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

[Forgisound]

Guys, I am contemplating getting the Topping P50 LPS to power the two FMC boxes that I ordered. Do you think I can use the 15v DC output on the P50 to power my Netgear switch that is rated at 12v 0.5A or would that just fry it. Would there be any benefit to having the switch on a LPS provided that the FMC setup would be cleaning the signal going to the R26?

I used Netgear with its SMPS as well as LPS. With LPS the sound is better.

However, I bought the LHY SW-5, and it is much better than the Netgear. It's a much bigger difference than when I put LPS on the Netgear.

I dare say that there is no point in streaming through the vulgaris switch, because it does a lot of damage. Our devices are mostly lower middle class. But when owners of 10x more expensive streamers and DACs stream via the vulgaris switch, it's just a real shame.

 

[migo]

Guys, I am contemplating getting the Topping P50 LPS to power the two FMC boxes that I ordered. Do you think I can use the 15v DC output on the P50 to power my Netgear switch that is rated at 12v 0.5A or would that just fry it. Would there be any benefit to having the switch on a LPS provided that the FMC setup would be cleaning the signal going to the R26?

It will destroy your switch most probably You need to match input voltage on devices with its specifications.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

Overheat...But don't know the design if its is just manufacturer recommended specs.

 

[jarvincassidy]

Did some additional testing between USB to U18 vs USB to R26 w/OCK-1 master clock. The direct USB connection to the R26 with OCK-1 master clock isn't bad at all, quite good actually. But, I still prefer U18 with a high-end AES/EBU cable i.e. twenty year old Transparent Reference AES/EBU still sounds better than DH Labs I2S cable. I'd suggest skipping the OCK-1 all together and just use the U18 which has a high-end clock. Each note seems thicker, fatter, more palpable using the U18. I keep trying the LAN connection every which way - it's good, not bad; but the U18 is better - at least in my system.

I agree with you assesment. I hear lots of comments about how a direct LAN connection is better than the rest, but i find having the U18 in the chain ends up giving more clarity without costing much in terms of having a coherent presentation.

 

[kumar402]

Guys, I am contemplating getting the Topping P50 LPS to power the two FMC boxes that I ordered. Do you think I can use the 15v DC output on the P50 to power my Netgear switch that is rated at 12v 0.5A or would that just fry it. Would there be any benefit to having the switch on a LPS provided that the FMC setup would be cleaning the signal going to the R26?

Most of the router will use internal DC-DC regulators so using LPS on those router will not give all benefit of clean power. If you have one lying around to use then go ahead and use. I would power cleaner side with LPS and keep SMPS away from it. I wouldn’t fret over dirty side.

 

[kumar402]

I used Netgear with its SMPS as well as LPS. With LPS the sound is better.

However, I bought the LHY SW-5, and it is much better than the Netgear. It's a much bigger difference than when I put LPS on the Netgear.

I dare say that there is no point in streaming through the vulgaris switch, because it does a lot of damage. Our devices are mostly lower middle class. But when owners of 10x more expensive streamers and DACs stream via the vulgaris switch, it's just a real shame.

Most of the higher end streamer are equipped to remove these residual noise from Ethernet cable and have world class clock to reclock the signal. If there is lot of variance coming in sound signature due to usage of specific switch even after spending $$$$ on streamer then I would question streamer quality more then anything else. Small variance in sound by introducing something new in chain is normal but if Day and Night difference then go ahead and return such streamer.
So usage of these "Audiophile" switches make more sense with lower end streamer then higher end. If higher end is actually designed as Higher end.

 

[duffer5]

Curious if the majority of you are using a preamp in your chain to supersede the preamp of the R26. I am using the R26 XLR output to feed my Ferrum OOR and the OOR seems to be fully powered but maybe I am wrong. With the XLR output of the R26 being 5.0 Vpp that should be "hot," enough to drive most amplifiers. Correct, or should I be looking at a preamp. Keeping in mind my system is 100% digital source material.

 

[Odezra]

Curious if the majority of you are using a preamp in your chain to supersede the preamp of the R26. I am using the R26 XLR output to feed my Ferrum OOR and the OOR seems to be fully powered but maybe I am wrong. With the XLR output of the R26 being 5.0 Vpp that should be "hot," enough to drive most amplifiers. Correct, or should I be looking at a preamp. Keeping in mind my system is 100% digital source material.

My Willsenton r8 has an integrated preamp, but i'd have a preamp if not for that. I don't think you want to be using the R26 as a volume control unit, and a good passive or active preamp is the better choice for that, if you need that capability. Active preamps can colour the sound in a way that can help certain systems, depending on your tastes.

I am currently considering a preamp as I want to run a downstairs DIY tube headphone amp off the DAC in addition to the speaker system. So am considering either a passive switching / volume control system or going active. Going active could colour the sound in a way i don't like or introduce unwanted noise (another element in the chain to manage), but then again could pay off dividends.

While the gustard is hot enough for many systems, it's the control over the gain you may need to best match the downstream component. But it depends

 

[Jake2]

Curious if the majority of you are using a preamp in your chain to supersede the preamp of the R26. I am using the R26 XLR output to feed my Ferrum OOR and the OOR seems to be fully powered but maybe I am wrong. With the XLR output of the R26 being 5.0 Vpp that should be "hot," enough to drive most amplifiers. Correct, or should I be looking at a preamp. Keeping in mind my system is 100% digital source material.

Preamp user here, in my case the Denafrips Athena. I've not AB'd it vs the R26 XLR out into a power-amp recently, and I ought to again as, the Athena apparently takes a loong time (up to 500hrs) to properly burn in and open up. But my recollection of my impressions from doing so when it had 'only' 100 hours was that the Athena had a greater flow and effortless dynamics. One practical benefit is that I can just use it's remote to change volume or mute sound rather than, in my case, having to adjust the Roon/HQP volume - running fixed/100% R26 volume in both cases.

The likely reason for said burn-in time...

 

[cobrabucket]

Curious if the majority of you are using a preamp in your chain to supersede the preamp of the R26. I am using the R26 XLR output to feed my Ferrum OOR and the OOR seems to be fully powered but maybe I am wrong. With the XLR output of the R26 being 5.0 Vpp that should be "hot," enough to drive most amplifiers. Correct, or should I be looking at a preamp. Keeping in mind my system is 100% digital source material.

If you're just running the DAC into an amp just to listen to headphones, you probably don't need a preamp, but if you're routing into speakers, I feel that a standalone preamp would be beneficial over a built in option in either the DAC or (most) headphone amps. I almost always prefer separates.

 

[duffer5]

If you're just running the DAC into an amp just to listen to headphones, you probably don't need a preamp, but if you're routing into speakers, I feel that a standalone preamp would be beneficial over a built in option in either the DAC or (most) headphone amps. I almost always prefer separates.

delete post, duplicative.

 

[duffer5]

If you're just running the DAC into an amp just to listen to headphones, you probably don't need a preamp, but if you're routing into speakers, I feel that a standalone preamp would be beneficial over a built in option in either the DAC or (most) headphone amps. I almost always prefer separates.

I am running speakers too but the are active speakers vs passive speakers. Does that change your suggestion?

 

[kumar402]

Keeping a good, transparent Preamp is always a good idea amd makes any system flexible but transparent one are expensive.

 

[duffer5]

Preamp user here, in my case the Denafrips Athena. I've not AB'd it vs the R26 XLR out into a power-amp recently, and I ought to again as, the Athena apparently takes a loong time (up to 500hrs) to properly burn in and open up. But my recollection of my impressions from doing so when it had 'only' 100 hours was that the Athena had a greater flow and effortless dynamics. One practical benefit is that I can just use it's remote to change volume or mute sound rather than, in my case, having to adjust the Roon/HQP volume - running fixed/100% R26 volume in both cases.

The likely reason for said burn-in time...

Thank you. Very helpful. The search / upgrades continues, lol.

 

[Odezra]

Preamp user here, in my case the Denafrips Athena. I've not AB'd it vs the R26 XLR out into a power-amp recently, and I ought to again as, the Athena apparently takes a loong time (up to 500hrs) to properly burn in and open up. But my recollection of my impressions from doing so when it had 'only' 100 hours was that the Athena had a greater flow and effortless dynamics. One practical benefit is that I can just use it's remote to change volume or mute sound rather than, in my case, having to adjust the Roon/HQP volume - running fixed/100% R26 volume in both cases.

The likely reason for said burn-in time...

Jake - is the Athena Transparent or did it change the sound of your system in anyway?