered to your device, giving you the flexibility to move around and multitask with ease.
Connect With Cable

This device comes with multiple connectivity options. Be sure to check if your source and output support these input and output options.
Built like a Tank

No need to worry about durability.


If you're seeking a headphone or gear with a strong, rugged build, this snapshot indicates that this is the one for you.


If you see a product marked with “🪖 Built like a Tank", it means this product is crafted with metal in its design, ensuring exceptional robustness and durability.

Why it Sounds Amazing

DAC Chip

Know the secret to your pristine audio.


This headphone or gear reveals the secret sauce behind superior audio quality, highlighting the presence of a high-performance DAC chip for pristine sound reproduction.


If you see products marked as “⚙️ DAC Chip”, expect to experience your music with unparalleled clarity, detail, and fidelity, ensuring that every note and nuance is faithfully reproduced for your listening pleasure.
Balanced Output

Upgrading from single-ended to balanced can be the easiest way to improve your sound.


This DAC, Amp or Hi-Res player offers a balanced output, ensuring pristine audio quality with minimised interference and enhanced clarity for your listening pleasure.


If you see a product marked as "⚖️ Balanced Output”, get ready for a symphony of crystal-clear tunes, free from any unwanted noise drama!
Sampling Rate And Bit Depth

Ever wonder how those ones and zeros on your computer magically transform into the rich melodies that fill your room?


The secret lies in a tiny device called a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). Think of it as a translator, taking the digital code of your music and meticulously sculpting it back into a smooth, analog wave that your speakers can understand. But just like a sculptor needs the right tools, achieving audio nirvana with a DAC depends on two key factors: sampling rate and bit depth.


Sampling Rate:

Imagine your favourite song as a complex rollercoaster track. The sampling rate refers to how often the DAC takes measurements of this digital track, measured in kHz (kilohertz) or thousands of times per second. A higher sampling rate, like 96 kHz, is like taking a ton of pictures of the track, capturing every twist and turn with incredible detail. Lower rates, like the standard 44.1 kHz used in CDs, are like taking snapshots at a theme park – fun, but you might miss some of the subtler details that make the ride truly exhilarating.


Bit Depth:

Now, think about the sculptor's tools. Bit depth refers to the precision of each measurement the DAC takes. Imagine the number of colours available to the sculptor. With higher bit depth (e.g., 24 bits compared to 16 bits), each measurement can capture a wider range of values. This allows the DAC to recreate subtler variations in the sound wave, resulting in richer and more nuanced audio. It's like having a broader colour palette for building a more detailed and lifelike sculpture of the sound.

GUSTARD INTRODUCES THE NEW HIGH-QUALITY DESKTOP DAC-X18

GUSTARD has released its latest desktop DAC, the GUSTARD DAC-X18. GUSTARD is a brand that has a good reputation in the audio industry for its well-designed and professionally equipped Hifi devices. For the DAC-X18, GUSTARD has featured a flagship-grade ES9038Pro DAC chip paired with a 16-core XMOS XU216 USB signal processor chip along with Bluetooth V5.0 connectivity with LDAC transmission, full MQA decoding, Balanced line-out, and many more features. DAC-X18 provides crisp high-resolution audio signal decoding with 32-Bit/768kHz PCM and native DSD512 decoding. DAC-X18 also houses their self-constructed CPLD logic processor that works together with premium HiFi components for class-leading performance achieving ultra-low THD+N and high SNR ratings. Upgrade your setup with the GUSTARD DAC-X18 today!
X16

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EQUIPPED WITH THE FLAGSHIP-GRADE ESS SABRE CHIP FOR PRISTINE AUDIO

It is a well-known fact that your desktop audio chain benefits from a high-quality DAC system and this is just what the GUSTARD DAC-X18 delivers. At the heart of the GUSTARD DAC-X18 is an audio conversion stage using an ES9038Pro chip from ESS Sabre Technologies. This chip is known for its incredible performance and ability to provide accurate and transparent audio reproduction. The ES9038Pro chip is an eight-channel 32-Bit DAC that offers exceptional performance in decoding high-res audio signals with ultra-low THD+N ratings. With the ES9038Pro DAC chip, the GUSTARD DAC-X18 provides its users with top-quality audio signal decoding so that you can enjoy your music with the utmost clarity.

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Headphone-Zone-GUSTARD-DAC-X18

FEATURES GUSTARD’S CPLD LOGIC ARCHITECTURE FOR EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE

GUSTARD DAC-X18 features the brand's self-constructed CPLD Logic architecture chipset, which incorporates several technologies, including clock management, PLL, DoP decoder and digital filters for precise operation between its internal components. GUSTARD has designed this integrated circuit for the DAC-X18 so that it single-handedly manages logic functions, clock management, 2nd PLL, digital shaping, DoP decoder and many more functions. This ALTERA CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) chipset lays down the foundations for excellent sound quality and enables the DAC-X18 to perform exceptionally without errors or artefacts. This attention to every minutest detail makes the GUSTARD DAC-X18 a perfect addition to your audio chain.

Headphone-Zone-GUSTARD-DAC-X18
Headphone-Zone-GUSTARD-DAC-X18

FULLY BALANCED 16 CHANNEL DESIGN INCORPORATED WITH PREMIUM COMPONENTS

GUSTARD DAC-X18 has a balanced architecture with eight independent I/V converters that are designed to work with each channel of the embedded DAC chip. The I/V stage features a premium OPA1612 chip providing exceptional performance with low distortion and high SNR ratings. To complement the balanced architecture, the team of engineers at GUSTARD incorporated resistors with a tolerance of 0.1% for the sections of the I/V converter for better performance. To further elevate the performance of the DAC-X18, two Accusilicon A5318-B clocks are embedded to ensure perfect synchronisation of the audio signal for low jitter level, promoting clear and pure playback. DAC-X18 also includes toroidal transformers and nichicon capacitors to enhance performance. The inclusion of these premium components enhances the performance of the GUSTARD DAC-X18 ten folds and delivers an immersive audio experience. ​

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EMBEDDED WITH XMOS CHIP AND BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY FOR HI-RES PLAYBACK

The team at GUSTARD have equipped the latest DAC-X18 with the new XU216 16-core USB processor from XMOS Technologies. It enables support for high-resolution PCM and DSD signal decoding over USB connections. DAC-X18 decodes 32-Bit/768kHz PCM and native DSD512 with great precision and clarity, ensuring accurate and neutral sound. The latest DAC-X18 from GUSTARD also supports digital Bluetooth input with the latest Bluetooth V5.0 connectivity, so you can connect your smartphone or any other Bluetooth enabled device to the DAC-X18 using a wireless Bluetooth connection and feed the audio signal to the DAC. With its balanced architecture and a dedicated Bluetooth antenna, DAC-X18 supports all the latest wireless transmission codecs like LDAC (up to 24bit/96kHz), AptX HD, AptX LL, SBC, AAC, ensuring sound quality equal to or better than CD quality.
X16

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Headphone-Zone-GUSTARD-DAC-X18

EXPERTLY DESIGNED WITH AN ARRAY OF CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS AND REMOTE CONTROL

GUSTARD has designed the DAC-X18 with premium components and high-quality materials. The DAC-X18 showcases a solid build and features an OLED screen on the front panel for easy visibility of various parameters of the device. This screen has adjustable brightness and automatic sleep time. These settings can be accessed and changed via the included Remote controller, reducing the need to reach out to your device again and again. The remote controller offers full functionality and can access any function on the DAC-X18. For the input stage, the DAC-X18 comes with IIS-H, AES, Optical, Coaxial and USB ports to easily connect your devices. The output stage DAC-X18 features XLR (Balanced) and RCA (Unbalanced) ports to send your audio out. To power the device DAC-X18 comes equipped with an independent power supply with a voltage switching switch (220 &110 V) to ensure it works around the world flawlessly.

Headphone-Zone-GUSTARD-DAC-X18
Headphone-Zone-GUSTARD-DAC-X18

COMPLETE MQA DECODING ALONG WITH MULTIPLE DIGITAL FILTERS FOR ACCURATE SOUND

GUSTARD DAC-X18 has received the required certification to decode MQA files. MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is the latest technology where high-resolution data is stored in small audio files. GUSTARD DAC-X18 brings support for MQA decoding, where after capturing the audio file, MQA folds the file to make it small enough to stream. This process is called ‘Music Origami’ and will playback audio on any device to deliver higher than CD-Quality. DAC-X18 also incorporates multiple digital filters and NOS (Non OverSampling) to reduce any artefacts in the audio signal. For PCM you get M-Fast, M-Slow, L-Fast, L-Slow, H-Fast, APO-Fast and BRICK filters and for DSD you get 47K, 50K, 60K and 70K filters. The inclusion of these elevates the quality of the audio exponentially for you to submerge in your music.
X18

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2 Year Warranty

Don't sweat it, this GUSTARD - DAC-X18 comes with a 2 Year warranty from GUSTARD that covers manufacturing defects. All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.

Read more about GUSTARD's warranty in India.

Affordable Excellence in Audio: The Shenzhen Revelation

Headquartered in one of China's leading tech hubs – the city of Shenzhen – GUSTARD is a company with research and development at its core. Its goal is to provide music fans with high-performance audio products at affordable prices.

GUSTARD is one of those names that has had a strong pull in the audiophile world and are known for their desktop audio solutions, with a particular focus on headphones. Their line-up of products primarily includes headphone amplifiers, DACs, clocks, and recently integrated streaming devices.Gustard is one of the most secretive and mysterious audio equipment manufacturers out there. But GUSTARD sure knows what they are doing when it comes to digital audio. They are known for utilising high-quality components like toroidal transformers, embedding dual DAC chips in a dual-mono configuration and equipping a fully discrete class-A output stage in their gear.

Explore Collection
Audio Science Review

"Another instrument grade, exceptionally well engineered audio product in the form of X18. It is clear a ton of effort has gone into providing full transparency to input signal."

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Customer Reviews

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