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

[easylive]

I read somewhere that Gustard might be releasing an R2R DAC without a streamer, any truth to those rumors? Interested in the R26 because of the sound quality, but I have no use for most of the features and would rather pay for just the sound.

[edit] I guess I'll look into other DACs entirely, since I'm looking to use USB instead of LAN.

The LAN input is a great feature of R26 (the R26 is worth the price also without it) and it is also the best quality sound from the LAN input...

 

[BShaw]

Oops

 

[BShaw]

I read somewhere that Gustard might be releasing an R2R DAC without a streamer, any truth to those rumors? Interested in the R26 because of the sound quality, but I have no use for most of the features and would rather pay for just the sound.

[edit] I guess I'll look into other DACs entirely, since I'm looking to use USB instead of LAN.

If you’re using USB, the Holo Cyan2 is an easy recommendation.

 

[BShaw]

Guys
What interconnect are you using between the R26 to your amp ? Any advice without breaking the bank ? I thought about clearway x or morrow ma4 . Any thoughts/ suggestions?

It would depend a bit on the amp, ie tubes vs a bright sounding SS amp, but I was fortunate to catch wind of the Xangsane SP-9003ag people were raving about on the Ali Express cables thread and other forums generally. It’s incredibly good and if you can diy it with quality plugs IMO price to performance ratio is off the charts. I’ve now got 6 pairs in my system, slowly replacing my existing ICs, and it’s outperformed everything I put it up against, even Duelund silver foil which really hurt to pull at the cost I incurred making those!

 

[ASSAF1984]

It would depend a bit on the amp, ie tubes vs a bright sounding SS amp, but I was fortunate to catch wind of the Xangsane SP-9003ag people were raving about on the Ali Express cables thread and other forums generally. It’s incredibly good and if you can diy it with quality plugs IMO price to performance ratio is off the charts. I’ve now got 6 pairs in my system, slowly replacing my existing ICs, and it’s outperformed everything I put it up against, even Duelund silver foil which really hurt to pull at the cost I incurred making those!

thanks mate .
It's a tube amp (cayin ha3a) I'll take a look on this cables you mentioned.

 

[jacupmakeup]

I have the R26 with U18 DDC. I learned of the Leo Bodnar clock from this thread. Wondering if y’all still like it and if anyone compared the LB to the LHY Ock-2.

 

[jacupmakeup]

I see he used the below linked clock, the GPS + GAL (Galileo) version. Given his glowing recommendation (much more impact than FMCs with LPS) and it’s reasonable /low price, which is even lower than the Leo Bodnar, I would just get this - give it a go. But I would be sure to get the exact same model from the same vendor he did - not just a similar or identical looking but cheaper one- as otherwise there may be some hidden variable that means it does not perform as well for audio.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003130266624.html

A have an OCK-1 & 2 and a Leo Bodnar. The LB is remarkably effective and high bang for buck value. The above AliX clock seems similar. The GPS connection for the LB is not needed for it to sound good.

I have the LB and this cheap Ali clock linked above. Neither one improves SQ in my system. I’ve tried 3 different BNC cables. Wondering if it makes sense to keep chasing the clock improvements and getting something like the LHY Ock-2 or just cut my losses

 

[BShaw]

I have the LB and this cheap Ali clock linked above. Neither one improves SQ in my system. I’ve tried 3 different BNC cables. Wondering if it makes sense to keep chasing the clock improvements and getting something like the LHY Ock-2 or just cut my losses

You might also be interested in the Aune clocks, I’ve heard they’re very good.

 

[sendler2112]

I'm using the Aune XC1 with my R26. It makes a very slight difference with an improvement in transparency. I wouldn't think the XC1 is substantially better than your clocks that you have tried so I wouldn't recommend you buying one if you are not hearing any difference with what you have. The difference is very slight, not the night and day improvement that the youtuber reported. I am also using maxed out settings for upsampling with HQ Player where using such a high sample rate and long filter makes the difference between NOS disabled and enabled fairly slight with NOS again improving transparency slightly with the outboard upsampling. There is a similarly slight improvement that results from going from USB to LAN.

It all adds up.

 

[Jake2]

I have the LB and this cheap Ali clock linked above. Neither one improves SQ in my system. I’ve tried 3 different BNC cables. Wondering if it makes sense to keep chasing the clock improvements and getting something like the LHY Ock-2 or just cut my losses

No guarantees of performance with any of these clocks, no measured phase noise certs, so it’s possible variations between OCXOs unit to unit explain the differing experiences of folk on this forum. Certainty comes at a price, set by Afterdark and Cybershaft.

All that said here’s a rather positive testimonial from a new OCK-2 and R26 owner…

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2722127

 

[Alenotta]

I actually just hooked up an OCK-2 to my R26 and think it sounds great. It doesn't change the tonality at all, but it adds another layer of dimensionality into the music. Think of it of 2-5% extra 3D depth into things. More micro details as well. This is the type of change you hear with your eyes closed, but I toggled back and forth blind a lot of times and it was clearly better with the OCK-2. This isn't like rush out and buy it type of upgrade, but I'd add it to the list of eventual ones. I think upgrading the R26 fuse is just as impactful. This OCK-2 doesn't have a fuse upgrade yet. Also just using a cheap BNC cable it came with. Looking to upgrade those in the future...

I have yet to experiment with the N18Pro or LHY SW6. That is my next mission. I currently have my Eero node plugged into the R26 via an audioquest ethernet cable. Yes, the damn ethernet cable made a difference too when I tested it via amazon. By the end of souping this thing up I think the performance gains are probably like 20% at least. It should be after adding 2x the price to the DAC .

 

[jacupmakeup]

I'm using the Aune XC1 with my R26. It makes a very slight difference with an improvement in transparency. I wouldn't think the XC1 is substantially better than your clocks that you have tried so I wouldn't recommend you buying one if you are not hearing any difference with what you have. The difference is very slight, not the night and day improvement that the youtuber reported. I am also using maxed out settings for upsampling with HQ Player where using such a high sample rate and long filter makes the difference between NOS disabled and enabled fairly slight with NOS again improving transparency slightly with the outboard upsampling. There is a similarly slight improvement that results from going from USB to LAN.

It all adds up.

I was considering the Aune SC1 and the LHY Ock-2. I will possibly go the LAN route eventually. But I2S sounds great and is kinda necessary for me as an Apple Music user.

 

[jacupmakeup]

No guarantees of performance with any of these clocks, no measured phase noise certs, so it’s possible variations between OCXOs unit to unit explain the differing experiences of folk on this forum. Certainty comes at a price, set by Afterdark and Cybershaft.

All that said here’s a rather positive testimonial from a new OCK-2 and R26 owner…

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2722127

Wish I could demo all the things! I should add that I it seems the LB clock has added some nuanced texture to the bass. At least I think?

 

[jacupmakeup]

I actually just hooked up an OCK-2 to my R26 and think it sounds great. It doesn't change the tonality at all, but it adds another layer of dimensionality into the music. Think of it of 2-5% extra 3D depth into things. More micro details as well. This is the type of change you hear with your eyes closed, but I toggled back and forth blind a lot of times and it was clearly better with the OCK-2. This isn't like rush out and buy it type of upgrade, but I'd add it to the list of eventual ones. I think upgrading the R26 fuse is just as impactful. This OCK-2 doesn't have a fuse upgrade yet. Also just using a cheap BNC cable it came with. Looking to upgrade those in the future...

I have yet to experiment with the N18Pro or LHY SW6. That is my next mission. I currently have my Eero node plugged into the R26 via an audioquest ethernet cable. Yes, the damn ethernet cable made a difference too when I tested it via amazon. By the end of souping this thing up I think the performance gains are probably like 20% at least. It should be after adding 2x the price to the DAC .

Nothing is more important than achieving that 20% haha. I keep telling myself to chill - my system sounds great. The reasonable thing to do would be to wait it out for the next game changing DAC - the R30??

 

[ASSAF1984]

Guys sorry to interrupt in the discussion.. I must ask .. as most of you say that LAN is the best way to go with the r26 . So all my possibilities are tidal connect an qubuz? I mean with tidal connect I don't get even to hi res which when I connect usb it says hi res. So with LAN we are doomed to lower rate ? Thanks .