Gustardx26 pro vs RME ADI2FS

@jjss49    +1

Hey all and especially @jjss49, I owe you an apology for acting like a jerk in my previous posts. I should’ve written my original reply to the OP more clearly. I can certainly see how I caused confusion given how it was worded.

@bruce and @jjss49
I can appreciate systems that strive for ultimate fidelity to the recording or that ’embellish’ the sound in an attempt to recreate a lost moment in time. I have two examples in my home - one based around the Benchmark AHB2 and the other driven by Bottlehead 2A3 Paramours that I assembled from a kit. I listen to and highly enjoy both.

I also agree that people can end up chasing their own tails sometimes when trying out different components in search of ’perfect’ sound. These days, I tend to look at and analyze measurements a lot more than I used to. I also like to try out sound tests such as those on Audiocheck.net to test my perception of different aspects that affect audio reproduction. I think it gives me a way to focus on what really matters so that the changes I make in the future are more deliberate instead of getting carried away by the flavor of the month. In other words, I don't want to get off the audiophile treadmill, but I do want to slow it down.

An RME uses an off-board power supply. You can use a cheap wallwart or upgrade to something better. I run my RME off a 12v Li battery, which is orders of magnitude better than any power on the planet. It made a dramatic difference in sound.

Whether it sound better than the custard I don’t know, but it sounds a lot better than it did with a wallwart. 

Also DIY audio’s desription of the F6:

"The transformer greatly contributes to the overall sonic character of the amp which is very highly regarded and considered to be similar and having all the benefits and positive characteristics of a tube amp... making some observers speculate that much of the positive ’tube amp’ sound is the transformers, not the tubes"

https://diyaudiostore.com/products/f6-board-transformer-kit

The article is referring to output transformers, not power transformers. Huge difference.

Neither the Gustard nor the RME will sound like a tube unit. Neither has tubes, neither has output transformers.

Whether it sound better than the custard I don’t know, but it sounds a lot better than it did with a wallwart.

i dunno if it will sound as good as a gustard but i am sure it won't taste as good as a custard!... especially a frozen custard!!!  

sorry i just couldn't resist  :)