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

[Jake2]

Mk II - aiming for a one piece template (incl insulating cardboard) I can lift in and out to allow an intial AB. Some tight gaps to squeeze between so need clear line of sight so a fixed lid is a no go for this section initially at least.

Will do a final check tomorrow sans APAs (great for creativity not so much for precise electrical fault finding QA) and have a listen.

Oh and the lid still closes with just a little bit of resistance - result!

 

[Stellabagpuss]

l think the sheilding of the Ladder is a great move....Looking forward to comments !

 

[Stellabagpuss]

Isn't it better to cover this area with the shield?

Yes and no.. You need to make sure any cables inside the sheild, are actually sheilded themselves, otherwise your locking RFI in the unit

 

[JackJohnson316]

Quick question. Has anybody yet compared the LHY Audio OCK-2 to the Leo Bodnar Precision GPS Reference Clock? I thought I was settled on the LHY clock, but now I'm not sure about the actual measurements since they were removed from their website. The Bodnar clock is cheaper, but then you have to get a good LPS, dc cable, and ac cable, whereas the LHY clock already comes with a LPS. Also I plan to hook up my Gustard R26, Etherregen V2 when it comes out soon, and possible streamer to the clock, so in the end LHY might be the way to go? Thanks for any input.

 

[Johnjc1]

I think one person is evaluating
I did have the LHY in my system for a day but I let the member describe what ever they enjoy

 

[St12]

Yes and no.. You need to make sure any cables inside the sheild, are actually sheilded themselves, otherwise your locking RFI in the unit

There are no cables in that area - only R2R board and analog output.

 

[rodthebod]

Quick question. Has anybody yet compared the LHY Audio OCK-2 to the Leo Bodnar Precision GPS Reference Clock? I thought I was settled on the LHY clock, but now I'm not sure about the actual measurements since they were removed from their website. The Bodnar clock is cheaper, but then you have to get a good LPS, dc cable, and ac cable, whereas the LHY clock already comes with a LPS. Also I plan to hook up my Gustard R26, Etherregen V2 when it comes out soon, and possible streamer to the clock, so in the end LHY might be the way to go? Thanks for any input.

Haven't had the pleasure of trying out the LHY clocks, but I can say that the LB clock isn't that fussy over LPS, it seems more reactive to the voltage given out, 7.5v DC seems the sweet spot. But it will work fine with a 5v battery supply too.
The LB is much cheaper but don't let that put you off, LB are not a hi-fi company so you aren't paying that old fat premium......

 

[dijimet]

hello friends. I purchased R26 and it is on the way.
I read that R26 has FPGA chip. so R26 hybrid (r2r and fpga) dac? what is purpose for use fpga in r26?

is Fpga dacs end point tech sound world? (dcs based fpga, chord based fpga)

I am beginner about audiophille world

 

[rdbogdan]

FPGA is mostly used for error correction in R2R dacs, for the resistors ladder, afaik. Chord, DCS, Schiit etc use FPGA for other purposes, , think of FPGA as a good for all blank chip, housing proprietary custom code written on it for a lot of different purposes

 

[Stellabagpuss]

There are no cables in that area - only R2R board and analog output.

l presumed you where referring to the centre section that is covered in Jake photo,so sorry on the miss understanding,the center section has psu wires in it, hence why I made reference to cables. you can of course shield it all if you feel the need.

 

[Knobstler]

Can anyone please tell me which way I should install the gustard fuse? Also should I power both fmc modules with the topping los or only one and the other with an ifi power instead?

 

[rockcity007]

Can anyone please tell me which way I should install the gustard fuse? Also should I power both fmc modules with the topping los or only one and the other with an ifi power instead?

I think the fuse has a direction arrow on it, not sure though, as I haven't changed one out myself. The FMC before the fiber optic cable (the dirty side) can be a regular wall wart. Use a LPS on the FMC on the other side of the fiber optic cable (the clean side) were the short ethernet cable goes into the R26 (or music server). If you have an ifi power supply, you could always use it on the dirty side, can't hurt!

 

[St12]

l presumed you where referring to the centre section that is covered in Jake photo,so sorry on the miss understanding,the center section has psu wires in it, hence why I made reference to cables. you can of course shield it all if you feel the need.

That's ok
My idea is that the centre section emits RF waves and DAC section absorbs it.
Probably it would be more effective to shield section, that absorbs it, rather then to lock RF in centre section.

 

[dijimet]

FPGA is mostly used for error correction in R2R dacs, for the resistors ladder, afaik. Chord, DCS, Schiit etc use FPGA for other purposes, , think of FPGA as a good for all blank chip, housing proprietary custom code written on it for a lot of different purposes

thank you very much

 

[Jake2]

That's ok
My idea is that the centre section emits RF waves and DAC section absorbs it.
Probably it would be more effective to shield section, that absorbs it, rather then to lock RF in centre section.

I’ll do the final DAC section too, but I started with what was easiest to do given layout - improving on shielding around central section and then R2R ladder - a nice raised square board with only surface mounted conductors to other boards, no cables to work around. Also the DAC section is unlikely to be the only section that will be sensitive to RFI, best to assume they all are even if also emitters. The more quarantining /separating sections the better I expect as the shielding of each will be imperfect, so the cumulative effect will hopefully be better than if I just did my best imperfect attempt at shielding say the final DAC section.