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

[Stellabagpuss]

Why would someone hook up an external clock with worse performance than the one built into their dac?

l had the same mind set when using my AfterDark clocks, on paper, the specs are not in the same ball park.
l sold the AD clock and kept the LB.

What l would say,with such a amount of experienced users posting positive views,l'd give it a try, you could always return it.

 

[Johnjc1]

I dislike hearing electrical noise in my system it is something I do my best to avoid as it destroys the enjoyment of music

 

[rodthebod]

I dislike hearing electrical noise in my system it is something I do my best to avoid as it destroys the enjoyment of music

I agree, electrical noise just messes up the clarity and space between instruments, when it's dealt with properly by FMC modules on a LAN or good linear power supplies on... well everything! then it is as if a veil is lifted and the music shines through.
With the LB clock I was most impressed by the timing which made the sound more 'analogue' and more believable.

 

[Brummle]

Really interesting!! Does the LB drive both clock outputs simultaneously? And are they "standard" BNC?
Is the included USB cable of some quality?

 

[Johnjc1]

It supports the internal clock rather than taking over from it.
Connection is via BNC cable
The USB port is used to setup the GPS signal
Best powered by a LPS or one off the fancy Ifi power supplies

 

[cmod]

I decided to add the LB clock to my X26pro, after reading John's experience with the LB with his R26 on TAS.
I have no other experience with an external clock (most out of my price range )but the price of the LB was worth a try and as others on here have said, you have the choice of a refund.
Plenty of guys on this site take the return/refund to test hifi equipment, so why not test the LB.
Also it would be nice to hear the findings from the owners of the popular clocks recommended on here regularly, vs the LB.
The LB took the x26pro to another level..as the R26/LB owners have said.

 

[rodthebod]

Really interesting!! Does the LB drive both clock outputs simultaneously? And are they "standard" BNC?
Is the included USB cable of some quality?

I believe that the two BNC outputs can be sent different output frequencies, but I haven't tried or even need this facility for use with the R26.
The latest software app controlled via the USB cable from LB to MAC looks like this.
After syncing the signal there are green lights for PLL and GPS showing that a successful link is established and a graph on the bottom left showing a colour bar graph of signal strength. The Google Maps graphic actively shows where you are which is nice! Using the 'sleep' button to turn off the internal circuitry does make a difference to the clarity of the sound and is best used after setup. I'll try to get a shot of the app in action.
Hope this helps.

 

[LarsHP]

Why would someone hook up an external clock with worse performance than the one built into their dac?

This is exactly my viewpoint too. If someone hears an improvement, I feel quite confident it's placebo effect.

That said, I dislike that I now sound like the "objectivists" that go by measurements only and claim subjective differences are just placebo. If I had been in that camp, I would have bought a Topping D90 series DAC and called it the day.

However, claiming a device in the purely digital domain "sounding better" when it actually measures much, much, much worse, in fact measuring about 1000 times worse, then we can safely assume that it's confirmation bias / placebo.

 

[Johnjc1]

Personally I would be interested in what goes out the DAC in terms of measurements when the clock is in use. This might tell you a lot more

 

[rodthebod]

This is exactly my viewpoint too. If someone hears an improvement, I feel quite confident it's placebo effect.

That said, I dislike that I now sound like the "objectivists" that go by measurements only and claim subjective differences are just placebo. If I had been in that camp, I would have bought a Topping D90 series DAC and called it the day.

However, claiming a device in the purely digital domain "sounding better" when it actually measures much, much, much worse, in fact measuring about 1000 times worse, then we can safely assume that it's confirmation bias / placebo.

I see you do not have the R26.
Or the LB clock.

If all of us having experienced the two together are all in placebo effect, then that's an anomaly........
Must get my ears tested...... along with all the other guys. No sarcasm intended.

 

[Clivem2]

Personally I would be interested in what goes out the DAC in terms of measurements when the clock is in use. This might tell you a lot more

Agreed. We don’t even know whether phase noise matters in the context of the R26 external clock “assist”. Looking at specs that may not be relevant and coming to a conclusion could be confirmation bias .

 

[LarsHP]

I see you do not have the R26.
Or the LB clock.

If all of us having experienced the two together are all in placebo effect, then that's an anomaly........
Must get my ears tested...... along with all the other guys. No sarcasm intended.

Right, I have ordered the R26, but haven't received it yet.

If there is a real difference with the LB clock connected to the R26, it may be because some people prefer a sound with more jitter and noise, which most likely would be the case here. If so, that would be completely okay with me.

Regarding placebo, the point is that, if you expect to hear an improvement, you will hear it. If a dozen guys all hear it, it just confirms the point. I remember reading a former high-end audio salesman recounting a true story: He had a customer who wanted to listen to some very expensive speaker cables, and the salesman was changing the cables behind the amplifier. The customer heard a very clear difference between the cables he was already using at home and the more expensive ones he was testing. He even said that he couldn't understand how he could have lived with the cheaper ones, because the expensive ones were so much better. However, the salesman fooled him by not changing the cables as the customer thought. In short, the customer was subjectively hearing a clear and obvious difference, but in reality, there was none. The placebo effect is that strong (but subtle in its workings).

 

[Johnjc1]

Right, I have ordered the R26, but haven't received it yet.

If there is a real difference with the LB clock connected to the R26, it may be because some people prefer a sound with more jitter and noise, which most likely would be the case here. If so, that would be completely okay with me.

Regarding placebo, the point is that, if you expect to hear an improvement, you will hear it. If a dozen guys all hear it, it just confirms the point. I remember reading a former high-end audio salesman recounting a true story: He had a customer who wanted to listen to some very expensive speaker cables, and the salesman was changing the cables behind the amplifier. The customer heard a very clear difference between the cables he was already using at home and the more expensive ones he was testing. He even said that he couldn't understand how he could have lived with the cheaper ones, because the expensive ones were so much better. However, the salesman fooled him by not changing the cables as the customer thought. In short, the customer was subjectively hearing a clear and obvious difference, but in reality, there was none. The placebo effect is that strong (but subtle in its workings).

I would love to understand what I prefer in terms of measurements
I actually have a friend who used to manufacture hifi gear who would always want to know my thoughts
I find the above remark a bit arrogant
I certainly don't mind you having a different view point but don't presume in any way what I hear

 

[LarsHP]

I would love to understand what I prefer in terms of measurements
I actually have a friend who used to manufacture hifi gear who would always want to know my thoughts
I find the above remark a bit arrogant
I certainly don't mind you having a different view point but don't presume in any way what I hear

I was absolutely not being arrogant. If you experienced it that way, then I apologize. I was trying to make a serious and honest point. We are all, including me, subject to the placebo effect.

 

[camrector]

It’s important to understand that the external clock on the R26 works in a PLL in conjunction with the internal clock. It does not replace the internal clock’s function. We don’t don’t know the exact implementation but the external clock assists the internal one in some way. It could be that for the implementation of the R26 “clock assist” that phase noise is largely irrelevant.

This is absolutely not true and not how a clock works.
Phase noise is very relevant and determential to SQ. This clock in particular introduces 3rd order harmonics which are no bueno.
There is no such thing as “clock assist” Even if works with a small phase-locked loop bandwidth, the onboard R26 clock is better than -70db@1hz