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

[JackJohnson316]

I’m about to order a LHY OCK-2 master clock for the R26. Do I order the 75ohm or 50ohm? I seem to remember some controversy regarding the external master clock connector. Is it 75 or 50 ohm? Thanks for the input?

So I've had my LHY OCK-2 master clock running on and off for a couple of weeks (had to turn off for some tropical storms). This is my first master clock. I have the OCK-2 connected to my Gustard R26 via a 50ohm BNC habst cable. Today I was finally able to sit down and do some a/b testing with and without the external clock. To summarize, there definitely is a difference, but if you're not listening intently you will miss it, at least in my experience and on my system. I do prefer the sound with the master clock engaged. With the master clock the bass is more tight, and there seems to be more reverb, if that makes sense, like I'm sitting at a concert. Without the clock the music sounds great as well, just a little different. I would compare it to going from my stock HD650 to my ZMF Verite Opens. There was a slight veil removed and better instrument separation with the master clock.

In my opinion, and in my system, I would say there's a 5% increase in sound quality with the master clock connected. I probably would never miss having the external clock if I didn't already have it. And it's an expensive investment just for 5% sound quality increase. But it does seem to improve the sound quality.

Some things to consider are maybe the K2 synthesizer is not yet fully "burned in," and the sound may continue to improve. Maybe a copper bnc cable will sound different. I'm going to connect the OCK-2 to my active ground box, and maybe that will increase the SQ. I already have a SR purple fuse in the OCK-2, so I can't really improve the fuse situation that much. I am going to put some isoacoustics under the OCK-2 to see if it improves. I'm going to connect the master clock to my Etherregen as well, and perhaps having one master clock for the Dac and network switch will improve SQ. In the future I could connect the master clock to a ddc and go the I2S route to see if that's better than using the R26 Lan/streamer input.

In conclusion, in my experience, and with my system, the OCK-2 master clock does improve the sound quality, but it wasn't a "wow" moment. Maybe things will continue to improve, and I can continue to tweak my system around the master clock. It's an expensive investment for maybe 5% improvement, but there is room for growth and to some maybe that extra 5% is worth it. Once I connect my Etherregen and R26 to the OCK-2, maybe there will be a "wow" moment then, but I need to find a 75ohm bnc cable first.

I've optimized my grounding system, power source/conditioner, clock source, dac, and have a decent headphone amp (Topping L70 and Feliks Audio Euphoria Evo) with Hifiman HE1000se headphones. I'm pretty satisfied with my system as is, but will continue to try some fun tweaks. My next tweak will be adding some Mad Scientist Black Discus Nano's to the R26. Then I might try the Swiss Digital fuse box with the R26. If the sound continues to improve with the master clock I'll report back.

 

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

Alas my upgrade search continues. Found this on the Signalyst site……
TEAC UD-701N (USB only, network interface is incompatible)

Whether this can be fixed in a firmware upgrade remains to be seen.

Just add to you list:
Flux Audio Atlas - AIO, if not it was large..I "might" have considered it instead my Hydra Stack. Alas, with UKR's problems (they relocated in Germany) it might be sometime they will be back in production. And IMO needs an update.
Tubadour IV SE R2R - Those who owns it says its a 10k killer DAC.
APL Hi-Fi DSD-AR - Its 6K, and the most basic on its line. BUT...well just look at the reviews online.

 

[Deleeh]

Someone a answer about post 7615?
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/gus...-native-decoding-music-bridge.963630/page-508

 

[camrector]

Just add to you list:
Flux Audio Atlas - AIO, if not it was large..I "might" have considered it instead my Hydra Stack. Alas, with UKR's problems (they relocated in Germany) it might be sometime they will be back in production. And IMO needs an update.
Tubadour IV SE R2R - Those who owns it says its a 10k killer DAC.
APL Hi-Fi DSD-AR - Its 6K, and the most basic on its line. BUT...well just look at the reviews online.

These are all nice! The Flux is a streamer too which is what I’m after!

 

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

These are all nice! The Flux is a streamer too which is what I’m after!

Sorry don't know why I forgot this gem: T+A MP 2000 R MK II

 

[camrector]

Sorry don't know why I forgot this gem: T+A MP 2000 R MK II

T+A is high on my list but pricy!
I’m looking for the $5000 dac/streamer giant killer lol

 

[duffer5]

T+A is high on my list but pricy!
I’m looking for the $5000 dac/streamer giant killer lol

The Audio-GD R-7HEMk3 maybe just that. I am really enjoying the "upgrade," from the R26. Not night and day but a significant bump on detail, soundstage, and overall presentation of the music. I would not say its better than the r26 is is just more of everything. I don't feel like I am missing anything like I did with the R26. Don't get me wrong the R26 is amazing and for the money the best choice but the Audio-GD is next level and dare I say more of a bargain than the Holo May. A true pleasure to listen to. Just my 2 cents, be gentle with any flames.

 

[rockcity007]

The Audio-GD R-7HEMk3 maybe just that. I am really enjoying the "upgrade," from the R26. Not night and day but a significant bump on detail, soundstage, and overall presentation of the music. I would not say its better than the r26 is is just more of everything. I don't feel like I am missing anything like I did with the R26. Don't get me wrong the R26 is amazing and for the money the best choice but the Audio-GD is next level and dare I say more of a bargain than the Holo May. A true pleasure to listen to. Just my 2 cents, be gentle with any flames.

So, am I missing something here? The Audio-GD R-7HEMk3 is $4,999 and the Holo May is $4,198-$5,598. How is that the Audio-GD is "more of a bargain than the Holo May"?

The Audio-GD R-7HEMk3 maybe just that. I am really enjoying the "upgrade," from the R26. Not night and day but a significant bump on detail, soundstage, and overall presentation of the music. I would not say its better than the r26 is is just more of everything. I don't feel like I am missing anything like I did with the R26. Don't get me wrong the R26 is amazing and for the money the best choice but the Audio-GD is next level and dare I say more of a bargain than the Holo May. A true pleasure to listen to. Just my 2 cents, be gentle with any flames.

 

[duffer5]

So, am I missing something here? The Audio-GD R-7HEMk3 is $4,999 and the Holo May is $4,198-$5,598. How is that the Audio-GD is "more of a bargain than the Holo May"?

The quality of the internal components alone are 2nd to none. The sound reproduction has been compared to other DAC’s at over $10k+. What Audio-GD doesn’t do well is marketing. Lesser known brand because that is just the way it is. Holo is a marketing machine and the traction with Holo is a result of that. Not saying that Holo is all hype and no substance. Far from it. What I am saying is if you look and the intervals of the Aufio-GD is is an amazing feat of engineering. Their slogan should be “if you know you know.” If Audio-GD could market like Holo the world would know.

 

[sajunky]

So, am I missing something here? The Audio-GD R-7HEMk3 is $4,999 and the Holo May is $4,198-$5,598. How is that the Audio-GD is "more of a bargain than the Holo May"?

Gustard and Audio GD for R2R sound.
Holo Audio for Delta-Sigma sound.

 

[camrector]

The quality of the internal components alone are 2nd to none. The sound reproduction has been compared to other DAC’s at over $10k+. What Audio-GD doesn’t do well is marketing. Lesser known brand because that is just the way it is. Holo is a marketing machine and the traction with Holo is a result of that. Not saying that Holo is all hype and no substance. Far from it. What I am saying is if you look and the intervals of the Aufio-GD is is an amazing feat of engineering. Their slogan should be “if you know you know.” If Audio-GD could market like Holo the world would know.

Could you speak to the build quality of the Audio GD? They look like cheap Ali aluminum boxes.
Not saying they are, just from the web site photos.

 

[sajunky]

Could you speak to the build quality of the Audio GD? They look like cheap Ali aluminum boxes.
Not saying they are, just from the web site photos.

And missing fuses.

 

[duffer5]

Could you speak to the build quality of the Audio GD? They look like cheap Ali aluminum boxes.
Not saying they are, just from the web site photos.

Happy to address. Let me offer up a comparison that may help. Spoiler alert they are built like a tank, inside and out. The new case revision of the R-7HEMk3 really puts this DAC on par with any other high quality hifi component manufacture. That being said I was auditioning a bunch of DAC's over the past year, including Holo, Denafrips, T&A, DCS and Chord. My least favorite build was the Chord (personal taste and the seams drove me crazy) but my favorite build was the newly released Audio-GD R7HEmk3. I actually got to compare the MK3 to the MK2. While the internals are essentially the same the external case is a cosmetic win. My 2nd favorite was the build of the Holo May but I saw no advantage over the R26 sonically, (I know call me crazy.). So with the sonic bump and build quality I felt confident going with the Audio-GD.

The prior poster mentioned it cost $4999 USD, you can buy direct from Audio-GD and it is $3999+shipping, which I did. Shipped within 4 business days and arrived via UPS air 3 days later after shipping. I still think the R26 is the bargain of the century but if you want next level the Audio-GD is the real deal.

 

[duffer5]

And missing fuses.

This has been asked about before. The fuse is built into the transformers. As well as acting as a regular fuse, it also acts as a thermal fuse if the transformer overheats. Kingwa told me he chose this kind of transformer for better SQ and additional safety.

I am not well versed enough on the subject but I will let @Currawong previous reply speak for itself. If you have technical concerns prior to purchase (Like the 30 questions I had) email the company directly. They hold your hand through the process and have been great after the sale on use questions.

 

[camrector]

Happy to address. Let me offer up a comparison that may help. Spoiler alert they are built like a tank, inside and out. The new case revision of the R-7HEMk3 really puts this DAC on par with any other high quality hifi component manufacture. That being said I was auditioning a bunch of DAC's over the past year, including Holo, Denafrips, T&A, DCS and Chord. My least favorite build was the Chord (personal taste and the seams drove me crazy) but my favorite build was the newly released Audio-GD R7HEmk3. I actually got to compare the MK3 to the MK2. While the internals are essentially the same the external case is a cosmetic win. My 2nd favorite was the build of the Holo May but I saw no advantage over the R26 (I know call me crazy.). So with the sonic bump and build quality I felt confident going with the Audio-GD.

The prior poster mentioned it cost $4999 USD, you can buy direct from Audio-GD and it is $3999+shipping, which I did. Shipped within 4 business days and arrived via UPS air 3 days later after shipping. I still think the R26 is the bargain of the century but if you want next level the Audio-GD is the real deal.

Perfectly answered thank you!
And you saw no sonic improvement from the R26 to the Holo May?