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

[bluex]

Does anyone here owns both, the portable iBasso D16 and Gustard R26 ?
Thank you

 

[sendler2112]

For my DAC, Sinc-M and later, Sinc-MGa w/ LNS15 was my goto.
.
If you have HQP ver 5.8.2 try PSG-Halfband (new favorite).

I had been listening to sinc-long. But psg-half band is very good. It has better defined edges and is more solid. sinc-long is slightly more spacious and reverberant, if a bit more ethereal. The big reason to like psg-half band is for its processor efficiency. It takes less than half the power to my laptop to run at 20 Watts as sinc-long at 45 Watts.

I'm now playing with the Gustard X26 III featuring two Saber ES9039Pro chips and some kind of NOS mode. So, I am also trying PCM to SDM conversion with HQ Player. again after putting the Cyan2 away in favor of the R26.

And the efficiency of psg- half band (and the new efficiency update in HQ Player from about a month ago) allows me to make it all the way to ASDM7EC Super 512 at 48x512 adaptive which is finally rivalling PCM 768 where it can sound slightly more solid, organic, and organized but is not losing out on micro-dynamics to PCM as it was with the 256 settings. But the laptop is near pegged at 77 Watts with fan noise.

But it is worth the few extra electrons. The X26 III takes off at SDM 512 with this efficient new filter where it really defines and makes sense of complex passages like the cranked and panned hard left and right split backing vocals and complex mix of horns on Babylon Sisters.

 

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

... with this efficient new filter where it really defines and makes sense of complex passages like the cranked and panned hard left and right split backing vocals and complex mix of horns on Babylon Sisters.

This is what I liked about PSG-Halfband. Glad you liked it too. And yes upsampling to DSD512 is more solid no hiccups (w/ my PC).

 

[comzee]

This is what I liked about PSG-Halfband. Glad you liked it too. And yes upsampling to DSD512 is more solid no hiccups (w/ my PC).

I switched to PSG-Halfband, it's quite excellent. Thx for the tip.

Question tho, I notice you mention upsampling to DSD, do you like DSD more than PCM with R26?

 

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

I have an FPGA DAC. It's just that PSG-Halfband not only excellent sounding but also very efficient. Upsampling to DSD512 is now possible on my PC w/out having hiccups. PCM for now is still my goto (but it might change).

 

[wweerr123]

Guys, what's the consensus on fuse upgrade? What fuse do you use?

 

[SpursForEver]

Save your money for smth worthwhile instead

 

[xkamran]

Guys, what's the consensus on fuse upgrade? What fuse do you use?

i am also wondering the same thing. heard about SR purple one

 

[milkdudd]

Save your money for smth worthwhile instead

Not trying to start an argument but did you try the purple fuses? Or do you run with the ASR crowd? Just a heads up, this is all I'll say. I'm not going to get into a week long back and forth over this

 

[SpursForEver]

I just run with logic and reason and happy that the expectation bias crowd and hoax fuse manufacturers don't design airplanes.

 

[Deleeh]

The 2.5a is intended for the normal range and 3.15a for the audiophile range according to Gustard.
There is a little difference to be heard between the two.
The Hifituning might sound a bit discoloured, not necessarily ideal for the Gustard, even if they are not necessarily bad, I can't say anything about the Purpel and the recently released version except that it becomes controversial when you mention the Purpel fuse.
Some have had good experiences, others have had less good experiences, others have not been able to hear any difference, and there are also various articles about the manufacturer where a bit of dirty laundry is washed.
Buy what you think will convince you personally if it is to be an issue.

 

[milkdudd]

I just run with logic and reason and happy that the expectation bias crowd and hoax fuse manufacturers don't design airplanes.

But do they make the crucial fuses that go into airplanes? You better quit flying just in case

 

[Fluty]

Guys, what's the consensus on fuse upgrade? What fuse do you use?

I installed a Gustard NANO fuse for very little cost, and an excellent result.

 

[comzee]

I think it's already been confirmed in this thread, at the least rumored...
I emailed Gustard directly myself:

 

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

Before R30 there will be a dedicated streamer called S26 that will be released in China this December. And for the rest on January 2025.