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

[565321]

Anyone got links to high resolution files to test the LAN-R26 combo. Like 24/192 or even higher. Must be non-copyrighted and legal for download. Music style irrelevant.

 

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

Sadly the ever popular 2L High-Res Test Bench Files are no more (for now)

You can still get some from:
Blue Coast Records
Sound Liaison
Native DSD
SampleRateConverter

 

[snico]

Anyone got links to high resolution files to test the LAN-R26 combo. Like 24/192 or even higher. Must be non-copyrighted and legal for download. Music style irrelevant.

Pm me I can send you one super high res file per email.

 

[565321]

Pm me I can send you one super high res file per email.

Got a 24/384 to play, thanks. Will try a 1024 dsf too

 

[Alcophone]

Anyone got links to high resolution files to test the LAN-R26 combo. Like 24/192 or even higher. Must be non-copyrighted and legal for download. Music style irrelevant.

If you just want to test whether it works you can use foobar2000 or other tools to resample any track you want (Right click on a track > Convert) amd generate a new file. The SoX resampler (separate download) can also go beyond 384 kHz. I have only tried PCM.

 

[BShaw]

OK, anyone who's having the noise issue with the R26: I received a reply from the rep, and he attached what I take is a firmware update for people to try. I'll post the reply and attachment below.

On Nov 8, 2022, at 10:00 AM, GUSTARD <gustard@163.com> wrote:
Hi Bryan

The product has been simulated in the laboratory in a large number of actual working environment and works very well.
But there are always unexpected situations.

Although several people reported noise, there should be different reasons for each.

You can try this update to remove noise in individual cases. This update is based on our experience to help remove noise.
Noise is annoying. Like you, we don't want noise.

After the software runs on the Windows system, you can see the operation instructions. When the green runway is filled, it means success. You need a USB TYPE-c cable to connect.

Can be done multiple times to ensure proper operation

If you are experiencing noise for other reasons. For example, the DC component in the mains, voltage fluctuations, poor grid quality, and so on.
I'm afraid still need to refer to other users to use some power handling equipment for higher power quality.

Best regards

Zhang Shan

 

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

Thank you for facilitating. Bravo!

 

[juegue]

OK, anyone who's having the noise issue with the R26: I received a reply from the rep, and he attached what I take is a firmware update for people to try. I'll post the reply and attachment below.

Thanks a lot!

 

[BShaw]

I won't have a chance to try it til Thursday or Friday, I hope it works for some of you!

 

[Nada]

DAC Case Humming - Problem Solving

For anyone with a humming DAC heres some generic advice that I hope might be of some help. This kind of hum comes directly from the DAC. It wont be heard from the sound output on the headphones or speakers. Its from transformer hum. Transformers take AC and always oscillate at mains frequency. If the vibration excites resonance the DAC can be heard to hum.

The key issue with the physical humming noise emanating directly from a DAC is working out the cause.

The core fault can be:
1. the DAC
2. The power supply

Some users have no hum. Others do. So for any single owner the pivotal issue is whether its their home power or the DAC that is at fault. If its the home power with DC or over-voltage on the mains power the owner has the problem.

A pragmatic problem solving process is
1. power the DAC up with no other connections. Pull every other cable but the power cord out.
2. Feel the top of the DAC lightly. Can you feel a vibration?
3. Use a smart phone laying on top of the DAC with apps to record the dB and then the freq. Hum freq should be dominated by 50/60Hz but is there 100/120Hz too? Write down the data with the DAC on and then off. Subtract dB.on - dB.off = dBhum
4. Take the DAC to two other building eg work/friends and repeat the measurements to discriminate power vs DAC issues

If the issue is just at home, solutions are to try a different DAC that is immune to the issue or trial a power conditioner.

If the DAC is physically humming at all locations there may be easy fixes in terms of
A - dampening or changing the trannie cover if thats ringing like a bell
B - better trannie mounting
1. increased toroid clamping pressure
2. better toroid clamping washers
3. using a nylon clamping bolt
4. mounting on dampening sorbothane
C - at last resort potting the trannie

If you fix trannie vibration you also decrease vibration in the whole DAC. You may just find the sound improves. Plenty of DIY guys have been surprised with a marked sound improvement thats not just from the physical hum going, but totally unexpectedly, from improved sound quality out of he headphones.

 

[BShaw]

DAC Case Humming - Problem Solving

For anyone with a humming DAC heres some generic advice that I hope might be of some help. This kind of hum comes directly from the DAC. It wont be heard from the sound output on the headphones or speakers. Its from transformer hum. Transformers take AC and always oscillate at mains frequency. If the vibration excites resonance the DAC can be heard to hum.

The key issue with the physical humming noise emanating directly from a DAC is working out the cause.

The core fault can be:
1. the DAC
2. The power supply

Some users have no hum. Others do. So for any single owner the pivotal issue is whether its their home power or the DAC that is at fault. If its the home power with DC or over-voltage on the mains power the owner has the problem.

A pragmatic problem solving process is
1. power the DAC up with no other connections. Pull every other cable but the power cord out.
2. Feel the top of the DAC lightly. Can you feel a vibration?
3. Use a smart phone laying on top of the DAC with apps to record the dB and then the freq. Hum freq should be dominated by 50/60Hz but is there 100/120Hz too? Write down the data with the DAC on and then off. Subtract dB.on - dB.off = dBhum
4. Take the DAC to two other building eg work/friends and repeat the measurements to discriminate power vs DAC issues

If the issue is just at home, solutions are to try a different DAC that is immune to the issue or trial a power conditioner.

If the DAC is physically humming at all locations there may be easy fixes in terms of
A - dampening or changing the trannie cover if thats ringing like a bell
B - better trannie mounting
1. increased toroid clamping pressure
2. better toroid clamping washers
3. using a nylon clamping bolt
4. mounting on dampening sorbothane
C - at last resort potting the trannie

If you fix trannie vibration you also decrease vibration in the whole DAC. You may just find the sound improves. Plenty of DIY guys have been surprised with a marked sound improvement thats not just from the physical hum going, but totally unexpectedly, from improved sound quality out of he headphones.

Good stuff Nada thanks. I don't think it's a power supply issue, but I could be wrong. I have never had the slightest problem with my mains, and have layers of conditioning to help smooth things out. I agree it really seems like a transformer issue and don't know how Gustard is planning to resolve it with firmware, but there's a whole lot I don't know. If the update doesn't pan out, I was planning to open it up, and start messin' with stuff as usual - take off the trans covers and see if I can isolate the hum (which definitely sounds like a typical 60hz hum to me), and go from there. Maybe the transformers have a ground issue? Increasing the toroid pressure seems and adding sorbo could do the trick if it's physical, and pretty simple stuff. It will be on the bench Saturday if the update flups that's for sure.

 

[801evan]

Has anyone isolated the issue by using an adapter that's only two prong to float the ground? This has solved other devices.

 

[kenjamin0523]

And it should be always on and not into standby mode.

Do we need to let it plays music while on?

 

[BShaw]

Has anyone isolated the issue by using an adapter that's only two prong to float the ground? This has solved other devices.

I'll open up the IEC to the cable that's plugged into mine tomorrow and yank the ground and see what happens.

 

[shogo33]

I'll open up the IEC to the cable that's plugged into mine tomorrow and yank the ground and see what happens.

Or just open up a two way adaptor and create a cheater plug. I have one handy to test out for these such occasions. If Gustard has offered up a patch firmware for the issue to test out, then most likely this might be a software issue and that they have managed to replicate the issue in their R&D dept.