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

[BShaw]

I've heard that tube amp folks (I'm not one of them, at least not yet) go to great lengths to get distortion, if it's the type and amount that they seek. I know my favorite hard rock guitar riffs are the ones that have distortion, Frigid Pink's House of the Rising Sun being one example

I don't know about "going to great lengths to get distortion" milkdud, in fact a lot of people go with amps that have ultralinear circuits and a lot of negative feedback, which is fine but to my ears sounds too much like solid state, at which point I'd be much happier with a lovely class A room heater. But hell yeah some good second order "harmonics" are part of the magic, and I did indeed go a long way to get rid of negative feedback in one of my tubies and triode strap it so it's got a sound more like a SET amp. My other little SET is already there and sounds lovely. Maybe some people here have heard of Nelson Pass's harmonic generator? Apparently he's used versions of this in some of his amps to actually add second order distortion, and you can get the plans and the boards for a modest price on the DIYaudio forum store

 

[gryphon1972]

I don't know about "going to great lengths to get distortion" milkdud, in fact a lot of people go with amps that have ultralinear circuits and a lot of negative feedback, which is fine but to my ears sounds too much like solid state, at which point I'd be much happier with a lovely class A room heater. But hell yeah some good second order "harmonics" are part of the magic, and I did indeed go a long way to get rid of negative feedback in one of my tubies and triode strap it so it's got a sound more like a SET amp. My other little SET is already there and sounds lovely. Maybe some people here have heard of Nelson Pass's harmonic generator? Apparently he's used versions of this in some of his amps to actually add second order distortion, and you can get the plans and the boards for a modest price on the DIYaudio forum store

So what does second harmonic distortion add to the sound?

 

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

Guyz, if you want to discuss further, there's the Sound Science section for those...

Let's try to keep on topic (or at least related to) please.

 

[ali4ek]

So what does second harmonic distortion add to the sound?

https://www.sonarworks.com/blog/learn/when-distortion-is-good

...
Second-order or ‘even’ harmonics are even-numbered multiples of the fundamental frequencies and create a rich, pleasing sound. Third-order or ‘odd’ harmonics are odd-numbered multiples of the fundamental frequencies, which give the signal an edgier, more aggressive sound.

Generally speaking, tube designs create higher levels of even-order harmonics, while tape and transistor-based designs create higher levels or odd-order harmonics. However, every circuit creates a different blend of both even and odd-order harmonics that give it a unique sound.
...

 

[LarsHP]

The best way for me to improve clarity and detail retrieval seems to upgrade my headphones, even though they are fairly good. I have modified my HE-6 which sounds excellently as they are, but HE-6, while being quite transparent, may not be as high resolving as the currently best ones. I will try some soon and compare.

 

[Deleeh]

Hello,
does anyone have a good tip on which BNC plug 50 ohms I could use?
I have seen Furutech but they are 75 ohm and they don't have 50 ohm BNC connectors in their program.
Would be very grateful for help, I have cables in stock.

 

[sendler2112]

The best way for me to improve clarity and detail retrieval seems to upgrade my headphones, even though they are fairly good. I have modified my HE-6 which sounds excellently as they are, but HE-6, while being quite transparent, may not be as high resolving as the currently best ones. I will try some soon and compare.

HiFiMan HE6 is highly regarded if you have enough amp to drive them. For you to consider what might be an improvement I wouldn't go any lower than the HiFiMan HE1000SE. And custom Silver or Hybrid cables such as these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/116087697446?var=116087697446

 

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

@Deleeh

AECO ABC-1451 BNC Connectors 50 Ohm Gold Plated Beryllium Copper

 

[milkdudd]

Hello,
does anyone have a good tip on which BNC plug 50 ohms I could use?
I have seen Furutech but they are 75 ohm and they don't have 50 ohm BNC connectors in their program.
Would be very grateful for help, I have cables in stock.

The cable fittings Mickey has linked to do indeed look spectacular. I've made many cables myself so I know how it is when you want to DIY. I purchased the following a month or so ago (based on the universal praise they get on this forum) and couldn't be happier. I'm posting this in case you or anyone else that reads this is looking for 50 ohm BNC cables. I went with the shortest possible 0.5 m. One between clock and dac and one between clock and DDC

https://rambleaudio.com/en/products...j0QRAtAWlhViXk7X8srgMgXTDCtPliohLTm6UfsQt3rbr

 

[Deleeh]

Thank you both.
I have also seen the BNC plugs.
I like them but they are a bit expensive.
At that price I can actually think about the linked cable.
If there are no better BNC plugs.

I have a Singxer SU2 which is already older and there are certainly upgrades available on the market.
If I connect it with a normal BNC cable, the K2 clock is a tick better.
That's why I have some doubts whether it would be a worthwhile investment.
I think the normal standard cable is the reason why it performs slightly worse.
And my BNC experience is very limited.
Hence the slight but justified doubts.

Since I had a good cable and would even make it a little shorter than 0.5 meters, I thought I could expand my horizons with 30-40$ connector pairs.
But unfortunately I couldn't find anything.

 

[zilvins]

Thank you both.
I have also seen the BNC plugs.
I like them but they are a bit expensive.
At that price I can actually think about the linked cable.
If there are no better BNC plugs.

I have a Singxer SU2 which is already older and there are certainly upgrades available on the market.
If I connect it with a normal BNC cable, the K2 clock is a tick better.
That's why I have some doubts whether it would be a worthwhile investment.
I think the normal standard cable is the reason why it performs slightly worse.
And my BNC experience is very limited.
Hence the slight but justified doubts.

Since I had a good cable and would even make it a little shorter than 0.5 meters, I thought I could expand my horizons with 30-40$ connector pairs.
But unfortunately I couldn't find anything.

Check here:

https://www.thomannmusic.com/search...oomreach&category[]=KABN&cme=true&filter=true

 

[LarsHP]

I just saw this again. The reviewer places the R26 as the fifth best DAC he has heard at any price in the comments to the review.
The cheapest competitors in his top five list after the US$1650 Gustard R26 are the US$ 6400 Terminator Plus and the US$ 2800 Ferrum Wandla.

"The absolute best I tried at my place at any price would be the Rockna Wavedream Signature, Chord Dave, Weiss DAC 502, Ferrum WANDLA, Denafrips Terminator Plus and then the R26."

https://soundnews.net/sources/dacs/...-gustard-r26-discrete-r-2r-ladder-dac-review/

 

[vperez]

I just saw this again. The reviewer places the R26 as the fifth best DAC he has heard at any price in the comments to the review.
The cheapest competitors in his top five list after the US$1650 Gustard R26 are the US$ 6400 Terminator Plus and the US$ 2800 Ferrum Wandla.

"The absolute best I tried at my place at any price would be the Rockna Wavedream Signature, Chord Dave, Weiss DAC 502, Ferrum WANDLA, Denafrips Terminator Plus and then the R26."

https://soundnews.net/sources/dacs/...-gustard-r26-discrete-r-2r-ladder-dac-review/

Lot of value with this DAC. I went to heard the Holo KTE at Capital Audio Fest in DC couple years ago to compare; not much of a difference. Holo May KTE has a bit more decay in percussions and instrument separation is a hair better.

 

[TherealJohnD]

I just saw this again. The reviewer places the R26 as the fifth best DAC he has heard at any price in the comments to the review.
The cheapest competitors in his top five list after the US$1650 Gustard R26 are the US$ 6400 Terminator Plus and the US$ 2800 Ferrum Wandla.

"The absolute best I tried at my place at any price would be the Rockna Wavedream Signature, Chord Dave, Weiss DAC 502, Ferrum WANDLA, Denafrips Terminator Plus and then the R26."

https://soundnews.net/sources/dacs/...-gustard-r26-discrete-r-2r-ladder-dac-review/

High praise, I don't think that included a pimped out LAN connection (Etherregen, LHY ect.) or external clock!
Edit:
I recall him having a high end streamer (Rocna) though .

 

[jsiets4]

@BShaw Sure!

DAC Cable Thread in AS: LINK

Explanation why DAC cable is superior: LINK

In HF from this post onwards (esp. on the last page): LINK

NOTE:

• There are two types of DAC cables (Passive and Active|). The correct type is PASSIVE (see explanation on link #2).
• Some DAC cables has EEPROMS for dedicated brands (HP, Dell, Cisco, Lenovo etc.). Be sure its the SFF-8431 open standard.
• Amphenol DAC Cable has two types of wires, be sure to get the: quad shielded SKEWCLEAR version.

Anyway, the right cables i already posted on the Mouser links HERE (last part of post). So don't worry yourself too much on the above notes.

I am learning also as i prooceed. So sorry if i keep updating my posts.

Ok so just for fun I purchased this cable and replaced the Cisco cable I had between my N18 and N18pro. BTW I paid 38 USD it is now 45 USD must be popular now! I decided that for the purposes of this test I would read nothing about the listening impressions others had and my testing equipment would be my ears. Without trying to use terms that would mean different things to different people my impressions are that the bass is tighter and an annoying harshness in the highs that has been plaguing my digital system seems to be gone. Definitely an improvement. And for anyone who thinks it's all in my head, since I used my ears for the testing equipment you're right, it is all in my head! I really do love this hobby!