Anyone heard a Gustard R26 please

[newlash09]

Hi all ...

My current dac is almost a decade old. And while I save up for the next Deqx model launch, I think I can spend upto 2k on an interim dac to make my listening sessions more enjoyable.

So I started checking up on reviews, and only came across positive praise for the gustard R26. I will admit that the claimed price to performance ratio is what I find most enamouring. Besides, it will be my first introduction to a R2R dac.

So thought I'd take some feedback from current R26 owners if there are any on our Wam. Thanks in advance for your time

 

[Psilonaught]

Head over to head-fi, there are a few owners on there. I'd also consider whichever Audio GD DAC fits your budget. They are exceptional.

 

[newlash09]

Head over to head-fi, there are a few owners on there. I'd also consider whichever Audio GD DAC fits your budget. They are exceptional.

Thanks sir. I did check out audio Gd, as well as Cengrand. But sadly there are no dealers in my place.

 

[CnoEvil]

Why not look out for a Holo Spring 2; or go for a Spring 3 Level 1?

 

[Gizza]

Hi all ...

My current dac is almost a decade old. And while I save up for the next Deqx model launch, I think I can spend upto 2k on an interim dac to make my listening sessions more enjoyable.

So I started checking up on reviews, and only came across positive praise for the gustard R26. I will admit that the claimed price to performance ratio is what I find most enamouring. Besides, it will be my first introduction to a R2R dac.

So thought I'd take some feedback from current R26 owners if there are any on our Wam. Thanks in advance for your time

A friend bought a Gustard, but an A26 rather than the R26. It sounded outstanding streaming Qobuz from an Allo USbridge Signature streamer powered by an Allo Shanti power supply into an old Denon(but very good) amplifier and Spendor speakers (S6e, I think). I heard the dac when it was only about 4 days old, so not really broken in, but it sounded excellent in every way. The sound stage was extremely deep, imaging was wonderful and there was an incredible amount of detail.
Unfortunately, there was a small amount of mains hum from the unit itself (not heard through the speakers) and my friend finds he is quite intolerant to such things. He tried to live with it for a few days but decided to return to unit to China for a refund.
It may have been just one rogue unit but due to the import charges etc, he decided not to try another one. We both said what a great pity it was as it sounded truly fantastic. I wish I had been able to hear it in my system to compare it to my circa 21 year old Audio Synthesis Dax Discrete.

 

[simon g]

A friend bought a Gustard, but an A26 rather than the R26. It sounded outstanding streaming Qobuz from an Allo USbridge Signature streamer powered by an Allo Shanti power supply into an old Denon(but very good) amplifier and Spendor speakers (S6e, I think). I heard the dac when it was only about 4 days old, so not really broken in, but it sounded excellent in every way. The sound stage was extremely deep, imaging was wonderful and there was an incredible amount of detail.
Unfortunately, there was a small amount of mains hum from the unit itself (not heard through the speakers) and my friend finds he is quite intolerant to such things. He tried to live with it for a few days but decided to return to unit to China for a refund.
It may have been just one rogue unit but due to the import charges etc, he decided not to try another one. We both said what a great pity it was as it sounded truly fantastic. I wish I had been able to hear it in my system to compare it to my circa 21 year old Audio Synthesis Dax Discrete.

I notice that, in common with many Chinese products, these are designed fir 220V. The UK is typically 240+V (252V here). Thus I suspect transformer hum was caused by over voltage.

 

[Gizza]

I notice that, in common with many Chinese products, these are designed fir 220V. The UK is typically 240+V (252V here). Thus I suspect transformer hum was caused by over voltage.

I had wondered the same, actually and suggested this to my friend.

 

[DomT]

There are quite a few very well regarded DACs in that price range particularly if considering secondhand prices.

 

[newlash09]

There are quite a few very well regarded DACs in that price range particularly if considering secondhand prices.

Iam planning on buying new sir. The idea is to buy the latest dac in the market, as dac's seem to be getting better and better with every passing year. And the intention of keeping the budget below 2k is to be able to change dac's frequently with as little hit as possible.

There is a Gustard x26 Pro ex demo unit available for 950 pounds. That might work as it is still a newer and current model. But I have my reservations about the ESS chips. Hence the interest in the R26.

 

[newlash09]

A friend bought a Gustard, but an A26 rather than the R26. It sounded outstanding streaming Qobuz from an Allo USbridge Signature streamer powered by an Allo Shanti power supply into an old Denon(but very good) amplifier and Spendor speakers (S6e, I think). I heard the dac when it was only about 4 days old, so not really broken in, but it sounded excellent in every way. The sound stage was extremely deep, imaging was wonderful and there was an incredible amount of detail.
Unfortunately, there was a small amount of mains hum from the unit itself (not heard through the speakers) and my friend finds he is quite intolerant to such things. He tried to live with it for a few days but decided to return to unit to China for a refund.
It may have been just one rogue unit but due to the import charges etc, he decided not to try another one. We both said what a great pity it was as it sounded truly fantastic. I wish I had been able to hear it in my system to compare it to my circa 21 year old Audio Synthesis Dax Discrete.

Thanks for sharing that sir ..

The A26 is also under consideration. And iam trying to read up on the differences between the A26 ( AKM chips) and R26 (R2r).

I don't want a smooth sounding dac, as my remaining chain is already smooth. Iam looking for speed, slam, bite and musicality above all else. And what drew me to the R26 was reviewers claiming it to be very very musical yet very detailed. A combination I find difficult to achieve. But I will have to buy blind, hence looking for more reassurance.

 

[garn63]

Thanks for sharing that sir ..

The A26 is also under consideration. And iam trying to read up on the differences between the A26 ( AKM chips) and R26 (R2r).

I don't want a smooth sounding dac, as my remaining chain is already smooth. Iam looking for speed, slam, bite and musicality above all else. And what drew me to the R26 was reviewers claiming it to be very very musical yet very detailed. A combination I find difficult to achieve. But I will have to buy blind, hence looking for more reassurance.

Hi..I've tried a fair few Dacs, generally sticking with my favourite until there is something I prefer. Am using a Schiit Gungnir at the moment. It makes music and plays deep & wide. It has a more prominent bass than many, but not overblown & underpins the mix/soundstage just right. I really rate it.
Maybe you would like to give the next model up a whirl ?

 

[CnoEvil]

I am looking for speed, slam, bite and musicality above all else.

The Holo Spring 3 apparently gives this, as it is probably the "hardest hitting" R2R DAC on the market. The Spring 2 is apparently much smoother.

 

[newlash09]

Hi..I've tried a fair few Dacs, generally sticking with my favourite until there is something I prefer. Am using a Schiit Gungnir at the moment. It makes music and plays deep & wide. It has a more prominent bass than many, but not overblown & underpins the mix/soundstage just right. I really rate it.
Maybe you would like to give the next model up a whirl ?

Thanks for the heads up sir. I completely missed out on checking up offerings from schiit. Will check out their reviews too. Thanks

 

[newlash09]

The Holo Spring 3 apparently gives this, as it is probably the "hardest hitting" R2R DAC on the market. The Spring 2 is apparently much smoother.

Thanks sir . But the spring 3 might be above the 2k mark I've set for myself. Besides there will be an additional 42% import tax apart from shipping.

But the main spanner in the works is my impatience. I've been sitting on the fence for too long, so I want to buy something locally available. And receive it within a week. This will only be a temporary dac to make up for all the latest dac innovations I've missed in a decade. And even a 500 gbp dac might better my current sound. The readily available options are chord and the usual chifi offerings from topping, smsl and gustard.

Edit : I have to leave by mid June on my next sail. Hence the urgency. I don't want to wait for a few weeks to receive whatever I buy.

 

[CnoEvil]

Thanks sir . But the spring 3 might be above the 2k mark I've set for myself. Besides there will be an additional 42% import tax apart from shipping.

But the main spanner in the works is my impatience. I've been sitting on the fence for too long, so I want to buy something locally available. And receive it within a week. This will only be a temporary dac to make up for all the latest dac innovations I've missed in a decade. And even a 500 gbp dac might better my current sound. The readily available options are chord and the usual chifi offerings from topping, smsl and gustard.

Edit : I have to leave by mid June on my next sail. Hence the urgency. I don't want to wait for a few weeks to receive whatever I buy.

I understand.

Just for academic interest, the cost of the 3 levels of Spring 3 from Magna HiFi are:

Level 1................€2449 (£2130 ie. Not far off £2k))
Level 2................€2759
Level 3 (KTE)....€3499

 

[newlash09]

I understand.

Just for academic interest, the cost of the 3 levels of Spring 3 from Magna HiFi are:

Level 1................€2449 (£2130 ie. Not far off £2k))
Level 2................€2759
Level 3 (KTE)....€3499

Thanks sir ...

Iam saving up to buy a Deqx pre-8 HD, so my budget allocation for the present dac is very limited. However, if I come out of my current obsession to go active, then the holo gear will be doable . Thanks for letting me know the prices. Much appreciated

 

[antonio66]

Iam planning on buying new sir. The idea is to buy the latest dac in the market, as dac's seem to be getting better and better with every passing year. And the intention of keeping the budget below 2k is to be able to change dac's frequently with as little hit as possible.

There is a Gustard x26 Pro ex demo unit available for 950 pounds. That might work as it is still a newer and current model. But I have my reservations about the ESS chips. Hence the interest in the R26.

Just to make your decision that bit more difficult, and of course more research needed, here are two more for your perusal.

https://www.myhifishop.de/Geraete/A...AC::50.html?XTCsid=bepmn9jj6jcii2lgb76bkvj4d7

http://www.soekris.dk/dac2541.html

 

[leroyd]

I had an R26 for 3 weeks and returned it. I just did not hear anything special in terms of its performance. I have not had any experience with external dacs, but the internal dac in my Primare pre60 sounded just as good. After a while the unit developed what sounded like a mains hum and I returned it for refund. I live in Ireland where mains voltage is said to be 230v. 230v was stamped on the rear of the Gustard

 

[Gizza]

I had an R26 for 3 weeks and returned it. I just did not hear anything special in terms of its performance. I have not had any experience with external dacs, but the internal dac in my Primare pre60 sounded just as good. After a while the unit developed what sounded like a mains hum and I returned it for refund. I live in Ireland where mains voltage is said to be 230v. 230v was stamped on the rear of the Gustard

Another one with the mains hum. Simon B's comment is probably bang on. 230v into a 220v power supply.
Does anyone here in the UK or NI own a premium Chinese Dac that DOESN'T have a mains hum?

 

[leroyd]

Another one with the mains hum. Simon B's comment is probably bang on. 230v into a 220v power supply.
Does anyone here in the UK or NI own a premium Chinese Dac that DOESN'T have a mains hum?

The R26 had 230V printed on the back of the unit, and was fed 230V so no mismatch in that regard.