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

[Giangi]

Is there a kind of burn in like Denafrips that recommends keeping your device on for about ten days?

 

[rdbogdan]

As far as i know, most R2R DAC manufacturers (and even some delta sigma based ones) recommend some sort of burn-in, but feel free not to do it and just let the music flow as soon as possible, still sounds very good, after a few hours even better Edit: I leave mine on stand-by all time when not in use (still have a dedicated switch-off at the back)

 

[Giangi]

As far as i know, most R2R DAC manufacturers (and even some delta sigma based ones) recommend some sort of burn-in, but feel free not to do it and just let the music flow as soon as possible, still sounds very good, after a few hours even better Edit: I leave mine on stand-by all time when not in use (still have a dedicated switch-off at the back)

Does the upgrade done in standby mode?

 

[rdbogdan]

Upgrade to SQ? No idea if stand by plays a role in it, i meant by listening to music

 

[Giangi]

Upgrade to SQ? No idea if stand by plays a role in it, i meant by listening to music

Firmware upgrade. I've got Roon

 

[rdbogdan]

Firmware upgrade. I've got Roon

through USB cable to computer
1.
Turn off the power.

2.
Launch usbimager and click '...' button on the right of first bar. Select 'Release_1.2.img.gz'.

3.
Connect Type-C port to PC and remove other USB storage. The device would appear on the second bar.

4.
Click the third bar to write the image.

5.
Close usbimager after finished, turn on the power after USB disconnected.

Sorry for the messy chars, copied from the readme on the firmware package

 

[rdbogdan]

I use simple setup, mac mini-Singxer-R26-Ferrum stack-headphones, not into Roon, UpnP etc although i might toy with in the future. Bought it exclusively for the SQ

 

[Johnjc1]

I got the R26 today
A few steps beyond my A22 DAC
It likes to rock, for sure.
I will add a review after it has settled in

 

[Giangi]

through USB cable to computer
1.
Turn off the power.

2.
Launch usbimager and click '...' button on the right of first bar. Select 'Release_1.2.img.gz'.

3.
Connect Type-C port to PC and remove other USB storage. The device would appear on the second bar.

4.
Click the third bar to write the image.

5.
Close usbimager after finished, turn on the power after USB disconnected.

Sorry for the messy chars, copied from the readme on the firmware package

Turn off the power...what does it mean? Only turn off or also back switch turn off?

 

[9bphillips]

I can't wait to hear some reviews of the R26. I would like to know how it would do with a dap as it's source via USB. I am using my dx300 as dac/source with my wa22 right now. I've never owned a full size dac so i am curious how it will compare to using my dx300 dac and I'm wondering how it will do with using my dx300 as source for it.

 

[milkdudd]

I got the R26 today
A few steps beyond my A22 DAC
It likes to rock, for sure.
I will add a review after it has settled in

I'm curious if you used your A22 by itself or with a DDC like the U18? That's what I have now and I wonder how the R26 compares to my combination. I also have the C18 on the way. I bought that brand new because I needed to have a return policy in case it doesn't help much. I've heard the C18 doesn't make as much of a difference with the R26. Anyone else heard that?

 

[Giangi]

I can't wait to hear some reviews of the R26. I would like to know how it would do with a dap as it's source via USB. I am using my dx300 as dac/source with my wa22 right now. I've never owned a full size dac so i am curious how it will compare to using my dx300 dac and I'm wondering how it will do with using my dx300 as source for it.

Night and day

 

[Giangi]

I'm curious if you used your A22 by itself or with a DDC like the U18? That's what I have now and I wonder how the R26 compares to my combination. I also have the C18 on the way. I bought that brand new because I needed to have a return policy in case it doesn't help much. I've heard the C18 doesn't make as much of a difference with the R26. Anyone else heard that?

I used A22 mqa with U18...not a great change. However X26 Pro is much better than A22

 

[12kurupt]

My r26 also arrived today. Waiting on DI-20HE to ship. Need to download the manual. Briefly messed with it over my lunch break. Hope to spend more time with it later this evening.

 

[milkdudd]

I used A22 mqa with U18...not a great change. However X26 Pro is much better than A22

Yes, thanks. That is almost the path I took, to purchase the X26 Pro to go along with my U18. Instead I bought the C18 which is on its way knowing I could return it if the difference isn't enough. If I'm happy with the C18 I'll keep it and in a couple of months I might get the X26 Pro and pair it with the C18/U18. I'm kind of thinking before too long there may be an upgrade version of the X26 pro. X30 a possibility I wonder?