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

[Odezra]

Hi Folks,
I have a basic question.

I am still hesitating between:

- Holo Audio May KTE
- Gustard R26
- Gustard A26
- Keeping current system

I spent the night listening to my current system:
Apple Music Hi-Res (PCM 24/192) - Lighting to USB - PS Audio Digital Link III Mod Cullen IV (DAC) - Plinius Preamp - Plinius Amp - Martin Logan Summit’s (Electrostatic Speakers).

Plinius Preamp, Plinius Amp and ML Summits are super revealing.
PS Audio DL-III is a chip DAC.

while listening, I was thinking “How can it be better than this ?”

If anything, my system might be too bright.

So, my question to you : Is it fair to say that R2R DACs are less bright than Chip DACs ?

Thanks

Hey David

They are all v different DACs at very different price points.

If money is no object - I’d go with the May and get a holo res for the streamer. If you are in that price range the rockna wave light as others have said would be on my list and I’d be looking at the chord tt2 maybe with m scaler or keeping an eye out for a second hand chord Dave (with the chord DACs v different sounding to R2R).

The thing for me is that it sounds like you are not entirely sure what you are after still, which is normal at this stage. If you are really considering the may, I’d recommend an overnight stay someplace where you could demo some gear. The cost of the trip should equate to the loss you’ll take selling a piece of gear because you didn’t like it, but will save you the wasted time / heartache of going through that process multiple times with multiple DACs.

Personally I think improving the streaming / dac of your system will give you v good gains. The r26 is excellent across both dac and streamer, particularly with the tweaks in this thread. However I’d be reluctant to recommend for you as you’d be better served (if you can and you are not too remotely based) figuring out what the sound signatures of the latest DACs are and what might synergise best with your system.

 

[incredulousity]

I highly doubt it. But it was very good for the time.

 

[Hibbing]

Just got the R26 and did the upgrades. Switched to LAN and cannot see anything on any software.

 

[Dandoudou]

Personally I think improving the streaming / dac of your system will give you v good gains. The r26 is excellent across both dac and streamer, particularly with the tweaks in this thread.

He wants to connect his iPad to the USB port of the DAC, and listen to Apple Music.

 

[Davidv100]

Hey David

They are all v different DACs at very different price points.

If money is no object - I’d go with the May and get a holo res for the streamer. If you are in that price range the rockna wave light as others have said would be on my list and I’d be looking at the chord tt2 maybe with m scaler or keeping an eye out for a second hand chord Dave (with the chord DACs v different sounding to R2R).

The thing for me is that it sounds like you are not entirely sure what you are after still, which is normal at this stage. If you are really considering the may, I’d recommend an overnight stay someplace where you could demo some gear. The cost of the trip should equate to the loss you’ll take selling a piece of gear because you didn’t like it, but will save you the wasted time / heartache of going through that process multiple times with multiple DACs.

Personally I think improving the streaming / dac of your system will give you v good gains. The r26 is excellent across both dac and streamer, particularly with the tweaks in this thread. However I’d be reluctant to recommend for you as you’d be better served (if you can and you are not too remotely based) figuring out what the sound signatures of the latest DACs are and what might synergise best with your system.

Thank you Odezra, all very valuable advise.
including Rockna Wavelight indeed.
(Chord Dave would be a step too far though - I would fear Audio guilt - even second-hand)

Thanks again

 

[Davidv100]

He wants to connect his iPad to the USB port of the DAC, and listen to Apple Music.

Indeed Dandoudou - Good memory - I am impressed

 

[incredulousity]

Right Dandoudou - Good memory - I am impressed

Perhaps get a Red, stream via Airplay2 to Red, and also presumably improve wired function of your DAC across the board. Or you could USB in to Red as well.

 

[Beatles1966]

Just got the R26 and did the upgrades. Switched to LAN and cannot see anything on any software.

So how DOES one stream to it?

 

[Davidv100]

Perhaps get a Red, stream via Airplay2 to Red, and also presumably improve wired function of your DAC across the board. Or you could USB in to Red as well.

Well no actually, Incredulousity,
Since Airplay2, for now, is limited to 24/48…
So, Airplay kills the “High Res” benefits (hence the connected iPad and USB 24/192 extraction).
And currently no streamer streams Apple Music natively (currently locked by Apple)

But I guess this is something that might change during 2023 (airplay evolution, or Apple TV evolution, or Apple opening Apple Music to third party streamers), and is also a part of the global equation indeed.

 

[Odezra]

He wants to connect his iPad to the USB port of the DAC, and listen to Apple Music.

Yes I see that but I think there will be better gains (and more flexibility) going Qobuz and streaming hi res via. Streamer and using the iPad as a ‘remote’ via something like roon or jplayer.

 

[Davidv100]

Yes I see that but I think there will be better gains (and more flexibility) going Qobuz and streaming hi res via. Streamer and using the iPad as a ‘remote’ via something like roon or jplayer.

Yes Odezra,
But I want to keep it simple : no NAS, no library, no Roon, no HQPlayer, no Audirvana…
(Dandoudou knows that already)

I am aware that this is a bit reductive, but it is a choice, to keep it casual at home in the living part of the house.
I am deep in IT whole day long… I really want to avoid anything computer in my audio.
I know it is suboptimal. But it is a personal convenience.

 

[Hibbing]

Thanks for the ****ing help.

 

[BShaw]

Thanks for the ****ing help.

That ought to summon a carload of sympathetic responses.

 

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

@Hibbing Tried turning off at the back of the unit and turning it on again?

 

[Dandoudou]

Yes Odezra,
But I want to keep it simple : no NAS, no library, no Roon, no HQPlayer, no Audirvana…
(Dandoudou knows that already)

I am aware that this is a bit reductive, but it is a choice, to keep it casual at home in the living part of the house.
I am deep in IT whole day long… I really want to avoid anything computer in my audio.
I know it is suboptimal. But it is a personal convenience.

Try then to upgrade it with grounding boxes, good cables, tapes from Ali, an external clock…