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

[LarsHP]

The upgrade path for the LAN input on the R26 was some of the very first things discussed on this thread, if you have a good R2R DAC with an inbuilt LAN streamer it makes sense to try to get the very best signal via the network cable. So began the use of an inline passive LAN cleaner such as the Delocker. Then came the use of fibre optic modules (FMC's) to isolate electrical noise in the LAN cable itself, these made a big leap in fidelity. Less noise more music.

But the biggest difference by far was applying the principle of separating the router from the audio side of things so a dirty side and a clean side is created. Using a wifi extender (plug in wall with RJ45 output) achieved this and really made a beneficial difference to the sound. Then using a network switch to connect only the audio components (R26 + media server + wi-fi extender) with a decent linear power supply to keep harmful electrical noise at bay. I then found using the FMC's in-between the switch and R26 LAN to give the most benefit using Cat7/8 which have the connected ground.

Use of a 10Mhz reference clock (even the modestly priced Leo Bodnar @ £160) with the R26 is the final addition which really does set this DAC apart to play music. Music just flows beautifully, it's glorious, no "excellent hi-fi" sound but an excellent music player, incredible depth and 3D sound with great natural detail you can follow.
The best compliment I can give is that it sounds like a really good turntable now, I'm talking about Voyd or RMS Genesis level.

I still have to address additional screening within the R26, just waiting for the materials. Screening things really does help.

Seriously, I wouldn't return the R26 until you've tried some, or better still, all of the above. My R26 cannot be compared to when I first listened to it last September, it's in a different league completely.

Anyone want to back me up on this......

All these upgrade gadgets in order to optimize the performance of the R26 just points me to sending it back.

Again, to me, the whole point of getting the R26 was that it was a simple do it all box. Plug in the network cable, and you get the best the R26 can do, instead of having the hassle to isolate noise from a USB connection.

 

[rodthebod]

So getting the best sound possible from the 'all in one box' isn't one of your priorities......
Each to their own.

Even with the cost of the LAN tweaks which only amounts to less than a hundred euros, as I already had good LPS's to hand and an old wi-fi extender (300Mbps) and 100Mbps switch too slow for todays video demands, the end result is incredibly impressive.

The 10Mhz reference clock is a final option.

In any case, any LAN streamer would benefit from these improvements not just the R26. The difference is amazing.

No USB's or USB connections were harmed or used in this scenario only the LAN streaming connection, so I'm not too sure you have grasped the nettle, as it were.

 

[LarsHP]

So getting the best sound possible from the 'all in one box' isn't one of your priorities......
Each to their own.
...

Now you are twisting my both my words and meaning.

If someone suggested some hardware improvements to my 12-year-old Ref 7.1, then I would certainly be interested, but not a completely new DAC costing $1650 plus VAT. To me, that simply suggests that the design in the digital section isn't as well done as it should.

I think I will wait several years more, and see whether the improvements in DAC's are worthwhile the extra expense at that future time. To be honest, I consider the R26 more like a side-grade than an upgrade. Yes, it has more details and resolution, but at the expense of tonality, naturalness and immediate feeling of "real" music that the Ref 7.1 has out of the box (digital BNC input).

 

[Stellabagpuss]

Now you are twisting my both my words and meaning.

If someone suggested some hardware improvements to my 12-year-old Ref 7.1, then I would certainly be interested, but not a completely new DAC costing $1650 plus VAT. To me, that simply suggests that the design in the digital section isn't as well done as it should.

I think I will wait several years more, and see whether the improvements in DAC's are worthwhile the extra expense at that future time. To be honest, I consider the R26 more like a side-grade than an upgrade. Yes, it has more details and resolution, but at the expense of tonality, naturalness and immediate feeling of "real" music that the Ref 7.1 has out of the box (digital BNC input).

I understand your view point Lars, on it's own, the R26 is good.
And the additional bits, it is a total transformation of the R26.
However you don't want muck around, so l guess the reality is you try out more expensive options,or wait for manufacturers to improve things further. l do understand really. Good looking luck on your quest.

 

[rodthebod]

Now you are twisting my both my words and meaning.

If someone suggested some hardware improvements to my 12-year-old Ref 7.1, then I would certainly be interested, but not a completely new DAC costing $1650 plus VAT. To me, that simply suggests that the design in the digital section isn't as well done as it should.

I think I will wait several years more, and see whether the improvements in DAC's are worthwhile the extra expense at that future time. To be honest, I consider the R26 more like a side-grade than an upgrade. Yes, it has more details and resolution, but at the expense of tonality, naturalness and immediate feeling of "real" music that the Ref 7.1 has out of the box (digital BNC input).

I didn't intend to twist any of your words Lars, far from it, I just want to illustrate what can be done with the R26 as a contemporary product.

I can understand your viewpoint completely on having owned a good musically satisfying DAC for decades, TDA1541A based.

I have used many Philips TDA1541A DAC's and modded them to optimise their capabilities, these still have a quality in the midrange that is yet to be beaten. But times move on and newer 'more capable' devices are introduced. The R26 is exceptional value when you look at what you get in the package but even better when given a better signal.

If there is anything I can suggest for your Ref 7.1 then it is moving away from a PC based source and a more specialist SBC solution, Allo USBridge Sig or better still Allo Isolator/Kali to feed I2S? Keep the signal path as short and simple as possible and with as good a power supply as you can get.

 

[DivinesGaming]

Think of it like you've bought a nice car - It's still a nice car, but with a few aftermarket mods you can make it faster, or quieter, or handle stiffer or softer, ride height, etc, etc.

Are you the type to mod your equipment or not, some people do some people don't, both groups still have a nice piece of equipment.

 

[camrector]

The upgrade path for the LAN input on the R26 was some of the very first things discussed on this thread, if you have a good R2R DAC with an inbuilt LAN streamer it makes sense to try to get the very best signal via the network cable. So began the use of an inline passive LAN cleaner such as the Delocker. Then came the use of fibre optic modules (FMC's) to isolate electrical noise in the LAN cable itself, these made a big leap in fidelity. Less noise more music.

But the biggest difference by far was applying the principle of separating the router from the audio side of things so a dirty side and a clean side is created. Using a wifi extender (plug in wall with RJ45 output) achieved this and really made a beneficial difference to the sound. Then using a network switch to connect only the audio components (R26 + media server + wi-fi extender) with a decent linear power supply to keep harmful electrical noise at bay. I then found using the FMC's in-between the switch and R26 LAN to give the most benefit using Cat7/8 which have the connected ground.

Use of a 10Mhz reference clock (even the modestly priced Leo Bodnar @ £160) with the R26 is the final addition which really does set this DAC apart to play music. Music just flows beautifully, it's glorious, no "excellent hi-fi" sound but an excellent music player, incredible depth and 3D sound with great natural detail you can follow.
The best compliment I can give is that it sounds like a really good turntable now, I'm talking about Voyd or RMS Genesis level.

I still have to address additional screening within the R26, just waiting for the materials. Screening things really does help.

Seriously, I wouldn't return the R26 until you've tried some, or better still, all of the above. My R26 cannot be compared to when I first listened to it last September, it's in a different league completely.

Anyone want to back me up on this......

Everything you said minus the harmonic distortion injecting clock!

 

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

it was a simple do it all box.

Try Teac's UD-701N not much reviews. But all are very very good.

 

[camrector]

All these upgrade gadgets in order to optimize the performance of the R26 just points me to sending it back.

Again, to me, the whole point of getting the R26 was that it was a simple do it all box. Plug in the network cable, and you get the best the R26 can do, instead of having the hassle to isolate noise from a USB connection.

Most of these “upgrades” are foundational. They should be done to any digital streaming system.
The best implementation for networked audio is…..
as much wire speed as you can get.(1G,10G,25/40/100)
as much isolation as you can get (fiber)
as low wattage as you can get (fiber)
as low traffic as you can get (IPv6).

 

[camrector]

Try Teac's UD-701N not much reviews. But all are very very good.

Stop teasing me!!!!! @Dandoudou needs to hurry up with his assessment!!

 

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

 

[camrector]

 

[Currawong]

I think I will wait several years more, and see whether the improvements in DAC's are worthwhile the extra expense at that future time. To be honest, I consider the R26 more like a side-grade than an upgrade. Yes, it has more details and resolution, but at the expense of tonality, naturalness and immediate feeling of "real" music that the Ref 7.1 has out of the box (digital BNC input).

I can't remember what the maximum input rate of the Ref 7.1 is, but I'd suggest trying HQPlayer upsampling to it. From my own experiences, I think the real limitation to Audio-gd DACs has been the digital filter. Paradoxically, I didn't feel that HQPlayer improved the R26 at all.

 

[camrector]

Paradoxically, I didn't feel that HQPlayer improved the R26 at all.

Really?!?
Did you set it to NOS and 15bit?
I agree that your not gonna get past the r26 reconstruction filter, but the different filters and dither were/are a vast improvement compared to the slow,mid,fast filters.

 

[DivinesGaming]

Really?!?
Did you set it to NOS and 15bit?
I agree that your not gonna get past the r26 reconstruction filter, but the different filters and dither were/are a vast improvement compared to the slow,mid,fast filters.

Out of curiosity - why 15 bit?