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

[Kent10]

Some of you were helping me in earlier posts. Thanks! I have taken your advice and tried a few things. I can stream Free Spotify from my computer to the R26 using a USB connection. That works fine. I am trying the LAN connection now. I couldn't get it to work at 1st. But I installed the trial versions of Roon and Qobuz and it works.

What hasn't worked so far.... I am still trying to get Free Spotify to work with other programs I downloaded so I can listen through my stereo (R26) using LAN. I tried JPLAY for windows and Foobar 2000. I can't figure out how to use these to get the streaming to my stereo through the R26. Do I need some other software so these programs recognize the R26?

Qobuz works very well through Roon. I can listen in my stereo, but I was also looking to see if I can play it from the Qobuz website and hear it in my stereo. When the Roon trial expires in 2 weeks, I will still have 2 weeks of Qobuz left so it would be nice if I can get it to play through the R26/Stereo instead of just through my computer speakers. How can I direct the music from the Qobuz website to the R26? Is it possible?

Thanks.

 

[dacwizard]

Qobuz works very well through Roon. I can listen in my stereo, but I was also looking to see if I can play it from the Qobuz website and hear it in my stereo. When the Roon trial expires in 2 weeks, I will still have 2 weeks of Qobuz left so it would be nice if I can get it to play through the R26/Stereo instead of just through my computer speakers. How can I direct the music from the Qobuz website to the R26? Is it possible?

I don’t think you will be able to play directly from Qobuz as such. Do you use IOS (Apple) if so you can get a free two weeks of Jplay on iOS and that will connect to R26 via lan and you can use Qobuz that way.

 

[Kent10]

No, I have Windows and no phone, Right, I couldn't find any settings in Qobuz on their website to connect to the R26. Thanks for the help.

 

[duffer5]

If you get to do a side by side comparison with the two DAC, please post your findings here!

Absolutely.

 

[rockcity007]

Will try to re-flash, for sale in the meantime...

 

[rockcity007]

Thanks again all!

Will try to re-flash, for sale in the meantime...

OK, here we go again. Trouble with flashing the SD Card. I downloaded the firmware, started Balena Etcher, click flash from file, then I plug in the usb cable to the dac (that has the power off, but the power cable plugged in). Then I click Select Target and I get a Windows message saying " You need to format disk in E before you can use it" If I try to format the E drive it says "Windows was unable to complete the format and around in circled I go.
Sorry, it seems every time I get on thsi forum I need help, so HELP Please!

 

[LucianoBadoe]

Try "burn" another SD card direct in your PC (or use the card in the R26). If not have a SD card slot, there are a lot of chip adapters that can save the day.
I hope the problem are just a corrupted SD card.

To open the R26 see the linked topic in the first page.

Cheers.

 

[rockcity007]

Try "burn" another SD card direct in your PC (or use the card in the R26). If not have a SD card slot, there are a lot of chip adapters that can save the day.
I hope the problem are just a corrupted SD card.

To open the R26 see the linked topic in the first page.

Cheers

Thanks @LucianoBadoe sounds complicated! I will try if I get some time!

 

[Jake2]

Thanks @LucianoBadoe sounds complicated! I will try if I get some time!

It might seem complicated but it is relatively straightforward and will maximise your chances of success. The biggest challenge of this approach - and it's not a particularly big one - is the overtightened screws/bolts which take a bit of elbow grease to free up. Removing the micro-SD card from the R26 holder is easy enough, and so is the Balena Etcher flashing process when it works smoothly.

If I were you, I'd have to hand a couple of other (IIRC) 32GB micro SD cards, ideally a new one, in case it is an issue with the card in the R26. In fact probably cleaner to just jump straight to flashing the new or second card in an SD card holder connected to your PC with the latest Gustarender firmware/software, then replace the existing card in the R26 with this one. That way you still have the OG card to one side for peace of mind. I give this advice from recent experience - unrelated to the R26 - of hassles with multiple defective or somehow incompatible SD cards and USB sticks.

 

[rockcity007]

It might seem complicated but it is relatively straightforward and will maximise your chances of success. The biggest challenge of this approach - and it's not a particularly big one - is the overtightened screws/bolts which take a bit of elbow grease to free up. Removing the micro-SD card from the R26 holder is easy enough, and so is the Balena Etcher flashing process when it works smoothly.

If I were you, I'd have to hand a couple of other (IIRC) 32GB micro SD cards, ideally a new one, in case it is an issue with the card in the R26. In fact probably cleaner to just jump straight to flashing the new or second card in an SD card holder connected to your PC with the latest Gustarender firmware/software, then replace the existing card in the R26 with this one. That way you still have the OG card to one side for peace of mind. I give this advice from recent experience - unrelated to the R26 - of hassles with multiple defective or somehow incompatible SD cards and USB sticks.

OK, I will go to Best Buy tomorrow to purchase the cards. If I ask them for IIRC 32GB micro SD cards, they'll know what I'm talking about? Thanks

 

[Jake2]

OK, I will go to Best Buy tomorrow to purchase the cards. If I ask them for IIRC 32GB micro SD cards, they'll know what I'm talking about? Thanks

IIRC = If I recall correctly - meaning 32Gb capacity. I'm away on holiday at present, if someone else could kindly confirm it is 32GB. But yes Best Buy will understand.

 

[Jake2]

@rockcity007 I checked and it is 32GB. See below post. Bourbon is optional

@searchingtom As a last resort option, you could try the below steps to take the R26 itself out of the card reading & flashing process in case - as seems increasingly likely - it's the problem here:

1. using an SD card reader holding a fresh/second 32GB Micro-SD card*, reader connected directly your computer via USB etc, follow the steps re Balena etc to flash the Gustarender v1.4 firmware to this card i.e. R26 itself not in play here at all.
2. with the R26 turned off/unplugged from power, remove the physical Micro-SD card in the R26 that holds the Gustarender firmware and put this to one side
3. insert new flashed card per 1, switch R26 on and try this
4. If successful, celebrate with Bourbon. If not retry steps 1 & 3 and/or replace with OG card put aside at step 2 and gnash teeth.

*I'm not sure what drive format Gustard use for the card so you may need to try a few. Can anyone else recommend which it should be? Edit - I guess the flashed image probably takes care of this.

 

[rockcity007]

@rockcity007 I checked and it is 32GB. See below post. Bourbon is optional

Awesome Jake, sorry to have bothered you on your holidays! OK, next time I'm in your neck of the woods, it's bourbon on me! I'll see ya at the https://beachsumner.co.nz/

 

[rockcity007]

Awesome Jake, sorry to have bothered you on your holidays! OK, next time I'm in your neck of the woods, it's bourbon on me! I'll see ya at the https://beachsumner.co.nz/

OK I have the 6 long screws undone from the bottom of the unit but the lid still seems to be on fairly tight. Any tips anyone? Thanks!

 

[rockcity007]

OK I have the 6 long screws undone from the bottom of the unit but the lid still seems to be on fairly tight. Any tips anyone? Thanks!