[peterinvan]

So far they haven't done pro version of their R2R version to my knowledge

I am enjoying my new HiFiMAN EF400 R2R DAC/amp. It does not have any "dark" attributes at all. Amazing detail.

It is designed for the HiFiMAN "hard-to-drive" headphones.
My phones are more sensitive, so I have ordered an ieMatch4.4 to deal with the excessive gain.

My intro to R2R was the Cayin RU6.
To my older ears these R2R DACs sound is just right (as Goldilocks would say).

 

[zoidbb]

I am enjoying my new HiFiMAN EF400 R2R DAC/amp. It does not have any "dark" attributes at all. Amazing detail.

It is designed for the HiFiMAN "hard-to-drive" headphones.
My phones are more sensitive, so I have ordered an ieMatch4.4 to deal with the excessive gain.

My intro to R2R was the Cayin RU6.
To my older ears these R2R sound is just right (as Goldilocks would say).

EF400 will end up disappointing you, especially if you try it with an external amp, sadly. It's.... very limited.

 

[galaxysound25]

Soundnews just released a review of the A26

Thanks for sharing. So as per the Soundnews review, out of R26, X26 Pro, A26 -> A26 is most closer to the DAVE. Will go with that but other members' views are awaited...

 

[spw1880]

Thanks for sharing. So as per the Soundnews review, out of R26, X26 Pro, A26 -> A26 is most closer to the DAVE. Will go with that but other members' views are awaited...

Read the review. Very insightful. And also the different character of r2r and DS is well articulated.

 

[peterinvan]

EF400 will end up disappointing you, especially if you try it with an external amp, sadly. It's.... very limited.

What was your experience that led you to this conclusion?

 

[bluenight]

Are these Gustard R26 and A26 an noticeably improvement over qutest/Hugo2 dac in your opinion?

 

[zoidbb]

What was your experience that led you to this conclusion?

The EF400 has a number of serious flaws, mostly audible as artifacts in the mids and treble. Rings like crazy too, even in NOS (this is typical of cheap R2R implementations). Measures like crap too: https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/hifiman-ef400/

 

[kmustangt88]

Ok fellas…. Im returning my A26….at first I was very impressed… seemed impossible that this 1500$ dac was this good, i still think its worth 1500, but not over 2k….. i just found it to be fatiguing compared with my other dacs

 

[galaxysound25]

Ok fellas…. Im returning my A26….at first I was very impressed… seemed impossible that this 1500$ dac was this good, i still think its worth 1500, but not over 2k….. i just found it to be fatiguing compared with my other dacs

Oh, that's sad. Do you have experience with R26 DAC compare to this...

 

[HFFan]

Ok fellas…. Im returning my A26….at first I was very impressed… seemed impossible that this 1500$ dac was this good, i still think its worth 1500, but not over 2k….. i just found it to be fatiguing compared with my other dacs

Just curious where did you order from? Do they allow returns?

 

[Odezra]

Ok fellas…. Im returning my A26….at first I was very impressed… seemed impossible that this 1500$ dac was this good, i still think its worth 1500, but not over 2k….. i just found it to be fatiguing compared with my other dacs

I have the r26 not the a26 but what input are you on? The R26 via ddC or lan direct is v v good. I personally am using some fmc on Lpsu to deliver a good isolated signal to the lan input of the r26 and it’s great. It’s possible with some good management of your upstream source you may be able to tame the fatigue (if it’s connected with noise / jitter on your line).

 

[zoidbb]

Ok fellas…. Im returning my A26….at first I was very impressed… seemed impossible that this 1500$ dac was this good, i still think its worth 1500, but not over 2k….. i just found it to be fatiguing compared with my other dacs

Make sure you try different filter options before you move on. The default one is terrible. I use low-dispersion.

 

[milkdudd]

Ok fellas…. Im returning my A26….at first I was very impressed… seemed impossible that this 1500$ dac was this good, i still think its worth 1500, but not over 2k….. i just found it to be fatiguing compared with my other dacs

Obviously you know what you like and have experience with other terrific dacs. I am curious however did you leave it powered on the whole time you had it? I have some components that take a week or more to really hit full stride. If it were me I would keep using it through the duration of the return window and return it towards the end of it after more time is on it. But that's just me, there's no right or wrong philosophy on that

 

[milkdudd]

Make sure you try different filter options before you move on. The default one is terrible. I use low-dispersion.

Absolutely, I forgot to mention that. Although I think I did earlier on this thread. Absolute game changer with the A22. Night and day for me. It's called LOW-d Shot on the display of the A22 but I'm convinced it's the same thing

 

[zoidbb]

Absolutely, I forgot to mention that. Although I think I did earlier on this thread. Absolute game changer with the A22. Night and day for me. It's called LOW-d Shot on the display of the A22 but I'm convinced it's the same thing

Pretty sure its the same filter, since the A22 uses AK4499EQ and the A26 uses AK4499EX. With EX the digital stage of the EQ model was moved into a new independent chip called AK4191EQ, which handles the filtering and d/s modulation before sending it along to the analog stage chip named AK4499EX.