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

[Jake2]

I am wondering if there is anything else I can do different to get the internal streamer to equal my zen stream
I use a ethernet optical converter back to ethernet before the zen stream or R26 stream.
To my ears I find the R26 stream tiring but everyone else seem to have a positive experience with it
I have one of the first R26 and use Qobuz via bubble when I stream

This is the opposite of my experience, albeit I'm not using FMCs yet, and even with U18 after Zen, R26 internal streamer more natural sounding, full bodied.

I suggest you try Roon (free trial) to see if you find it better/different as a number of us use it with the R26 internal streamer with great results.

 

[Johnjc1]

Okay my converter is duel mode so will try single mode

 

[Johnjc1]

This is the opposite of my experience, albeit I'm not using FMCs yet, and even with U18 after Zen, R26 internal atreamer more natural sounding, full bodied.

I suggest you try Roon (free trial) to see if you find it better/different as a number of us use it with the R26 internal streamer with great results.

Roon does not appeal as rarely use files these days

 

[Jake2]

Roon does not appeal as rarely use files these days

Understood, but you could use it temporarily ad a benchmark/test to determine whether Bubble is the bottleneck/delta/explanation for the difference in our experience.

 

[Johnjc1]

Good point

 

[Billy Kueek]

After hitting click here and it seems like its stuck, turn on the power at the rear. It will complete after.

Is the update for windows on;y or should I still update as I use Mac? Thank you

 

[camrector]

Roon does not appeal as rarely use files these days

Dude I thought the same thing until this DAC.
It’s a game changer
The convolution engine in the DSP is mind blowing

 

[camrector]

Is the update for windows on;y or should I still update as I use Mac? Thank you

The update is for the Dac, giving it the newest firmware.
Not sure what even the new firmware does honestly.
The tutorial posted is to help us mac users update

 

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

Is the update for windows on;y or should I still update as I use Mac? Thank you

Upgrade guide for MAC is at first page or at this post.

 

[Dandoudou]

The update is for the Dac, giving it the newest firmware.
Not sure what even the new firmware does honestly.
The tutorial posted is to help us mac users update

It's for the firmware, but also for the OS and the renderers of the streamer.
I noticed that after the update to 1v4, the pops before playing DSD tracks disappeared.

The tutorial is also valid for Windows users who want to upgrade the DAC with Balena Etcher.
The steps to follow are exactly the same.

 

[camrector]

It's for the firmware, but also for the OS and the renderers of the streamer.
I noticed that after the update to 1v4, the pops before playing DSD tracks disappeared.

The tutorial is also valid for Windows users who want to upgrade the DAC with Balena Etcher.
The steps to follow are exactly the same.

Right but what are the official changes?
Gustard has never said what they contain have they?

 

[vperez]

For the best sound, all audio gear should remain on 24/7.

What is the main difference in sound that you have detected? I usually turn the DAC off after every listening session. Thanks!

 

[Jake2]

FMCs, SFPs & AOCs

On a related FMC point, and apologies if this has already been covered earlier in the thread and I missed it, but apparently not all SFP modules sound the same, so I've read now in several places.

There's a pretty great primer on FMCs here over at Audio Standard, including on why the OP (MartinWT at HeadFi) concurs with @camrector in preferring single mode too, with some great comparisons between a number of SFPs. See in particular the page 3 review & conclusion by the tester Orange55 that the Finisar FCBG110SD1C03 'active' optical cable (AOC) sounded clearly the best. Active meaning a pair of SFPs with a hardwired cable between.

Afterdark seem to rather like that Finisar SFP/AOCs which they sell as part of their modded FMC kits and as the base of a pricey modded SFP/AOC. Correction - AD don't use this exact model.

For a mere 60 bucks I reckon it's worth a shot. When I get me some FMCs I'll give this stock Finisar a whirl.

 

[camrector]

FMCs, SFPs & AOCs

On a related FMC point, and apologies if this has already been covered earlier in the thread and I missed it, but apparently not all SFP modules sound the same, so I've read now in several places.

There's a pretty great primer on FMCs here over at Audio Standard, including on why the OP (MartinWT at HeadFi) concurs with @camrector in preferring single mode too, with some great comparisons between a number of SFPs. See in particular the page 3 review & conclusion by the tester Orange55 that the Finisar FCBG110SD1C03 'active' optical cable (AOC) sounded clearly the best. Active meaning a pair of SFPs with a hardwired cable between.

Afterdark seem to rather like that Finisar SFP/AOC which they sell as part of their modded FMC kits and as the base of a pricey modded SFP/AOC.

For a mere 50 bucks I reckon it's worth a shot. When I get me some FMCs I'll give this stock Finisar a whirl.

I’m glad you’re opening this can of worms.
The battles I faced to just get people to try the FBMs in general, was enough for me!!

 

[Dandoudou]

Right but what are the official changes?
Gustard has never said what they contain have they?

I have no idea.
I just downloaded the files from their server, on which they say nothing about the changes with the new version.