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

[Jake2]

Sigh...i just paid for v4 desktop last year in September... I'll wait for a bit.

Same, another Sep-22 purchaser here I’m underwhelmed by the one size fits all 15% discount. It feels… unnecessarily aggressive/sharp for a recent purchaser like me or you.

 

[DeckHiFi]

I have the new HQPlayer, I love the v3 version of the modulator Jake was talking about. But I also loved the V2 version on the one before. So they are both great, I should compare them more. I purchased player 4 in late February and I did the discount thing and got a key for no cost. Unless I missed something? I feel like if you purchased it in September of last year it should be a 50% discount or more. I think they do an incredible job with this player, and I feel like I have sonic perfection thanks to it with my setup...it's absolutely incredible how much of a difference maker HQPlayer is in general. But still, I mean Buying it less than a year ago should be a lot higher than 15% discount imo.

I feel like a big thing unless I’m making it up is it seems like dsd works a lot better now with the new HQPlayer in terms of pops or noise at beginning and end of song. It’s very minimal now which makes it a much better experience if anyone had a lot of that before.

 

[Jake2]

I have the new HQPlayer, I love the v3 version of the modulator Jake was talking about. But I also loved the V2 version on the one before. So they are both great, I should compare them more. I purchased player 4 in late February and I did the discount thing and got a key for no cost. Unless I missed something? I feel like if you purchased it in September of last year it should be a 50% discount or more. I think they do an incredible job with this player, and I feel like I have sonic perfection thanks to it with my setup...it's absolutely incredible how much of a difference maker HQPlayer is in general. But still, I mean Buying it less than a year ago should be a lot higher than 15% discount imo.

Ok that's good to hear for you, hope that holds true re us 6-7 month ago purchasers. I'd only heard about a 15% flat rate discount... I'll go through partway through the checkout process to see what rate is applied.

 

[DeckHiFi]

Ok that's good to hear for you, hope that holds true re us 6-7 month ago purchasers. I'd only heard about a 15% flat rate discount... I'll go through partway through the checkout process to see what rate is applied.

I went to the shop page on the website and clicked on the discount link. Then I uploaded my hqplayer 4 key and got the 5 key automatically sent to me from the website after clicking something I think.

Also just to clarify to anyone if I wasn’t clear. I wasn’t saying it is 50 percent discount I am just saying I got sent the key with no payment screen and I think if they wanted good customer service they would also do that for people that bought it less than a year ago. Not a cheap player.

 

[Jake2]

I went to the shop page on the website and clicked on the discount link then I uploaded my hqplayer 4 key and got the 5 key automatically sent to me from the website after clicking something I think.

Also just to clarify to anyone if I wasn’t clear. I wasn’t saying it is 50 percent discount I am just saying I got sent the key with no payment screen and I think if they wanted good customer service they would also do that for people that bought it less than a year ago. Not a cheap player.

Just did that now using my key from my purchase 30-Oct-22 (not Sep) - only 15% discount applied only having had it for six months and 10 days. Pretty disappointing - my sentiment as above stands and is in some ways exacerbated by the fact that I know now there's a hard cut-off somewhere for the full discount, with everyone after that treated the same as if after that we've already had full value from the software purchase.

Edit - I got provided a discount code on screen - which I then needed to enter into the checkout process to get presented with a 15% discount. Is that different to your experience?

 

[DeckHiFi]

Just did that now using my key from my purchase 30-Oct-22 (not Sep) - only 15% discount applied only having had it for six months and 10 days. Pretty disappointing - my sentiment as above stands and is in some ways exacerbated by the fact that I know now there's a hard cut-off somewhere for the full discount, with everyone after that treated the same as if after that we've already had full value from the software purchase.

Edit - I got provided a discount code on screen - which I then needed to enter into the checkout process to get presented with a 15% discount. Is that different to your experience?

Yea the website after I uploaded my old key sent me the new key file. I might have had to click something but it was the only thing to do on the screen. So yea I must have been close enough to just get the new key. I was going to be pretty not happy either. But yea that is too strict. I’m sure they did a ton of work on the new player as there are multiple different modulators and stuff to it. I’m sure a ton of work goes into it and I want people to support it. But I can’t agree with that decision for you. I don’t get it. Too harsh. Maybe they will review it if you contact them. They need a better system regarding the discounts. It’s nice they try to give you one, but what a tease.

 

[Infoseeker]

Loving the 3D soundstage and depth of the R26. I have one add-on: SR Master Fuse. Even with this, it is still a little dark in the treble. Not as much air as I hoped it might have. Still my favorite DAC so far, however.

Would anyone be able to point me towards DAC with a little more air and detail but still having great soundstage? I know it'll cost me, but I'm seriously considering.

My Gustard A22 dac I would describe as lots of air and much 3d staging. Would you like to trade temporarily to try it out? I'm in Michigan so not too far away. Unless we are both in the opposite sides of each state, then mailing would be easier.

I'm surprised the R26 dac not have an over-sampling mode like other r-2r dacs.

Is it me, or does the older Gustard A22 (dual ak4499) dac have better reviews than the newer A26 dac (dual ak4499EX) ?

 

[sapkan]

Upgraded to 14.2 today. 96mhz mqa files are still buggy and cut out randomly via upnp (Jplay). Can’t comment on upnp sq vs 1.40 as I have been using tidal connect exclusively lately. Went back and forth between tidal connect and Jplay a couple of times. Sounds the same to me.

 

[Dandoudou]

I'm surprised the R26 dac not have an over-sampling mode like other r-2r dacs.

The R26 has an over-sampling mode in addition to NOS.

 

[rodthebod]

Big thumbs up on the latest firmware

Having now tried out the newer v1.42 firmware on the R26 internal streamer (this is using a different type of linux renderer software Gmediarenderer vs upmpdcli used on v1.2/1.3/1.4) on my home library, mostly red book files (CD 44.1/16) so no online streaming , I would say this update should be classed as a more major release such as v2.0 due to the improvement in sound.

I'd urge anyone to try the new firmware with LAN and uPnP controller, I use Jplay, set NOS ON, I use PCM top menu setting to Fast or Mid. Try vanilla 44.1/16 files no HQplayer.

I have been messing with HQplayer over the last few weeks switching between HQP as a renderer using either PCM or DSD and just vanilla 44.1/16. Yes it does sound different but I have to conclude for my listening pleasure there is something more real about using red book. This firmware update makes red book sound even more real with better dynamics and background detail with just more clarity overall. I am using loudspeakers in my listening room. With HQplayer I'm always drawn to the background detail and it's kinda distracting. I like to get lost in the vocals and feel the singer is with you. Orchestral pieces come over with better soundstage too with the new firmware. I should say I have been using tracks I have got to know very well having done the HQP testing.

Negatives so far, there doesn't seem to be any drop outs now going to 24/96 content which is great, at least not yet on a few hours listen, but I have noticed that the very first note on playing a track can sometimes be partially missing? Bit weird.

Be good to get more feedback on the new firmware......

 

[rodthebod]

My Gustard A22 dac I would describe as lots of air and much 3d staging. Would you like to trade temporarily to try it out? I'm in Michigan so not too far away. Unless we are both in the opposite sides of each state, then mailing would be easier.

I'm surprised the R26 dac not have an over-sampling mode like other r-2r dacs.

Is it me, or does the older Gustard A22 (dual ak4499) dac have better reviews than the newer A26 dac (dual ak4499EX) ?

When I introduced the wi-fi extender with switch + LPS on a clean side so the R26 and music server were away from the router I was amazed how the top end 'air' around everything improved, as well as overall performance. Have you tried the new firmware v1.42 that makes big difference to how cymbals attack and decay.

 

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

Cheers Mickey, not sure how you keep on top of these updates for this and other threads you started but great job, appreciate the effort

Sorry Bro, didn't saw or have forgotten your post.

Usually I create a post of something worthy to look at or believe in. Don't want to be that guy who just putting threads just for the sake for being first. Doesn't give any support or interaction, and just leave it be and goes to the next.

Thanks!

 

[DeckHiFi]

I found this on another forum. Not sure about the accuracy of this, but seems to partially answer the question we were discussing last night about HQPlayer regarding discounts for HQPlayer 5 if you already owned it and do the discount link on the shop page of the website:

1. 0-90 days - free upgrade
2. 90-180 days - not reported (-30%?)
3. 180- …. days - -15%

Jussi's thoughts on the pricing and discounts which was posted 1 day ago: https://community.roonlabs.com/t/hqplayer-new-version-5-discussion/241958/28

 

[rockcity007]

You are not alone. One of the reason is, watermarking. It started to be added to the streamed music for tracking piracy in early 2000, it affects sound quality. Some watermarking methods are very intrusive and can be detected on the FFT plot. It was discussed on the Steve Hoffman forum, pointing the worst offenders like UMG label. In a defense hires format started to be promoted for streaming, as it is easier to hide digital ID's in 24-bits.

Try a different CD made by a small audiophile label, not market monopolies like Deutche Grammophone and generally avoid early 2000 releases. During 2010's watermarking technology has improved to the level that is not detectable anymore on the FFT plot and some labels now claim not adding, but I wouldn't be quick confirming it as a fact. If doubt, read T&C from the Amazon Music to the streaming and purchased online downloads. Watermarking is not mentioned by the name, but there is a clue in disclaimers that points to the labels as a source, in the style "we are not responsible". As a conclusion, streaming companies may add a second level of watermarking, by example it is agreed that Qobuz sounds better than Tidal.

Upsampling helps randomising watermarking distortions, one of the reason HQPlayer became popular. If you look at HQPlayer users, most (if not all of them) use streaming services. For my local samples of audiophile quality HQPlayer has no use. Not an R26 user, but also R2R technology, NOS prefered.

I need to figure out HQPlayer, just don't have the time to do so at present.

 

[DivinesGaming]

Anybody have a decent LPS to recommend for FMCs? Or one to recommend for powering the R26 itself?