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

[Deleeh]

There is a huge difference when you use Roon on Windows versus the things where Roon can be used, Dietpi and Roon Server, and something that was actually designed for Roon like a Roon Rock.
The Linux based one is indeed better than Windows and you will notice the sound difference.
I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't heard it myself.
My discarded Pc with Dietpi installed on it with Roon Server does a great job here.
Even the Gentooplayer is something that is really great and can be used on any Pc if you can leave the Pc activities aside.
If you are ready to use your PC for this, just load Gentooplayer on the usb stick, activate in Bios that it is prioritised via usb as the first boot sequence and Gentooplayer starts.
And you can use Roon normally with your tablet or smartphone.
I'm thinking about whether a separate streamer really makes sense if you can use it like this for 3-4 hours.
You can also do the same with Dietpi, which costs nothing
And you want to test how well the Raat protocol performs and are prepared to invest a little time.
As a small note, my main pc is connected to the DDC and then goes to the R26 via I2S.
It has made the sound of the R26 appear in a different light.
Much better in all areas, I have never heard the R26 sound so good, it has become much more versatile.

 

[IanA]

ok... I was able to upgrade screen software. Better on the eyes for sure. e

So.. as I switch input options I get the loud pop. When I turn off unit I get a loud pop. ?

 

[AntonRisto]

I've decided to downsize my desktop setup so I'm selling my R26 with a Gustard Upgrade Fuse. If anyone's interested, check my classifieds listings.

 

[Stellabagpuss]

There is a huge difference when you use Roon on Windows versus the things where Roon can be used, Dietpi and Roon Server, and something that was actually designed for Roon like a Roon Rock.
The Linux based one is indeed better than Windows and you will notice the sound difference.
I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't heard it myself.
My discarded Pc with Dietpi installed on it with Roon Server does a great job here.
Even the Gentooplayer is something that is really great and can be used on any Pc if you can leave the Pc activities aside.
If you are ready to use your PC for this, just load Gentooplayer on the usb stick, activate in Bios that it is prioritised via usb as the first boot sequence and Gentooplayer starts.
And you can use Roon normally with your tablet or smartphone.
I'm thinking about whether a separate streamer really makes sense if you can use it like this for 3-4 hours.
You can also do the same with Dietpi, which costs nothing
And you want to test how well the Raat protocol performs and are prepared to invest a little time.
As a small note, my main pc is connected to the DDC and then goes to the R26 via I2S.
It has made the sound of the R26 appear in a different light.
Much better in all areas, I have never heard the R26 sound so good, it has become much more versatile.

l have to second this opinion... I run Jriver Media Centre, ditching Windows OS, and moving to Dabian Linux gave a big audio performance jump quality wise.

 

[crazy098]

Hi everyone, I'm new here so please be gentle. I have an R26 connected to a Singxer SU-6 via I2S. The su-6 is connected to my pc via usb. I've been looking at the FMC mod and was wondering if it would provide any benefit to my system. My pc is connected to my router via a regular unmanaged switch. I have a credit on Amazon and can get everything for about $150.
I plan on upgrading the R26 at some point this year. Would it be worth doing the FMC mod or would I be better off just putting the $150 towards the new dac? I figure I could always use the mod with the new dac if it's worth it.

 

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

Hello and welcome!

Since you have an SU-6, do suggest to invest something to clean your USB source say an USB Isolator (ex: Topping HS02 or those ADUM4165/4166 dongles).

FMC mod IMO is good if you don't have any kind of DDC / Clock at the moment. Investing now with a FMC will give you two sources (USB/SU6 and Lan/FMC). But later as your preference will lean to one, the other will just become redundant.

And since you plan to upgrade your DAC this year (R30?) Need to plan ahead: DDC or FMC route? Investing in FMC will require you for a streamer. Built-in to the DAC or not.

On a personale experience: A USB Reclock/Regen + SU-6 is a killer combo.

 

[sbgk]

Hi everyone, I'm new here so please be gentle. I have an R26 connected to a Singxer SU-6 via I2S. The su-6 is connected to my pc via usb. I've been looking at the FMC mod and was wondering if it would provide any benefit to my system. My pc is connected to my router via a regular unmanaged switch. I have a credit on Amazon and can get everything for about $150.
I plan on upgrading the R26 at some point this year. Would it be worth doing the FMC mod or would I be better off just putting the $150 towards the new dac? I figure I could always use the mod with the new dac if it's worth it.

buy a supercapacitor supply for the SU6,
could try a cheap one to see if it makes a difference https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004856472173.html

 

[crazy098]

FMC mod IMO is good if you don't have any kind of DDC / Clock at the moment. Investing now with a FMC will give you two sources (USB/SU6 and Lan/FMC). But later as your preference will lean to one, the other will just become redundant.

And since you plan to upgrade your DAC this year (R30?) Need to plan ahead: DDC or FMC route? Investing in FMC will require you for a streamer. Built-in to the DAC or not.

On a personale experience: A USB Reclock/Regen + SU-6 is a killer combo.

It would probably help if I told you what I'm looking for. First, there's pops that I don't get when using the same system with my avr. Could be a loose wire somewhere but I don't think so. Second, I'm looking for greater detail out of the dac. I'd be sticking with the SU-6, so USB isolator for me. I've tried connecting via lan before but it sounded too thin to my ears, and I preferred I2s with the SU-6. DAC upgrade would be from a brand other than Gustard and cost about 3X as much. I'm considering the OCK-2 on the used market but I think that money would be better put towards the new DAC.

buy a supercapacitor supply for the SU6,
could try a cheap one to see if it makes a difference https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004856472173.html

I wouldn't mind trying that but forgive my ignorance. What is a supercapicitor and which one should I get for the SU-6?

 

[sbgk]

It would probably help if I told you what I'm looking for. First, there's pops that I don't get when using the same system with my avr. Could be a loose wire somewhere but I don't think so. Second, I'm looking for greater detail out of the dac. I'd be sticking with the SU-6, so USB isolator for me. I've tried connecting via lan before but it sounded too thin to my ears, and I preferred I2s with the SU-6. DAC upgrade would be from a brand other than Gustard and cost about 3X as much. I'm considering the OCK-2 on the used market but I think that money would be better put towards the new DAC.



I wouldn't mind trying that but forgive my ignorance. What is a supercapicitor and which one should I get for the SU-6?

it's a type of capacitor that charges up from the mains and then discharges into the SU6, has lowest amount of noise compared to switching or linear power supplies, so you will get better sound quality. SU6 is between 7.5 V and 9 V so select 9 V from the link above.
interesting video, queued to start at the supercapacitor biy, but whole video worth watching, noise is so low he can't measure it. At one stage earlier in the video he's using a filter capacitor and picks up noise when brings it close to the transformer, so even toroidal transformers are kicking out noise into surrounding circuits.

 

[Jake2]

Noting of course that the SU-6 has an internal super capacitor that is an integral part of its low noise design, so you’d be doubling up on the super caps. Owners have found improvements from using better power supplies even though the buffering of the internal super-cap ought to minimise their effect, so the same may hold true for using super-caps in series.

 

[sbgk]

Noting of course that the SU-6 has an internal super capacitor that is an integral part of its low noise design, so you’d be doubling up on the super caps. Owners have found improvements from using better power supplies even though the buffering of the internal super-cap ought to minimise their effect, so the same may hold true for using super-caps in series.

yes, didn't know that, would be an experiment to use one of the cheap supercapacitors, think you could charge up the internal one using the normal supply and then swap it over to the cheap supercapacitor supply once it's charged - after 20 mins ?

this guy used a filter on the supply lead to good effect (according to him)
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/singxer-su-6.902272/page-73#post-18244252

 

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

There are a lot of tweaks/mods mentioned on that thread. Mostly involed by cutiing, desoldering and soldering for upgraded parts. To the point of "sanding" (sand mod). AFM, since i don't have those skills(or just plain lazy), just crossing my fingers that an upgrade model will come soon.

 

[crazy098]

When I looked into supercaps, I decided against it because I was afraid of the fire risk with a cheap design. I decided to get the HS02, Audioquest Carbon USB Cable (I'm still using the stock one that came with SU-6), and upgrade the power cable of my preamp. I'll get an lps for the su-6 next. I'd welcome any recommendations.

 

[sendler2112]

just crossing my fingers that an upgrade model will come soon.

R30 is on the way and could quite possibly sound even better than the X30 at the same price?. Which is already supposedly one of the best sounding DACs that has ever been made

 

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

Sorry for the confusion Bud, I was writing on the previous poster's post on mods of the SU-6.
Yes, hopefully this summer they could introduce the long waited R30.
But WEIMB, I am happy with my DAC so far (Hydra.VOX). Waiting for its upgrade too (SuperVOX), hopefully this year.