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

[Knobstler]

I recieved my r26 yesterday and it is already a big improvement over my mini i 3 pro in my main system. Soundstage is almost holographic and timbre and dynamics a great.
The only problem i have so far is that neither bubble upnp nor mconnect can find the r26 renderer. So i have to stick with roon for now

 

[rsbrsvp]

After about a week of burn-in, the R26 being fed by the audio-gd DI-20HE with a Wireworld Platinum silver starlight HDMI cable and using external 10mhz clock sounds absolutely incredible. At least equal to and perhaps better than my audio-gd R-7HE ($3500) dac; also known to perform multiples of times beyond it's price. There is simply nothing wrong with it. Detail, openness, bass, punch, layering, fullness, clear, airy, superb speed, superb separation. There is no weakness I can identify. Absolutely a miracle for the money and may be so so close to the very best one can obtain at any price that it probably makes no sense to even try.

I did attempt to pair it with my audio-gd HE-9 tube preamp (highly acclaimed) and it of course added weight and beauty to the sound. Detail was unaffected and remained superb, but speed and slam took a solid step backwards. The tubes will remain on on the sidelines.

 

[snico]

It is the weekend that I am more active yesterday and today. I finally decided to try the USB input on the R26. I have a Wireworld Platinum USB cable. No DDC. Now it plays for a total of about 7-8 hours.

The sound is significantly different from the sound through the LAN input. With the USB input, there is better bass control, more firmness in the sound. Even on stage, everything is somehow in its place. The sound is subdued, there is no ringing. Excellent HiFi. But audible HiFi. There is a certain distance due to which when you close your eyes you know you are listening to HiFi.

Through the LAN input, the sound is not perfect as USB, but it is quite immediate. Performers in the room. The bass is a little under-controlled, there is a bit of piano ringing, but you close your eyes and feel the performers in front of you.
Devil's dilemma.

What did you connect at the other end of you usb cable ? A computer, a streamer ?

 

[Forgisound]

Što si spojio na drugom kraju usb kabela? Računalo, streamer?

Računalo podešeno za HiFi.

 

[Forgisound]

What did you connect at the other end of you usb cable ? A computer, a streamer ?

Computer tuned for HiFi.

 

[Forgisound]

Today I improved the performance over the LAN a little more, by powering the NAS and the switch from the LPS. Better definition, tighter sound.

 

[mmwwmm]

Today I improved the performance over the LAN a little more, by powering the NAS and the switch from the LPS. Better definition, tighter sound.

Recently I replaced the Netgear wifi extender I was using to connect the R26 to the LAN network for an Asus wifi 6 router configured as a pure media bridge and, when I replaced the supplied SMPSU for a good quality LPSU, I experienced an overall clearly improved definition and dimensionality.

 

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

I was also comtemplating to do it with my router (as an interim solution). However since I have decided to add a proper audiophile switch in the near future, I decided to leave it be.

 

[PeteJ]

If not - I am wondering whether using a second google wifi router (I am using google nest to create a mesh system) could be used without any sonic issues as a LAN in (over wifi).

I am using similar setup with ASUS Routers in AiMesh, it sounds beautiful as expected from R26. Give it a try with Google mesh I'm sure it will be absolutely fine

 

[Odezra]

Thanks everyone for the pointers on LAN set up. I have had my Gustard 24 hours now so will provide some quick notes / impressions:

• Received within one week from purchasing on Amazon (good service)
• Selected silver - nice looking unit - doesn't look as bad as some of the 'set top box' commentary alluded to though it isn't a beautiful piece of equipment (compared to my amp). Remote is plastic but perfectly fine.
• Chain - have tried zen stream via USB and LAN direct to Gustard R26. R26 is feeding a willsenton r8 tube amp (with upgraded KT-88 / 6sl7 / 6sn7 tubes) and a pair of buchardt sk400 mkii's
• On set up - it's super easy and i had no need to update the firmware - Roon worked out of the box.
• Sound quality - it's been on now 24 hours. I have just completed an a/b test with the Chord mojo 2 / poly 2 which has been the source for my system up until now. I have both grouped in roon, sound level matched, and fed by RCA in to the amp, and am using the amp to switch inputs (Gustard is being fed by the Zen stream via USB).
  • After 24 hours, what I can say is that they appear to be v close / similar sounding DACs. The Gustard just pips it. My perception is that Gustard seems to have better detail and is more nuanced / less muddy in the bass. I also perceive better separation and instruments sound 'more realistic'. The mojo is excellent but has a tendency to push everything a little forward and separation is not quite as good. I perceive the treble from the gustard being slightly more rolled off than the mojo. However, at this stage, these are small differences, not major ones.
  • I also tested the LAN direct (but didn't have time to A/B with the mojo). Switching between the LAN and the Zen stream on the gustard takes around 15-20 seconds for Roon to recognise, so it's almost impossible test reliably given how unreliable audio memory is. My perception is that there may be some tightening in the bass and some more clarity coming through via LAN but it's hard to say.
  • Test tracks by the way were hi res test tracks from Qobuz (44 / 24 and 192 / 24) and the R26 PCM filter was set to MID
• I understand from many of the posts on this forum that the DAC is best reviewed at the 300hr mark, so look forwarding to seeing if the SQ views above change in anyway. I'll come back and update if it does improve.

The TLDR for me is - out of the box - it sounds excellent in my system. It's a lot less of a faff to work with compared to the mojo (i.e. the remote, streamer function, and wider set of inputs / outputs). I also have the option to test more with HQ player which I'll try later. Am hoping the unit continues to improve, but am happy if it stays at this level.

 

[sgreg1]

Discrete resistors are robust passive components and very unlikely to fail without a direct insult.

A R2R with discrete resistors is less likely to fail then a classic R2R chip like a PCM56 having more robust ability to tolerate over voltage spikes. The old R2R chips like PCM56 hardly ever fail. Some have been happily playing for over 25 years and are going strong. So the discrete ladder DAC in the R26 is unlikely to fail from resistor specific issues.

The reliability of a DAC model is down to the most vulnerable part or stage. With many modern DACs that have data processing chips the FPGA may be the weakest link but they rarely fail. Over time capacitors in the power supply will degrade and occasionally there can be a poor quality electrolytic cap that fails prematurely. This is the same whether the DAC has R2R or a noise modulator (delta-sigma) based conversion.

If you want to protect your DAC unplug it so its not subject to over-voltage damage eg lightening strikes and so the caps cool off. But some find DACs can take hours to "warm up".

Bottom line. R2R discrete resistor DACs from reliable manufacturers can be expected to be reliable. Dont worry. Enjoy the music.

Nada it is the heating and cooling cycle that will lead to cap failure. When they heat they expand and when they cool they contract. This cycle over and over can lead to micro cracks that eventually lead to failure. I had an engineer tell me this is why you leave your components on alll the time. I have a Sansui 7070 that has only been hut off from power outages in 50 years and it still strong in my business playing 12 hours per day.

 

[Fluty]

Nada it is the heating and cooling cycle that will lead to cap failure. When they heat they expand and when they cool they contract. This cycle over and over can lead to micro cracks that eventually lead to failure. I had an engineer tell me this is why you leave your components on alll the time. I have a Sansui 7070 that has only been hut off from power outages in 50 years and it still strong in my business playing 12 hours per day.

I'd like to leave my R26 turned on all the time, but am concerned (have posted earlier in this thread) about shortening the life of the OLED display screen by doing so. Can anyone shed some light on this? (no pun intended)

 

[565321]

Nada it is the heating and cooling cycle that will lead to cap failure. When they heat they expand and when they cool they contract. This cycle over and over can lead to micro cracks that eventually lead to failure. I had an engineer tell me this is why you leave your components on alll the time. I have a Sansui 7070 that has only been hut off from power outages in 50 years and it still strong in my business playing 12 hours per day.

Then you will be surprised how much better it will become with fresh elcos.

 

[cobrabucket]

After reading through several pages in this thread, you guys talked me into it: I just ordered one of these less than an hour before the 11.11 sale ended. I am beyond stoked! Will be comparing inputs between U18 via IIS, Pi2AES via AES and LAN. Might have to start looking for an affordable but quality 10MHz clock.

 

[Harry_H]

Order placed and waiting has been started. Currently having AudioGd D77 and 1st generation Holoaudio Spring L3, interesting to see how it will compare against them