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

[Patlezinc]

In my opinion, yes, the R26 sounds "better" with headphones. I have actually never heard the R26 through loudspeakers. Vitalie Sandu at Sound News bought R26 and specifically use it in his headphone setup.

Comparing R26 to other excellent DACs that use Sigma-Delta DAC chips (like Topping D90LE), the R26 sounds smoother and has more soundstage depth (when it is present in the recording) which in my opinion is very nice when listening to headphones.

The D90LE has a more upfront presentation of details, what some describe as sharper leading edges, compared to R26. The details are still there with the R26, but they are presented in a more natural and smooth manner. That said, if you only or mostly listen to close-mic'ed and electronic music, then the advantages of the R26 probably won't be worth it and Gustard A26 would be better for you.

I listen to a bit of everything , but mostly calm music and songs

 

[bluex]

If the standby mode has been timed, the device goes into standby after the elapsed time.
This means that the Android device switches to standby and then also disconnects the USB C connection.
However, the Internet connection remains active, such as downloads, etc.
With Apple, it goes directly into standby when you press the sleep button, which means that downloads ect are paused or stopped until it is reactivated.
When I make app updates on the Android phone and activate the sleep button, it loads the downloads and makes the updates and only then goes into standby.
With Apple, when I update the Tidal playlist, the tablet has to be fully active because it doesn't do the updates.

With the developer options, it is possible that when it is active, the Usb C connection remains activated so that the signal is transported.
If it is switched off, it goes into standby mode after a certain time.
So you must also have the option Standby in the screen timout in the settings, if so then deactivate it.
If you do not have it, try it with the screen timout, because it is possible that it has been integrated into the programme and is therefore running together.
This in turn means that when the screen goes into sleep mode, the rest is in standby and also disconnects the Usb C connection.

I don't have the option to turn it off
But even if I have the option, the issues comes from elsewhere

 

[sendler2112]

Hi guys.
I would like to step up my listening experience with my headphones. I like the DAC implemented in my Violectric but maybe I can have better stuff
A lot of poeple use the R26 on speakers system and I am not sure headphones are so DAC sensitive.
So, I ask first to headphones users : does your R26 make your headphones sing better (compared to cheaper DACs)?
Thanks.

I would say that headphones are more revealing of fine detail and differences between DACs and you will use them more often (and louder) than speakers if there are other people in your house or apartment building.

 

[ali4ek]

By the way, in terms of "revealing of fine detail", X26 Pro has an edge over R26. I have and use both.
R26 is indeed a little more relaxed and laid back.

 

[LarsHP]

By the way, in terms of "revealing of fine detail", X26 Pro has an edge over R26. I have and use both.
R26 is indeed a little more relaxed and laid back.

I think it's partly about how Delta-Sigma DAC's present details versus R2R DAC's.

My Topping D90LE also at first listen sounds as if there is more details, but it comes at the cost of depth, smoothness, "musicality" and most importantly, the impression of a brighter sound signature. In short, a less natural sound. So, if you are a recording engineer or listen closely for every detail in the recording, then a R2R DAC won't suit your needs. However, if you want to enjoy your music and prefer a detailed, but natural sound, the R26 is a good choice.

 

[vperez]

By the way, in terms of "revealing of fine detail", X26 Pro has an edge over R26. I have and use both.
R26 is indeed a little more relaxed and laid back.

I was wondering what relaxed and laid back means for you from a music standpoint. I have a delta sigma DAC too and I hear a clearer instrument separation with R26. Maybe I am missing something. Recently a friend listened to both R26 and Delta sigma with same song and told me the voice of the singer sounds more real.

 

[sendler2112]

The strong attribute of the R26 over other DACs is the deep, wide, layered soundstage. I find it also exciting and dynamic for rock ad at its best receiving 23/ 768 with the best filterthat HQ Player has. I preffered it over my Holo Cyan2 even with the Cyan2 running DAC correction in HQ Player. Which has a more solid and organic character to the instruments. To really get the best of the Cyan2 with HQP requires more processor power than my laptop can provide.

The new Gustard X26III has a slight edge over both of those in see through detail. The R26 is still slightly more spacious but sounds just a bit hazy next to the pristine X26III. which again sounds its best receiving SDM 512 from HQ Player that my laptop can barely play.

 

[LucianoBadoe]

Witch HQPlayer filters you prefer on R26?

 

[sendler2112]

Witch HQPlayer filters you prefer on R26?

My HQ Player settings for the Gustard R26: scroll all the way down the filters to sinc- long at PCM 768 with LNS15 dither to 23 bits.

 

[audio integrity]

The strong attribute of the R26 over other DACs is the deep, wide, layered soundstage. I find it also exciting and dynamic for rock ad at its best receiving 23/ 768 with the best filterthat HQ Player has. I preffered it over my Holo Cyan2 even with the Cyan2 running DAC correction in HQ Player. Which has a more solid and organic character to the instruments. To really get the best of the Cyan2 with HQP requires more processor power than my laptop can provide.

The new Gustard X26III has a slight edge over both of those in see through detail. The R26 is still slightly more spacious but sounds just a bit hazy next to the pristine X26III. which again sounds its best receiving SDM 512 from HQ Player that my laptop can barely play.

I've spent a fair bit of time comparing Mitch's convolution filter for LCD 5 on both the Chord Qutest and R26. I think stage width maybe comparable, but both reverb and depth of stage easily better on the R26. Serious differences in those regards, though Qutest is no slouch. Running the filter off Roon to R26 NOS. Amp is LTA Velo.

 

[sendler2112]

I've spent a fair bit of time comparing Mitch's convolution filter for LCD 5 on both the Chord Qutest and R26. I think stage width maybe comparable, but both reverb and depth of stage easily better on the R26. Serious differences in those regards, though Qutest is no slouch. Running the filter off Roon to R26 NOS. Amp is LTA Velo.

Yes. I forgot to mention the R26's excellent portrayal of reverberant tails.

 

[pbarata]

IDK they need to change their media encoder. Try asking Gustard Support for first hand info. Its just an email away.

Just got the answer from Gustard team, not very encouraging one… to get DSD support under the UPnP protocol I’ve to install a previous version, missing the improvements from more recent versions…

“The R26 can support DSD under the UPnP protocol by installing version 1v4 of the Bridge firmware . Please find the download link below:

https://www.gustard.com/?page_id=8956 “

 

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

Yeah not encouraging...

BUT a side note, it is not defeats the purpose of having an R2R DAC and have it played DSD?
Well, I have an FPGA DSD DAC and I like it in PCM. So there's my irony too.

 

[Deleeh]

There is a tonal difference between internal streamer from R26 vs external streamer I think.
I installed Dietpi on a discarded pc 2 weeks ago and it works fine.
I have also connected the internet via FMC boxes to isolate the signal.
I am very happy with the result and it takes the R26 to another level.

It may be worthwhile to run DSD support via upnp over a powerful external streamer with enough processing power, such as a Nuc, old Pc or Raspberry Pi.
The latter should have a good power supply.
And so you can just feed the R26 without any delays.

 

[wikaudio]

Just got the answer from Gustard team, not very encouraging one… to get DSD support under the UPnP protocol I’ve to install a previous version, missing the improvements from more recent versions…

“The R26 can support DSD under the UPnP protocol by installing version 1v4 of the Bridge firmware . Please find the download link below:

https://www.gustard.com/?page_id=8956 “

The Gstreamer package from Debian is responsible for DSD support via UPnP. The Gustard team has nothing to do with the work on this package. The currently installed version in the R26 firmware is 1.22. DSD support has been implemented since version 1.24. I am constantly monitoring the developers' progress, but it will take some time before it is available in the official distribution. The currently available unstable version is 1.24.10, but it probably needs to be in version 1.26 to appear in the stable distribution. This may take up to a year. I have tried to install the unstable version several times, but without success.
Only when the stable version appears will the Gustard team be able to publish the new firmware.
From the currently available important updates, the new version 5.1.3 NAA is available (currently 4.5 or 4.6, I think), but I don't know if it would have any effect because I don't use HQPlayer.