Gustard R26 DAC review: battle of inputs, fibre optic/streamer vs IIS/SU6 vs 10MHz external clock!
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- Опубликовано: 7 янв 2024
- Starting with the review, we go for The Final Answer to the question that boils the blood in some forum threads: which input has best sound quality?
I've actually bought and compared: fibre media converters, external OCXO 10Mhz clock and Singxer SU6 ddc. Things I do for you guys...
And its good, but no, it wont be my last dac, so any recommendations (detail, clarity, airiness, holography)? 
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Hello, I'm currently exactly where you are, but I'm coming from a completely different starting point, which I'll describe later. Gustard R26, conversion to fiber optic with inexpensive media converter etc., but already powered with an IFI special power supply. However, due to my positive results, I am ready to invest in the big leagues and have compared many expensive other components and landed on the LHY SW6 HighEnd Converter - and have just ordered it. The original Gustard U16 Clock with 50 Ohm BMC cable is delivered today. The starting point mentioned was the current NAIM NDX2 Streamer/DAC, new price 7000 EUR. There was also the external power supply NAIM XPS DR, just under 6000 EUR. Total summa sumarum just under 13,000 EUR. I had some high-priced stuff here before, but it was only the NAIM combo that convinced me with its sound. However, I got into real trouble with my finance minister and ordered the R26 again before buying because of the many positive reports. But I didn't expect what happened next!! The R26 (which I like the sound of better than the A26!! ) was at the same sound level as the NDX2+ power supply - I can already hear the outcry from the NAIM community. That has caused my entire world view to collapse, and from now on no one needs to come at me with China HiFi bashing, because with this device (which is also inexpensive and perfectly manufactured), this small Chinese manufacturer has catapulted itself to the top of the world, and I say that without saying that Ifs and buts from 40 years of HiFi hobby!! But the fact that things can get even better with network technology is almost unbelievable, but it's still true! I'm now excited to see what the LHY SW6 and the U16 CLOCK will bring - and I'll report back.
Clock will bring the biggest change, it's amazing how big effect on sound has something so small - as the internal Gustard clock is already good.
@@k4syx I can no longer imagine all this, with a relatively modest financial outlay, that things can get better and better. Normally I'm "further along" sonically than I could ever imagine considering the financial aspect. By the way, like you, I originally come from American panel radiators on the speaker side. However, due to a lucky coincidence, I recently switched to conventional speakers again - something I would never have thought possible before.
@@FrankZappa1959 a great time to be music lover or audiophile, better and better reasonably priced stuff every year:)
You mean C16 clock right? U16 is the usb interface.
Anyways, i am keenly waiting for your report on the c16 & lhy sw6. Does it bring any imprivements? Are they worth it?
@@FrankZappa1959how was the result of your new toys?😮
Curious if you've compared it to it's delta sigma counter part gustard a26?
I have an smsl su10 and it's the best DAC i've heard. Would recommend, but I haven't heard the a26.
@@Emvy11 A26 is on my bucket list as I love AK4499 for vocals. I'm running my system now with X26PRO and at some point in time I would like to have both of them to compare and choose the one that will stay. For now the Semibreve DA50 (with LPS and 4x OPA828 gives me that magic vocal vibe), but I'm looking for a good priced A26
does R26 require burn in? how many hours? does it improve a lot?
Yes it does and it does improve. In my case I was able to spot changes up to 120h, nothing obvious later (I'm running burn in continuously for a 10days in a row or longer)
Can you please share a download link to the exact firmware version you are using?
You can find it in the first post of this HeadFi Gustard thread: www.head-fi.org/threads/gustard-dac-r26-balanced-decoder-r2r-1bit-dual-native-decoding-music-bridge.963630/
would this be silly to pair this with a budget cambridge audio cxa80 intergrated amp
Not really: you'd have an upgrade path already planned for you. But if you're going to buy this CXA80 (don't own it already) then check my D5PRO review - DartZeel clone video.
Can you please give a link to the aliexpress clock? Thanks!
Hi!
I've linked it in comments under my other video with clock review. Look for "ocxo cheap ninja way" video in my channel
Does the new LAN input has tidal connect ? Or tidal via other app?
It was working for me from Android app so I guess connect?
How do they compare to Eversolo dmp A8
Sorry, I haven't heard this one.
Build quality wise, the remote control is totally a disaster for its MSRP.
Yes, it's plastic fantastic, cheap tv remotes have better build quality.
How does the R26 compare to your cheap D50 in terms of sound?
D40Pro? Completely different school of sound. D40Pro - delta sigma, very detailed, airy, transparent and fast. R26 - a bit better timbre, more "thick" sound, but less transparent, and a lot less detail (small pleasures like delicate string vibrations are just not there, even with ext clock).
I have X26 Pro now and it perfectly fits all my needs!
@@k4syx I was referring to your Semibreve D50.
@@SpaceEncounter Ah, yes. D50 is similar to D40Pro and also delta sigma so everything above applies. For me, and for my ears, as apparently I have learned I'm not a R2R guy, D50 wins. Even though D50 is many times cheaper. But, again - YMMV as you may happen to love resistor ladders :)
do you have a link for the clock?
I've reviewed ocxo separately and you can find the link in the comments (just a few o them). Sorry I don't have it here :(
@@k4syx I found it in you other video, thank you.
I have a Gustard A26 and a Gustard U18 DCC which gave a significant lift in sound quality.
It is hard to believe that a cheap ocxo clock can do it better than the DDC. I know my DDC isn’t the same as your DDC but about the same price.
@@JensenTech exactly, I couldn't believe at first - but the change coming from clock (and a cheap one at that!) was bigger than adding SU6. How do you find your A26? I was thinking about it too, in the meanwhile I got X26 Pro instead of R26, but A26 is still an option
@@k4syx I find the Gustard A26 detailed and dynamic but not so analog sounding as for example r2r Denafrips Ares ll. Ares ll didn’t have same amount of details and dynamics. After I added U18 DDC to A26 everything became that much better. More details and air in recordings, as well as dynamics increased. It has also become very analog but still has this very dynamic and open sound. I would love to try an ocxo clock. The one you use has two 10Mhz outputs, maybe I could use one for the dac and one for the DDC.
@@JensenTech Detail - that sounds good. Anything you can compare A26 to other than Ares? Ares is R2R do detail loss is to be expected, but I wonder if analog sound of A26 does mean that it masks some stuff to make bad recordings sound acceptable (=loss of detail for those recorded great)
can't understand what you are saying
Try it with subs on?