Gustard Audalytic DR70N R2R DAC With DSD Support (without PCM conversion)

[Billy Budapest]

Sounds very subjective to me. Unless you can identify this deeper soundstage in blind tests it could be you imagination.

It is not possible for differences in DAC circuitry to affect the representation of soundstage. At best, the only audio components that would have any effect on the soundstage conveyed by a recording would be loudspeakers, and perhaps amplifiers if they did not supply enough power to loudspeakers to play loud enough.

 

[Bob from Florida]

Update on testing. The “flawless” firmware update turned out to be a bit more complicated. Post update, the unit would power off randomly. Powering off and on - even unplugging the power cord - failed to correct this behavior. The DR70.local webpage had a “reboot” selection which I finally tried - which cured the random power off behavior. Curious that “reboot” is different than unplugging it.
Airplay, USB, optical - all work fine. Sound quality is also fine. Mechanical build is exceptional and price is reasonable. Operator’s manual needs work and should be included in box. If one desired to roll op amps, they are socketed - I wouldn’t as what is already installed is quite sufficient. The 12-18 volt DC barrel power input is somewhat interesting if one wished to use a battery or linear power supply.
Curiously, the ethernet version’s internal picture - from Gustard - does not use the power cord ground, while the version without the network connection does show the ground connection.

Both versions show CE rated on the back, so possibly falls under double insulated category. I haven’t opened mine to verify ground connection. Possibly, they had ground loop issues once ethernet was connected.
To keep or return is still not decided. It looks like I can connect both DAC’s to different USB ports on my raspberry pi 4 and switch playback destination on Volumio. Just need to make a second balanced cable for the second balanced input on my integrated to simplify comparisons.

 

[Bob from Florida]

Update with evaluation of DR70N. I found another pair of balanced output cables to use with the Schiit Modius DAC. The Modius is connected to a spare USB port on the raspberry pi. This allows me to choose the DAC from the playback choices in Volumio. DR-70 N outputs to Bal-1 input and Modius to Bal-2 on the Luxman integrated. Measuring peak sound levels over the first minute of the same song reveals the DR-70N is about a half db louder than the Modius. This is not unexpected since Gustard shows higher than the standard 4 volts out. The Luxman's volume control does one DB steps. I did not have anyone to help me do the testing so this is a sighted result. Because of the one decibel volume step available, matching levels with the volume control is not possible. If I keep the volume the same, the DR-70N is the "better" sounding of the two. If you increase the volume by one decibel when listening to the Modius, then the Modius wins. Conclusion is they both sound the same. The Gustard has more functionality and is therefore useful. Leaning towards keeping it and possibly using both DAC's, one for the Waxwing phono stage and the other for the music server.

 

[Bob from Florida]

Audalytic is staying. I now have Airplay and Bluetooth available when I desire along with using it for USB and optical input. We will see how it does long term.