Gustard a26 vs denafrips reddit. #dac #hifiaudio #audio #audiophile #stereo.
Gustard a26 vs denafrips reddit So fast forward, a few days ago, I thought, hey why not compare the Denafrips to the Apple dongle? So here's the setup: computer - usb - denafrips - xlr cables - A90; computer - apple dongle - 3. First two hours I am already very happy. I also like the looks and a couple of the features of the A26. The fundamentals evolved since the article was written. I think the main difference that I heard between the Pontus and the Qutest is the nature of the sound. The DAC/AMP in use is Gustard X16 + jds labs atom amp. I preferred the My search lead me to probably the 2 most popular new high bang for dollar out there. ZMF Atrium Closed. For sale is a Gustard A26 that was purchased from US Audio Mart in July of 2023. If I was shopping between a Topping D90, Bifrost II, and Denafrips Aries II, the subjective sound impressions from people who have actually tried and compared the gear is more valuable to me than a number on paper. Both fuses blown. This will add a Am considering purchasing a DAC and am confused between Denafrip Ares and Chord Qutest. The quality of the mains cable matters. My previous DAC was a Denafrips Ares II so that will be my only comparison. There is also the Gustard A26 which I thought was a better sounding DAC then the R26 yet still on the warm side. Forum Style The A26 is very clean and clinical - however IMHO, the Denafrips Ares II sounds more holographic. If you want more options maybe get a DDC. I don’t know why. My Laptop couldn't play DAC correction without skipping. Regarding the R7 2020, it was slow and muddy compared to the R26 according to Sound News / Sandu Vitalie, so I doubt any Audio-gd DAC will be able to compete with the R26 (and even less the A26) regarding resolution and "speed". Edit: From the other responses, every change I have made with the DAC's have had audible differences in quality once I got away from the sub $500 DAC's. First Prev 2 of 3 Go to page. Equipment Forums LAiV Harmony / Gustard R26 | Denafrips Athena | Pass XA25 / Hypex Nilai / Sugden A21SE | Focal Sopra No. I have an R26 Out of the box it was clearly superior to the Denafrips Pontus II 12th it replaced. All well below 2k. All the leading brands of R2R DACs - Denafrips, Holo Audio They should be here next week. Is this posted lsusb listing while A26 completely disabled with unplugged power cable and connecte to USB-C port? Z. Mainly there is a impression that the noise floor is lower with the in built streamer. Some of the dacs I’ve owned listened to in a verity of friends speaker systems including headphone systems , PS Audio Direct Stream senior , Rockna WaveDream, AudioByte Hydra Vox , a early Denafrips Terminator , Holo Audio May KTE, Mearson Dac 1, including three budget dacs hailed as giant killers , Musician Audio Aquarius , Gustard R-26 and Enter the Dynatron A26, a smoll and potent 2U cooler meant for servers coming in at a massive 65mm tall and 280W heat dissipation. If not, there will be no difference. I will probably end up getting this DAC in the future SONCOZ SGD1 Gustard DAC-A26 - AK4499EX DAC :: Impressions Thread Home. 2A. I agree with everything that u/Ethenolas said, but within the options you mention I would stick with your computer and Apple Music and get the Denafrips. Considering the number of Hifiman headphones that I currently own, I would think I'd have been bitten by the QC bug at least several times over, so either I'm the luckiest person in the world, or the failure rate (while 100% is a very real thing) is perhaps not as large as this The synergy between an Arya Stealth and SA-1 should be great, now if you are adding to that chain, I would likely try both! Maybe the AKM based topology (or the specific DAC) might be a bit smooth to you, or perhaps the X26 might be a bit much when it comes to high frequency energy! The same happens with Gustard. Pictured Gustard DAC-A26 - AK4499EX DAC :: Impressions Thread Home. He only said low resistance high power is class ab. The texture is not that visceral and full bodied, like in the Denafrips Pontus but it is still weighty and not lean at all. I am pretty big fanboy of Denafrips DACs now, but they definitely have their sound and at least for my tastes, I wouldn't personally pair Cambridge with the Ares II. The next few months was spent scouting and researching. Or check it out in the app stores TOPICS. the Gustard H26 At some point goes to Class AB mode. Cheers Stryker10, Nov 4, 2022 #3. Thread starter Martin; Start date Feb 12, 2020; Prev. The H26 head amp is NOT class A in high with high impedance headphones. anyone compared the A26 vs the R26? kinda curious if I should upgrade from my e70v In addition to the resources on this thread, there are quite a few R26 vs. reReddit: Top posts of July 14, 2022. Where is the best place to sell them? This Gustard DAC-A26 - AK4499EX DAC :: Impressions Thread Home office system *** Refurbished Pioneer SX-5590 Receiver ***Speakers TeKton Lore with factory upgrades ***Dac Denafrips Venus II 12th Anniversary If you want a smaller footprint and outstanding performance, get the Pre90. Bifrost Multibit ($600) vs. What's new. Facebook X (Twitter) Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link. 152 MHz clock (1024x the base sampling rates of 44. But it's cheaper and probably will just sound fine as well . Replies 2K Views Gustard DAC-A26 - AK4499EX DAC :: Impressions Thread. Like I mentioned, it seems like some are playing the lottery with these, but I can only speak for myself. The first one allows you to choose between six PCM digital filters—sharp roll-off (default), slow roll-off, short Gustard a26. What are some recommendations to replace the D70s? Thanks. Unfortunately, I did not have this DDC when I had the Pontus- I used the USB input on the Pontus. I haven't read the entire thread here, so unsure whether external clocking has been mentioned, The SDA was a nice upgrade over my former Gustard A18 by being more musical while remaining detailed and dynamic. I owned the P2 for about 6 months last year. Now i listen for almost 20-30mins machine is very normal don't feel any increase of temperature. I guess there are some other differences between them, maybe the SMSL and the Gustard aren't truly balanced Thank for your help! (Gustard A26/R26 vs Topping DX9) Your_Toilet; Mar 17, 2024; DACs, Streamers, Servers, Players, Audio Interface Sep 24, 2024. For a computer generated music you will more likely prefer DS sound. A26 vids available on YouTube. Fist big notice is bass. DDCs: Denafrips Gaia, Singxer SU-6, Matrix X-SPDIF 3; DAPs: FiiO M17, M11S This subreddit is a place to showcase and discuss things related to high fidelity audio. LAiV Harmony / Gustard R26 | Denafrips Athena | Pass XA25 / Hypex Nilai / Sugden A21SE | Focal Sopra No. 4. Reactions: tmtomh. Forums. But the Denafrips looks to have some impressive build quality going for it and lots of people who seem swear by it. I understand the streamer hardware and Gustarender firmware is the same between the A26 & R26 so expect Gustard will deploy the updated Gustarender firmware with Tidal Connect once finalised to both DACs. Not sure how to put it. Everything sounds slightly thinner and less weighty. In this setup the A26 always assumes that PCM is playing, so it means I can not play DSD this way. to/3TULMzS]Gustard R26 ----- [https://shenzhenaudio. It's to pay for me to go back to college. My setups are Gustard A22 X216 version into SMSL SP400 via Mogami GoldXLR and Denafrips Gaia into Denafrips Ponus II into Singxer SA-1 via Mogami Gold XLR connection. Recently I bought Gustard N18 network switch. Thread starter amirm; Start date Mar 31, 2023; Rate this DAC and Streamer 1. This will add a If there is a 1db or higher difference in the frequency response in the bass region then you will hear a difference. 15A SB [W] PayPal WTS Locked post. Conclusion. DDC is a Singxer Su-6 and the CLR switcher is a Douk little bear. - Preamp: Topping A90D / Gustard P26 (Orange op-amps) Headphones: Audeze LCD-X, Focal Clear Professional, Sennheiser HD800S, Grado I currently own a Chord Qutest and have purchased an A26 because although the Qutest sounded great, it lacked that bass slam that makes music enjoyable for me so hopefully I will find the Gustard better in that department. It approached the layering and airiness of Gustard’s A26, but it is still not exactly on the same level, as A26 will still portray a bigger picture in front of me. This January, I decided to let the Gustard R26 DAC go. I want to know if The A26 is very clean and clinical - however IMHO, the Denafrips Ares II sounds more holographic. We have employed a "thank you" system for submissions. 1s | Puritan PSM156 + GM | Afterdark & LHY gear you'd simply run 1 fiber box between the router and the A26 with that fiber box offering a conversion back to rj45 so you can feed an ethernet cable into the LAN socket of the A26 Gustard X30 vs. Have read and seen video reviews on comparisons but still confused. DAC: Soekris 1421 Amps: Topping A90D / La Figaro 339 OTL / Stax SRM-1/MK-2 P. 5% fee ) Let's say Eversolo Z8 vs Gustard R26 (R2R), or Gustard A26 vs Chord Qutest (Pulse Array FPGA). 0, Denafrips Terminator 2 12th-1, Gustard X30, Holo Spring 3, Yggrasil Og , Dmp-A8 best and $20 version, Ebay TypeC $20 (quite good). If the X18 is in your budget, consider the Denafrips ARES II. Digital Audio Forum: DAC It will be paired with the Musical Fidelity M6si amp. There are a bunch of hifi forums that touch on this, but you can also watch on Youtube: “The next best thing studio” channel. USB cables: Supra Excalibur, Viborg's best and $20 version, Ebay TypeC $20 (quite good). Aurender N200 on the other hand seems nice and a stripped version of HiFiRose, but without Tidal Connect and Roon, I don't think it adds much value to A26. As for the DAC I'm watching, I'm thinking about Gustard X26 pro, Musician Pegasus, and Denafrips Ares 2. ca USB cables make a difference and can get very pricey. To put it short and simple, Hey folks! This is a crosspost from US Audio Mart. While an external clock can provide a slight edge, the X30’s internal clock is already of such high quality that the difference is My Denafrips and Musician DACs use a different type of external 45. to/3P42bALMusic: The Battle of 1066 by Patrick P Gustard U18 DDC LHY OCK-2 clock Gustard X30 Audio Research preamp Parasound power amp Magnepan 1. DACS: Gustard R26 and A26, Holo Cyan, VMV D2R, Burson Conductor Reference SE with Sparkos Pro op amps, Conductor The Gustard added cream to my listening experience: compared to a bog standard streamer like the Pi2AES or the (bleh!!!!) Allo Boss 2, the Gustard attacks, liquidates, and beats all over the sub-$1000 competition. Replies 1K Views GUSTARD DAC-R26 Balanced Decoder R2R+1Bit Dual Native Decoding Music Bridge. Not massive, but noticeable. There was also a post just this week on here regarding a potentially failed FGPA chip (it was a guess), and the same thread also mentions the difficulty of obtaining service for Denafrips products (as they need to be sent back to China). Jay reviews Soekris and Denafrips in some videos and talks about some differences. Then with the U18 you could try I²S or whatever. Gustard R26 ----- [https://amzn. For the last 10 years USB receivers use asynchronous transfers, there is no reason to suspect that Gustard use outdated I've been looking to upgrade my DAC from Topping D50s to either Gustard R24 or the Denafrips Ares II (now known as Enyo) I've read individual reviews of both units, but couldn't find a comparison between the two. I am quite fine with that trade off especially since performance is provably Gustard A26/R26 (Not sure if the sound improvements are noticable) Votes: 1 33. This is a small difference but noticeable. Fortunately the A90 has an XLR/RCA input toggle on the front, making switch between the 2 sources super easy. I also ordered the Gustard A26 DAC. Forums A 'Since' part not really relevant. New posts Latest activity. Our Favorite Technology & Audio Forums. 6A, not 1. Look at the y-axis scale. Dedicated Posted by u/aposaudio - 2 votes and no comments And compared to the USB and Coax inputs, I2S is much, much better. I ordered the A26 as I felt Anyone running a Gustard A26? If so what are you thoughts have you compared it to anything else especially from Denafrips or Holo Audio? I need a new DAC. 1 kHz and 48 kHz). Valheim; Genshin Impact; Minecraft; Gustard A26 Network DAC [W] $1001 Paypal WTS Gustard A26 Network DAC - $1001 Comes with DAC, remote, and power cable. It did not have the same weight as my Denafrips Ares II with the exception of very low frequencies. Gustard X26 PRO ($1500) VS Matrix Audio Element X ($3000) In terms of build quality, both are carved on CNC machines with very tight tolerance numbers, they both look and feel like expensive units. Denafrips Gaia, Gustard X26Pro, Gustard A22MQA soon. Ebay TypeC $20 (quite good). Order placed on 8/31/22 seven day delay from ccp lock downs in city of warehouse . I can hear the clarity and separation better than my Modi, but it just lacks heft in the music. It's got a Posted by u/[Deleted Account] - 1 vote and 2 comments Perhaps ask @sbogdanovs for his contact/whether there is an A26 beta test opportunity. It makes everything sound much more natural. 6 QR speakers - bypassed fuse and jumpers I have borrowed/used the following DACs : Gustard X26 Pro Gustard A26 Gustard R26 Denafrips Pontus II I am using X26 Pro all the while before, because none of the above DACs actually can beat There is also the Gustard A26 which I thought was a better sounding DAC then the R26 yet still on the warm side. R2R preferred. 3% Total voters 3; Poll closed Mar 24, 2024. Home. 1s | Puritan PSM156 + GM | Afterdark & LHY gear Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link. (when the appropriate firmware update is available). Incidentally I don’t know what it is, but my system has suddenly hit its stride again this evening, something was off this last week. The denafrips Gaia DDC is supposed to be great, but so is the price Top . I easily noticed the difference from the generic cable to some $250 Pangea 14XL. I am finally receiving a Denafrips later this week and then might try either a 1321 or 1421 after running the Ares for a couple weeks. It won't be a gamechanger, in a blindtest between expensive and cheap equipment people couldn't even hear the difference despite listening to a different amplifier, cd player, cables and rack. 1584/49. Fast switch using Foobar 2000 (which is excellent handling window switching between two enumerated dacs) between the two. XERO1; Dec 10, 2022; 78 79 80. The I2S (Inter-IC Sound) interface is a serial bus interface used for transmitting audio data between digital audio devices, such as a DAC and a digital Do you spend too much time browsing reddit? You may already be part of the Adeptus Mechanicus. I guess I am ready for a first comparison of the Gustard A26 and the Audio-GD R8HE Mk2 (hereafter AGD). Gustard R26 delivered today. Or check it out in the app stores I recently got the Hifiman Arya and Gustard H16 as the amplifier and posibly getting the Gustard X16 as DAC. Reactions: Campo007 and lordcloud. When using these two Gustard DAC's, they appear to perform their best as they are, fed through the LAN port and using Honestly if you were thinking of getting an A26/R26 just try the lan. I use a Gustard U18 that takes in a USB input from the Node N130 and puts out an IIS output. Hi Anyone running a Gustard A26? If so what are you thoughts have you compared it to anything else especially from Denafrips or Holo Audio? I need a new Oh I am aware that it should be the same - but in reality there are differences that I’ve heard. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Audio, Audio, Audio! DACs, Streamers, Servers, Players, Audio Interface. DACS: Gustard R26 and A26, Holo Cyan, VMV D2R, Burson Conductor Reference SE with Sparkos Pro op amps, Conductor 3XP with Sparkos 3602, Aune X8 XVIII w/ Sparkos Pro amps or IFI Zendac V2. It's very easy to use - if a comment on your post is considered helpful, please reward them by using the term !thanks. iFi Zen Stream is a good alternative for A26, but I still wonder if Rivo still has better components to make a difference. Z. to/3UsJkR3Denafrips Pontus II: https://ebay. G. About the class a thing i did try ask gustard again over from taobao. This really cleans the sound up and removes several subjective layers DAC specific correction pipeline and conversion to SDM (DSD) sound great with the A26 and the Cyan. Maybe it is a Volumio issue, but I rather think the input is switched off - with D70s this works fine without any interruption. it has 5703w tubes lasts for 100000 hours. If you like something about the Gustard, it will probably work well too. is a better sense of space with individual instrument. winged creature Forum Resident. Imaging is fantastic on both. Has anyone here heard the Gustard A26 and compared it to other Gustard DACs, in particular the R26? I find the R26 has some remarkable qualities in terms of microdynamics, musicality (musical details), but poor quality control and among the 4 R26's I listened to, all had (different) tonal balance problems. Gustard A26 is a high-end audio DAC (digital-to-analog converter) that features an I2S input. GCL Using a topping Pre90 between a denafrips terminator and Den Apollo Amplifier replacing a Kinki Studio Pre and the extra detail is amazing. What kind of DAC should I buy? I am worried that the USB cables: Supra Excalibur, Viborg's best and $20 version, Ebay TypeC $20 (quite good). If you plan on using HQPlayer, both the Gustard and the D400EX have DSD Direct. It has hurt my ears everytime I gave it a chance. Home Gustard R26 is a high performance R2R DAC that change my opinion about the whole brand - yes it's that good. Quite a big price difference. I had read so much about the benefits of R2R dacs. Check out Denafrips. At the end of the day, the tone of the unit was not my bag. The Denafrips connected to your computer will function just fine, and you're putting all your money into sound quality. Gustard X16 VS X18 DACs. Gustard's internal streamer is very, very good when used with Roon and HQ player, particularly when externally clocked and fed nice clean ethernet which can be done effectively View community ranking In the Top 1% of largest communities on Reddit. Selling High End Gear . I'm going to be selling a Denafrips Terminator II, Denafrips Gaia, Gustard X26Pro, Gustard A22MQA soon. Your_Toilet New Member. Equipment Forums and the a26 and r26 are v similar but with what we think, according to a small number of reviews, are different strengths and weaknesses. Great build quality but I had a hard time noticing any difference between it and my Topping D90. OP . NUC12i7 & Akasa Turing Fanless Case, Keces P8 linear power supply, Gustard A26 & Innuos Phoenix, Primaluna Evo 400 preamp & Classe Audio CP800 preamp, Classe Audio CA-M600 monblock amps, Paradigm Signature S8 V2 speakers, Running Springs Audio Dmitri & Duke power condtioning, cables up the yingyang Gustard A26 w/ Built in Streamer and UPGRADED Synergistic Purple Fuse ($199. Current rig: Kef r3 meta kef kc62 sub Hegel h190 - currently using internal dac 2023 Mac mini. Was planning to pair a Topping D70s DAC with a Gustard H16 for playback on my Hifiman Aryas, but the D70s are seemingly nowhere to be found for purchase anymore. Nothing muddy clear tight bass can easily tell the difference between kick drum, bass guitar, and upright. With that, for the next decade, I won't be doing side grade like swapping out the Denafrips Ares II for a Pontus II or maybe a Gustard A26, which is something I'm curious about actually. but newer dacs sounding thin relatively. PCM, DSD, and DSD using the A26 correction pipeline via USB using the excellent (but full and robust sounding?) Supra Excalibur cable, and PCM and DSD (the A26 correction option doesn't populate when on LAN for some reason) using the LAN input. Funny enough, not a whole lot has changed, the R26 still tops many lists. Copy Comment URL; Report Comment; the Denafrips basic Aries is much better ,the pontus2+ a excellent dac The Gustard R26 R2R DAC has been widely praised all over the internet and it went on sale 10% off the other day (8/26/2023). But, chew up immense processing power which requires a gaming PC tower. I will test out both the AUNE s17 against the Gustard H26 headphone amp. Equipment Forums. The biggest difference between the two dacs for me is in the presentation of the bass. Coming from the 9038s in the Musical Paradise MP-D2 MK3 deluxe I am kinda leaning towards the A26. I am wondering if I should buy a new DAC and considering the Denafrips or the Gustard. It is priced at $1499. The H16 didn't measure that good compared to other amps. The included fuse is rated to 250v at 1. Share: Facebook Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link The two that really intrigue me, especially at their prospective price points are Gustard A26 & R26. Denafrips Terminator. I'm cannot be sure if it is what the 3-box Naim NAC282 preamp brings to the party, or if it is what the Gustard A26 looses when turning off DSD Direct, but to my ears it was no contest between these two with my digital source. Denafrips and Holo spring have been top of the list. It's better in all categories. Does anyone have any recommendations for a quality audiophile cable. Gustard A26 ($1500) VS Gustard R26 Discrete ($1650) I will skip their specs and looks, focusing on their feature set and sound performance. Almost certain there is more bang per buck with Chi-fi but will let you I've run the Qutest with a battery though not a truly high end linear power supply. There Reviews. The stack should outperform the SMSL stack, but at the cost of ~550CAD more. After a month of using decided to upgrade the caps. Purité Audio. The Schiit has a lot going for it with the warranty period and more "future-proof" design (ability to update it later). After contacting Gustard they informed me that they have nothing to do with Amazon sales. It improved for two days and seemed stable since. I did already own an Innuos Phoenix which cost more the A26 (crazy right). Get the Reddit app Scan this QR code to download the app now. Next Last. Have up and running in system playing Austin blues radio stream. Audio Stream: PC (i9-14900k / RTX 4090 OC) —> Qobuz —> NOS & HQPlayer / IPhone 14 Pro Max, Samsung Tab S9 Ultra DAC/AMP/Dongle: Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE —> Holo Audio Bliss KTE, Cayin HA-6A / Cayin RU7 Tubes: Sophia Electric KT88, Electro Harmonix EL34, Tung-Sol 6550, GEC KT8C, Siemens E82CC, Baldwin 12au7, GE & RCA 22de4 Subjective opinions are extremely helpful in purchasing DACs and amps in a world where everything measures almost identically on paper. Thanks for your submission to r/headphoneadvice. The R26, A26, and U18 are all on sale now on Amazon. Even with that power supply in the game, I would still give the advantage to A26 both in terms of sonics and as a better value. Denafrips Ares ($600) First Impression . I'm way passed the point of #Denafrips #hifi #GustardTwo excellent R2R DACSOnly one can reign victoriousokwell maybe they both canthat said, hand on heart, I'd pick the Dena Yeah. I am able to buy the Ares used for $590 vs having to buy Gustard new for $1600. Gustard r26. Audio, Audio, Audio! DACs, Streamers, Servers I have the Pontus II and Gustard X26 and have been A/B comparing them with different inputs and settings for about a week. Now I like detail and soundstage so making a decision for A26 or R26 is a tuff choice. Even between Topping DACs (from various models) there are differences in sound, let alone between two companies that use different parts in output stage and DAC Chip. I'm looking for a like-new Gustard A26 in silver (by like-new, I mainly mean no blemishes like @LongLomg00 I can't speak for the A26 but worth clarifying the R26 has an analogue attenuator with two levels OFF (0dB) and ON (-30dB), either of which can be used with additional digital attenuation in 1db steps via the remote +/- volume keys. I didn’t need to re-adjust their voltage output, as both are providing 5V volts at full power. :( Reply TransducerBot There are eight menu items in the settings menu on the Gustard A26, at least as of the time I write this review. Valheim; Genshin Impact; Minecraft; [US-TX] [H] Gustard A26(silver), Topping A90D(silver), Xduoo TA-20, Synergistic Research Purple Fuse 3. no usb or i2s musical fidelity but outperforms in every aspect timbre tone and bass slam. Timestamp with extra photos is provided for the A26 and for the ZMF items. compared it with denafrips terminator and gustard x26 pro and holo audio l2 . Disclaimer: This was sent to us as a sample for. Budget - $2000. Denafrips Ares II Dac and Gustard R26 44TB Server. It reproduces the felt space around the instruments and it has more depth This experience convinced me that I wanted a new DAC. As much as I tried, I truly couldn't tell a difference between any of Any Gustard A22 to A26 comparisons? I love the A22, but would love to upgrade if there is like any custom filters on the A26 to make it a lil step darker without making it less dynamic. I've more or less narrowed it down to 2 choices for the next DAC - a Schiit Bifrost II or Denafrips Ares II. Any info, opinions or recommendations are much appreciated thanks everyone. headphones) so that may be the difference in our impressions of the DAC. The two that really intrigue me, especially at their prospective price points are Gustard A26 & R26. There are new endurance types on the market, not standarised yet, but it seems marketed for intense write operations, it is what Gustard users need. Even in between the skips I found that I preferred the R26 for its deeper wider layering and more exciting microdynamics. Which I think speaks to the quality of the Denafrips USB implementation- it's very good. He never test what at power it trigger to class ab. I'm using a 10 MHz clock (the Gustard C16) and a good clock cable, along with the U18 DDC to feed the DAC through a very good Coax I bought the Pontus II and the Gustard X26 16 months ago. -135dB at higher frequencies rising to -120dB in the bass. Welcome all new and returning players to r/adeptusmechanicus, a subreddit where we discuss all things cult mechanicus and Skitarii legion (with some knights on the side), please look at our "admech resources" page before making a post and may the Great Dac! Jumped back and forth listening to the Gustard r26 and the Denafrips pontus and venus for a few weeks. Power Supply caps were Nichicon FW 3300uf 25V and some 220V 25V caps again FW. Reddit . 1; 2; 3; Next. Grand 9i-806 > 1266 Phi TC / TH-900 MK2 / JMAudio XTC Open Home office system *** Refurbished Pioneer SX-5590 Receiver ***Speakers TeKton Lore with factory upgrades ***Dac Denafrips Venus II 12th Anniversary ***Home brew server streamer AudioPhileStyle recipe Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link. 99 retail) Will also throw in Gustard Upgraded fuse for this DAC Smoke free Pet free environment! 8/10 because of small nick and some snail trails on top of unit. Details; Discussions; Posts; This discussion Comparisons of HQPlayer into the Gustard A26. I have had the former for 2 weeks and the latter for 4 months. Facebook Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link. Decided to try out upgrading the caps. The A26 uses 2 AK4499 chips and the R26 is a resistor ladder DAC. Gaming. Go. Y. zzz2496 Member. Mid bass, was lean. The next biggest bang for the buck is a D2D converter. I went with the Singxer SA 1. #dac #hifiaudio #audio #audiophile #stereo My recommendation would be if you get a Gustard DAC, such as the A26 or R26, with their inbuilt streamer do not rush into buying external streamers or DDCs off the bat. Usually, this is where AKM-based units are shining and D400EX didn’t disappoint a single bit. Poor (headless panther) Votes: Facebook Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link. Good problem to have I suppose. It’s 50 ohms as are the other Gustard DACs and DDCs, though as Martin notes on the MC thread his Gustard DDC & DAC combo sounds excellent with that pure silver Neotech 75 ohm cable. Joined Aug 26, 2020 Messages 24 Facebook Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link. I also have a few ZMF accessories from November 2023. Or, LAN CAT6 cables to and from a Netgear Mesh Router. We can't all agree exactly on how a pair of headphones sound. Details; Discussions; Posts; This discussion Also Denafrips love using about 90 million smaller capacitors because they think it's better for the power supply, which wouldn't fit in a physically smaller case. Zaurux I have been considering Denafrips and other DACS, but the Gustard R26 seems to be a great setup. PitBul34; Jun 18, 2017; 133 134 135. 2A!! I've Comparing the Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE, Gustard A26, and SMSL D400 ES. After going back and forth for nearly three months I decided to keep the X26 and sell the Pontus II. It is a matter of a type of the music you are listening (1) and your personal preference (2). The soundstage and imaging is just as good as my Geshelli labs JNOG DAC, but the ares II can go slightly wider and deeper in the soundstage. Best of luck to you. Maybe my hearing isn't sharp enough to pick up what others seem to hear so clearly. I bought some Nichicon KW and FG from Get type II only if Gustard support it. The only configuration where one is clearly better than the other is using Roon upsampling to PCM 768 kHz connecting to the Denafrips Iris and then over I2S to the Pontus II. PeterCraig Post subject: Re: MY NEW DAC. mofojo. The Denafrips DACs sound more organic in nature while the Qutest has a more artificially Technicolor type of presentation. New posts Search forums. 99. Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2023 5:01 pm . So how in the heck is the slight difference that a DAC or solid state Seems like a direct competitor to the Denafrips Pontus 2. Yes, I connected my Mac to a Gustard DDC U18 and switched between IIS and Rivo-USB - every time when the input of the A26 is changed to IIS and back, Volumio loses USB connection. I can also hear the difference between the hdmi output of my Apple TV into my dac vas the in-built streamer. Regarding the Gustard, I don't have a need for the ethernet/streamer capabilities, I'll just be using The heat - as SQ225917 & cb01 have said - is a result of the output stages. A definite improvement. Most reviews suggest Ares is more organic (analog like) some suggest it compromises on detail. I should mention I'm primarily a speaker listener (vs. Still, the internal digital to analog decoder is inferior to standalones, especially the Chord DAVE + M-Scaler. My guess is that the Gustard is technically the better head Amp. I’d narrowed my search to either a Denafrips Venus II or Maybe the A26 would be a solution. you’ll have the option between two modes of operation OS (OverSampling) and NOS (Non Gustard A26 DAC & Streamer Review. Although in terms of looks, I’ll give an edge to the Element X which looks nicer, more futuristic and way more elegant. For Me it was more between Digital amp Vs op amp and A/A-B amp. View community ranking In the Top 1% of largest communities on Reddit. The R26 cranks up the musicality by a few notches and the soundstage is broader compared to The Gustard A26 gives up a tiny bit of measured performance compared to best of the best DACs but compensates by giving you a streamer. So you should soon be able to see your R26/A26 as a Tidal Connect end-point (Direct streaming). I have ordered a LHY OCK-1 so I will be able to comment on the differences between the A26 internal clock and the OCK-1. For Amps I'm using the Douk audio U5, SMSL SP400, and a Headamp GS-X Mini. R26 is not it. I really just want the holo Spring 3 kte. com/products/gustard-r26-discrete-r2r-dec GUSTARD A26 and the GUSTARD R26 Honestly there is no bad choice, but it was a difficult decision to make between the A26 or R26 The A26 uses 2 AK4499 chips and the R26 is a resistor ladder DAC. I don't think the soundstage is crazy bigger, but the space in between the soundstage. This was a true upgrade. Thread starter Danddd; Start date Dec 27, 2021; Tags dac gustard x16 gustard x18 Facebook Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link. Speaker System: Google Nest Wifi Point -> FMC (x2, 10gtech, Finisar cable) + dx engineering isolators -> Gustard R26 (+ LHY Ock 1) -> Willsenton R8 -> Buchardt Sk400 Mkii Headphone System: Ifi Zen Stream -> Burson Conductor 3x GT / Bottlehead Crack + Speedball -> ZMF Atrium / Hifiman Arya / Focal Elegia Portable Set Up: Chord Mojo 2 / Poly 2 -> Get the Reddit app Scan this QR code to download the app now. I'd argue that this is the Thanks for your submission to r/headphoneadvice. P. In my setup it just doesn't work well. I have the Gustard H26 and the Aune S17 on order as well as the Gustard A26 DAC. I dont have a small sum invested in my system and I am extremely pleased with the sound of the A26. TheNorthman5000 • HeavyCn ZMF Atrium Closed | ZMF Verite Pretty handy finding a SR Purple! I have been waiting to sell my Denafrips Ares and opticalRendu before purchasing another DAC. It may be that the LB PCB is being affected or that the BT antenna degrades the onboard R26 clock? Main reason for switching to the Gustard A26 is for the network connection. I would have liked a Holo May KTE, but that is 4X the price. This DAC is huge in person and looks quite nice, but I'm selling because it's a bit too big for my setup. -30dB is a serious cut, too much for me to be useful and I suspect most people, so practically I could only ever use I had my cheapo Douk audio USB DDC crap out a few weeks ago and pulled the trigger on a newer Gustard u18 after doing some research and liking the possibility to upgrade the sound on my music setup, which uses a Chord 2yu. m-i-c-k-e-y; Jun 2, 2022 Gustard R26: https://amzn. Which to me at an equal or higher tier as the SMSL stack is, a Topping A90, and a Gustard X16. Analog cables: DIY Nordost audio cables XLR and RCA, box full of DIY and high end cables from Ebay and AudioQuest ect. Which is money that could be spent on a new pair of headphones. Note that the A26 Dac is ALWAYS class A. Amir aligns the fundamental tones at 0drA, while Gustard has theirs at about -22dBrA, so you have to add 22dB to everything you see to compare Gustard's graph to those from Amir, Topping, WolfX-700. streamer > USB > Audio-GD DI20HE > I2S > Gustard A26 The A26 expects a 'flag' on pin 15 to let know whether PCM or DSD is sent. It's still a side-grade of some kind. It features balanced and single-ended connectivity, LAN input, a sturdy build with a matte finish, and an AK4499 vs ES9038Pro / Gustard DAC-X26 vs Gustard DAC-A22. Location: Canada. Although it doesn't have bluetooth I can still route music from any streaming service or local file thru the network to the dac and control on my phone via mconnect or bubble upnp. Paratus likes this. The best DAC on American Amazon for Ferrum Orr and Diana TC Gustard X26 Pro or the Gustard A26 Reply Although 5 denafrips terminator did just come in stock. so Get the Reddit app Scan this QR code to download the app now. Without it, A26 would simply be in a different league. At least it should be marked as a type I. So what? There are two options. It should arrive late next week. If you have any recommendations for good headphones at a reasonable price it What are the key features of the GUSTARD A26? The A26 offers exceptional sound quality with its dual-DAC implementation using AK4499EX and AK4191 chips. Review Archived post. Joined Facebook Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp Email Share Link. comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment. Both units have been tested in headphone and stereo setups, I used the same power cables and interconnects. Until I purchase a new separate amplifier, is it feasible to hook the Gustard R26 into my Yamaha RN-803 receiver, and if I have ordered the A26. If you went DDC route, why not just get a Gustard U18. With the CXN v2 you're paying for a lot of functionality and design that may not be that important for you. But the new Gustard has got me interested. Details; Discussions; Posts; This discussion; Message User; 2,303 posts. There is absolutely zero evidence scientific nor blindtests that there should be a difference between a 9 dollar apple dongle and a 10k dac. 02-11-2023 at 12:12am . curiousjim. Comes with original packaging PPFF or Zelle ( if G&S buyer pays 3. us/3trQ7cLadder Schumann: https://amzn. 3. Facebook Reddit Hi! I am Currently using Gustard A26 DAC. We review the Gustard A26, which is a high-end DSD512 and PCM 768kHz-capable balanced desktop DAC with LAN streaming capability. Chord seems to offer better imaging/ detail Get the Reddit app Scan this QR code to download the app now. GUSTARD DAC-R26 The R26 is the first DAC of the company to use an R2R architecture with discrete components of very high quality and perfectly optimized to offer exceptional sound performance. Show off your setups, discuss the science of sound, share the newest and greatest technology out there. There are videos on YouTube describing issues, alongside videos showing repairs to relatively new Denafrips DACs. Gustard A26 > Cen. I have the impression that the A26 needs less burn in time than the AGD. My dap Rs6 more hotter than the amp. Some guys said they liked the Denafrips Venus II 12th better, ya well thast is double the price of the A26. New comments cannot be posted. Just sold today. However the DI20HE does not send any signal on pin 15. The Sabre9038 is eight current-output dacs on a chip, and Gustard have implemented individual IV stages for each output (most designers either go with a voltage output stage or combine the individual outputs and convert the combined current to voltage output which is much less heat). If there is a difference in bass distortion harmonics of that level as well as the harmonics being above the threshold of hearing A26 easily competes with SP3000 at a fraction of the price. With a warm amp, this thing SLAMS. And the Singxer SA 1 looks pretty cool inside. Level set. GUSTARD X26III Dual ES9039SPRO DAC, Network Streamer Gustard released their new X26III, with the newest ESS chips ES9039SPRO. Tonality and Detail: the enhancements were not as significant as one might expect—certainly less than the improvements observed with the Gustard A26 or R26 models. Unless the upcoming Gustard H26 amp is forgiving in the Treble to compensate for d/s dac treble extension. I demoed the Denafrips Venus in home before the Gustard and was pretty much sold, but prefer the Gustard and glad I took the risk. A26 is the best of the bunch, but the most expensive (but is it really, with the built-in streaming?) D400EX is second best, coming very close to A26 except for a couple of issues like slightly crunchy edges on vocals and inferior separation on poorly-mixed tracks. DACS: Gustard R26 and A26, Holo Cyan, VMV D2R, Burson It seems there is an ongoing test phase with Gustard for native Tidal streaming. It resolved like no other and imaging was pinpoint and more precise that anything I've ever heard. 00 For reference I don't like silver. This means I can turn the fan down to quieter levels to cool the 3960X since im limiting PPT to 180W, because it only loses 10% multicore performance and no single core performance for 40% less power and heat. Is it Gustard USB implementation defective or Currawong was wrong again? Remember that Gustard has no galvanic isolator on the USB port, same as my $350 R2R-11. Been test listening the Soekris 2541 against the iFi iDSD Pro dac AIO. They also confirmed that the fuse should be a 250v 1. So in reality, the A26 falls right in line with other stuff. Audio, Audio, Audio! DACs, Streamers, Servers The result, after trying to hear small difference's between XLR and RCA, was quite a wow moment, disconnecting the BT antenna made a big difference in detail and space around instruments instantly. I know a little about both and I understand that the Denafrips Ares ii gets incredible reviews but the M6 is often compared to the chord Hugo2 which is on a completely different level the the Aries. I do not want to discard the DI20HE as it does a great job. Using BP “filter” and BP+after many switches with know test tracks, ie Jazz at the Pawnshop and the good ole “Limehouse Blues” The Gustard R26 is creating great waves and is touted to take on the best of DACs The dac is reviewed to have a musicality with accuracy We as official dealers of Gustard will be accpeting pre orders upto 10 th Decemeber Gustard R26 and the U18 For delivery By 20- 30 th Jan The A26 with the newly launched AKM will be taken later Denafrips Hermes or Gaia DDC both feature Toslink and Coax digital inputs and I2S outputs. The biggest difference is from the DBR62 to the Focus260. Or check it out in the app stores Modi Multibit ($250) vs. Denafrips 'Pontus' R2R ladder DAC - close up view. Now I need to decide between an A26 or the R26. Cen Grand DSDAC 1. Review Index. So I'd say in order to get the best performance out of the Cyan 2, you need a good DDC. 5mm to rca cable - A90. If you then want to take things to another level, you could always add the Denafrips Iris DDC between your streamer and Pontus II with an I2S cable. If there is no such marking, it is not good. xgabjky hcdv hfhgbqi pat qsfff riwijg pgfj sqau wcdf ggres