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

[IanA]

R26 / U18 / Ock-2 available. Silver/black/greenish

 

[amrutmhatre90]

Recently added SOtM sms 200 ultra neo with their LPS stack to pair with Gustard R26, connected via USB.
Bought a LHY Ock2 clock too, which goes to both SOtM and R26.

What all inputs in R26 can utilise the external clock?
I emailed Gustard support they replied back saying all.

 

[labeelen]

In order to connect my Shanling ET3 (cd transport) to my Gustard R26 via i2s I just finished a custom lvds cable according the below pin-outs to find out that dsd material is now played and recognized correctly (by R26) but when I play pcm it is recognized as being pcm (by R26) but I only hear noise.

ET3(pin) / label / Gustard(pin)
1 / data/dsdr- / 9
3 / data/dsdr+ / 7
7 / lrck/dsdl- / 3
9 / lrck/dsdl+ / 1
15 / f_mute / 16 (nc)
16 / f_dsd / 15

Any ideas what I am doing wrong (does anyone have a cable or wiring schematic that plays both pcm and dsd correctly between ET3 and R26) ?

 

[salavat]

Has anyone here successfully used Tidal Connect to stream to the R26 directly from an iPhone?

Yes, but Tidal connect is very picky app to use (as compared with Spotify for example).
It ( Tidal connect) has to be in the same network as iPhone (2.4 Ghz for example), otherwise (in my case) it does not start.
In my case Tidak is not supported in my country, so I have to use VPN. What I found is that Tidal connect requires to have a few ports open (passthrough) on my router in order to work, otherwise it generates errors.

 

[amrutmhatre90]

In order to connect my Shanling ET3 (cd transport) to my Gustard R26 via i2s I just finished a custom vlds cable according the below pin-outs to find out that dsd material is now played and recognized correctly (by R26) but when I play pcm it is recognized as being pcm (by R26) but I only hear noise.

ET3(pin) / label / Gustard(pin)
1 / data/dsdr- / 9
3 / data/dsdr+ / 7
7 / lrck/dsdl- / 3
9 / lrck/dsdl+ / 1
15 / f_mute / 16 (nc)
16 / f_dsd / 15

Any ideas what I am doing wrong (does anyone have a cable or wiring schematic that plays both pcm and dsd correctly between ET3 and R26) ?

I have shared a pinout diagram on this ET3 thread check it out

 

[N11ville]

Most folks say LAN with fiber mod gives the best sound.

 

[labeelen]

I have shared a pinout diagram on this ET3 thread check it out

Thx,
Looks like me swapping the 1/3 with 7/9 pair was not a good idea (I wrongfully thought these where Left and Right channels but I have now learned that both L+R are on the same Data pair).
How did you solve the dsd-detect mismatch. Did you swap pin 15 and 16 or did you force PCM always active by connecting pin 15 to ground and let R26 play DSD over PCM (DoP) if needed?

 

[lexx21]

Most folks say LAN with fiber mod gives the best sound.

It definitely does.

 

[labeelen]

I have shared a pinout diagram on this ET3 thread check it out

I followed your diagram including the pin 15/16 swap and everything works now as it should. DSD and PCM are correctly recognized and switched, left and right channel are correct as is absolute phase is fixed. Attached the connector with swapped pins. Thx again !

 

[ievgens]

I'm considering Gustard R26 as a DAC, but how does it compare to the HiBy R8 II DAC stage? Did anyone make any observations?
Sandu on Soundnews has brought remarkable reviews to both, and both options have their own pros/cons, and the price range is comparable.
Yes, those are really different device formats, but the question is only in DAC-to-DAC comparison.

 

[mango lassi]

Unfortunately, I can't offer a direct comparison to the HiBy R8 II since I haven't heard it myself — but I have owned the Gustard R26 for about a year now and use it as the main DAC in my stereo system.

At the time, I was specifically looking for a DAC that could deliver an exceptionally wide soundstage and the most holographic presentation possible, qualities that are rare in this price range. The R26 truly delivers on that front. I use it strictly as a DAC (not as a preamp), mostly in PCM OS/Slow mode, which subjectively gives me the most expansive spatial rendering.

I remember Sandu comparing the R26 to the Denafrips Terminator in his review — a statement I personally find bold. Not because the R26 isn't excellent (it is), but because the Terminator Plus plays in a different league price-wise and has long been considered a benchmark.

As for the HiBy R8 II, I can only refer to Sandu’s impressions, where he places its DAC stage on par with or near units like the Mola Mola Tambaqui, Rockna Wavedream Signature, and even Chord Dave. That, too, is — in my view — a very bold claim. This is not a knock on Sandu — I greatly appreciate his work and follow all his reviews — but it’s important to remember that this is not just a hobby for him, it's also a business.

With that in mind: I can confidently recommend the R26 as a well-balanced, musically engaging R2R DAC, especially if you’re after soundstage depth and a natural, layered presentation. I can’t judge how the R8 II compares purely as a DAC, but if you're planning to use it mainly in that role, I think the form factor and interface options should also be part of your decision.

 

[mimas2]

Niestety, nie mogę przeprowadzić bezpośredniego porównania z HiBy R8 II, ponieważ sam go nie słyszałem — ale od roku posiadam Gustard R26 i używam go jako głównego przetwornika cyfrowo-analogowego w moim systemie stereo.

W tamtym czasie szukałem konkretnie DAC-a, który mógłby zapewnić wyjątkowo szeroką scenę dźwiękową i najbardziej holograficzną prezentację, co jest rzadkością w tym przedziale cenowym. R26 naprawdę spełnia te kryteria. Używam go wyłącznie jako DAC-a (nie jako przedwzmacniacza), głównie w trybie PCM OS/Slow, który subiektywnie zapewnia mi najbardziej rozległe odwzorowanie przestrzenne.

Pamiętam, jak Sandu porównywał R26 do Denafrips Terminator w swojej recenzji — stwierdzenie, które osobiście uważam za odważne. Nie dlatego, że R26 nie jest doskonały (jest), ale dlatego, że Terminator Plus gra w innej lidze cenowo i od dawna jest uważany za punkt odniesienia.

Jeśli chodzi o HiBy R8 II, mogę odnieść się jedynie do wrażeń Sandu, w których stawia jego stopień DAC na równi lub blisko takich urządzeń jak Mola Mola Tambaqui, Rockna Wavedream Signature, a nawet Chord Dave. To również — moim zdaniem — bardzo śmiałe stwierdzenie. Nie jest to krytyka Sandu — bardzo cenię jego pracę i śledzę wszystkie jego recenzje — ale ważne jest, aby pamiętać, że to nie jest dla niego tylko hobby, to także biznes.

Mając to na uwadze: mogę śmiało polecić R26 jako dobrze wyważony, angażujący muzycznie DAC R2R, szczególnie jeśli zależy Ci na głębi sceny dźwiękowej i naturalnej, wielowarstwowej prezentacji. Nie mogę ocenić, jak R8 II wypada w porównaniu jako DAC, ale jeśli planujesz używać go głównie w tej roli, myślę, że współczynnik kształtu i opcje interfejsu powinny być również częścią Twojej decyzji.

Z jakiego streamera korzystasz?

 

[mango lassi]

I initially used Apple Music via Apple TV 4K, but due to its lower resolution output, I switched to TIDAL with TIDAL Connect over LAN. Later on, I experimented with JPLAY and HQPlayer (upsampling to PCM 768 kHz) — on recommendation of @Jake2. It sounded excellent, but in my setup (entirely on WiFi 6E) I noticed that the Gustard R26’s LAN input had occasional stability issues, and the TIDAL Connect SDK wasn't very reliable either.

So I followed @wikaudio suggestion and tried the WiiM Pro as a streamer, and honestly, it sounds very good. For me, HQPlayer over LAN still offers the best sound, but the difference is not huge — at least not in my system.

 

[ievgens]

Unfortunately, I can't offer a direct comparison to the HiBy R8 II since I haven't heard it myself — but I have owned the Gustard R26 for about a year now and use it as the main DAC in my stereo system.

At the time, I was specifically looking for a DAC that could deliver an exceptionally wide soundstage and the most holographic presentation possible, qualities that are rare in this price range. The R26 truly delivers on that front. I use it strictly as a DAC (not as a preamp), mostly in PCM OS/Slow mode, which subjectively gives me the most expansive spatial rendering.

I remember Sandu comparing the R26 to the Denafrips Terminator in his review — a statement I personally find bold. Not because the R26 isn't excellent (it is), but because the Terminator Plus plays in a different league price-wise and has long been considered a benchmark.

As for the HiBy R8 II, I can only refer to Sandu’s impressions, where he places its DAC stage on par with or near units like the Mola Mola Tambaqui, Rockna Wavedream Signature, and even Chord Dave. That, too, is — in my view — a very bold claim. This is not a knock on Sandu — I greatly appreciate his work and follow all his reviews — but it’s important to remember that this is not just a hobby for him, it's also a business.

With that in mind: I can confidently recommend the R26 as a well-balanced, musically engaging R2R DAC, especially if you’re after soundstage depth and a natural, layered presentation. I can’t judge how the R8 II compares purely as a DAC, but if you're planning to use it mainly in that role, I think the form factor and interface options should also be part of your decision.

Thank you for the answer, I really appreciate such an extended reply!
Right now, I’m at a fork in the road regarding my audio setup—debating whether to go for a desktop or stick with something portable. I currently have the HiBy R6Pro II, which I use as a detailed source for both my desktop amps and when I'm on the go. So, I’m deciding whether to dive deeper into a desktop setup or keep things as they are, but with HiBy R8II.
On another note, I’ve always loved the sound of Delta-Sigma Asahi Kasei chips, since all my previous devices have used AK components. But I'm also curious to try something different from Delta-Sigma without losing that exceptional detail in sound. I’ve been looking at the HiBy Darwin hybrid, which still uses Delta-Sigma technology at certain points but adds FPGA-PWM, or I might just take a leap of faith with a good R2R device.

Budget-wise, both options are on par:
- 2000$ HiBy (minus "to be sold" R6Pro II)
- 1500$ R26 + some components for network, cabling, etc.

 

[sendler2112]

I preferred the R26 to the Cyan2 and the similarly priced AKM chipped A26 for its deeper soundstage and faster transients especially when upsampled with HQPlayer. You should be able to find a used R26 or A26 for a good price. I have now switched to the new Gustard X26III for its incredible fine detail, lightening fast transients, and slam in the bass. Even if the soundstage depth is not quite as deep as the R26 but it makes the R26 sound slightly hazy.

I am also curious to try the new Denefrips Pontus 15.