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

[Clivem2]

@Jake2 ,
When you'll test the LB clock, try it with various cables. This point seems very important.
The LB does not like the LMR400 at all. It performs the best with a Pro Snake from Thomann that costs less than €10. It prefers it over the Gustard C-2, and even improves nicely the sound of the DI-20HE with it. Go figure…

That’s a bit weird though I have 2 LMR400 cables, one is really good, the other is so-so. The so-so one is ultra-flex 0.5m and mega stiff good one is 0.2M. Is it the cable or the length? I didn’t like RG58 cables but I don’t have the Thomann.

 

[Dandoudou]

That’s a bit weird though I have 2 LMR400 cables, one is really good, the other is so-so. The so-so one is ultra-flex 0.5m and mega stiff good one is 0.2M. Is it the cable or the length? I didn’t like RG58 cables but I don’t have the Thomson.

Maybe it's the length that is important for this GPS. The Pro Snake is 50 cm long. The LMR and the C2 are 1 meter long.
I bought my LMR400 on Ali. It is very stiff. It performs fine with the OCK-1. The copper/Faraday tweak improved it.

 

[Clivem2]

@Jake2 ,
When you'll test the LB clock, try it with various cables. This point seems very important.
The LB does not like the LMR400 at all. It performs the best with a Pro Snake from Thomann that costs less than €10. It prefers it over the Gustard C-2, and even improves nicely the sound of the DI-20HE with it. Go figure…

That’s a bit weird though I have 2 LMR400 cables, one is really good, the other is so-so. The so-so one is ultra-flex 0.5m and mega stiff good one is 0.2M. Is it the cable or the length? I didn’t like RG58 cables but I don’t have the Thomson

Maybe it's the length that is important for this GPS. The Pro Snake is 50 cm long. The LMR and the C2 are 1 meter long.
I bought my LMR400 on Ali. It is very stiff. It performs fine with the OCK-1. The copper/Faraday tweak improved it.

The thing about the LB clock is that those that like it haven’t claimed it’s the best, it’s that it’s a good bang for the buck. If an ock-1 or ock-2 is much better I’d happily buy one. Given the internal clock is supposedly a femto clock, why does the LB improve on it?

 

[Dandoudou]

I will keep the LB instead of asking a refund.
I'll keep trying it with other BNC cables.

 

[rodthebod]

I will keep the LB instead of asking a refund.
I'll keep trying it with other BNC cables.

I think you should, it has properties that I think, have yet, to be discovered properly. Masking the clock itself with shielding inside the R26 has made a difference for me and has transformed the performance in my system.

Let's face it guys, there is little outlay to find out what is going on...... I mostly look forward to Jake's findings now. He is after all a major player in using clocks with the R26.

 

[Dandoudou]

Masking the clock itself with shielding inside the R26 has made a difference for me and has transformed the performance in my system.

I will certainly try it, taking advantage of your experience and feedback.
I will do it in a few weeks, because I have to travel abroad on Saturday.

 

[rodthebod]

I will certainly try it, taking advantage of your experience and feedback.
I will do it in a few weeks, because I have to travel abroad on Saturday.

By then I will have a few more different tweaks I am sure.

 

[Stellabagpuss]

I will keep the LB instead of asking a refund.
I'll keep trying it with other BNC cables.

I found the LB works well with Huber and Suhner Multiflex 141 l use a 1 meter length.
l have tried many different cables, but found this to be the best, without going crazy

 

[Knobstler]

I just took out the old one and made sure the amperage marked side of the old fuse matched the direction of the new one I installed. Done that with everything else basically too. Worked in my R26 with a new fuse just fine.

To bad i already switched with just usin the arrow up. I just have to pray thats correct

 

[Jake2]

I think you should, it has properties that I think, have yet, to be discovered properly. Masking the clock itself with shielding inside the R26 has made a difference for me and has transformed the performance in my system.

Let's face it guys, there is little outlay to find out what is going on...... I mostly look forward to Jake's findings now. He is after all a major player in using clocks with the R26.

I read ‘major player‘ and chortled - the pressure! Needless to say I’m no expert, but - like @Dandoudou - I’ll try to get the best out of the LB and do a fair comparison. I‘ll have a listen this weekend - sounds like there’s quite a few cable combos to try. Starting point I reckon will be with R26 internal clock vs LB with a range of cables to see how it performs best, how much it improves on the R26 internal clock, share some prelim impressions.

Btw I suspect there may be unit to unit variation in the oscillator performance of both the LB and LHY clocks which may explain some differences in user experiences to date both in terms of the LHY and LB clocks alone vs DACs’ internal clocks (some users of both clocks have been underwhelmed, some really satisfied) and in the smaller number of LB vs LHY comparisons. So ultimately my observations will be just another personal anecdote to weigh alongside the others, my assessment of my particular units in my system. OK, with those those disclaimers out of the way, I look forward to what should be an interesting & fun initial LB listening session!

 

[rodthebod]

I read ‘major player‘ and chortled - the pressure! Needless to say I’m no expert, but - like @Dandoudou - I’ll try to get the best out of the LB and do a fair comparison. I‘ll have a listen this weekend - sounds like there’s quite a few cable combos to try. Starting point I reckon will be with R26 internal clock vs LB with a range of cables to see how it performs best, how much it improves on the R26 internal clock, share some prelim impressions.

Btw I suspect there may be unit to unit variation in the oscillator performance of both the LB and LHY clocks which may explain some differences in user experiences to date both in terms of the LHY and LB clocks alone vs DACs’ internal clocks (some users of both clocks have been underwhelmed, some really satisfied) and in the smaller number of LB vs LHY comparisons. So ultimately my observations will be just another personal anecdote to weigh alongside the others, my assessment of my particular units in my system. OK, with those those disclaimers out of the way, I look forward to what should be an interesting & fun initial LB listening session!

Very nicely deliberated...... wish you luck major!

 

[Stellabagpuss]

No pressure Jake...lt's all on you now

 

[Clivem2]

Some interesting clock snippets including LB and LHY: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/10-mhz-reference-for-audio-lhy-ock-1-used-in-lab-instead/

Above my pay grade!

 

[Jake2]

Some interesting clock snippets including LB and LHY: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/10-mhz-reference-for-audio-lhy-ock-1-used-in-lab-instead/

Above my pay grade!

Interesting technical resource - thanks for sharing - will read further. Some quick comment - I've previously seen almost identical (maybe the same?) ugly square wave plots for the OCK-1 over at Audiophile style, possibly by the very same industry professional poster. From recollection he found it much cleaner with a different impedance/load and was going to look into the reason for this odd behaviour. I and many others prefer sine to square on the OCK-1 which would seem to be consistent with this. Also FYI the square wave plots of the OCK-2 I've seen were much cleaner and not far off the Mutec.

Edit - some plots of the OCK-2 square and sine waves here, key aspect that needs to be as clean as possible is the leading edge as that is what triggers timing in the recipient device once the signal 'rises' above the threshold voltage level vs ground. Also highlights the need for clean power, ground plane - a point commented on in the link you provided.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/master-clock-talk.228428/post-17277633

 

[Stellabagpuss]

Interesting technical resource - thanks for sharing - will read further. Some quick comment - I've previously seen almost identical (maybe the same?) ugly square wave plots for the OCK-1 over at Audiophile style, possibly by the very same industry professional poster. From recollection he found it much cleaner with a different impedance/load and was going to look into the reason for this odd behaviour. I and many others prefer sine to square on the OCK-1 which would seem to be consistent with this. Also FYI the square wave plots of the OCK-2 I've seen were much cleaner and not far off the Mutec.

Edit - some plots of the OCK-2 square and sine waves here, key aspect that needs to be as clean as possible is the leading edge as that is what triggers timing in the recipient device once the signal 'rises' above the threshold voltage level vs ground. Also highlights the need for clean power, ground plane - a point commented on in the link you provided

Interesting technical resource - thanks for sharing - will read further. Some quick comment - I've previously seen almost identical (maybe the same?) ugly square wave plots for the OCK-1 over at Audiophile style, possibly by the very same industry professional poster. From recollection he found it much cleaner with a different impedance/load and was going to look into the reason for this odd behaviour. I and many others prefer sine to square on the OCK-1 which would seem to be consistent with this. Also FYI the square wave plots of the OCK-2 I've seen were much cleaner and not far off the Mutec.

Edit - some plots of the OCK-2 square and sine waves here, key aspect that needs to be as clean as possible is the leading edge as that is what triggers timing in the recipient device once the signal 'rises' above the threshold voltage level vs ground. Also highlights the need for clean power, ground plane - a point commented on in the link you provided.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/master-clock-talk.228428/post-17277633

Both interesting articles, that stretches my brain!

Just a suggestion, does anyone have any recommendations on test tracks that they have use on the LB, that made an obvious difference off the bat?
Then it may be easier for us to compare differences, instead of its sounds better or worse etc, and we can replay and experience ourselves....Just a thought