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

[LarsHP]

A user from the A26 thread had problems with its unit of which had occassional dropouts using its built in streamer. Here is Gustards?s reply. Think some of use will find it useful: POST Last night Gustard replied to my inquiry of 23 Sept:
"After thorough research, we have identified a limitation with the A26 device concerning playback of compressed FLAC formats via the UPnP protocol. Unfortunately, the handling capabilities of the A26 seem insufficient for this purpose.
To address this issue, we recommend using foobar2000 for UPnP streaming, as it will convert all audio tracks to WAV format before transmission. This workaround should help mitigate the problem.
We also want to express our sincerest apologies for the challenges faced during the initial product development. As this was our first experience with streaming technology, we acknowledge our lack of expertise at that time.
Furthermore, while trying to implement additional protocols, we encountered numerous obstacles, many of which were beyond our control. These include unresponsiveness from the protocol owners and automated replies to our inquiries.
Looking ahead, we are collaborating with a well-known company in China for our second-generation streaming solution, implemented in the X30 decoder. We are also planning to release a standalone streamer at an affordable price point, as significant upgrades to the A26's streaming capabilities are not feasible due to its hardware limitations.
Once again, we deeply apologize for any inconvenience this has caused."

Thanks for this quote. A refreshingly honest and detailed answer.

That said, I think the important part here might be the UPnP protocol. The reason why I anticipate that is that, when I tried Audirvana (player software), which outputs in WAV format, I often had issues with dropouts, that I have never had when using LMS (formerly known as Logitech Media Server), which allegedly outputs compressed FLAC, leaving the "unboxing" to the renderer in the R26.

 

[SpursForEver]

I often had issues with dropouts, that I have never had when using LMS (formerly known as Logitech Media Server), which allegedly outputs compressed FLAC, leaving the "unboxing" to the renderer in the R26.

LMS can send both as per the settings
I have asked Gustard if they could add LMS support

 

[LarsHP]

LMS can send both as per the settings
I have asked Gustard if they could add LMS support

You are right. This opportunity might have arrived after Logitech stopped producing Squeezeboxes.
I just checked, and my settings - that I expect are default - is set to no transcoding, so my above point regarding format may still be right.
I also see that LMS apparently uses UPnP protocol...

Anyway, my experience can be summarized this way:
Sending FLAC to Gustarender = no dropouts.
Sending WAV to Gustarender = dropout issues.

 

[sendler2112]

You are right. This opportunity might have arrived after Logitech stopped producing Squeezeboxes.
I just checked, and my settings - that I expect are default - is set to no transcoding, so my above point regarding format may still be right.
I also see that LMS apparently uses UPnP protocol...

Anyway, my experience can be summarized this way:
Sending FLAC to Gustarender = no dropouts.
Sending WAV to Gustarender = dropout issues.

I have never had any drop outs sending anything from HQ Player through LAN with its NAA protocol to my R26 or my A26. Whether full upsampled PCM Wave or converted DSD from my harddrive or HiRez FLAC streaming from Qobuz.

 

[LarsHP]

I have never had any drop outs sending anything from HQ Player through LAN with its NAA protocol to my R26 or my A26. Whether full upsampled PCM Wave or converted DSD from my harddrive or HiRez FLAC streaming from Qobuz.

And, just to make it clear: HQ Player outputs WAV when processing PCM?

 

[s4tch]

Hey guys, my friend bought an R26, we updated the firmware to v1.43 downloaded from the official website, and unfortunately tidal connect doesn't work. We can stream music to the R26 via bubbleupnp, so the network connection is working fine. Bubbleupnp also confirms that the fw update was successful and the version the dac is running is 1.43. We tried multiple devices for tidal connect (phones, pc's), we changed the quality settings to low, hi, max, nothing worked. We can't see any particular settings in the menu of the dac, there's no gui either. So we're out of ideas. Is there any trick to get it working?

 

[sendler2112]

And, just to make it clear: HQ Player outputs WAV when processing PCM?

That may be a valid consideration that HQ Player may convert the Qobuz HiRez FLAC to wave during the upsampling and NAA output to the LAN.

 

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

Hey guys, my friend bought an R26, we updated the firmware to v1.43 downloaded from the official website, and unfortunately tidal connect doesn't work. We can stream music to the R26 via bubbleupnp, so the network connection is working fine. Bubbleupnp also confirms that the fw update was successful and the version the dac is running is 1.43. We tried multiple devices for tidal connect (phones, pc's), we changed the quality settings to low, hi, max, nothing worked. We can't see any particular settings in the menu of the dac, there's no gui either. So we're out of ideas. Is there any trick to get it working?

Go to page 1

 

[s4tch]

Go to page 1

I love you.

 

[Jake2]

I’d just like to take a moment to acknowledge @m-i-c-k-e-y ‘s tireless service in creating and maintaining (for over 2 years!) the page 1 sticky to such a standard. And @wikaudio for his custom renderer versions that have helped a lot of Gustard owners. Top effort gents.

 

[s4tch]

Go to page 1

It worked! Thanks again.

I’d just like to take a moment to acknowledge @m-i-c-k-e-y ‘s tireless service in creating and maintaining (for over 2 years!) the page 1 sticky to such a standard. And @wikaudio for his custom renderer versions that have helped a lot of Gustard owners. Top effort gents.

I second this, even if I'm not an R26 owner, I appreciate these. The modded firmware worked perfectly at my friend's place and I got a very quick response from @m-i-c-k-e-y

BTW the R26 sounds awesome. My friend's system became a bit more simple with it: R26 as streamer/dac (just replaced an Auralic Aries and a Chord 2Qute), Musical Fidelity M500 amp, Sonus Sonetto V speakers. Airy, quick, (for dynamic drivers) transparent sound. I've heard better, but for much, much more money. Kudos to Gustard, they created a beast.

 

[Riccardom81]

Hi, I've been following the whole discussion for a while, I'm trying to understand if R26 can replace my x 26pro for the better. In your opinion, is it worth getting an R26 today? What am I going to lose? I then ask if with the mod firmware I can listen to Tidal without interruptions. Does it work well with the LAN? Thank you all

 

[wweerr123]

Is it normal that I'm getting only 384khz for PCM at max through USB connection on windows? I can get 768khz through LAN.

 

[LarsHP]

Hi, I've been following the whole discussion for a while, I'm trying to understand if R26 can replace my x 26pro for the better. In your opinion, is it worth getting an R26 today? What am I going to lose? I then ask if with the mod firmware I can listen to Tidal without interruptions. Does it work well with the LAN? Thank you all

I suggest you read these reviews. The reviewer praised the X26 Pro, but likes the R26 and A26 even more.
https://soundnews.net/sources/dacs/...-gustard-r26-discrete-r-2r-ladder-dac-review/
https://soundnews.net/sources/dacs/gustard-a26-dac-review-can-it-get-any-better/

 

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

Is it normal that I'm getting only 384khz for PCM at max through USB connection on windows? I can get 768khz through LAN.

USB, I2S and LAN per spec should support upto PCM768 and DSD512. Be sure output of your windows player should be ASIO or WASAPI (a least) for goood result. If you have Kernel Streaming, better. Chances you're using Direct Sound. WMP, Media Player, VLC (or the likes) support what is maximum on your Sound Properties (w/c is 32/384). Windows players that supports ASIO/WASAPI are JRiver, Foobar, JPlay, Audivarna, Roon, HQP (there's lots) as examples.