Gustard A-18 MQA Launched
Earlier this year, Gustard launched its premium A-18 fully balanced desktop DAC with flagship AK4499 DAC chip from Japanese manufacturer AKM. The DAC has grabbed a lot of praise from audiophiles for its brilliant performance with a premium chipset at an attractive price.
Today Gustard has launched the updated A-18 DAC with MQA support. Yes, you heard it right your favorite premium DAC now comes with native MQA support. This new A-18 aims to deliver the same excellent performance with MQA decoding and rendering. The MQA A-18 is priced at 589$, you can check more details here.
Meet the all-new Gustard A-18 MQA
The A-18 is one of the few DACs around its price segment that utilizes the flagship AK4499 DAC chip and implement it properly. This state of the art 4-channel chip utilizes a current-output architecture in contrast to the previous generations of voltage output chips, allowing for first-time industry-leading levels of extremely low noise and distortion. It features the latest XMOS USB audio controller XU208 providing decoding of PCM up to 32-Bit/768kHz and DSD up to DSD512 natively. The latest A-18 MQA features four LME49860 dual OPAMPs in the IV conversion circuit. The Low-pass filter utilizes two LME49860 dual OPAMPs ensuring the best possible sound experience for its user.
Full MQA Support
MQA is the leading technology that provides high-quality music enjoyment with lower sized files. In this technology high-res data is folded in the files, even though other devices can also play these files. But MQA authorized devices can fully unfold the MQA files to provide the best sound quality experience. Gustard A-18 MQA version supports full MQA unfolding and rendering ensuring users get the best experience with the device.
Flagship AKM DAC Chip
Gustard A-18 is equipped with the latest flagship D/A Converter chip from Japanese brand AKM, the AK4499. It is mostly featured with high-end audio products providing the signature Velvet Sound Technology from AKM. The chip is paired with latest-gen XMOS XU208 USB audio signal receiver. It can decode PCM up to 32-Bit/768kHz and DSD up to DSD512 natively.
Premium Chipset Configuration
The premium performance of the Gustard A-18 is not only dependent on the flagship DAC and USB chips, the entire chipset circuitry is equipped with premium components including TPSA33 and TPS7S47 ultra-low noise linear regulators, 2 independent ultra-low jitters high accuracy Accusilicon AS318-B femtosecond crystal clocks, high-quality audio grade Nichion capacitors, and many more.
Strong Bluetooth Connection
Gustard A-18 features the latest Bluetooth V5.0 connectivity with LDAC, AptX HD, AptX LL, SBC, AAC, and more hi-res codec support. Qualcomm’s CSR8675 is the Bluetooth signal chip that provides a strong and stable Bluetooth connection with ultra-low latency and jitter.
Price & Availability
Gustard A-18 MQA version is priced at 589$ and is available to order from Hifigo store here. Shipments will begin shortly.
Shipping Policy
** Express shipping with 3-5days arrival to the destination country ($500 and above orders get free express shipping), we could undervalue the shipping invoice for you in order that you could pay less tax or duty
** Priority shipping to EU most countries/ US / CA/JP /AU with all tax and duty paid. Arrival in 1-2 weeks.($100 order free shipping).
Did this article help you? If so, please tell me in a comment what do you think about it.
Don’t miss any of our future video tutorials, follow us on Youtube. Like us on Facebook. Watch our photo albums on Flickr. Subscribe now to our newsletter.
