Best way to connect my Gustard R26?


I want to add the Gustard R26 to my system which consists of: Dynaudio 34s, REL T/7x, Hegel 190, Node 2i, and an NAD C546BEE. I'm new to digital and computer audio as well as streaming. Recently, I started using Tunein and Radio Paradise on the Bluesound app and I also began ripping approx. 500 cds to FLAC files on a Synology NAS. I expect most of my listening will be streaming through the Node 2i and the FLAC files from the NAS if I ever finish ripping the cds. I did some reading on how to connect a DAC like the R26 and discovered that it's kind of complicated and confusing. How do I connect the R26 so it becomes the main DAC? How do I bypass the Node and Hegel DACs?  I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks Bill

 

wbt0927

Showing 1 response by xpsvwino

+1 jjss49

I have a h190 being fed (balanced) by a Gustard R26 (with Roon) and can attest that the streamer in the R26 is quite good for the price.

I highly recommend a simple fiber setup with good optical modules (Finisar FTLX1475D3BCL) before the R26. I’m using an OpticalRendu now but the improvement with a simple netgear switch with fiber out > Sonore OpticalModule Deluxe was possibly the greatest bang for the buck improvement I’ve made to my system.

G