calypsocat
New Head-Fier
Has anyone of you guys had a chance to compare A26 to Ferrum Wandla? I'm curious what are the most noticable differences and is it a significant improvement over A26.
Gustard DAC-A26 - AK4499EX DAC :: Impressions Thread
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Another HQPlayer user finally prompted me to buck the theory that the best that the AK4499EX chip can do is direct DSD256. I guess I had already been bucking consensus by preferring HQPlayer PCM768 to DSD256 and when using the LAN input to bypass USB cables and receivers, preferring LAN768 using p-s-g-xla and TPDF even to USB DSD256 with the correction pipeline which is better than LAN DSD256.
But then I bucked theory and started trying LAN DSD at higher rates. DSD512 with the ASDM7EC-super 512+ is a step up from 256 over USB with correction. 1024 sounds slightly better still. Even though the Gustard A26 display won't confess to receiving anything higher than 512. And DSD2048 is better still and finally brings back all of the fine detail and snap that was missing from DSD while keeping the organic ease.
Even though the AK4499EX chip sets are theoretically limited to receiving max DSD512 and converting max DSD256. Must be the filter in HQPlayer functions better at the highest DSD rate which is improving the sound to be the best before sending it to the DAC.
So I have now settled on LAN DSD2048 with the ASDM7EC-512+ and poly-sinc-gauss-xla which I prefer over the sinc-Mx for example.
Just when you think the sound is as good as it can get, it gets better. How far can it go with the same file? Did the recording engineers ever even hear their file sound this good?
But then I bucked theory and started trying LAN DSD at higher rates. DSD512 with the ASDM7EC-super 512+ is a step up from 256 over USB with correction. 1024 sounds slightly better still. Even though the Gustard A26 display won't confess to receiving anything higher than 512. And DSD2048 is better still and finally brings back all of the fine detail and snap that was missing from DSD while keeping the organic ease.
Even though the AK4499EX chip sets are theoretically limited to receiving max DSD512 and converting max DSD256. Must be the filter in HQPlayer functions better at the highest DSD rate which is improving the sound to be the best before sending it to the DAC.
So I have now settled on LAN DSD2048 with the ASDM7EC-512+ and poly-sinc-gauss-xla which I prefer over the sinc-Mx for example.
Just when you think the sound is as good as it can get, it gets better. How far can it go with the same file? Did the recording engineers ever even hear their file sound this good?
audioguru1
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Just came here to say that things do seem to have pretty significantly improved both by 1) turning off DSD direct (don't really play DSD) 2) applying the latest A115_131_234 firmware. To check firmware first put the device in standby, then press the front power /standby button, and the gear icon at the same time. If you had 115_106_426 like I did, you can get the firmware by emailing Gustard. The process for firmware is relatively simple - connect via USB-C port on the top back (has a small plug from the factory), then run the firmware exe and follow directions (wait for the USB to register, press the 3 button, power off the dac (hard power on back), then wait 3 seconds, power back on, let it program, wait 30 seconds for good measure, and then power cycle). Enjoy less grain, better stage and impact. To what effect each had a impact its hard to say b/c both changes happened at the same time for me.
audioguru1
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That may be, but I don't use DSD. As such disabling DSD dramatically improved the sound.
audioguru1
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Good catch. Mine is indeed 247 after checking - I did not notice that they sent 247, even though I had asked for 234. So I guess there is an update after 234.
I went back to USB into the Gustard A26 to try the HQPlayer DAC specific correction pipeline again (which isn't available to select when connected by LAN), and find that the LAN sounds much better than the USB through what has proven with several other DACs, my best sounding USB cable. Supra Excalibur.
The sonics of the A26 via LAN are way better than the USB for some reason. Even with the dialed in sound of the HQP DAC specific pipeline applied. If you haven't heard the A26 via LAN, you haven't heard the A26. Even using just generic CAT6 cables so far.
The USB input to my VMV D2R DAC is very good and probably allows that DAC to sound slightly better now with the DSD conversion via HQP, than the Gustard A26 when it connected via USB. But the advantage goes back to the A26 when via LAN.
It proved to be a bit complicated for me to get the A26 to connect to my PC via LAN. I couldn't seem to find the appropriate selections of network settings and permissions in my laptop to let them connect by just running an RJ-45 cable between them but the connection is available every time when I put the hardwires from one to the other into a router in the middle that is connected also to my modem.
And then you also have to restart the DAC after switching inputs. And go through the IPv6 selection in the HQPlayer output tab twice before it will find the Gustarender 1v43 and connect.
But it sounds way better via LAN and is actually cheaper than a $150 USB cable.
I am considering buying something like Matrix-X 3 to play with I2S.
Or, a Pink Faun I2S output card for my PC.
The sonics of the A26 via LAN are way better than the USB for some reason. Even with the dialed in sound of the HQP DAC specific pipeline applied. If you haven't heard the A26 via LAN, you haven't heard the A26. Even using just generic CAT6 cables so far.
The USB input to my VMV D2R DAC is very good and probably allows that DAC to sound slightly better now with the DSD conversion via HQP, than the Gustard A26 when it connected via USB. But the advantage goes back to the A26 when via LAN.
It proved to be a bit complicated for me to get the A26 to connect to my PC via LAN. I couldn't seem to find the appropriate selections of network settings and permissions in my laptop to let them connect by just running an RJ-45 cable between them but the connection is available every time when I put the hardwires from one to the other into a router in the middle that is connected also to my modem.
And then you also have to restart the DAC after switching inputs. And go through the IPv6 selection in the HQPlayer output tab twice before it will find the Gustarender 1v43 and connect.
But it sounds way better via LAN and is actually cheaper than a $150 USB cable.
I am considering buying something like Matrix-X 3 to play with I2S.
Or, a Pink Faun I2S output card for my PC.
taxman2
Head-Fier
BTW does anybody knows the location of the op amps on Gustard A26? Thank you!
Hey guys, I’m looking to get an A26 in a month or two. Anyone use a Quloos QU02 DDC here with theirs by any chance?
I’m wondering if this chain requires a I2S pin change on the QU02.
I’m wondering if this chain requires a I2S pin change on the QU02.
Just sharing some tricks I have tried on A26, maybe useful to some :
1) unless you are using a very good streamer, the LAN performance of this streamer beats most cheap to mid-priced streamers, especially with trick no. 4 below
2) use FMC, even cheap ones help..... I am using USD10 ones, works wonders. Just be aware for cheap ones, the transformers must be crappy, use a separate power network for the cheap transformer or else these transformers will mess up the power of your audio system
3) for FMC, experiment with different fibre optics, they all sound different, use ceremic ones, and also for some reason fibre optics are directional when used in audio, there is one correct direction, try both ways and listen
4) if you are using upnp put a PC in between. Install Foobar2000, install uPnP Mediarenderer and uPnP control point. Using MConnect or Bubbleupnp, stream to Foobar and then from Foobar to Gustardrenderer. Via the computer, somehow the sound is completely transformed. First of all, the sound no longer stutters no matter what you play. Also, the sound is a lot more organic and natural.
The sound using the above tricks definitely outperforms a Wiim Pro streamer which I had, I suspect even streamers within $3k may not be able to beat the sound of that. Only downside is Foobar2000 upnp mediarenderer plugin cannot handle dsd, so have to convert dsd to pcm in foobar2000.
1) unless you are using a very good streamer, the LAN performance of this streamer beats most cheap to mid-priced streamers, especially with trick no. 4 below
2) use FMC, even cheap ones help..... I am using USD10 ones, works wonders. Just be aware for cheap ones, the transformers must be crappy, use a separate power network for the cheap transformer or else these transformers will mess up the power of your audio system
3) for FMC, experiment with different fibre optics, they all sound different, use ceremic ones, and also for some reason fibre optics are directional when used in audio, there is one correct direction, try both ways and listen
4) if you are using upnp put a PC in between. Install Foobar2000, install uPnP Mediarenderer and uPnP control point. Using MConnect or Bubbleupnp, stream to Foobar and then from Foobar to Gustardrenderer. Via the computer, somehow the sound is completely transformed. First of all, the sound no longer stutters no matter what you play. Also, the sound is a lot more organic and natural.
The sound using the above tricks definitely outperforms a Wiim Pro streamer which I had, I suspect even streamers within $3k may not be able to beat the sound of that. Only downside is Foobar2000 upnp mediarenderer plugin cannot handle dsd, so have to convert dsd to pcm in foobar2000.
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angelexcelia
New Head-Fier
I would like to use the A26 as a renderer and operate it on my smartphone or tablet without using a PC, but since it does not support OpenHome, the applications that can be used are limited.
Bubble upnp is unstable and plays a different song than the one I tried to play. I'm currently using the IO-DATA fidata application, but is there any other good software?
The best thing is for A26 to be compatible with OpenHome, so I would like GUSTARD to respond as soon as possible.
Bubble upnp is unstable and plays a different song than the one I tried to play. I'm currently using the IO-DATA fidata application, but is there any other good software?
The best thing is for A26 to be compatible with OpenHome, so I would like GUSTARD to respond as soon as possible.
m-i-c-k-e-y
Headphoneus Supremus
Why not use UPnP as protocol on A26 and let BubbleUPnP do its thing?
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