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

[Beatles1966]

Thanks for all the help. The fourth flash was the one. This is a remarkable DAC. I have a Pontus, Jade and TT2 here and the transparency, soundstaging, and air are superb.

 

[oronymo]

Are you from EU or outside?

US

 

[oronymo]

Thanks for all the help. The fourth flash was the one. This is a remarkable DAC. I have a Pontus, Jade and TT2 here and the transparency, soundstaging, and air are superb.

I have a Qutest and TT2 currently in house for trial.. I'm trying to decide if the TT2 is worth it (I will only be using it as a DAC as the amp section is not powerful enough to drive Susvaras). How would you compare the Pontus and R26 to the TT2?

 

[Beatles1966]

I have a Qutest and TT2 currently in house for trial.. I'm trying to decide if the TT2 is worth it (I will only be using it as a DAC as the amp section is not powerful enough to drive Susvaras). How would you compare the Pontus and R26 to the TT2?

The TT2 has a thinner and flatter sound. The R26 is more clear and open than the Pontus which is slightly veiled and thicker sounding. The R26 is an imaging masterpiece. I don’t think it should be as good as it is.

 

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

Wait until break-in and/or do the FMC mod...

 

[Deleeh]

Hello,

@migo I bought mine there too.
It's currently at 1500€ instead of 1600€, so it's a real bargain.

Delivery took a little while but it still fit and was there before the weekend.
I haven't needed any service yet, so I can't say anything.

 

[Davidv100]

Hello,

@migo I bought mine there too.
It's currently at 1500€ instead of 1600€, so it's a real bargain.

Delivery took a little while but it still fit and was there before the weekend.
I haven't needed any service yet, so I can't say anything.

Hello Deleeh, mind sharing where you got this price ?

 

[Deleeh]

Hello Deleeh, mind sharing where you got this price ?

Hello David,

On the webside:
https://www.clear-components.de/gustard-auswahl/gustard-r26-black/

Unfortunately it is written in German, but no problem with the Chrome translator.

 

[Davidv100]

Hello David,

On the webside:
https://www.clear-components.de/gustard-auswahl/gustard-r26-black/

Unfortunately it is written in German, but no problem with the Chrome translator.

Thank you Deleeh,
Sorry, I had read your post too fast.
You already gave the info : clear components.
German is fine.
Thanks

btw, I wonder if R26 can also play Rammstein

 

[Deleeh]

Thank you Deleeh,
Sorry, I had read your post too fast.
You already gave the info : clear components.
German is fine.
Thanks

btw, I wonder if R26 can also play Rammstein

Yes, the R26 also plays rock music very well.
Better than I thought.
However, I still find his domain in relaxed music, such as R&B, or cover songs with delicate instruments and voices. And the low end is really creamy.

The midrange also comes into its own on rock, drums and guitars.
But it probably also depends a bit on the amp.

My wife likes listening to electro stuff like Darude, Atb, Paul van Dyke.
That also sounds damn good. And she enjoys it to the fullest when it's running and likes to stand in front of the system, loool.

 

[labeelen]

Checking that IPV6 box is a good thing too, for you labeelan.

I will try it, any idea what the advantage is ?

 

[Davidv100]

Yes, the R26 also plays rock music very well.
Better than I thought.
However, I still find his domain in relaxed music, such as R&B, or cover songs with delicate instruments and voices. And the low end is really creamy.

The midrange also comes into its own on rock, drums and guitars.
But it probably also depends a bit on the amp.

My wife likes listening to electro stuff like Darude, Atb, Paul van Dyke.
That also sounds damn good. And she enjoys it to the fullest when it's running and likes to stand in front of the system, loool.

I think my everyday music is the same as yours - mostly laid back jazz and acoustic music.
Or some soft electronic music.
And sometimes a spike of rock.
So, if it”s good for you, it should be for me too.
Thank you for your insight.
Good to know there is some good WAF too.

 

[Deleeh]

I think my everyday music is the same as yours - mostly laid back jazz and acoustic music.
Or some soft electronic music.
And sometimes a spike of rock.
So, if it”s good for you, it should be for me too.
Thank you for your insight.
Good to know there is some good WAF too.

But keep in mind that every user of the R26 has a completely different chain, whether it is a stereo or headphone amplifier in the system.

My personal preference is tube amps in general and use a tube headphone amp. And is also my preference as I don't like the fixed solid state amps that much.
So that's a variable, just like headphones and speakers are another variable where the "magic" comes out.
Regardless of the style of music.

As I said, with the R26 you can't go wrong as an entry-level R2R dac if you like the sound signature.
The rest you agree anyway with the time after you know how it works in the current system.

As a little story, I had a D/S dac running under €1000 with the Lcd 2C. Then the Euforia amp came along and was fine after a few tube changes.
Then I bought a Zmf Auteur and it got even better than the Lcd 2C. But I found I'm not where I wanted to be yet, only when the R26 came along is it now the way I actually wanted it to be from the start.
And it was a long journey to get there.
Others can probably report something similar, even if privately something comes up and priorities have to be set.

 

[maszynista1987]

I have similarly R 26 , Euforia and lots of lamps
I have a question should not my date change after the update , I have 2022.06.11 all the time ?

 

[Dandoudou]

My wife likes listening to electro stuff like Darude, Atb, Paul van Dyke.
That also sounds damn good. And she enjoys it to the fullest when it's running and likes to stand in front of the system, loool.

When the wife is happy, life is good.