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

[SpursForEver]

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.

I would wish someone added squeezelite, too

 

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

Thank you bud (@wikaudio ) for the headsup.

 

[wikaudio]

I would wish someone added squeezelite, too

The squezzelite PortAudio version and PulseAudio version packages are available and can theoretically be installed.
PS
But you have to remember that when adding a new service, it is necessary to disable another one because the streamer is too weak

 

[SpursForEver]

The squezzelite PortAudio version and PulseAudio version packages are available and can theoretically be installed.

Theoretically, yes. I have written to Gustard several times...

 

[SpursForEver]

you have to disable another one because the streamer is too weak

Use another SD-card?

 

[wikaudio]

Use another SD-card?

A fast SD card will be useful if TIDAL Connect is used because it saves almost everything on the card (it uses the SD card as an extension of RAM). Of course, the card wears out faster then. But the card will not speed up the processor, so it would be necessary to make multi-firmware, specialized for a specific service

 

[AlexB73]

I just connected my Gustard R26 to Tidal thought Ethernet cable.
It works, BUT it doesn't support hi-res. When I play hi-res music on Tidal to my MacBook Pro 2015 output it support "Max" hi-res
but when I select the output to Gustard R26 it switch audio quality to "high" (16bit 44 kHz).
Gustard firmware is 1.43
Why it is happened? How to solve it?

 

[wikaudio]

I just connected my Gustard R26 to Tidal thought Ethernet cable.
It works, BUT it doesn't support hi-res. When I play hi-res music on Tidal to my MacBook Pro 2015 output it support "Max" hi-res
but when I select the output to Gustard R26 it switch audio quality to "high" (16bit 44 kHz).
Gustard firmware is 1.43
Why it is happened? How to solve it?

Unfortunately, it's true that hi-res only works on TIDAL certified devices. Since April, everyone has access to hi-res, but it has been blocked from working on unofficial software. Everyone using streamers on Raspberry Pi has a similar problem. I don't believe that Gustard will reach an agreement with TIDAL and provide official support.

 

[pbarata]

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.

What sound best for to me is having all my music stored in a NAS server, a huge collection of CDs converted directly to 44,1kHz 16 bit FLAC files, converted on the fly to DSD 128 using Roon (using MUSE sample rate conversion feature).

However, this is quite an intensive processing job as I get many lags, even using R26 connect to NAS with a 1 GB switch. If I try using a cheaper solution, like Mconnet HD on Android then is even worse! Not better also with Audirvāna….

I had some hope that the newer versions could improve the internal processing of the streamer as they provide optimize memory consumption, some fixes and an update version of HQplayer NAA, together with both direct access from Spotify, Tidal streaming services.

By the way It also sounds best to me converting audio streams from Qobuz to DSD only for CD quality files, above this resolution I just allow the stream to go directly to R26.

 

[nerdward]

Useless fact- pbarata’s avatar looks like the Spleen and Ideal cover art.

 

[pbarata]

Useless fact- pbarata’s avatar looks like the Spleen and Ideal cover art.

The Avatar is based on little vulcanos spewing water, build for the occasion of the 1998 Lisbon Specialised Expo ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_'98 ). They still work to the present day.

 

[bluex]

As I said about two weeks ago, on this thread, I'll report back, regarding the issue I have with the Gustard R26, cables, disconnect, etc
I just purchased the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 Plus
It has USB A and USB C.
Tried both, not a single issue, so far.
I shouldn't use Android, with R26 and other audio gears
Windows is much better, in my opinion.
Now I'll have to read the first post, how to do the firmware upgrade on R26, hopefully I won't brick the DAC
Off topic question : thinking to buy in the near future, this :

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/audio-clock/gustard-c18-master-clock-ocxo-10mhz-silver-p-17012.html

Is it worth, guys?
Any advices are welcome, thank you

 

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

Most of experiences here have stated that they have more impact adding a DDC or FMC than an external clock.

IIWY, since you connect thru USB to:
Get this instead https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/digital-interfaces/lhy-audio-uip-black-p-18765.html
And 2 of this https://www.av-connection.com/?PGr=14753
For now, much more cost effective IMO.

If you think you really need a clock: https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/audio-clock/lhy-audio-ock-2-clock-black-p-18710.html
All for less than your C18.

Or to broaden your connection options, a DDC. Then a clock later (if you're still at it).

What upgrade / connection path will you take? Think that is important before buying your equipment.

 

[LarsHP]

As I said about two weeks ago, on this thread, I'll report back, regarding the issue I have with the Gustard R26, cables, disconnect, etc
I just purchased the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 Plus
It has USB A and USB C.
Tried both, not a single issue, so far.
I shouldn't use Android, with R26 and other audio gears
Windows is much better, in my opinion.
Now I'll have to read the first post, how to do the firmware upgrade on R26, hopefully I won't brick the DAC
Off topic question : thinking to buy in the near future, this :

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/audio-clock/gustard-c18-master-clock-ocxo-10mhz-silver-p-17012.html

Is it worth, guys?
Any advices are welcome, thank you

As Mickey says, if you want to possibly improve the sound, either get a fiber media converter kit (for LAN input) or a DDC (digital to digital converter) of high quality. The latter will take USB input and preferably feed the R26 through IIS. A third possible improvement is USB cleaning devices as Mickey also suggests. Still, I think whatever improvement you may get with any of these will be subtle.

Regarding an external 10MHz clock, there is no possible way it can reduce jitter. It's not designed for that purpose. I posted my findings about that in this thread. Some prefer the coloration they get by adding an external 10MHz clock, but nobody claims jitter measurements will be better when using them.

 

[sbgk]

I like the colouration the external clock gives my U18, brings detail into focus, wonder what sort of colouration that is