@lanx0003 Makes sense. Have you tried changing the filter setting on the R26? I prefer the fast setting, but that isn't the default setting. Fast is the most detailed, but maybe not what works best in your system. There is also a setting for NOS.
Gustard R26 vs hi end streamer
Hi,
I have in plan to upgrade the source of my system:
Source: Newtork streamer Marantz NA8005
Amp: Arcam A32
Speakers: build to me
Headhone: Denon AH-D5000
Actually the options are:
1) Purchase a DAC like Gustard R26 or X26 or Schiit OG Yggdrsail (I’am bit undecided to choose one of these DACs).
2) Replace my Newtork streamer with a Hi end Streamers like: Auralyc, Cocktail Audio, Rose or coming soon new Marantz that replace ND8006.
I have a preference for a sound relaxed, warm, analog, with a deep bass, I listen only FLAC files with USB disk and no others, so I’am not interested to streamer services.
My actual Marantz match my sound preference, but lack of details, soundstage, etc...
The ideal is upgrade the Newtork streamer, but for what I read on many forums, an exterenal DAC like Gustard R26 or Schiit OG Yggdrsail sound better of every integrated streamer like: Auralyc, Cocktail Audio, Rose, etc.. and apart this is also a cheap option.
To match my sound preference do you suggest to wait the next Marantz models or consider directly an external DAC like Gustard or Schiit ?
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- 45 posts total
@sls883 I used "med" but tried "slow" to mitigate the brightness. It does have some effect, but not significant enough, and it adversely impacts the details. "Fast" is a bit too much for my system. NOS is not a preferred option for R26 I found. |
@lanx0003 Interesting. I've never felt that my R26 was bright. I'm using a tube preamp, so that may help. I have various cables that have differing degrees of brightness. A couple of them tend to soften the sound compared to others. I don't know if you have any cable options to try? |
My chain of signal is as follows: MXN10 (optical)-> R26 (xlr, gatham star-quad cable) -> Cambridge Azur 851A (Belden 5T00UP 10awg speaker cable) -> Linton. Linton has an elevated treble and is less forgiving of relatively poorer recordings. The R26 is neutral; any shortcomings should be attributed to the speaker, not the R26. I just hope that an R2R DAC like the R26 could help tone down the brightness. I tried a better recording (by Nemanja Radulovic), and the sound through my system was much improved. It's still a bit bright for my taste, but much more liquid and refined.
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Alright, I’ve had the R26 for about three weeks now, with at least 200-250 hours of playback time. It sounds pretty good—neutral and rich—but not as natural-sounding as I’d prefer. That said, the other two DACs I own—the Cambridge MXN10’s internal DAC and the SMSL D6s—perform just as well as the R26 in areas like detail, tonal balance, soundstage, instrument separation, and bass. To my ears, all of these traits range from very good to excellent. All these three DACs are able to preserve these sound traits in the recording pretty well. However, when you consider the price, there’s an almost ninefold disparity between them. So, is the SMSL D6s exceptionally good for its price, or is the R26 just comparable to a highly capable entry-level Delta-Sigma DAC? Is the R26 simply overhyped? My signal chain is mxn10 -> DAC -> Cambridge Azur 851A or Parasound A23 -> Wharfedale Linton or Buchardt S400 mkII. |
- 45 posts total