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

[jody2k]

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.

Yes I did the comparison on sound news yesterday, that's why i'm bit on the fence a bit because soundstage wise both the R26 and EF600 score 95/100.
But you're right, it will probably be a step up in resolution and dynamics and all the rest aside of soundstage thanks for heads up .

 

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

NEW! (on page 1)

USB device universal driver: v5.72

Please leave comment if it's ok. Gustard support site says "Please download this driver for Windows 7 system" . There are no changelogs. Driver v5.72 is a tad smaller than v5.68.

Update: Changed link fro Driver v5.68 (Shenzen Audio). Gustard's don't work anymore.

Cheers!

 

[AlexB73]

Does anybody have an experience with the ne LHY OCK-2S master clock?
How is OCK-2S compared to OCK-2?

I tried to buy the old OCK-2 model on Aliexpress and eBay. But each time I ordered it sellers told me the old model is sold out and out of production.

The truth is the extra $400 is too much for me. I have Gustard r26 DAC and a $1100 master clock looks like an too expensive gadget for $1600 DAC.

 

[LarsHP]

Does anybody have an experience with the ne LHY OCK-2S master clock?
How is OCK-2S compared to OCK-2?

I tried to buy the old OCK-2 model on Aliexpress and eBay. But each time I ordered it sellers told me the old model is sold out and out of production.

The truth is the extra $400 is too much for me. I have Gustard r26 DAC and a $1100 master clock looks like an too expensive gadget for $1600 DAC.

A 10MHz clock can't improve audio jitter. If that is your goal, save your money.

If you still want to try to improve the sound of the R26, you can buy a high quality DDC (digital to digital converter) and connect via IIS (I2S) which at least in theory _may_ improve the sound.

 

[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

I purchased two different cables
USB B to USB C
Same story. Can't understand why this happens
Sometimes, it's just " losing connection" and the tablet plays, not in the headphones
When I purchased the R26, I thought I can connect it with the USB C to USB C

 

[LarsHP]

I purchased two different cables
USB B to USB C
Same story. Can't understand why this happens
Sometimes, it's just " losing connection" and the tablet plays, not in the headphones
When I purchased the R26, I thought I can connect it with the USB C to USB C

Don't you have the USB cable that came with the R26? I would just use that given the situation you experience.

 

[bluex]

Don't you have the USB cable that came with the R26? I would just use that given the situation you experience.

I did use it. Same thing. I thought it's the iFi OTG cable the culprit
Now I have a cable USB B to USB C ( tablet )

 

[BShaw]

I did use it. Same thing. I thought it's the iFi OTG cable the culprit
Now I have a cable USB B to USB C ( tablet )

Have you checked the output settings on the tablet? They may be set to “internal speakers” and need to be manually reset.

 

[LarsHP]

I did use it. Same thing. I thought it's the iFi OTG cable the culprit
Now I have a cable USB B to USB C ( tablet )

As BShaw suggests, it could be output settings. Yesterday evening I almost freaked out because I didn't get sound from my newly acquired second hand amplifier (with internal DAC), when I used another DAC. In the end, after testing a lot of different things, I found out that the reason was that the internal DAC was set to exclusive mode in the player software on the PC, meaning no other DAC would be allowed to play.

 

[bluex]

Have you checked the output settings on the tablet? They may be set to “internal speakers” and need to be manually reset.

I have no idea where this setting is

 

[BShaw]

I have no idea where this setting is

What kind of tablet is it?

 

[BShaw]

 

[bluex]

What kind of tablet is it?

Samsung Galaxy Tab s9

 

[jsiets4]

You should also consider that it may be a balky usb port on the tablet.

 

[bluex]

Yes, it might be. But when this issue occurs, all I do is, I switch off and back On the R26
I never have / had / this issue with iBasso D16 Taipan, USB C to USB C
I already activated Developer Options.
Here are 2 screenshots from the Media settings
By the way, I tested with some other Android devices, like :
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, my mobile phone Samsung Galaxy s24 ultra, my wife's mobile phone, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and her tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab s9 plus
Same results