GUSTARD - DAC-X18

Desktop DAC With MQA Decoding

Sale price₹ 69,999 Regular priceMRP: ₹ 74,999
Discontinued
Color: Black
This product is permanently discontinued by the manufacturer and continues to live on in Headphone Zone's Museum.

Unfortunately, even if we desire to, we won't be able to resurrect this product. The Museum is where we pay our respects to end-of-life, old, archived, but not forgotten products. This page was made with a lot of love and will live on for posterity. What to say, we're sentimental people. 😔

While this product is gone forever, here are others we recommend

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Why GUSTARD is Special

🇨🇳

Designed in China

Young Maverick Brand

New on the scene, but bringing seasoned expertise 🌟!


I get excited about young maverick brands because they often bring fresh perspectives and cutting-edge innovation that challenge established players. These companies combine youthful energy with serious technical expertise, often demonstrating remarkable attention to detail and commitment to pushing boundaries. Think of them like startup tech companies - they might be newer, but they're hungry to prove themselves and often deliver incredible value.


Drawing on deep industry expertise and passion for audio excellence, these brands often demonstrate remarkable attention to detail and commitment to technological advancement. They frequently deliver cutting-edge technology and performance that rivals established competitors 🚀.


When you see "🥊 Young Maverick Brand" products, expect innovative excellence from companies that combine fresh energy with serious technical expertise to deliver impressive results.

Specialist

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


I tend to describe specialist manufacturers as "audio artisans" who focus exclusively on perfecting specific categories of equipment. These products are meticulously crafted by dedicated experts who possess deep knowledge of sound reproduction, ensuring every technical aspect is refined to perfection. Think of them like master craftsmen who spend their entire careers perfecting one specific skill - their focused expertise shows in every detail.


These dedicated experts bring years of specialised knowledge to the design process, resulting in products that consistently achieve exceptional performance standards through focused engineering excellence 🎯.


When you see "🌟 Specialist" products, expect focused expertise from manufacturers who dedicate their entire efforts to perfecting specific audio equipment categories.

Why we love this DAC/Amp

Premium Economy

Sensible spending meets sophisticated quality in perfect harmony 💫.


I tend to describe premium economy products as finding that sweet spot where exceptional value meets refined performance. Think of it like business class comfort at economy prices - you're getting significantly more than what you paid for. These headphones deliver a refined listening experience that rivals more expensive alternatives, making them an intelligent choice for discerning listeners who appreciate both value and excellence.


This thoughtfully curated selection demonstrates our commitment to bringing you outstanding sound quality and robust construction without requiring a significant financial investment. Each product has been meticulously evaluated to ensure it delivers performance characteristics typically associated with higher price brackets.


When you see "💎 Premium Economy" products, expect refined audio experiences that bridge the gap between entry-level and high-end offerings, delivering impressive clarity and features at accessible price points.


Serious Audiophiles Only

For those who have ventured deep into high-fidelity audio 🎯, the pursuit of sonic excellence becomes an endless journey of discovery and refinement. I believe that serious audiophiles demand equipment that can satisfy the most exacting standards and deliver performance that pushes boundaries. These products represent the pinnacle of acoustic engineering, incorporating advanced technologies and meticulous craftsmanship that enable them to reproduce music with utmost fidelity.


Each product has undergone rigorous evaluation to ensure it delivers exceptional performance that discerning listeners demand, from precise frequency response to impeccable detail retrieval and sophisticated sound staging. These devices incorporate premium components and engineering excellence that justify their position at the apex of audio performance.


When you encounter "🦈 Serious Audiophiles Only" products, expect uncompromising performance that satisfies the most demanding requirements and elevates critical listening to new heights.

Use Wirelessly with Bluetooth

I tend to describe Bluetooth audio as wireless freedom with fewer strings attached — literally. When you see Use Wirelessly with Bluetooth, it means you can pair your headphones or IEMs with phones, laptops, or even TVs — all without reaching for a cable 🎶. It’s convenient, clutter-free, and great for everyday listening.


What’s happening behind the scenes is your gear is using Bluetooth codecs like SBC, AAC, LDAC, or aptX to compress and transmit your music wirelessly. Better codecs mean higher quality and lower latency. Of course, there’s a trade-off — Bluetooth won’t match the quality of wired gear, but today’s advancements have made the gap much smaller than before.


When you see '✂️ Use Wirelessly with Bluetooth' products, expect: tangle-free convenience and solid sound quality — great for commuting, workouts, or casual listening.


Connect With Cable

In my experience, there’s still nothing like the dependability of a wired connection when it comes to audio 🎧. I love describing it as the direct flight of music — no delays, no turbulence. When a product says “Connect with Cable,” it means you’re getting the most reliable signal path, with zero wireless compression and minimal interference.


Here’s what’s actually happening: a physical cable transmits uncompressed analog or digital signals directly from your source to your gear. This results in lower latency, no signal drops, and consistently better sound — especially when paired with a good DAC or amp. It’s ideal for critical listening, gaming, and professional use. The trade-off? You’re tethered — but for a lot of audiophiles, that’s a small price to pay for sonic purity.


When you see '🔗 Connect With Cable' products, expect: pure, uninterrupted sound quality that lets your gear perform at its full potential — perfect for focused, high-fidelity listening.

Built like a Tank

Durability concerns? Rest assured 💪.


I tend to describe these products as audio equipment that's built to survive anything you can throw at them. These headphones incorporate high-grade metal components and reinforced design elements that ensure they can handle demanding conditions while maintaining structural integrity. Think of them as the military-grade vehicles of the audio world - over-engineered for reliability and built to last decades, not just years.


The metal construction provides exceptional strength and longevity while contributing to a premium feel that serious audio enthusiasts appreciate. Whether you're a professional who needs reliable daily-use equipment or someone who values long-term investment in audio gear 🏗️.


When you encounter "🪖 Built like a Tank" products, expect unmatched robustness and durability you can count on for years of intensive use.


Why it Sounds Amazing

DAC Chip

I like to say the DAC chip is the heart of any audio device — it’s the part that actually transforms digital files into music you can hear 🎧. Think of it like a chef decoding a recipe to create a delicious meal. The better the DAC chip, the more faithfully it translates your music. And in my experience, a great DAC can completely change how your headphones sound.


Now, here’s what’s actually happening: a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) takes digital signals (your MP3s, FLACs, or streams) and converts them into an analog waveform your ears can enjoy. Different DAC chips — like those from ESS, AKM, or Cirrus Logic — offer their own sound signatures, levels of clarity, and noise performance. A good DAC ensures accurate timing, minimal distortion, and exceptional resolution.


When you see '⚙️ DAC Chip' products, expect: clean, detailed audio and better synergy with high-quality headphones — perfect for anyone upgrading from average sound to audiophile quality.

Balanced Output

I often say balanced output is like using both hands to carry something heavy — it distributes power evenly and keeps things stable. In audio gear, balanced output helps reduce unwanted noise and interference, especially over longer cables. Think of it as a cleaner, more efficient way to transmit your music, ideal for anyone using high-end DACs, amps, or studio-grade headphones 🎧. You’ll typically find it on gear with XLR or 4.4mm connectors, and it's a must-have if you’re chasing that ultra-clean signal path.


Here’s what’s actually happening: a balanced output uses two separate signals, one inverted, so when interference is picked up along the cable, it gets cancelled out when the signals are recombined. The result? Cleaner audio, better dynamic range, and more power output — especially when paired with balanced headphones. The trade-off? You’ll need gear that supports balanced connections on both ends to really enjoy the benefits.


When you see '⚖️ Balanced Output' products, expect: ultra-low noise, more headroom, and better synergy with high-impedance headphones or sensitive IEMs — ideal for serious listening setups.

Decodes Upto

When I see "Decodes up to" listed in product specs, I think of it like a music translator that speaks more languages than you’ll ever need. It tells you how far a DAC or audio device can go in handling hi-res formats—think PCM, DSD, or MQA—and at what resolution. 🧠🎶


Technically, this refers to the maximum bit depth and sample rate a DAC can process—like 32-bit/768kHz PCM or DSD512. The higher these numbers, the more detailed and lifelike the audio can potentially sound. But remember, real-world improvements depend on the recording quality and your headphones, not just specs alone.

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.

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

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.

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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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