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

[bluex]

I have the same issue now, exactly as I had some years ago with iFi Micro IDSD Signature connected to the tablet ( C USB, with iFi cable adapter )
I'm using the USB B from R26 with some iFi adapter ( USB A to USB C ) and the iFi USB C into the tablet
Sometimes I have to turn off / on the R26, or else, I have sound only in the tablet, no headphones.
Is that a bug? I want to mention, I didn't do any firmware updates yet, for Gustard R26.
I ordered some USB B to USB C cable, I want to get rid of the iFi adapter cable.
Hopefully with the new cable, I don't have this annoying issue anymore.

 

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

Seems to me a cable/adapter issue. Your tablet clould not get a lock on your device.

 

[bluex]

Thanks, Mickey
What do you mean by
" Your tablet could not get a lock on your device"?

 

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

The OS could not connect to the usb device... This happens when there is no sufficient contact on the cable. Or either the cable is not OTG (On The Go) compliant. Try cleaning the usb c port of your tablet first or the USB ports of your adapter/DAC.

 

[bluex]

I think it's the OTG cable.
When I switched off / on the R26, was okay, without removing the USB C cable from the tablet.
I ordered one cable USB B to USB C
I'll report back, thank you

 

[Deleeh]

I finally managed to install the Gentoo player on my pc.
It wasn't exactly easy for me as a 41 year old, but it worked.
Now I understand the point of a Raspberry Pi or streamer.

I can now use the tablet quite comfortably and control Roon and choose what I want.
Without having to use the PC.

In terms of sound, that makes a difference again, I wouldn't have expected that.
Since I also have the Gustard R26 which also has a Lan port
I have to say that the Gentoo player, which is currently installed on the PC, sounds better than the Lan port of the Gustard.
Currently the whole software technically works via the Gentoo player on the PC.
Hardware Pc>Usb Matrix Audio Element H card to the Singxer Su2 DDC from there via I2S to the Gustard.
It is controlled with the iPad where Roon must be installed and the fun begins.

And I already have something on the screen that I think will make things better as far as streamers are concerned.
It's Raspberry Pi based but very well built, also power wise, which is important for a Rasberry pi for good results.

Back to the sound, it comes very close to what I heard back then on the Cayhin N7 or 8 Dap where I streamed via Bluetooth to Gustard.

 

[jody2k]

Small question can you use this dac with usb straight to windows computer? So without lan or any streaming. Just pure old PCM over usb cable

 

[sbgk]

Small question can you use this dac with usb straight to windows computer? So without lan or any streaming. Just pure old PCM over usb cable

yes, but it's not very good, maybe something like the smsl PO100 pro (£65) would help, usb in and i2s, opt or coax out, gets good reviews as a reclocker

 

[jody2k]

yes, but it's not very good, maybe something like the smsl PO100 pro (£65) would help, usb in and i2s, opt or coax out, gets good reviews as a reclocker

Thanks for the advice! how would be the best way to connect the gustard to the PO100pro device and then going straight into usb input in PC?

 

[sbgk]

Thanks for the advice! how would be the best way to connect the gustard to the PO100pro device and then going straight into usb input in PC?

usb from pc to PO100pro to R26 via coax/opt/I2S

PC->PO100pro->R26

or get the U18

 

[mikeypas]

usb from pc to PO100pro to R26 via coax/opt/I2S

PC->PO100pro->R26

or get the U18

The U18 sounds great with R26 (usb from computer, I2S to r26)

 

[Jake2]

or get the U18

Or the LHY UIP USB regen, many paths here.

 

[Jake2]

Thanks for the advice! how would be the best way to connect the gustard to the PO100pro device and then going straight into usb input in PC?

As an affordable upgrade I’d suggest adding an effective but cheap(ish) USB regenerator ahead of the PO100 Pro, very effective ahead of the Douk U2 pro (between it and the PC). Check that thread for recommendations on AliX USB isolators with the latest gen ADuM and TI chips.

 

[jody2k]

Thanks for all the advice! R26 dac is certainly on my radar which also is priced reasonable.
I currently own the hifiman EF600 and I was impressed by it's 3D imaging and soundstage width + depth (ef600 was also my first r2r dac.)

Does anyone has happen to compared the EF600 with the R26 soundstage/imaging wise? Would the R26 be a significant upgrade you think?

 

[LarsHP]

Thanks for all the advice! R26 dac is certainly on my radar which also is priced reasonable.
I currently own the hifiman EF600 and I was impressed by it's 3D imaging and soundstage width + depth (ef600 was also my first r2r dac.)

Does anyone has happen to compared the EF600 with the R26 soundstage/imaging wise? Would the R26 be a significant upgrade you think?

Sound News tested both the R26 and EF600. I just read the review of the HiFiMan DAC/amp and to me, it indirectly appears that the DAC section of the EF600 isn't on the same level as the R26. Given the price differences and that one includes a headphone amplifier while the other "only" features pre-amplifier function (but does add renderer/streamer function), it should be no wonder that the Gustard R26 should sound better. I would think the R26 betters the EF600 in terms of resolution, details and transparency.

If you didn't already read the R26 review at Sound News, I suggest looking it up. That's the review that convinced me getting the unit.