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

[Odezra]

I am suprised the R26 has performed so well (subjectively) in peer reviews to more expensive DACs. It’s largely fallen in line with the hype (though not the claims of besting some of the top end DACs).

It won’t be perfect at everything but I think its superb value for money and its performance shoots well above its price. I am v happy with the purchase.

 

[camrector]

I don't think it's any great surprise that the R26 is bested by a $4200-$5800 DAC that's already a class leader, if I had that kind of money I would probably have bought a KTE myself. They sure are pretty!

100% agree. I think it’s kinda silly comparing the two.
The May is a bit of a R26 in its own right. At around $6k it beats and competes with DACs 3 times the price.

The Soundnews review is titled “The best DAC I’ve heard below $3500”

The R26 was certainly better sounding to me than the Denafrips Venus2 I demoed and A/Bd.

 

[565321]

David lost; Giant slayer slayed. No mythical beast. Well, I like mine a lot though

Why, these other DACs don't even have a streamer/renderer

 

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

Of which for this alone it separates further from the rest.

 

[Ichos]

Of which for this alone it separates further from the rest.

Depends on your point of view.
Audiophiles prefer that all of their chain should consist of separate and independent devices.

 

[565321]

Yeah, so they can rant about all expensive and unnecessary gadgets they insert inbetween them.

 

[Ichos]

Well, everyone in it's own right.

 

[565321]

Well, everyone in it's own right.

Hope that includes the right to have a built-in streamer

 

[Ichos]

Hope that includes the right to have a built-in streamer

Of course

 

[Fluty]

Hope that includes the right to have a built-in streamer

Even if the built-in streamer doesn’t work properly on hi-res files

 

[565321]

Even if the built-in streamer doesn’t work properly on hi-res files

It does for me. Maybe you have some problems with your setup.

 

[Odezra]

It does for me. Maybe you have some problems with your setup.

Me too - i have tested hi res files native in Qobuz and upsampling via HQ player. HQ player was up to the max rates on PCM and up to 512 on DSD (incl upsampling to 48bits), all via the LAN/streamer input.

 

[iovlui]

Anch'io: ho testato i file ad alta risoluzione nativi in Qobuz e l'upsampling tramite il lettore HQ. Il lettore HQ raggiungeva le velocità massime su PCM e fino a 512 su DSD (incluso l'upsampling a 48 bit), il tutto tramite l'ingresso LAN/streamer.

Upsampling Qobuz streaming ? How? With HQ is it possible?

 

[Odezra]

Upsampling Qobuz streaming ? How? With HQ is it possible?

On Mac - If you have the LAN as an input on Gustard, HQ player will identify the Gustard streamer 1.3 (USB) as an output via the 'Network Audio Adaptor' device setting.

My Mac mini will then upsample Qobuz files via Roon to max PCM rate, or to DSD 512 / 48bit. After that the Mac starts to stutter on playback.

 

[iovlui]

On Mac - If you have the LAN as an input on Gustard, HQ player will identify the Gustard streamer 1.3 (USB) as an output via the 'Network Audio Adaptor' device setting.

My Mac mini will then upsample Qobuz files via Roon to max PCM rate, or to DSD 512 / 48bit. After that the Mac starts to stutter on playback.

Ok Roon + HQ