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

[sajunky]

It's not Gustard out of phase, but most likely the wires in the power socket on the wall. If the indicator light is either you have the L and N wires connected backwards in the socket or the cable between the socket and the conditioner has these wires reversed.

• Phase detection: the phase and connection of the ground cable of the AC source can be automatically detected. The indicator lights up when the phase is not correct.

I had a computer cable with line and neutral wires swapped. It caused series ground loop problems, increased number of grey hears on my head, trying to find a cause. I normally don't check factory cables, especially moulded at the factory of a good brand, now I do...

 

[Knobstler]

It's not Gustard out of phase, but most likely the wires in the power socket on the wall. If the indicator light is either you have the L and N wires connected backwards in the socket or the cable between the socket and the conditioner has these wires reversed.

• Phase detection: the phase and connection of the ground cable of the AC source can be automatically detected. The indicator lights up when the phase is not correct.

I turned the wall plug but no change. I also wrote shenzen if the wiring is off or the supplied ac cable...

 

[wikaudio]

Maybe the ground wire is not connected in the socket. The conditioner compares the phase to ground.

 

[vvume]

I have an SU-6 and can confirm that the sound of the SU-6 feeding the R26 (via I2S in my case) is satisfyingly improved by connecting the OCK-1 to the R26 and selecting external clock. The same is true with the U18, irrespective of whether the U18 is using its internal clock or also using the OCK-1 as external/master clock.

@Jake2 After a month+ of drama with an aliexpress seller who did not have the OCK-1 in stock (but marked my item as shipped to prevent auto-cancellation), I ended up with an OCK-2 after the seller gave me a nice discount (the seller had that in stock). I can confirm that combined with the Gustard C2 cable and Gustard 630mA nano fuse, the impact on my R26 is quite transformational. Critically, it gave me the holographicness that I was missing out when I moved from IRIS+Ares II to SU-6+R26. And more microdetails and instrument separation to boot. Definitely, R26 benefits significantly from a high quality external master clock for PCM even when using I2S with a very good clock on the source (SU-6 in my case). Must be using the internal/external clock for oversampling is my guess.

Thanks for the advise!

 

[Fluty]

Oops - sorry

 

[Fluty]

[I]soumya.banerjee[/I]​

Head-Fier​

JoinedDec 5, 2017Posts59Likes79LocationBangalore
I recently acquired this DAC. This is my 2nd NOS R2R DAC after Holo Spring Level 2. Also, this happens to be my 3rd Gustard DAC after X16 and X18.

The DAC, pretty much like Holo Spring, settles down after 3-4 hours from cold boot. Beyond 5-6 hours of continuous run, I couldn't hear any further improvements/changes to its sound.


I agree with this, sounding best after several hours warm-up. Is this a good reason to leave the R26 running 24/7? Since the latest firmware update we no longer need to worry about shortening the life of the OLED display. (see my post # 4951)

 

[sajunky]

Maybe the ground wire is not connected in the socket. The conditioner compares the phase to ground.

It must be a cable with 2-prong wall plug (for Class 2 devices). Illegal if Gustard has 3-prong socket. Only 2-prong plugs allow reversing position of the plug.

 

[BShaw]

[I]soumya.banerjee[/I]​

Head-Fier​

JoinedDec 5, 2017Posts59Likes79LocationBangalore
I recently acquired this DAC. This is my 2nd NOS R2R DAC after Holo Spring Level 2. Also, this happens to be my 3rd Gustard DAC after X16 and X18.

The DAC, pretty much like Holo Spring, settles down after 3-4 hours from cold boot. Beyond 5-6 hours of continuous run, I couldn't hear any further improvements/changes to its sound.


I agree with this, sounding best after several hours warm-up. Is this a good reason to leave the R26 running 24/7? Since the latest firmware update we no longer need to worry about shortening the life of the OLED display. (see my post # 4951)

It's definitely a good reason to leave it on, unless you listen infrequently. This is pretty common practice, and the fact that the display can now be in sleep mode makes it a guilt free pleasure

 

[Davidv100]

Hello everyone here,

I am thinking about opening a new thread with a name sort of "Wishlist to Gustard for next R2R (>R26) improvements and new functionalities".
I think it could be useful for Gustard and easier for them VS trying to summarise the 333 pages we have here as of today.
So, by serving them, we serve ourselves for next generation of devices.

- Is this idea welcome ? Would you support it ?
- Is anyone else, better suited than me (i.e. with the moderator credentials that I do not have), willing to open this thread - for example @m-i-c-k-e-y ?

First things that come to my mind are the following :

- Improved firmware upgrade process (reliability);
- Compatibility with Apple computers for upgrade process (many people have only Macs, no PCs);
- Improved USB port (high quality galvanic Isolation);
- Wi-Fi Streaming (galvanic isolation by design);
- Configurable PIN lay-out for I2S;
- Higher quality internal clock;
- Integrate natively the best quality fuse if it really makes a substantial difference;
- More Internal memory to prepare for future native streaming programs (because for example it seems that Tidal Connect takes almost all available space - So, will future Apple Music streaming fit on R26 ? Not sure);
- Adequate internal buffer memory for Wi-Fi;
- More aesthetically balanced chassis (like A26 or better);
- IOS/Android App to control the devise (instead of cheap remote, although this point seems of lesser importance : i.e. who uses a remote ?)
- ...

Also, question to you guys :
- Is there really an interest for a pre-amp stage ? (or is everyone using "Fixed" anyway)

What else ?
Thank you for your input

 

[Knobstler]

Maybe the ground wire is not connected in the socket. The conditioner compares the phase to ground.

but all my other gear doesnt trigger the out if phase light

 

[mmwwmm]

Hello everyone here,

I am thinking about opening a new thread with a name sort of "Request to Gustard for next R2R (>R26) improvements and new functionalities".
I think it could be useful for Gustard and easier for them compared to trying to summarise the 333 pages we have here as of today.
So, by serving them, we serve ourselves for next generation of devices.

- Would you support this idea ?
- Is anyone else, better suited than me (i.e. with the moderator credentials that I do not have), willing to open this thread - for example @m-i-c-k-e-y ?

First things that come to my mind are the following :

- Improved upgrade process (reliability) and compatibility with Apple computers;
- Improved USB port (high quality galvanic Isolation);
- Wi-Fi Streaming (galvanic isolation by design);
- Configurable PIN lay-out for I2S;
- Higher quality internal clock;
- Integrate natively the best quality fuse if it really makes a substantial difference;
- More Internal memory to prepare for future native streaming programs (because for example it seems that Tidal Connect takes almost all available space - So, will future Apple Music streaming fit on R26 ? Not sure);
- More visually balanced chassis (like A26 or better);
- IOS/Android App to control the devise (instead of cheap remote, although this point seems of lesser importance : i.e. who uses a remote ?)
- ...

What else ?
Thank you for your input

-Integrated discrete passive analog volume control (relay ladder attenuator) OR discrete buffered Class A fully DC coupled (1x gain) analog volume control with discrete relay based ladder attenuator OR integrated discrete analog high bias Class A fully DC coupled preamp with discrete relay based ladder attenuator OR a mixed digital/analog variable volume control like RME or Matrix DACs do.
-More fixed analog attenuation values and not just 30db (i.e. 10,db, 20db, 30db)

 

[Davidv100]

-Integrated discrete passive analog volume control (relay ladder attenuator) OR discrete buffered Class A fully DC coupled (1x gain) analog volume control with discrete relay based ladder attenuator OR integrated discrete analog high bias Class A fully DC coupled preamp with discrete relay based ladder attenuator.

Thank you, mmwwmm,

Tbh, I do not even understand the point (too technical for me), but would add it to the list.
This is actually the whole idea of this new thread - everyone would directly contribute with additional posts (like you do here, but in the new dedicated thread).

 

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

Don?t worry Bud. They are monitoring the threads.

It's normal they have these hiccups. First time integrating streamer, R2R design etc. BOM (bill of materials) vs target market price. etc. Design to Market time frames and others. And surely they will bring better future products (w/ how saturated chi-fi products on this price segments you betcha). Or less there are always other brands you/we could go to.

 

[wikaudio]

but all my other gear doesnt trigger the out if phase light

Have you tried pressing the reset button? It's actually a fuse, maybe it's turned off.
The construction is simple: the current flows through the circuit breaker to the fuse and then to the EMI filter. The DIRECT sockets are powered before the filter and the others through the filter. So if the switch is on and the fuse (RESET) is also on, the DIRECT sockets should work.

 

[Dandion]

Hi all, I have just read the previous 10 pages about firmware upgrade with oled display off feature.

Is it correct to say the R26_CT_m2.1_via_type_C firmware is not an officially released yet by Gustard?