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

[camrector]

Been having a real educational experience reading through these 200+ pages
I have ordered my R26 and eagerly awaiting its arrival.

I'm pleased to hear that many commented that LAN connection feels superior to USB (which would save me from a DDC and I2S cable)
Perhaps this is a silly question, I'm intending on using Audirvana from my mac to the R26 (mac is using wifi for internet)

Can I connect the ethernet directly from my mac to the R26 (bypassing the router)? In that case, does these lan isolators or FMC tweak apply?

You can totally go from MAC to R26 via LAN.
I will say that anyone who streams audio
will benefit from using FBM convertors.
You wouldn’t even need a switch you could go direct from Mac to the 1st Fiber convertor box.

 

[camrector]

Nah. The A26 is still a d/s DAC. The R26 is true R2R which provides a unique flavor to the sound. In my opinion these are not comparable devices. Yes, features can be compared but features only take you so far the true treat of the R26 is what the R2R ladders do to the sound.

I can see a reason to have both the A26 and the R26 but the A26 won’t be a replacement for the R26 in my single opinion.

Completely agree
I want to get one so bad now and compare lol.
The A/B would be super simple. I would just need 2 more FBMs and just plug a LAN into my switch.
One source over 2 DACs!

 

[camrector]

Also I wanted to share with the group something else I’ve found that is a pretty amazing intro to the world of DSP and room correction/headphone correction.
It seriously transformed my entire system and for $4 (there is even a free demo) is a fantastic piece of software for those with Roon, JRiver, or HQ, and an Iphone. Super simple.
PM me and I’ll tell you more about it if you need. because it doesn’t really pertain to the R26 directly. But I’ll post the links.
My system went from this with the green line.
To this with the light blue line.

Ps I have no affiliation. Just a happy customer.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/housecurve/id1470695018


FREE TRIAL
https://housecurve.com/APPCLIP.html

 

[duffer5]

Is there any benefit is using a DDC w/ i2s output to the R26 and the ethernet fiber upgrade for the ethernet feeding my external streamer ( not using the R26 streamer for now so that is not part of the question).

 

[nicks25]

Also I wanted to share with the group something else I’ve found that is a pretty amazing intro to the world of DSP and room correction/headphone correction.
It seriously transformed my entire system and for $4 (there is even a free demo) is a fantastic piece of software for those with Roon, JRiver, or HQ, and an Iphone. Super simple.
PM me and I’ll tell you more about it if you need. because it doesn’t really pertain to the R26 directly. But I’ll post the links.
My system went from this with the green line.
To this with the light blue line.

Ps I have no affiliation. Just a happy customer.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/housecurve/id1470695018


FREE TRIAL
https://housecurve.com/APPCLIP.html

Thanks for the link. Very interesting software. I am going to try this out in my 2 channel room.

 

[Trance_Gott]

When someone want to sell his R26 in black inside EU shot me a PM.

 

[Neslo1108]

You can totally go from MAC to R26 via LAN.
I will say that anyone who streams audio
will benefit from using FBM convertors.
You wouldn’t even need a switch you could go direct from Mac to the 1st Fiber convertor box.

So you have all the music on the Mac or do you stream from Tidal/Qobuz? If you stream you would need a lan connection to the internet...

 

[camrector]

Is there any benefit is using a DDC w/ i2s output to the R26 and the ethernet fiber upgrade for the ethernet feeding my external streamer ( not using the R26 streamer for now so that is not part of the question).

Yes your source will totally benefit.
You are improving the foundation. Any device downstream of that will benefit.

 

[camrector]

So you have all the music on the Mac or do you stream from Tidal/Qobuz? If you stream you would need a lan connection to the internet...

He is using Wifi then the Ethernet as an out to the R26 to stream.

I use a switch. Switch is connected to internet. Computer is connected to switch. 1st Fiber converter is connected to switch. Fiber to 2nd Fiber convertor. R26 connected to 2nd fiber convertor.

 

[Trance_Gott]

Has someone tested R26 vs D90se?

 

[mikeypas]

You can totally go from MAC to R26 via LAN.
I will say that anyone who streams audio
will benefit from using FBM convertors.
You wouldn’t even need a switch you could go direct from Mac to the 1st Fiber convertor box.

Thanks!
So this is my intended setup:
iMac -> ethernet to Gustard R26 -> RCA to Soloist 3XP -> headphones

What do you feel would be the most beneficial
1) adding the galvanic isolator
2) using the Fiber media converter
3) using balanced cables XLR from R26 to Soloist 3xp and balanced cables with the headphones

Thanks

P.S. I did read and re-read the FMC , but still unclear what it looks like in the setup. Can someone please describe for a newbie exactly how to set it up? I would need LPS for each FMC as well?

 

[nicks25]

Thanks!
So this is my intended setup:
iMac -> ethernet to Gustard R26 -> RCA to Soloist 3XP -> headphones

What do you feel would be the most beneficial
1) adding the galvanic isolator
2) using the Fiber media converter
3) using balanced cables XLR from R26 to Soloist 3xp and balanced cables with the headphones

Thanks

P.S. I did read and re-read the FMC , but still unclear what it looks like in the setup. Can someone please describe for a newbie exactly how to set it up? I would need LPS for each FMC as well?

This may help with the FMC setup. You really only need one LPS for the FMC that is connected to the DAC. The other FMC can be powered by the power supply provided. You could also use a single LPS that powers both devices. This is referred to a Dual LPS.

 

[camrector]

Thanks!
So this is my intended setup:
iMac -> ethernet to Gustard R26 -> RCA to Soloist 3XP -> headphones

What do you feel would be the most beneficial
1) adding the galvanic isolator
2) using the Fiber media converter
3) using balanced cables XLR from R26 to Soloist 3xp and balanced cables with the headphones

Thanks

P.S. I did read and re-read the FMC , but still unclear what it looks like in the setup. Can someone please describe for a newbie exactly how to set it up? I would need LPS for each FMC as well?

2 and 3!
You’ll get galvanic isolation from the FBMs.

 

[BShaw]

Thanks!
So this is my intended setup:
iMac -> ethernet to Gustard R26 -> RCA to Soloist 3XP -> headphones

What do you feel would be the most beneficial
1) adding the galvanic isolator
2) using the Fiber media converter
3) using balanced cables XLR from R26 to Soloist 3xp and balanced cables with the headphones

Thanks

P.S. I did read and re-read the FMC , but still unclear what it looks like in the setup. Can someone please describe for a newbie exactly how to set it up? I would need LPS for each FMC as well?

Definitely 2, most likely 3. I don't know the Soloist, could have very good SE inputs but usually balanced wins or is at the very least just a little better. But the FMC is 100% yes in my book.

 

[BShaw]

I really hate to drag out an old horse here again, but I'm totally failing at my attempts to install Gustarender 1v4. It doesn't help that I'm on my Gfs Windows computer in what seems like an ecosystem designed to drive Mother Theresa to murder. I download the Mediabridge file, throw it into Winzip, and it says it's extracting, but at the very end I'm told the file was corrupted. Tried 7 times (she's really happy with the mess I left on her rig), same result. I'm going to post a couple of shots here hoping maybe someone will say "hit that button dummy" and my misery will come to an end.

On a side note, I noticed on the Mediabridge download page that they're saying the file is compatible with Mac via winzip for Mac - anybody tried?

Thanks in advance to anyone who is willing to help!