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

[dacwizard]

This is not entirely true
Using correct number of output bits improves quality because then you don't get distortion due to either truncation and/or non-linearity. So using less bits gives better quality. In addition, when your output rate is high enough and you use noise-shaping, there's no loss in resolution, but there can be an increase in resolution, without loss in audio band dynamic range.

Yes ive seen you make this argument before, I only use PCM and no HQplayer etc, so whether you think this argument applies here I don’t know. What I do know is that bit depth and sample rate is no accurate indicator of overall sound quality once at or past CD quality in my Experiance and system (which is a several times £10k system). Some hires files do sound excellent so it’s not like they all sound worse than CD quality, it’s just too randomly variable to be any sort of guide (IMO).

 

[BShaw]

After installing the CH34 Driver update, or attempting to upgrade firmware for the Gustard Audalytics AH-90 ,has anyone other than me experienced:
Chinese characters on the Windows 11 login screen after switching on?

I did have problems with running the January update of the Gustard Audalytics DSD/Menu update ver. 6 (not 5). I used a new Microdrive formatted for FAT32. Unfortunately, the firmware update was unsuccessful.

Can it be that the CH34 Driver could be behind the malfunction?
After trying to update the firmware to the vers 6 Beta, and having concerns, I thought my PC might require rerunning the CH34 driver again. Since this update was not successful, I am alarmed that Chinese characters on the Windows 11 login screen after switching on has become repeatable. Furthermore, that the disturbance is showing up on the Microsoft Login page has me quite nervous and worried about data protection and system security issues.

This development is very, very unnerving.

I want to avoid at all costs being a victim of Chinese spying. No DAC or other device is worth being prey to such a dangerous development. I want to completely understand, in detail, what effort is going into making sure these matters remain error free and free from dangers. Does anyone have any firsthand knowledge of these matters?

Currently, Gustard uses software supplied by another company for delivering these firmware updates. These updates are not properly translated, nor are there any written guarantees stating that these software updates are free of spyware and associated issues. It is impossible for a backdoor to be installed under such conditions.

The inferior quality of the firmware updating process is a negative for consumers. It is intimidating to non-technical consumers.
The Utility they use to provide firmware updates is poorly programmed and features a mixed up, mash up of Chinese and English characters. This isn't rocket science; it is a mistake to let such issues creep along. It shows a disregard for what buying customers think and displays a lazy attitude toward taking care of them. If you take care of them, THEY will take care of you.

Please share your experience. If any of you resolved such issues, I would very much enjoy it if you were to contact me.

Kudos to you for expressing your discontent with the update process. This has been a recurring topic in this thread, and some have had better luck….than others at successfully updating. Coming to a forum and begging for help should be the rare exception but there are pages and pages of people freaking out over the FW updates. Trying several different cables, unplugging everything from the r26, removing the lid, and replacing or flashing the SD card…..in general the attitude has been very gracious and we’ve helped each other because this is that kind of thread. But you are absolutely right, we shouldn’t have to guess what the pictograms mean and hope we hit the right button, at the right time, while the other hand is getting the timing right with power switches. At least I haven’t needed my feet!
As for your concerns about spyware, some people might think this is a bit paranoid, but I don’t discount that possibility at all, in fact I just assume there’s spyware in everything these days! I mean hell’s bells my own government and our Silicon Valley overlords are pretty blatantly doing it, why wouldn’t the CCP?
Gustard has really dropped the ball here, on every other device I own updates have become ridiculously easy, this is like the 90’s. When I wrote to Gustard early on they had nothing helpful to say and I figured at least they could show their gratitude for so many early adopters being basically beta testers as is all too common, by paying the small sum to have someone write the program to allow for a simple, fluid update process.
Oh, and that’s not to mention how much fun it is if you have a mac.
Other than that, great piece of kit

 

[venomas200]

After long research I'm find best setting hqplayer for me. It's a PCM 705/768 active adaptive rate. NS15 sharper, and filter Gauss Xla. Bit depths 16.For pc very lighlty if I can say, and most excellent SQ

 

[Buckminster]

After long research I'm find best setting hqplayer for me. It's a PCM 705/768 active adaptive rate. NS15 sharper, and filter Gauss Xla. Bit depths 16.For pc very lighlty if I can say, and most excellent SQ

That’s my favorite filter too, enjoy!

 

[Knobstler]

Can anyone please tell me how i get hq player to work on macbook air m1
the roon core is on an older mac mini in another room.

It seems like i cant pick the mac mini in the hq player settings as input.

Any ideas?

 

[Knobstler]

Nevermind I finally got it working

 

[JackJohnson316]

I'm selling my LHY OCK-2 Master clock that I used to clock my Gustard R26 and Etherregen if anybody interested. Listing on Usaudiomart. Asking $615. This is a genuine LHY master clock, not one of the ones from Aliexpress. Thanks for considering.

 

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

If you don't mind asking, you're changing to what?

 

[JackJohnson316]

If you don't mind asking, you're changing to what?

I don't mind. I'm kind of indecisive at the moment. I'm either going to go for the mutec Ref 10 nano, invest in a new set of headphones, or upgrade my Burson headphone amp to the new Soloist Voyager. Sorry as I'm undecided with too many options Also the new Etherregen is coming out soon that supposedly handles the master clock signal better; and I've even looked into the LHY two ocxo switches, especially the one that has a master clock output that could connect to the R26. Thanks for asking.

 

[Deutschefach]

I have done a good deal of research since my last message regarding the appearance of Chinese characters in my Windows login screen. I do not have the final answer to the appearance, but I want to remove Gustard, & Gustard Audalytic as the cause of the malfunction. One clue was that although Chinese appeared, eventually Norwegian appeared once. That clued me to the potential of Microsoft localizing services could have updated their own code, causing the effect. It was just a hunch. So, I logged out of their services. After logging out and then in two times, the strange experience of seeing languages I don't speak seems to have disappeared.

I still am optimistic about the intention of Gustard to improve our customer experience regarding how they improve the release of firmware. I can only praise their intelligence in developing wonderful products such as the Gustard Analytic AH90 and the A26 and R26. If they solve the rollout of new firmware, I will be the first to give them 5 stars.

 

[sajunky]

One clue was that although Chinese appeared, eventually Norwegian appeared once. That clued me to the potential of Microsoft localizing services could have updated their own code, causing the effect. It was just a hunch. So, I logged out of their services. After logging out and then in two times, the strange experience of seeing languages I don't speak seems to have disappeared.

You never know. I think program incorrectly modified your system locale instead of user locale. Then crashed and didn't restore it correctly. Couple possibilities. There is a different settings for old-type non-Unicode code pages and behaviour will be different for different type of programs. You can learn about from here.

Also run command line with admin rights and execute this program for checking system integrity, wait for results, it can take an hour:

sfc /scannow

 

[Jake2]

Hey chaps, finally got around to testing the next iteration of my RF shielding/absorption and damping tweaks, where I turned the dial up to 11.

Holy sh_t does the R26 respond enthusiastically to this , especially the RFI measures around its K2 clock synthesiser (which is of course at the heart of everything), and its R2R ladder and FPGA section.

The sonic improvements were so full spectrum and progressive with each DAC area addressed and/or shielding layer added I'm not sure where to start.

In a largish nutshell: longer and more delicate decay; broader soundstage; more palpabilty and texture to notes (/reduced glare) - just much sweeter; greater bass weight and punch. Overall more PRaT but also a lovely flow, a more natural and engaging sound that is easier to listen to at higher volumes.

Measures used:
- 2-3 layers of shielding/absorption (copper sheet, graphite foils & graphite felt) around dividers between DAC sections, incl both sides of the vertical circuit board
- copper sheet is base layer underneath all graphite foil/felt surfaces.
- damping on R2R FPGA chip - fo.Q/stacked graphite foil squares/tungsten powder in zip bag on top
- K2 shielded by graphite foil box with lengthwise stacked graphite felt inside on top of K2 to absorb stray RFI within the shield.

The graphite felt with its high surface area to maximise RF absorption vs reflection was particularly effective - I would've used more but have just the one sheet I was cannibalizing from elsewhere in my system.

 

[Stellabagpuss]

Great to see you going for it Jake.
It doesn't surprise me your getting improvements. Everything is on top of each other rf wise.

Just moving the transformers away into a separate box, brings big improvements, but if you're not into that, you're method is superb.

l haven't felt the need to open the R26, since my last session of mods, which is a good sign, but you could possibly change my mind again..

 

[BShaw]

6 months ago I might have snickered a bit at such folly but after reading up on it and then buying a cheapo EMF sniffer I got the religion. Testing things with the probe brings a norally unseen world to life and not in a happy way! Worst offenders were the TV soundbar, TV, router(!), and most of my power cables (except Oyaide). It’s easy enough to see why manufacturers can’t exhaust their budgets on cleaning up all this pollution, personally I think it’s a sort of new frontier as we begin to pay more and more attention to the micros.
In proper fashion for a New Zealander Jake, you’re a true frontiersman!

 

[Jake2]

6 months ago I might have snickered a bit at such folly but after reading up on it and then buying a cheapo EMF sniffer I got the religion. Testing things with the probe brings a norally unseen world to life and not in a happy way! Worst offenders were the TV soundbar, TV, router(!), and most of my power cables (except Oyaide). It’s easy enough to see why manufacturers can’t exhaust their budgets on cleaning up all this pollution, personally I think it’s a sort of new frontier as we begin to pay more and more attention to the micros.
In proper fashion for a New Zealander Jake, you’re a true frontiersman!

Lol, very good - cheers