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

[Sandkabir]

What better options are available to compare with r26 ?

 

[sajunky]

What better options are available to compare with r26 ?

If not using streaming feature, then Audio GD R-8Mk2 is worth to try, similar price. Or higher models: R-8HE Mk2, R-7Mk2 R-7HE Mk2, founds depend.

 

[camrector]

Something to note as well, as I have observed this. Power the Fiber to ETH module with a low noise dc psu, linear if cost is not a problem. Alternatively, power both FMCs with low noise psu's for better effect. I have done the latter and its quite noticable, smoother, less edgy sound.

That’s how we do it here brother!
Linear power supplies always recommended with FMCs

 

[duas2noites]

Does anyone know if Gustard plans to launch an R26 MK II soon? Or something like that?

 

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

I think not, been barely a year...That will make a lot of original R26 owners unhappy. And they don't want that. Maybe in 2 years..

Hoping will come next is a complement Headphone Amp the H20Pro. Then maybe a DDC or Clock that complements the two (R26 and A26) DACs.

Pic from this post.

 

[resakal]

I think not, been barely a year...That will make a lot of original R26 owners unhappy. And they don't want that. Maybe in 2 years..

Hoping will come next is a complement Headphone Amp the H20Pro. Then maybe a DDC or Clock that complements the two (R26 and A26) DACs.

Pic from this post.

i wonder why it took them so long to launch H20 pro? And which amp to combine with A26, I find A26 much nicer than R26, it's a waste without an amp with the same design

 

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

Maybe they had problems on the availability of key components. During/After COVID a lot of manufacturers had and still have this delema. So they need to re-evaluate, redesign and retest again. Just speculation.

 

[DeckHiFi]

Here it is:

 

[DeckHiFi]

^^It will be interesting if he reviews HQPlayer in the future more with this dac.

Edit: I tried the modulator: ASDM7ECv2 with bit rate 48k x128 as my computer can’t handle that modulator at higher rate. Filters: poly-sinc-gauss-long filter and hires-lp. So far this now competes with my pcm settings and might beat PCM. That modulator is dang good. Now I see why Jussi (with HQPlayer) seems to love DSD. Wow! Here are some thoughts about DSD: https://community.roonlabs.com/t/the-sound-of-dsd/171119/39
Note: I think this was before the v2 version of the modulator came out.

 

[Sound Eq]

^^It will be interesting if he reviews HQPlayer in the future more with this dac. So far, I think PCM is more musical than DSD (upscaling PCM for both). But I also am not using a computer that can handle the Jake DSD shaper suggestions yet. So that could be why I have this preference.

DSD is more impressive for instruments in the soundstage in isolation...but I feel like it's missing something. Similar to the Passion for Sound video where he mentions about PCM over DSD (without considering HQPlayer). It just seems like I'm in the music more with PCM. I appreciate DSD, but I don't feel it. Upscaling PCM to higher quality PCM so far sounds like a better NOS. It's beautiful. I'm using headphones so YMMV.

sorry to ask if i use lan and roon should i set

1- nos to be ON
2- dsd to be Off

and in roon use oversampling to dsd

 

[DeckHiFi]

sorry to ask if i use lan and roon should i set

1- nos to be ON
2- dsd to be Off

and in roon use oversampling to dsd

Are you using Roon only or HQPlayer through Roon? You could do either, just curious. Also, are you trying to listen to upscaled PCM or DSD through the Gustard R26? Or are you trying not to upscale and play the original file through Roon?

 

[Sound Eq]

Are you using Roon only or HQPlayer through Roon? You could do either, just curious. Also, are you trying to listen to upscaled PCM or DSD through the Gustard R26? Or are you trying not to upscale and play the original file through Roon?

hi i am using roon only

i would like to use it and get the most natural fullest best setting out of it so i am open to whatever settings i should use to achieve that, using just lan input, so i do not know if i should upsample or not

 

[DeckHiFi]

hi i am using roon only

i would like to use it and get the most natural fullest best setting out of it so i am open to whatever settings i should use to achieve that, using just lan input, so i do not know if i should upsample or not

Yeah good question. I haven't used Roon by itself too much so I think people would say if you want to do that try different things and see what you prefer. But if you want to upsample PCM, you need to turn NOS On in the Gustard R26 settings. I believe the same thing for DSD setting on the Gustard but someone would need to chime in regarding that. You have 3 general options:
- Play the original file as is and let the Dac upsample, so that would be having Sample Rate Conversion Off in Roon. Then the filter setting you have on the Gustard matters.
- You could try upsampling/Sample Rate Conversion through Roon - turn NOS On in the Dac settings if upsampling to PCM. Review regarding the DSD setting on Dac if upsampling to that.
- The third option is you could go with NOS On but not upsample. So this would have Sample Rate Conversion Off in Roon. Some people (including me before I got HQPlayer but didn't try Roon by itself much) really like the sound of NOS On with no upsampling.

So it's really up to you what you prefer. But yes Sample Rate Conversion is an option in Roon so you could try it!

 

[Sound Eq]

Yeah good question. I haven't used Roon by itself too much so I think people would say if you want to do that try different things and see what you prefer. But if you want to upsample PCM, you need to turn NOS On in the Gustard R26 settings. I believe the same thing for DSD setting on the Gustard but someone would need to chime in regarding that. You have 3 general options:
- Play the original file as is and let the Dac upsample, so that would be having Sample Rate Conversion Off in Roon. Then the filter setting you have on the Gustard matters.
- You could try upsampling/Sample Rate Conversion through Roon - turn NOS On in the Dac settings if upsampling to PCM. Review regarding the DSD setting on Dac if upsampling to that.
- The third option is you could go with NOS On but not upsample. So this would have Sample Rate Conversion Off in Roon. Some people (including me before I got HQPlayer but didn't try Roon by itself much) really like the sound of NOS On with no upsampling.

So it's really up to you what you prefer. But yes Sample Rate Conversion is an option in Roon so you could try it!

thanks alot

i want then roon do the upsampling only

so shall i set nos to On and dsd to On on gustard

sorry to keep asking as its very confusing

 

[DeckHiFi]

thanks alot

i want then roon do the upsampling

so shall i set nos to O n and dsd to On on gustard

No Problem. Good luck! Maybe more people have tried it with Roon so they can share their thoughts....

By the way, per Jake: "When using external upscaling make sure the R26's PCM NOS and/or DSD Direct menu options are set to ON. Meaning Non-oversampling is ON ie. R26 internal oversampling turned off. Otherwise you'd be doubling up on external and internal oversampling."