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

[Luvdac]

Just changed the fuse to a gustard fuse....

 

[juegue]

Just changed the fuse to a gustard fuse....

Any improvement? I see them on sale now and I'm curious if I should go for them

 

[Luvdac]

As to which is the best input, opinions are divided. This may depend more on the quality of the digital front end than on the DAC itself. I don't have DDC anymore so I can't try it. However, for me, the sound quality through the LAN input depends very much on what kind of computer I use and what kind of LAN cables I use.

I agree. Lan cables make a difference as does the computer/server. I always use pure silver cables and just recently upgraded to a sotm audiophile motherboard with jcat xe usb and ethernet cards. It all adds up sonically and unfortunately financially as well!

 

[Luvdac]

Any improvement? I see them on sale now and I'm curious if I should go for them

I'm sure they make a difference but cables are more important.

 

[Neslo1108]

Using BubleUPNP is giving the best sound for me at the moment (not using ROON as I only stream from Qobuz) but there is always a pause 1-3 seconds after starting the music and sometimes also playing hi-res files - most likely a buffer somewhere in the app but can't find where. R26 is connected directly with LAN cable and I have a 1GB/s internet subscription so no bottleneck there.
Any suggestions/solutions?

 

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

I too use BubbleUPnP... And it too pauses 1—3 seconds... Searched the App for buffers and there ain't any. Maybe true it's inherent in the app. Thinking Roon but will add subscription and doesn't do folder views...

Will see

 

[565321]

I too use BubbleUPnP... And it too pauses 1—3 seconds... Searched the App for buffers and there ain't any. Maybe true it's inherent in the app. Thinking Roon but will add subscription and doesn't do folder views...

Will see

Take a look at LMS. It's for free and maintained. I use it. You need a server, though, on a PC, NAS or similar.

 

[VanHai]

Almost same question here but having a Topping D70s now. A little stress from the almost ending sales while not sure about the possible hum and how much % 'better' compared to D70s...

I just replaced my Topping D70s two days ago with R26. D70s is very good Dac, but R26 is in the upper class, everything is better. Buy it before the sale ended.

 

[manishex]

I agree. Lan cables make a difference as does the computer/server. I always use pure silver cables and just recently upgraded to a sotm audiophile motherboard with jcat xe usb and ethernet cards. It all adds up sonically and unfortunately financially as well!

I'm on the fence about upgrading from the JCAT femto USB to the XE or going the LAN route with this DAC, would like to know which has better dividends.

 

[Forgisound]

I'm on the fence about upgrading from the JCAT femto USB to the XE or going the LAN route with this DAC, would like to know which has better dividends.

A computer as a music server can work well or badly. It's hard to know in advance. And it's hard to experiment with motherboards.

That card costs €800, but it ensures that the server side won't be bad. You also need a good USB cable. So you're at €1,000 or more.

Maybe try the Aq Cinnamon LAN cable first? Isn't too expensive and work nice. If you are not satisfied, you can always sell it.

 

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

Take a look at LMS. It's for free and maintained. I use it. You need a server, though, on a PC, NAS or sImilar

Thanks! But as you said will result another device/app on the chain. UPnP is more simple.

Will explore more.

 

[565321]

Thanks! But as you said will result another device/app on the chain. UPnP is more simple.

Will explore more.

I connect the R26 with UPnP (and hope for LMS as protocol in the future) to LMS. No need for any extra boxes if you already store your music files on a PC/Mac.

 

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

Which I have right now: NAS -> UPnP -> Streamer/DAC

 

[565321]

Which I have right now: NAS -> UPnP -> Streamer/DAC

OK, LMS it's a server software (like Roon) and there is an UPnP app for it.

 

[BShaw]

I too use BubbleUPnP... And it too pauses 1—3 seconds... Searched the App for buffers and there ain't any. Maybe true it's inherent in the app. Thinking Roon but will add subscription and doesn't do folder views...

Will see

Same experience here. I can't find anything in Bubble that would fix it, so I just live it.