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

[gryphon1972]

It’s ok but copper doesn’t shield the strong magnetic component of the transformers. If you can find the ultraperm80 Stella mentioned, or something like this, it’s much better. The product here is good because it doesn’t suffer in performance like mu metal if it’s bent: https://www.emrss.com/products/magnetic-shielding-mcf5
Or this: https://a.co/d/j2P9zNx

As a plus any of these shields can be connected to a ground pathway to allow higher frequency emf/rfi to drain.

Thanks for the recommendation. I am more worried bout the sharp corners with my butter fingers. How do u all deal with it?

 

[BShaw]

Thanks for the recommendation. I am more worried bout the sharp corners with my butter fingers. How do u all deal with it?

I never even think of it to tell you the truth, but you could always use a cheap nail file or piece of cloth backed sandpaper to wipe the edges as you go along. It's the burr that gets you but I've never had a problem.

 

[vvume]

Well sorry for the late reply, in the end,like yourself,l totally ditch the rear power inlet., and went a step further,l moved the transformers into a different enclosure, l direct fed the,power in the new enclosure, ditching any power inlets,,and lined the enclosure with Ultraperm 80, then made two separate boxes in Ultraperm 80,two further cross interference between both transformers, as you say, its not for the faint hearted, so really does improve the R26

I have used copper (over all) and mumetal (most sensitive areas like power supply and R2R ladder) which I suspect offer some of the benefits of separate boxes. Perhaps a future project.

 

[TTlean]

Today found out my right RCA out is totally mute. I've only used XLR's so far and they work perfectly. Anything to check before I ship the unit for repairs?

 

[SpursForEver]

Check the cables and ask yourself if you did smth physical to the output

 

[Stellabagpuss]

Thanks for the recommendation. I am more worried bout the sharp corners with my butter fingers. How do u all deal with it?

I have a solution... And your not the only one that's had cuts. Purchase a Laminate machine, the type you want is for paper. My mate Matt thought of this idea while we would sheilding board sections, and it works really well, plus it becomes insulated and will handle hot temps. At the time, l told him it was a "Genius Discovery" for us, tweekers

 

[gryphon1972]

I have a solution... And your not the only one that's had cuts. Purchase a Laminate machine, the type you want is for paper. My mate Matt thought of this idea while we would sheilding board sections, and it works really well, plus it becomes insulated and will handle hot temps. At the time, l told him it was a "Genius Discovery" for us, tweekers

Something like this? And u laminate the metal sheet?

 

[vvume]

One also wonders how this affects your insurance, not being authorised to do this kind of modifications, should smth happen. I would really advise against messing with the mains section.

Very good advice, but specifically speaking about insurance, I have done some google searches and it doesn't appear that such modifications necessarily void your insurance - this would be similar to making any kind of electrical fix yourself at home like installing smart switches in place of legacy switches. Obviously, I wasn't going to call my insurance company and ask . Regardless, it would be a stupid thing to do if you don't have some upstream protection - in my case I have a 3A fuse for all my digital equipment in my power conditioner (so 330w max), and so fingers cross that takes care of unexpected electrical loading at a master level. That doesn't mean the DAC is protected, but at least fire-inducing dangerous current levels wouldn't flow through it.

I also doubt the insurance would cover replacement of a modified product if you have coverage for them. Given that most policies have a deductible and it often exceeds the price of a used model, I didn't think I was going to lose much more anyways.

 

[Stellabagpuss]

Something like this? And u laminate the metal sheet?

Yes that's the type, Ultraperm 80 is pretty thin, l've laminated with no issues

 

[TTlean]

Check the cables and ask yourself if you did smth physical to the output

Cables good and outputs never even used to no. Was thinking more of a software issue etc. Will take it to a bench!

 

[SpursForEver]

Cables good and outputs never even used to no. Was thinking more of a software issue etc. Will take it to a bench!

Hardly, it's in the analogue domain.

 

[TTlean]

Update. Got both RCA's working with enabling the -30db pad. Seems like an HW issue related to that stage. XLR's working 100% with and without the pad. Pretty strange I must say.

 

[Stellabagpuss]

You should try the Amphenol DAC cable at the end of my POST. The pair cost only about half of one of your modules.

Sorry for the delayed reply, the Amphenol DAC arrived, and l can report that it is indeed a excellent cable,well balanced and not hot like Cisco DAC cable, early days,but very positive results if your planning to run one N18PRO to another N18Pro or non pro unit.

 

[Deleeh]

Sorry for the delayed reply, the Amphenol DAC arrived, and l can report that it is indeed a excellent cable,well balanced and not hot like Cisco DAC cable, early days,but very positive results if your planning to run one N18PRO to another N18Pro or non pro unit.

What do you mean by Amphenol DAC cable?

 

[Stellabagpuss]

What do you mean by Amphenol DAC cable?

Take a look at my quote from Micky, you will see, a Link to the item