@vinylvalet I did open all the links on the first page and could not find any reference as to how to check your software version. Instruction for installing the updates were provided. Yikes…that install process seems like a PITA and I would rather avoid it if not necessary. Gustard has room to better communicate and improve their update process. Did you check or do the software update?
Gustard R26 - good but not the one
I have owned a Chord Qutest for quite some time, maybe 5-years. I power it with a SBooter power supply and feed it USB from a SoTM SMS200 Ultra with SPS500 power supply. Overall it sounds great. It's been a great purchase.
But 5-year old DACs are getting long in the tooth. As Ferris Bueller said, "digital tech moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
So, I've been looking at new DACs as a possible replacement. It's tough because the Qutest is pretty darn good for it's price and bettering it takes a leap in spending.
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). So, I picked it up on Amazon with free Prime Shipping and 30-day free returns.
This was more of a learning experience than anything else. I'm sending it back 3-days later, but I wanted to say it is a fine sounding piece of equipment. IF I had not spent a long time with the Chord Qutest I would have been over the moon for the R26. I did run it continually for the 3-days it was here - not fully bedded in, but close.
It's well built, super sturdy, easy to live with, great sounding and very versatile. There was not a huge difference from the Qutest, but the Chord was just that much better to my ears and I don't want to spend $1,460 to get not quite as good sound quality.
The streamer was super convenient and sounded fine. Not SoTM great, but certainly sounded fine.
It has one flaw. when you switch inputs, and there are lots to choose from, it totally drops the input you've been on. You have to reestablish the entire setup in your player. Using Roon > HQ Player that meant going into HQP's preferences and selecting the Gustard anew.
So, that's my take on the Gustard R26 - very good but not Qutest good.
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No I didn't. The unit I borrowed had the updates installed. Since you invested in the R26, invest some time and work your way through that discussion. You will find the step by step answers to all your questions there. Yes, the Gustard instructions are minimal and the software updates require some effort but, from I understand, are worth it. |
@creativepart said, "And, I didn't want a new $1500 DAC that just was as good as what I've been living with all these years." Actually, that is good to know in many ways, considering the glowing reviews of the Qutest. For those of us using sub-$1K DACs, perhaps the R26 is "the one" to upgrade to - especially at 10% off. |
no doubt the op did not hear the r26 as it should have been heard (fully broken in, zero volume attenuation) i love the qutest too, but the two, at their best (qutest with lps), to my ear, are close in absolute sound quality, with the qutest being a touch more holographic but ever so slightly leaner through the midbass, more solid in the deep bass |
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