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

[cobrabucket]

For those using U18 with R26, couple of questions
1) Since going Gustard to Gustard, would any HDMI cable work? If not, could you link a decent I2S cable? I understand between manufacturers the pin layout may be different , but since both units are Gustards, wondering if a normal HDMI cable would do the job.
2) When connecting the U18 from computer via USB (then I2S to R26) , does the computer still detect the dac automatically? Ie. Will Audirvana detect that the R26 is connected via USB, or do you need to enter the parameters manually (like with Ethernet)


I'm leaning towards this pathway because I've tried LAN using A3.5 and Audirvana Origins. Both players eventually stop playing , requiring me to restart the R26. I don't want to have to deal with that every day.

Thanks again for everyone's input

1) Yes, I believe any HDMI will work. And as mentioned, keep it below 1m.

 

[rodthebod]

Wow Dandoudou, I just looked up JPlay, that looks like the app that might keep me off the Roon wagon for a while if not longer. Will install it and try it in the next couple of days. If it's better than MConnect and Bubble I'll be very happy. Thanks for the heads-up!

Me too! Been looking hard for alternatives of Mconnect (iOS), whilst it works it has very limited functionality with organising my own music. Bubbleupnp is OK on Android but again lacks functionality for access to my own music files. I'll try the 14 day trial to see what it's about. You may have guessed I'm into just playing my own files.

 

[nicks25]

I ordered the A26 yesterday. Will be posting impressions on the A26 thread once I receive. Thanks again to all for the assistance.

 

[Dandoudou]

The sound with the Finisar AOC cable FCBG110SD1C03 is slightly more clean, plain, than the Finisar SFP modules that I have.

I bought today the Finisar FSP FTLF8519P3BTL modules that After Dark recommends as well. I'll compare them to the AOC cable.
I bought at the same time the Sonore OpticalModule Deluxe v2. I'll compare it to EtherREGEN (+ OCK-1), and I'll check if I can get a further improvement by using them together, each on one side of the fiber.

 

[cobrabucket]

Okay, my last post on the FMC as I am sure we all want to get back to speaking about the R26.

Follow the link below to best understand which /why Finisar SFP modules and / or Finisar AOC are best for audio grade music. Very helpful. Side-note I don’t recommend you purchase through AfterDark, way over priced. I have included a link this post where you can get the top rated AOC for $25 USD but you will need to purchase two FMC plus optional LPS to complete the kit.

https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/...work-switch-group-buy-for-audiophilestylecom/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224049924591

The AOC cable was $25 or best offer. I offered $20 and they accepted, in case anyone was wondering.

 

[duffer5]

That is amazing as that AOC

The AOC cable was $25 or best offer. I offered $20 and they accepted, in case anyone was wondering.

Nicely done. Amazing deal. Mine arrived from this seller and was brand new and super well packaged for shipment. $20 is a steal as that AOC regularly sells for over $100+

 

[Deleeh]

Hello,

My Fmc boxes arrived today.
Tomorrow the fibre optic cable will arrive and then I can connect everything.

My question is do I have to set anything else in the network router ect or is everything plug & play?

The Finisar Aoc is also on its way, with a bit of luck I'll get it this week according to Fedex.

 

[Dandoudou]

Hello,

My Fmc boxes arrived today.
Tomorrow the fibre optic cable will arrive and then I can connect everything.

My question is do I have to set anything else in the network router ect or is everything plug & play?

The Finisar Aoc is also on its way, with a bit of luck I'll get it this week according to Fedex.

There's nothing to set on the router, and the computers of the LAN.

 

[Deleeh]

Thank you very much, .

 

[duffer5]

Hello,

My Fmc boxes arrived today.
Tomorrow the fibre optic cable will arrive and then I can connect everything.

My question is do I have to set anything else in the network router ect or is everything plug & play?

The Finisar Aoc is also on its way, with a bit of luck I'll get it this week according to Fedex.

Just one additional point to be aware of when installing your setup, I will credit @Dandoudou for helping me understand this:

This is something you should be aware of as well to assure you are getting the cleanest signal.

The FMC that I call the first one is the FMC that is connected to the router, and that converts electrical Ethernet to optical.
The connection between this FMC and the router should be with Cat.6 cable.
This FMC should not be connected to another outlet other than the audio gear power strip / outlet.

FMC 1: connected to router using cat 6 cable (dirty side) and plugged into separate power strip that is not connected to any of my audio equipment

FMC 2: connected to my streamer using CAT 8 cable (clean side) and using a LPS. The LPS is plugged into my power strip / power conditioner with core audio components.

Final note:
Router should be plugged into a power strip that either is powering the FMC 1 (dirty one) or it can be on a separate power strip / outlet in a whole other room just not connected to the same power strip as your audio equipment.

 

[Deleeh]

Hey thanks for the clarification.

Um, I have the router in the hallway that is connected to a power strip with other devices like the phone and modem.

From the router, 2 cables run from the hallway to the media room.
One for the PC, the other one was for the Playstation which I don't have anymore and so this cable goes directly to the R26 with the Delock noise filter.

I can't say which cable it is exactly, what I bought back then, whether it is Cat 6,7 or 8.

Because of the power supply of the Fmc I had planned to connect both to the Audioquest Powerquest 3 via Usb port.
I unpacked one box and checked if it works and it works on the Powerquest.
Unfortunately I don't know 100% if the Powerquest 3 filters anything at the Usb port.

Now I wonder if I can leave it like this or do I have to change something?
And whether it is still possible to test it as I intend?

Tomorrow the fibre optic cable will arrive from Amazon, do I have to take anything into account when connecting the cable to the box?

All these questions and the technology are completely new territory for me, sorry for that.

By the way, to the Delock:
It takes a bit of the veil out of the Lan port of the R26.
And there is a bit more flow.
It's not a bad part for the few bucks.

Small edit.
The FMC boxes seem to work with the powerbank.
In theory, a psu power supply could be omitted due to the battery operation and provide clean power.
If not even better than a psu power supply possibly.

 

[duffer5]

Hey thanks for the clarification.

Um, I have the router in the hallway that is connected to a power strip with other devices like the phone and modem.

From the router, 2 cables run from the hallway to the media room.
One for the PC, the other one was for the Playstation which I don't have anymore and so this cable goes directly to the R26 with the Delock noise filter.

I can't say which cable it is exactly, what I bought back then, whether it is Cat 6,7 or 8.

Because of the power supply of the Fmc I had planned to connect both to the Audioquest Powerquest 3 via Usb port.
I unpacked one box and checked if it works and it works on the Powerquest.
Unfortunately I don't know 100% if the Powerquest 3 filters anything at the Usb port.

Now I wonder if I can leave it like this or do I have to change something?
And whether it is still possible to test it as I intend?

Tomorrow the fibre optic cable will arrive from Amazon, do I have to take anything into account when connecting the cable to the box?

All these questions and the technology are completely new territory for me, sorry for that.

By the way, to the Delock:
It takes a bit of the veil out of the Lan port of the R26.
And there is a bit more flow.
It's not a bad part for the few bucks.

Small edit.
The FMC boxes seem to work with the powerbank.
In theory, a psu power supply could be omitted due to the battery operation and provide clean power.
If not even better than a psu power supply possibly.

Sounds like you are on the right track for a nice upgrade. Keep us up to date on your findings. My biggest improvement was the AOC cable and having the power supply for the dirty FMC on one power strip and the clean FMC utilizing a LPS and on the same power strip as my audio equipment and not the one that is used by the dirty FMC.

 

[pankar0]

The AOC cable was $25 or best offer. I offered $20 and they accepted, in case anyone was wondering.

Link please

 

[duffer5]

Link please

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224049924591

 

[Deleeh]

Sounds like you are on the right track for a nice upgrade. Keep us up to date on your findings. My biggest improvement was the AOC cable and having the power supply for the dirty FMC on one power strip and the clean FMC utilizing a LPS and on the same power strip as my audio equipment and not the one that is used by the dirty FMC.

Thank you and yes,i will, I am also curious.
And also about the AoC cable.
I listened to Lan and Roon all day today to get a better impression.
I thought it was actually quite amazing what the R26 was already putting out via Lan.

Let's see how the optical story will turn out.
I couldn't find anything on this link about the AOC cable we bought on Ebay.
But I'm not too worried .

https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/...work-switch-group-buy-for-audiophilestylecom/