GUSTARD DAC-R26 Balanced Decoder R2R+1Bit Dual Native Decoding Music Bridge

[BShaw]

I have a question about the OCK-1. Well a few questions.
1. Is it generally agreed that adding the OCK-1 is a noticeable improvement in SQ?
2. Does this clock operate with both LAN ad coax? I'm a bit confused about the above posts saying it doesn't work with coax, want to use it with my CD transport as well as LAN
3. Is i2s the best way to connect it to the R26?

Thank you,
Bryan

 

[mmwwmm]

I have a question about the OCK-1. Well a few questions.
1. Is it generally agreed that adding the OCK-1 is a noticeable improvement in SQ?
2. Does this clock operate with both LAN ad coax? I'm a bit confused about the above posts saying it doesn't work with coax, want to use it with my CD transport as well as LAN
3. Is i2s the best way to connect it to the R26?

Thank you,
Bryan

This is an answer from Gustard regarding the use of a 10Mhz external clock with the R26 and when its clock signal is used to reference the internal K2 synthesizer and when is not used.


When playing PCM

1. PCM NOS: OFF
The improvement provided by the external clock applies to all R26 inputs.

2. PCM NOS: On
The improvement provided by external clock applies to USB and LAN inputs, IIS AES coaxial optical Bluetooth does not apply.

When playing DSD

1.DSD DIRECT: OFF
The improvement provided by the external clock applies to all R26 inputs.

2.DSD DIRECT: ON
The improvements provided by the external clock apply to USB and LAN inputs, IIS AES coaxial optical Bluetooth does not apply.

 

[Jake2]

This is an answer from Gustard regarding the use of a 10Mhz external clock with the R26 and when its clock signal is used to reference the internal K2 synthesizer and when is not used.


When playing PCM

1. PCM NOS: OFF
The improvement provided by the external clock applies to all R26 inputs.

2. PCM NOS: On
The improvement provided by external clock applies to USB and LAN inputs, IIS AES coaxial optical Bluetooth does not apply.

When playing DSD

1.DSD DIRECT: OFF
The improvement provided by the external clock applies to all R26 inputs.

2.DSD DIRECT: ON
The improvements provided by the external clock apply to USB and LAN inputs, IIS AES coaxial optical Bluetooth does not apply.

Interesting - cheers. I think I'd only read a truncated version of this. and when I've played content via spdif inputs its only been Netflix and Cable TV etc so the smoothing effects of oversampling (NOS off) was better than NOS on, notwithstanding that based on what you say the external clock is in play in NOS.

Edits
- sorry.. I skim read, so it's a response from Gustard - no wonder. Much appreciated.
- need my morning coffee before I post more, Oversampling, Non-oversampling and NOS off/on double negatives always do my head in.
- there's generally a really audible click/interruption when switching from internal to external clock and back, none whatsoever with s/pdif in NOS off mode so I'd assumed it wasn't in play. Will test various scenarios tonight in line with Gustard's response.

 

[BShaw]

This is an answer from Gustard regarding the use of a 10Mhz external clock with the R26 and when its clock signal is used to reference the internal K2 synthesizer and when is not used.


When playing PCM

1. PCM NOS: OFF
The improvement provided by the external clock applies to all R26 inputs.

2. PCM NOS: On
The improvement provided by external clock applies to USB and LAN inputs, IIS AES coaxial optical Bluetooth does not apply.

When playing DSD

1.DSD DIRECT: OFF
The improvement provided by the external clock applies to all R26 inputs.

2.DSD DIRECT: ON
The improvements provided by the external clock apply to USB and LAN inputs, IIS AES coaxial optical Bluetooth does not app

Thank you mm, that makes more sense. Are people using i2s to connect the OCK-1, or AES? It would be great to avoid all the i2s pin issues.....

 

[Palyodgree]

I have a question about the OCK-1. Well a few questions.
1. Is it generally agreed that adding the OCK-1 is a noticeable improvement in SQ?
2. Does this clock operate with both LAN ad coax? I'm a bit confused about the above posts saying it doesn't work with coax, want to use it with my CD transport as well as LAN
3. Is i2s the best way to connect it to the R26?

Thank you,
Bryan

Are you concidering the AfterDark brand clock ? I think I might order one of the models for the fun of it ,..

 

[camrector]

Thank you mm, that makes more sense. Are people using i2s to connect the OCK-1, or AES? It would be great to avoid all the i2s pin issues.....

Isnt it a BNC connection?

 

[Highfive99]

Isnt it a BNC connection?

Yes. It has 2 sine wave and 1 square wave BNC connections.

 

[Jadez]

Has anyone managed to find an app that emulates the R26 as a Chromecast receiver? That would be very handy to stream directly from most streaming services apps

 

[BShaw]

Isnt it a BNC connection?

Yeah duh, my bad.
Palyodgree - no, I"m considering the LHY OCK-1, a fraction of the cost. For less than $400, it's worth a shot.

 

[Jake2]

Are you concidering the AfterDark brand clock ? I think I might order one of the models for the fun of it ,..

See a couple of pages of discussion of LHY OCK-2 vs Afterdark & Cybercraft (with a few R26 refs for good measure) over in the U18 DDC thread here.

 

[Odezra]

The curiosity got the better of me, and i have an LHY OCK-1 on way. Will be interesting to see does it change the R26 performance.

 

[BShaw]

What are people using for the BNC cable between the clock and the R26? Sorry for the simpleton questions, a week ago I couldn't spell BNC, now I have to get one.

 

[Jake2]

What are people using for the BNC cable between the clock and the R26? Sorry for the simpleton questions, a week ago I couldn't spell BNC, now I have to get one.

A 50ohm BNC cable is what you want, generally 1m or less. I have a Gustard C2 cable which is recognised as being good (alas there are differences, the scientific testing community has various grades of higher and higher precision low and internal reflection test cables into the hundreds of dollars btw) but there is a much cheaper but good one mentioned in this and other threads I can't recall right now sorry. Gotta go to a meeting but if I recall it I'll add the name to this post.

 

[Highfive99]

What are people using for the BNC cable between the clock and the R26? Sorry for the simpleton questions, a week ago I couldn't spell BNC, now I have to get one.

I've read a bunch of guys use Belden cables and I'll be looking for one now too. I just ordered a OCK-1 as it specs out just as good as a C18 at 1/4 the price and guys on here that have them are quite happy with them.

If this hasn't already been posted, here's some essential knowledge about square vs sinewave, impedance and cables. Worth the read. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...Swenson_Clock_Considerations.pdf?v=1616799482

 

[BShaw]

I've read a bunch of guys use Belden cables and I'll be looking for one now too. I just ordered a OCK-1 as it specs out just as good a C18 at 1/4 the price and guys on here that have them are quite happy with them.

If this hasn't already been posted, here's some essential knowledge about impedance and cables. Worth the read. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...Swenson_Clock_Considerations.pdf?v=1616799482

I try to build or buy the best cables I can afford, nothing boutique in my system, but all very decent stuff. I understand the importance and impact of every piece of wire and (yes) foil, but honestly have no idea how important this BNC cable is. But over time, every objectivist (it's just 1s and 0s) trope has fallen flat on its face. I'm sadly going to assume the same goes for the BNC