I did not have hum issues on the r26 Here is how I get the best out of the R26 I am using a Zen stream that has a ethernet optical converter wired in the system. I go USB for the ZEN Stream. All my spare inputs have cables attached to a Coherent Systems RTZ2 (it all adds up to further improving the sound). I use Black Ravioli Big pads as isolation feet. But the biggest change has been adding an external clock I use the Leo Bodnar Precision clock. My friend sold his top of the range After Dark clock as this unit just works with the R26. Changes are not subtle. I have yet to change the internal fuse but will do at some point.. Thanks for sharing you experience.
Nice setup you have....I have recently changed my cables to hybrid (part copper, part silver)...which gave me more details, clarity and without hurting the warmness. If you could audition them for free...give it a try.
Thanks for the tips but i didn’t go that far with my r26d. I bought mine direct 9 months ago and the standard internal fuse sounds horrible ! I got the gustard int. fuse in a pack of three which proved to be a very clear, dynamic and resolute . However ,the sound was too hard and in your face for my liking. So i obtained my old favourite AMR Gold T 2.5a and normality returned. The sound is far natural without the excitement that some like but i find nauseating. I use it with Novafidelity x40 cd/server with van den hul aes xlr digital cable into r26 and Telq xlr into a NAD c658 to NAD C298 power into buchardt A400/11. The sound is quite entertaining.
Thanks for sharing your experimentation to get rid of the R26's transformer hum. I have an R26 with the hum, which although only noticeable up close is a little annoying, I'll have to try the Ifi Groundhog. My coax inputs and outputs are all in use, which leaves only the USB input. Can you confirm whether using the USB connector successfully gets rid of the hum?
Hello Bryan - Thanks for your very informative video. Couple of quick questions: What’s the specific brand and model for your I2S and will it match PS Audio Direct Wave Transport. Second question: How to connect to Spotify (I understand Spotify is not part of the R26. Please advise. Thanks
I also plugged in the black Gustard to the A26 and the sound got worse. Slightly foggy and not so clear anymore. ok, i figured i need to burn in the fuse. But it felt like more was lost over time. Then looked, the old one has 2.5A, the new one has 3.15A. The originals are back in and everything is beautifully transparent again. Will now try 2.A from other manufacturers. On my P26 preamp there was an improvement with the black Gustard. But the values old/new also fit there.
Hey I’m new on that hobby, I just bought the same dac, you mention that you use i2s cables for music, how i2s works ? How do I shop for this cable? How do I play music using this cable ? Thanks
Be careful building a system around using the i2s interface, each manufacturer has a different layout standard for i2s. Let's say your source and DAC both have the i2s interface, but if they are from different companies they may not work together.
@@bryanlee8476 They way i have my R26 connected.... Since I am streaming from a computer I purchase a Gustard U18 DDC to clean up the sound.... So i connected my Computer with a USB cable to Gustard U18, Then i2S cable from Gustard U18 to R26 and them to my amp. It works perfect for me. My i2S Cable is Audioquest cinnamon. My USB Cable is the one that comes with your Gustard.
How can a fuse or mains power cord improve the sound quality? Then first you need to take into account the quality of the power supply of the entire network, starting from the voltage source, cable lines, transformers, wires in the house.
Love your sharing!
Thank you.
Thank you for sharing!
My pleasure!
I did not have hum issues on the r26 Here is how I get the best out of the R26 I am using a Zen stream that has a ethernet optical converter wired in the system. I go USB for the ZEN Stream. All my spare inputs have cables attached to a Coherent Systems RTZ2 (it all adds up to further improving the sound). I use Black Ravioli Big pads as isolation feet. But the biggest change has been adding an external clock I use the Leo Bodnar Precision clock. My friend sold his top of the range After Dark clock as this unit just works with the R26. Changes are not subtle. I have yet to change the internal fuse but will do at some point.. Thanks for sharing you experience.
Nice setup you have....I have recently changed my cables to hybrid (part copper, part silver)...which gave me more details, clarity and without hurting the warmness. If you could audition them for free...give it a try.
i'm using the gustard r26 as pre amp going into my denon flagship pma sx1 limited
Thanks for the tips but i didn’t go that far with my r26d. I bought mine direct 9 months ago and the standard internal fuse sounds horrible ! I got the gustard int. fuse in a pack of three which proved to be a very clear, dynamic and resolute . However ,the sound was too hard and in your face for my liking.
So i obtained my old favourite AMR Gold T 2.5a and normality returned. The sound is far natural
without the excitement that some like but i find nauseating.
I use it with Novafidelity x40 cd/server with van den hul aes xlr digital cable into r26 and Telq xlr into a NAD c658 to NAD C298 power into buchardt A400/11.
The sound is quite entertaining.
Glad you found the sound you want! Good for you.
Thanks for sharing your experimentation to get rid of the R26's transformer hum. I have an R26 with the hum, which although only noticeable up close is a little annoying, I'll have to try the Ifi Groundhog. My coax inputs and outputs are all in use, which leaves only the USB input. Can you confirm whether using the USB connector successfully gets rid of the hum?
Not the usb but the rca interconnect...hope it could help you.
@@bryanlee8476cheers, I since solved it a different way and improved the sound of my system a lot in the process... Puritan PSM156 power conditioner.
Hello Bryan - Thanks for your very informative video. Couple of quick questions: What’s the specific brand and model for your I2S and will it match PS Audio Direct Wave Transport. Second question: How to connect to Spotify (I understand Spotify is not part of the R26. Please advise. Thanks
Guess...latest version upgrade 1.4 would give Spotify a good play.
Thanks for sharing! Sounds like if using the internal clock the new fuse might not buy you much?
Thanks....as mentioned, upgraded fuse for r26 doesn't give significant result.
I also plugged in the black Gustard to the A26 and the sound got worse. Slightly foggy and not so clear anymore. ok, i figured i need to burn in the fuse. But it felt like more was lost over time. Then looked, the old one has 2.5A, the new one has 3.15A. The originals are back in and everything is beautifully transparent again. Will now try 2.A from other manufacturers. On my P26 preamp there was an improvement with the black Gustard. But the values old/new also fit there.
Hey I’m new on that hobby, I just bought the same dac, you mention that you use i2s cables for music, how i2s works ? How do I shop for this cable? How do I play music using this cable ? Thanks
Be careful building a system around using the i2s interface, each manufacturer has a different layout standard for i2s. Let's say your source and DAC both have the i2s interface, but if they are from different companies they may not work together.
Yes...Charles had made it very on selection of device if you intend to use i2s cable. My advice....stick with gustard to get best outcome of i2s.
@@bryanlee8476 They way i have my R26 connected.... Since I am streaming from a computer I purchase a Gustard U18 DDC to clean up the sound.... So i connected my Computer with a USB cable to Gustard U18, Then i2S cable from Gustard U18 to R26 and them to my amp. It works perfect for me. My i2S Cable is Audioquest cinnamon. My USB Cable is the one that comes with your Gustard.
How about the usb and i2s cables? What kind of cables have you been using for R26 and U18?
Am using usb, as mentioned...i2s features depends on pin layout from devices....not from cable.
should i leave the gustard always on or turn off when not in use?
You can leave it on....no problem...I don't.
Hi, what I2S cable do you have there? Thanks!
I am using a HDMi since pin layout between u18 and R26 are the same.
Why does my R26 power button blink twice then pause , then it repeats again over and over?
Eerrr...it does blink but not over and over. Sorry...can't advise on that.
Hi, I have the r26 the way. Can you give me more information about the fuse you used?
It's an upgrade from gustard. You can find it from gustard's Web.
@@bryanlee8476 did you say changing the fuse didn’t make an audible difference? I couldn’t quite follow what you were saying
@@gregbartley2475 I think he said it didn't make a difference in the R26 but It did make a difference in the U18
good afternoon? its morning now
my tv only has optical out...not coaxial
How can a fuse or mains power cord improve the sound quality? Then first you need to take into account the quality of the power supply of the entire network, starting from the voltage source, cable lines, transformers, wires in the house.
try it
I am not an engineer or electrician....however, I am sharing what I hear. Thank you.
Fuse? It is not a sound component. Fuse quality provides reliability to the fuse not sound
I know....for some reasons. The u18 (only u18) gave me surprises.
🤣🤣🤣
Here is some direct recordings using the Gustard R26 into a FocusRite 2x4.
ua-cam.com/video/hAH71mi5MKo/v-deo.html