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

[Dandoudou]

I usually turn the DAC off after every listening session. Thanks!

There are word clocks inside the DAC. They need time to "warm" each time you power the DAC.

 

[Jake2]

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!!

Lol, you've done a great job of being an advocate for & educator re FMCs on this thread, thought I'd jump in this one!

 

[camrector]

Lol, you've done a great job of being an advocate for & educator re FMCs on this thread, thought I'd jump in this one!

Thank you!
I just always recommend the SFM to make it easier for everyone.
I would think maybe 1 out of 5 systems are resolving enough to really hear the difference.

 

[Dandoudou]

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 using other Finisar FSP modules.
I just ordered the Finisar FCBG110SD1C03 in order to compare them with the ones that I have.
I should receive them in 3-4 days.

 

[Jake2]

I'm using other Finisar FSP modules.
I just ordered the Finisar FCBG110SD1C03 in order to compare them with the ones that I have.
I should receive them in 3-4 days.

Cool, I'll be interested to hear how you find them.

And my apologies, my AD statement was incorrect... AD appear to use similar but not identical Finisar models, will amend my post.

 

[Dandoudou]

And my apologies, my AD statement was incorrect... AD appear to use similar but not identical Finisar models, will amend my post.

I know that AfterDark recommands another SFP module.
I did not notice your incorrect statement, so it did not confuse me, and it was not a factor in my decision to buy the Finisar FCBG110SD1C03 to try them.

 

[mgsu]

There are word clocks inside the DAC. They need time to "warm" each time you power the DAC.

its a master clock

 

[Dandoudou]

its a master clock

The DAC has two word clocks. It does not have a built-in master clock.

 

[mgsu]

The DAC has with two word clocks. It does not have a built-in master clock.

the r26 has a only a 10MHz clock built in.

10MHz are master clock, 44,1kHz and 48kHz are world clocks

dont know why Gustard is going with 10MHz because it requires buffering. So it must be a cost factor. One 10MHz clock versus two separate 44,1 and 48kHz clocks.

 

[Dandoudou]

the r26 has a only a 10MHz clock built in.

10MHz are master clock, 44,1kHz and 48kHz are world clocks

How the R26 could upsample the PCM 44.1 and 48 based sounds with a 10 mHz clock?

 

[mgsu]

How the R26 could upsample the PCM 44.1 and 48 based sounds with a 10 mHz clock?

it is done trough buffering. It is not ideal but it is cheaper to have one clock than two.

 

[Dandoudou]

it is done trough buffering. It is not ideal but it is cheaper to have one clock than two.

I did not look into the clocking system of the R26 before, but from the little that I see, the K2 behaves as a reference clock for the Femto clock.
Do you have a link that says that the K2 works at the 10 mHz frequency?

 

[duffer5]

I'm using other Finisar FSP modules.
I just ordered the Finisar FCBG110SD1C03 in order to compare them with the ones that I have.
I should receive them in 3-4 days.

I have the 10GTEK FMC and 10GTEK MMF / SFP's on order as well as the AOC SFM from Finisar. I will post after the whole setup arrives and I can A/B.

AOC active optical cable is an optical fiber with a module attached to each end, which is equivalent to a cable and a module. AOC active optical cable is also widely used by many customers, because its cost is cheaper than that of two separate modules plus one optical fiber.

"Which is better SMF or MMF?
Quick Comparison
The most significant difference between SMF and MMF is that SMF provides higher spectral efficiency. It can support more traffic over a single fiber using more channels at higher speeds. In MMF, cabling support for higher bit rates is limited by its large core size."

 

[mikeypas]

Just received my R26 today. Powered it on and held the menu button to see the firmware version. It does not list version number only a date 2022-11-15
I downloaded the v1.4 and saw the date was dec 2 2022, so I figured I should update the unit. I followed the instructions with balenaetcher using my mac. Super easy.
After the firmware upgrade I used the same process to see the firmware version, and it still says 2022-11-15.

Is this the right date for version 1.4 ? Or am I doing something wrong?

Thank you

 

[duffer5]

Just received my R26 today. Powered it on and held the menu button to see the firmware version. It does not list version number only a date 2022-11-15
I downloaded the v1.4 and saw the date was dec 2 2022, so I figured I should update the unit. I followed the instructions with balenaetcher using my mac. Super easy.
After the firmware upgrade I used the same process to see the firmware version, and it still says 2022-11-15.

Is this the right date for version 1.4 ? Or am I doing something wrong?

Thank you

The 2022-11-15 is the OS software of the overall unit (R26) and is up to date. To see what firmware (streamer) you have to access the unit through Roon and you should be able to see if you are on version 1.4 (streamer software). Firmware 1.4 (streamer) is different than OS (r26 unit) version 2022011-15.