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

[Dandoudou]

The R26 sounds a bit better with the OCK-1. I would say that the sound is more ample. (Compared to LB with antenna, and the 5V/1A output of the Shanti).

 

[Jake2]

My guess is the plugging in or out of the antenna will make little difference until the clock drifts. This could take 30 mins or 30 days for all we know.

This is exactly my (admittedly casual to date) thought process on this

 

[rodthebod]

The R26 sounds a bit better with the OCK-1. I would say that the sound is more ample. (Compared to LB with antenna, and the 5V/1A output of the Shanti).

Have you tried a small weight on top of the LB, it using a lightweight Ali extrusion? It's design brief was for a reference clock device that has to be mobile not a hi-fi device.

 

[Stellabagpuss]

The R26 sounds a bit better with the OCK-1. I would say that the sound is more ample. (Compared to LB with antenna, and the 5V/1A output of the Shanti).

Better in what way, have you selected Sleep mode?

 

[Dandoudou]

Have you tried a small weight on top of the LB, it using a lightweight Ali extrusion? It's design brief was for a reference clock device that has to be mobile not a hi-fi device.

Yes, that's what I did with 1.2 Kg.
And I configured the LB correctly: put it to sleep with a single mode (a single 10 mHz output from BNC 1).

I'll sum up the tests with my system.
With the present settings (single mode), the LB improves the sound of the R26.
The sound is smoother than with the internal clock. There's no doubt about it.
But with the OCK-1, the improvement is more obvious, and the sound is more ample.

In single mode, it also improves the sound of the DI-20HE, but the difference over the internal clock is very subtle. With the OCK-1, the sound has clearly a greater depth over the internal clock.

The LB is cheaper, and should be a worthy upgrade for someone who needs a single output of 50 ohms.
These conclusions are made with my system. We will see what @Jake2 reports.

 

[rodthebod]

Yes, that's what I did with 1.2 Kg.
And I configured the LB correctly: put it to sleep with a single mode (a single 10 mHz output from BNC 1).



I'll sum up the tests with my system.
With the present settings (single mode), the LB improves the sound of the R26.
The sound is smoother than with the internal clock. There's no doubt about it.
But with the OCK-1, the improvement is more obvious, and the sound is more ample.

In single mode, it also improves the sound of the DI-20HE, but the difference over the internal clock is very subtle. With the OCK-1, the sound has clearly a greater depth over the internal clock.

The LB is cheaper, and should be a worthy upgrade for someone who needs a single output of 50 ohms.

Try three hard interfaces under the LB not soft compliant material....

 

[rodthebod]

Yes, that's what I did with 1.2 Kg.
And I configured the LB correctly: put it to sleep with a single mode (a single 10 mHz output from BNC 1).



I'll sum up the tests with my system.
With the present settings (single mode), the LB improves the sound of the R26.
The sound is smoother than with the internal clock. There's no doubt about it.
But with the OCK-1, the improvement is more obvious, and the sound is more ample.

In single mode, it also improves the sound of the DI-20HE, but the difference over the internal clock is very subtle. With the OCK-1, the sound has clearly a greater depth over the internal clock.

The LB is cheaper, and should be a worthy upgrade for someone who needs a single output of 50 ohms.
These conclusions are made with my system. We will see what @Jake2 reports.

Worth also pointing out that the LB is capable of two 50ohm outputs at the same time so it could serve two devices.

 

[Dandoudou]

Worth also pointing out that the LB is capable of two 50ohm outputs at the same time so it could serve two devices.

When I configured it to two outputs, it did not perform as well.
In this setting, the sound with the internal clock of the DI-20HE was superior. The sound with the external clock was flatter.

 

[Jake2]

From recollection @Dandoudou 's OCK-1 performed at a similar level to a friend's OCK-2 (correct?) so his may be an outlier/high performer...for what that's worth

 

[Dandoudou]

From recollection @Dandoudou 's OCK-1 performed at a similar level to a friend's OCK-2 (correct?) so his may be an outlier/high performer...for what that's worth

You are right.
The difference between the clocks was very tinny, and we ended by comparing between them on 3 systems.

 

[rodthebod]

When I configured it to two outputs, it did not perform as well.
In this setting, the sound with the internal clock of the DI-20HE was superior. The sound with the external clock was flatter.

Were you using the two outputs together then, ie both BNC's connected to kit, or was one BNC (output 2) not connected to anything? We know that deselecting an unused BNC output improves the sound. Trying to make things as clear as possible for everyone.

 

[PhazeCrive]

Apologies if this is a noobish question but is the R26 capable of streaming local files? I'm not into the whole roon and tidal thing as they just don't have the music I have on my storage drives.

Thanks.

 

[Fluty]

"Anyway, with a single output, there is an improvement." With only one output activated, then the red light on the unused one flashes constantly, which I find very annoying. Is this normal, does anyone else find this to be distracting?

 

[rodthebod]

Apologies if this is a noobish question but is the R26 capable of streaming local files? I'm not into the whole roon and tidal thing as they just don't have the music I have on my storage drives.

Thanks.

That's all I use, is local files much prefer the overall sound, using the LAN streamer, Minimserver running on a SMC with LPS and 2.5" 2TB USB HDD attached. Access to files is via a controller app (Jplay or Mconnect for IOS) utilising the uPnP/DLNA protocol. BubbleuPnP and Mconnect work on android devices. wi-fi extender and FMC modules are recommended with a separate switch to keep everything clean on the audio side.

 

[rodthebod]

"Anyway, with a single output, there is an improvement." With only one output activated, then the unused one flashes constantly, which I find very annoying. Is this normal, does anyone else find this to be distracting?

Blu-tac is your friend...... or you could pop it inside the R26!