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

[565321]

I ran maximum resolution (not DSD) and no problem at all. Strip off all your gadgets and use CAT5-6 in a barebone config and try again. If it works then, start inserting one gadget at a time and notice when the stutter starts. Omit that gadget. You will survive.

 

[iovlui]

Hi guys the OCK-1 is really a good choice for R26? Is there a real and obvious benefit over the internal clock?

 

[Odezra]

Hi guys the OCK-1 is really a good choice for R26? Is there a real and obvious benefit over the internal clock?

Lots of discussion on Ock-1 earlier in thread. Some have tried and subjectively prefer, others are skeptical it should make an objective improvement. Some articles with measurements state an external clock can sometimes make signal worse.

I have one arriving tomorrow as an experiment.

 

[Fluty]

I ran maximum resolution (not DSD) and no problem at all. Strip off all your gadgets and use CAT5-6 in a barebone config and try again. If it works then, start inserting one gadget at a time and notice when the stutter starts. Omit that gadget. You will survive.

I have another streamer which works perfectly, so I use this via usb through the R26. I think the R26 is absolutely tremendous as a DAC, but I give up on the streamer function - as have many others in this forum. I wish someone would run this TIDAL file (please, I've asked before!)and tell that its flawless! I've tried another version of the same piece, also from TIDAL, which breaks up at exactly the same point just moments from the beginning, every time..... "SIBELIUS Symphonies - Klaus Makela, Oslo Philharmonic". This file plays flawlessly every time via my iFi Zen streamer. I previously commented that I believed the stuttering was caused by a lack of, or inadequate, buffering, but following someone's suggestion here I pulled out the LAN cable to see how long it would run on it's internal memory (buffering). To my absolute amazement it played all the way to the end of the track - a full 7 minutes - without a LAN connection. Clearly the R26 has a decent size buffer, so what is causing the problem? I've asked Gustard, but they don't seem to have an answer even though acknowledging that some have this problem. Someone here recently commented that they had the same issue with Gustard's X26.

 

[Ichos]

My experience with the streamer is inline with @Fluty .

 

[Odezra]

I have another streamer which works perfectly, so I use this via usb through the R26. I think the R26 is absolutely tremendous as a DAC, but I give up on the streamer function - as have many others in this forum. I wish someone would run this TIDAL file (please, I've asked before!)and tell that its flawless! I've tried another version of the same piece, also from TIDAL, which breaks up at exactly the same point just moments from the beginning, every time..... "SIBELIUS Symphonies - Klaus Makela, Oslo Philharmonic". This file plays without flaw via my iFi Zen streamer.

Just tried - these play fine for me.

Still - it’s clear a few people have had issues. Speak to the retailer or manufacturer would be my view as it’s not expected behaviour. My guess is it’s firmware as I am on latest streamer version but can’t be sure

 

[camrector]

I have another streamer which works perfectly, so I use this via usb through the R26. I think the R26 is absolutely tremendous as a DAC, but I give up on the streamer function - as have many others in this forum. I wish someone would run this TIDAL file (please, I've asked before!)and tell that its flawless! I've tried another version of the same piece, also from TIDAL, which breaks up at exactly the same point just moments from the beginning, every time..... "SIBELIUS Symphonies - Klaus Makela, Oslo Philharmonic". This file plays flawlessly every time via my iFi Zen streamer. I previously commented that I believed the stuttering was caused by a lack of, or inadequate, buffering, but following someone's suggestion here I pulled out the LAN cable to see how long it would run on it's internal memory (buffering). To my absolute amazement it played all the way to the end of the track - a full 7 minutes - without a LAN connection. Clearly the R26 has a decent size buffer, so what is causing the problem? I've asked Gustard, but they don't seem to have an answer even though acknowledging that some have this problem.

Well if you are using Tidal your problems are most likely from that MQA garbage.

 

[565321]

I have another streamer which works perfectly, so I use this via usb through the R26.

So if you are not interested in using the streamer/renderer in the R26 you don't need do anything as you have no interest in making the R26 streamer work.

 

[iovlui]

Lots of discussion on Ock-1 earlier in thread. Some have tried and subjectively prefer, others are skeptical it should make an objective improvement. Some articles with measurements state an external clock can sometimes make signal worse.

I have one arriving tomorrow as an experiment.

Well I await your test and opinions. Thanks

 

[Alenotta]

I need some help with this firmware update.

Went back and found the windows exe files posted here.

Downloaded Windows 10 to one of my Macs via bootcamp.

Ran the driver installation.

Ran the firmware updater with the R26 turned off on the front and back switches, BUT plugged into the power.

Waited for the USB-SERIAL CH341 to come up, but it never did... Tried pretty much every combination of things to make that show up but nothing. That is not listed in the COM port drop down options. I have no clue which port to try...

 

[rodthebod]

I need some help with this firmware update.

Went back and found the windows exe files posted here.

Downloaded Windows 10 to one of my Macs via bootcamp.

Ran the driver installation.

Ran the firmware updater with the R26 turned off on the front and back switches, BUT plugged into the power.

Waited for the USB-SERIAL CH341 to come up, but it never did... Tried pretty much every combination of things to make that show up but nothing. That is not listed in the COM port drop down options. I have no clue which port to try...

Alenotta
I posted way back about doing exactly this, copied below, I used UTM to run a virtual machine on my M1 MacBook as the newest Macs can't run Intel software, so no bootcamp anymore.... bummer. Look at the last points listed. Hope it helps.

Finally managed to get the latest 27th October 2022 firmware to update on the R26 using my MacBook M1 this is the actual DAC firmware (2022-10-27) not the renderer firmware (v1v3) for the streamer section of the DAC. The two are updated separately. I had to remove the 32GB Sdcard inside the R26 to get my Gustarender 1v21 then 1v3 firmware to update using my MacBook and Belena Etcher flashing software. (see earlier post #229)

I used UTM free virtual OS Mac software, I used old school Win XP 650mb only (only took minutes to load up after following a few YT tutorials). You must install the spice tools which is all available on the UTM site to get XP to work smoothly with the Mac. Most impressed with UTM as it seems to work really well on my Mac M1 if you need Winblows for stuff - i.e firmware updates! File name is: Gustard_R26_CT_221023_via_type-C.exe. Yes it updates to 27th Oct not 23rd! Just tried Win10 too, works well.

A few things that flummoxed me but eventually were sussed out:

1. You must leave the R26 off but plugged into the mains (rocker switch at rear to off), the power led will be a solid white ring as if it is on, but the blue display is blank.
2. The gobbledygook of machine code that's part of the install program instruction text and a few of the buttons is confusing, but ignore that, and the UART USB serial port CH341 is discovered by selecting it manually using the USB button bar section of UTM (top left). You have to make sure the com port that the USB cable connected to the R26 is using is selected before continuing, USB-SERIAL CH341A or similar, all other ports COM1-255 will not work.
3. In the firmware install window select the top left button marked 3. CLICK HERE to start the update, one line of machine code appears in the window, and then......
4. You must switch the R26 on from the rear rocker switch to get the firmware to actually continue to run. A progress bar runs at the bottom of the window.
5. Once the progress bar has shown complete the R26 can be checked by rebooting and holding the centre select circular button inside the ring on the right. After the R26 label shows in the display the firmware date is then shown '2022-10-27'.

(I did run the install 64bit serial driver manually before trying the update, from a zipped up file 'ch341ser driver' as part of the update package, not sure if this is necessary but it installed anyway)

Hope this helps some guys with no Winblows machine

 

[Alenotta]

Alenotta
I posted way back about doing exactly this, copied below, I used UTM to run a virtual machine on my M1 MacBook as the newest Macs can't run Intel software, so no bootcamp anymore.... bummer. Look at the last points listed. Hope it helps.

Finally managed to get the latest 27th October 2022 firmware to update on the R26 using my MacBook M1 this is the actual DAC firmware (2022-10-27) not the renderer firmware (v1v3) for the streamer section of the DAC. The two are updated separately. I had to remove the 32GB Sdcard inside the R26 to get my Gustarender 1v21 then 1v3 firmware to update using my MacBook and Belena Etcher flashing software. (see earlier post #229)

I used UTM free virtual OS Mac software, I used old school Win XP 650mb only (only took minutes to load up after following a few YT tutorials). You must install the spice tools which is all available on the UTM site to get XP to work smoothly with the Mac. Most impressed with UTM as it seems to work really well on my Mac M1 if you need Winblows for stuff - i.e firmware updates! File name is: Gustard_R26_CT_221023_via_type-C.exe. Yes it updates to 27th Oct not 23rd! Just tried Win10 too, works well.

A few things that flummoxed me but eventually were sussed out:

1. You must leave the R26 off but plugged into the mains (rocker switch at rear to off), the power led will be a solid white ring as if it is on, but the blue display is blank.
2. The gobbledygook of machine code that's part of the install program instruction text and a few of the buttons is confusing, but ignore that, and the UART USB serial port CH341 is discovered by selecting it manually using the USB button bar section of UTM (top left). You have to make sure the com port that the USB cable connected to the R26 is using is selected before continuing, USB-SERIAL CH341A or similar, all other ports COM1-255 will not work.
3. In the firmware install window select the top left button marked 3. CLICK HERE to start the update, one line of machine code appears in the window, and then......
4. You must switch the R26 on from the rear rocker switch to get the firmware to actually continue to run. A progress bar runs at the bottom of the window.
5. Once the progress bar has shown complete the R26 can be checked by rebooting and holding the centre select circular button inside the ring on the right. After the R26 label shows in the display the firmware date is then shown '2022-10-27'.

(I did run the install 64bit serial driver manually before trying the update, from a zipped up file 'ch341ser driver' as part of the update package, not sure if this is necessary but it installed anyway)

Hope this helps some guys with no Winblows machine

Yeah I actually was using this guide haha. I happened to have an extra intel Mac which is why I ended up buying Windows 10 to do this. So, the problem for me is that I get to step 2 and the port doesn't show up. It just gives me COM options 1-255. The driver says it installs successfully, but maybe it isn't? I was trying to look at device manager to see if I could understand what COM it should be, but my windows knowledge is limited these days.

 

[Palyodgree]

I don't think it's any great surprise that the R26 is bested by a $4200-$5800 DAC that's already a class leader, if I had that kind of money I would probably have bought a KTE myself. They sure are pretty!

Sure it’s no surprise however when you have several front ends available why not directly compare , you can more easily find said components performance ceiling generally what’s missing. A more appropriate dac on hand is the Musician Aquarius the owner told me he bought it for $2400 new current price is $2800-$3200 however these retail prices are meaningless to me , what ever the market will bare slap a price on it ,.what I heard I find the Aquarius dynamic flat sounding and dull directly compared to the r26 , it was obviously so much better top to bottom with heft .

edit *I am familiar with the May KTE i was an early adopter when it hit the market and owned it for almost a year , I have become very familiar with the sound of the R26 I’ll revisit comparisons again possibly other dacs in the under 4k category from a friendly dealer . I have a Dark Night clock coming I’ll try with the Gustard , who knows what may happen , could be a dud however there is no better substitute then actually trying things out .

 

[rodthebod]

Yeah I actually was using this guide haha. I happened to have an extra intel Mac which is why I ended up buying Windows 10 to do this. So, the problem for me is that I get to step 2 and the port doesn't show up. It just gives me COM options 1-255. The driver says it installs successfully, but maybe it isn't? I was trying to look at device manager to see if I could understand what COM it should be, but my windows knowledge is limited these days.

I had this problem too, know the feeling when delving into Windows again, I was stumped by the CH341A not showing up on the top button bar list. It was by leaving the R26 off with the mains rocker switch off then turning it back on seemed to make the CH341A appear. Try unplugging the USB then replacing to force Windows to look again.

 

[Alenotta]

I had this problem too, know the feeling when delving into Windows again, I was stumped by the CH341A not showing up on the top button bar list. It was by leaving the R26 off with the mains rocker switch off then turning it back on seemed to make the CH341A appear. Try unplugging the USB then replacing to force Windows to look again.

I had tried unplugging and different cables. I'll try more. Do you mean you opened the installer with the R26 off / then turned it back on on the front and back and you saw it come up?