Gustard R26 R2R DAC with roon

[BrokenOath]

I just received my R26 this morning. I have a few questions about functionality.
PCM NOS: enable or disable?
PCM filter: fast (to what setting do you have it set to?)
DSD direct: on or off?
How to verify the firmware version?
Per the manual, I have set the vol to 0dB to set it to vol fixed (DAC only). I am currently using it with an Topping A90D in preamp mode. Are you using the internal preamp of the R26 or a standalone preamp?

Thanks,

 

[BrokenOath]

Gustards own measurements if that is what you mean.

If only SINAD rules the world then this product will be derided by many on here.
Having never heard an R2R DAC, I remain open minded.
Though in the land of sigma-delta DACS I own an SMSL M400, I then bought a gustard X16 which has some better measures, notably the multitone test in the bass region.
Yet I prefer the M400.

I suspect no manufacturer will submit an R2R DAC to this site, due to the 'bias' based on SINAD numbers.
Shame really.

I have been using the SMSL SU-10 for a few months now, and received the R26 this morning, to my ears they are not far apart, but although I am keeping both, but if I had to get rid of one it would have been the SU-10; yet the SU-10 is at the top of the SINAD meter here.

 

[Greenman]

I just received my R26 this morning. I have a few questions about functionality.
PCM NOS: enable or disable?
PCM filter: fast (to what setting do you have it set to?)
DSD direct: on or off?
How to verify the firmware version?
Per the manual, I have set the vol to 0dB to set it to vol fixed (DAC only)

Thanks,

I’d start with this:
PCM Nos : Disable
DSD direct : Disable
Filter : To taste but start with Fast or Med (I am happiest on Med YMMV).

Dsd Direct: Only enable this if you are feeding with a DSD signal ..I.e. generated by HQPlayer or similar.
PCM NOS: I prefer NOS disabled, others prefer different. Again if using DSD and external filters (HQPlayer etc) then NOS Enabled is likely to be preferable.

I use PCM files (Hi res and CD quality) from Qobuz and find the above settings preferable.

Note- despite what some others (who don’t own it)may say, the R26 takes a good while to fully settle down, leave it on 24/7 and don’t start tinkering too much with settings for a week or so.

 

[BrokenOath]

I’d start with this:
PCM Nos : Disable
DSD direct : Disable
Filter : To taste but start with Fast or Med (I am happiest on Med YMMV).

Dsd Direct: Only enable this if you are feeding with a DSD signal ..I.e. generated by HQPlayer or similar.
PCM NOS: I prefer NOS disabled, others prefer different. Again if using DSD and external filters (HQPlayer etc) then NOS Enabled is likely to be preferable.

I use PCM files (Hi res and CD quality) from Qobuz and find the above settings preferable.

Note- despite what some others (who don’t own it)may say, the R26 takes a good while to fully settle down, leave it on 24/7 and don’t start tinkering too much with settings for a week or so.

Thank you.

 

[sdrichard]

I just received my R26 this morning. I have a few questions about functionality.
PCM NOS: enable or disable?
PCM filter: fast (to what setting do you have it set to?)
DSD direct: on or off?
How to verify the firmware version?
Per the manual, I have set the vol to 0dB to set it to vol fixed (DAC only). I am currently using it with an Topping A90D in preamp mode. Are you using the internal preamp of the R26 or a standalone preamp?

Thanks,

Here's what I do:
PCM filter: fast
PCM NOS: enable
DSD direct: off

But to be honest, I don't hear a lot of differences. The only reason I left the NOS option 'on' is because that's what you buy the R26 for, isn't it?

 

[BrokenOath]

Here's what I do:
PCM filter: fast
PCM NOS: enable
DSD direct: off

But to be honest, I don't hear a lot of differences. The only reason I left the NOS option 'on' is because that's what you buy the R26 for, isn't it?

Thank you, I am interfacing with the unit via its LAN input port, and I am really impressed of what I am hearing. An upgrade over my SMSL SU-10 for sure, and the SU-10 is a sonic bliss itself. I am so impressed I placed an order for the matching Gustard H26 amp/preamp.

 

[rs172]

Thank you, I am interfacing with the unit via its LAN input port, and I am really impressed of what I am hearing. An upgrade over my SMSL SU-10 for sure, and the SU-10 is a sonic bliss itself. I am so impressed I placed an order for the matching Gustard H26 amp/preamp.

PCM filter: fast
PCM NOS: disable (I prefer letting the R26 to oversample)
DSD direct: off

The only main differences I hear when comparing the R26 to three other dacs is the density and attack of the sound cues, but maybe its because of the higher voltage out of the R26 towards the preamp.
The soundstage differences are minor (when comparing to Eversolo dmp a6 master edition's internal dac), maybe that's a result of the DSP inside the DAC by manipulating decays.

 

[bigfanres]

Only a note to add the the R26 “works” with the Pi2 Design Mercury V3 over I2S via HDMI. Pretty nice out of the box and connection was easy. Need to play with DSD and PCM NOS, but hearing MQA 44kh over Tidal via Volumio for first time was terrific.

 

[thechez]

How is it if you reboot the unit with 192k input, some devices seem to suffer when the input signal changes.

I use JRiver normally, but tried Plex recently which caused clicking on 192kHz.

Wait....can the R26 be used as a Plex endpoint?

 

[thechez]

I have been looking heavily at the R26 and the Musician Pegasus II. I use Wiim as I am testing the Plex beta for them and so a need for a streamer isn't as strong but would love to try the R2R as I miss my old Yamaha sound. Would the Pegasus fit the bill or is the R26 that much more of a step up?

 

[Spurs27]

but maybe its because of the higher voltage out of the R26 towards the preamp.

To compare correctly the volume of all compared units must be exactly the same. Otherwise the unit with slightly higher volume will sound "better".

 

[Eurodezign]

Just picked up an R26 and am having a problem with the high voltage out with XLR (5v) on fixed Nos mode. My preamp will distort over 4v unless I disable dsp and use bypass (9v stable) I'm using dsp so I can set over points/ subs. It's a Classe sigma pre.

Do they have a firmware fix to reduce the fixed xlr output?

I want to use the Nos mode VS attenuation available in OS mode.

 

[Spurs27]

Just picked up an R26 and am having a problem with the high voltage out with XLR (5v) on fixed Nos mode. My preamp will distort over 4v unless I disable dsp and use bypass (9v stable) I'm using dsp so I can set over points/ subs. It's a Classe sigma pre.

Do they have a firmware fix to reduce the fixed xlr output?

I want to use the Nos mode VS attenuation available in OS mode.

Untick the fixed volume or use the phono output. Balanced connection doesn't matter in short runs in domestic environments.

 

[Eurodezign]

Untick the fixed volume or use the phono output. Balanced connection doesn't matter in short runs in domestic environments.

Using Nos mode forces "fixed" /max output unfortunately, same problem with the RCA outputs, the R26 puts out 25% over nominal output V

 

[Spurs27]

Using Nos mode forces "fixed" /max output unfortunately, same problem with the RCA outputs, the R26 puts out 20% over nominal output V

Get another preamp, DAC or an attenuator, split between 100k resistors or smth

 

[Eurodezign]

Get another preamp, DAC or an attenuator, split between 100k resistors or smth

I'll swap the dac before the pre, too bad I liked the dac otherwise.

Seems like a simple fix on Gustards part. Add a - 2 to - 3db attenuation option to the - 40db one in the menu

 

[Spurs27]

I'll swap the dac before the pre, too bad I liked the dac otherwise.

Seems like a simple fix on Gustards part. Add a - 2 to - 3db attenuation option to the - 40db one in the menu

Easier to make an attenuator or buy one

 

[Soniclife]

Just picked up an R26 and am having a problem with the high voltage out with XLR (5v) on fixed Nos mode. My preamp will distort over 4v unless I disable dsp and use bypass (9v stable) I'm using dsp so I can set over points/ subs. It's a Classe sigma pre.

Do they have a firmware fix to reduce the fixed xlr output?

I want to use the Nos mode VS attenuation available in OS mode.

Why are you doing digital to analogue before your pre, which then has to do analogue to digital to apply DSP, then digital to analogue again.

 

[Eurodezign]

Why are you doing digital to analogue before your pre, which then has to do analogue to digital to apply DSP, then digital to analogue again.

The Classe runs any adjustments to the signal through the dsp module even if I'm not using the room correction or other Dsp features, I'm only using the Xover to run subs which is ran through the Dsp and not available under xlr bypass

 

[thechez]

Wait....can the R26 be used as a Plex endpoint?

I bought a used R26 and might try to figure out if I can install headless Plexamp on it using SSH. It would be great if I could make this an endpoint streaming possibility for my stereo.