[Giangi]

So, this would eliminate the U18 in the chain?
What would I lose by going to ethernet and limitations?

If you use ethernet directly, you could eliminate the usb jitter and don't need U18 or others. For the bitrate, as declared, the same as usb and i2s. I don't know honestly if it is full decoder MQA or not. The usb chipset, xmos xu216, could full decode mqa if Gustard allow that but I have some doubt

 

[alanb]

Is there any more information or experience on the R26 yet? The combination of R2R DAC and direct ethernet interface ticks two very important boxes for me.

 

[NoaHimesaka]

After lots of thinking between this vs Holo Spring 3, Schiit Yggy (sounds crazy isn't it?) I chose this thing because of network playing capability. Will post impression after I receive this thing supposedly tomorrow.

 

[NoaHimesaka]

Just received it! First impression: very detailed yet rich, textured sound.

 

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

Congratulations! So does the network streaming function works?

 

[NoaHimesaka]

Congratulations! So does the network streaming function works?

I'll test it later and write it with more detailed impressions.

 

[Giangi]

However, I learned that many would not change it with the x26 pro + RPi4

 

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

Sandu's review just came in:

https://soundnews.net/sources/dacs/...-gustard-r26-discrete-r-2r-ladder-dac-review/

 

[mantraone]

Sandu's review just came in:

https://soundnews.net/sources/dacs/...-gustard-r26-discrete-r-2r-ladder-dac-review/

I'm impressed about this review, if Gustard engineers are able to archive this quality on a first product R2R based.

About ethernet end point sound quality, nothing tested and compared only a sentence about Gustard U18 interface that sound better.


"It needs to be said that while I find it excellent via USB coming from my PC, it was clearer and faster sounding via Ethernet running Roon and even better when I’ve added a Singxer SU-6 / Gustard U18 DDC in between my PC and R26. I don’t own a dedicated Roon Core / Server, but I can only presume that it might sound as clean as transparent as it sounds via high-performance DDCs, but that’s an educated guess at this point, so take it with a small grain of salt."

I would like a comparison or experience on that.

 

[Alcophone]

Mutec

Unfortunately the MC-3+ USB is not bit perfect when used as a USB DDC or when used with an external clock. It uses asynchronous sample rate conversion, i.e. you can see filter artifacts like ringing in the digital output. When using its USB input AND an external clock it even does that twice in a row.

For all other inputs the bits get preserved as long as you use its internal clock.

GoldenSound said the Audio-GD DI-20 is bit perfect, so that may be an option.

Edit: Corrected my claim about the MC-3+ USB not being bit-perfect when used as a USB DDC, this is incorrect. Playing via USB it bit-perfect, recording is not because an ASRC is used here.

 

[ctrlm]

Sandu's review just came in:

https://soundnews.net/sources/dacs/...-gustard-r26-discrete-r-2r-ladder-dac-review/

Yeah I watched this earlier today.

Unless I missed it, there was nothing about SQ impressions with regard to NOS vs OS or the direct DSD function?

I have a Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE in my main speaker/headphone setup and I am considering the R26 for my desktop headphone setup, especially given it's more compact size compared to Holo.

 

[dakchi]

I have a Denafrips Pontus II and wondering whether this DAC would be an upgrade to it. Anyone has experience with both?
I wish this was a pure DAC without any streaming functionality. Streaming will just add noise and will not be as good and complete as a dedicated streaming device. If they release R26 without streaming and they reduce the price, it will be the best DAC in the market at that price

 

[Alcophone]

I wish this was a pure DAC without any streaming functionality. Streaming will just add noise and will not be as good and complete as a dedicated streaming device. If they release R26 without streaming and they reduce the price, it will be the best DAC in the market at that price

If you actually use the streaming part it may still be superior to a separate streamer that doesn't have (asynchronous) USB out since the DAC can retain control over the clock (compared to connecting an external streamer via S/PDIF for instance).

But I agree that it would at least be nice to be able to completely turn off any "smart" parts you don't need.

 

[roderickvd]

Sonically I can’t imagine it will be an upgrade to the Pontus. The latter has double the amount of ladders and dedicated oscillators.

 

[iamalex]

Sonically I can’t imagine it will be an upgrade to the Pontus. The latter has double the amount of ladders and dedicated oscillators.

The double amount of ladders only means that the DAC section of the Pontus is balanced, whereas the Gustard R26 DAC section is single-ended and only the output-stage is balanced. Doesn't necessarily result in worse sonics. What do you mean by dedicated oscillators?