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Post by stellabagpuss on May 31, 2024 19:55:33 GMT
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Post by MartinT on May 31, 2024 20:29:55 GMT
4 x fully balanced ES9039Pro, OCXO and K2, FPGA. Not sure about the built-in streaming, but it sounds far more up my street than their R2R efforts.
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New DACs
May 31, 2024 20:35:39 GMT
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atoz likes this
Post by stellabagpuss on May 31, 2024 20:35:39 GMT
4 x fully balanced ES9039Pro, OCXO and K2, FPGA. Not sure about the built-in streaming, but it sounds far more up my street than their R2R efforts. l bet you can't wait Martin.. Looks really nice... Out apparently at the of the year |
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Post by MartinT on May 31, 2024 21:01:42 GMT
Oh, I can wait. I shall watch this hit the reviewers with interest.
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New DACs
May 31, 2024 21:31:07 GMT
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John likes this
Post by stellabagpuss on May 31, 2024 21:31:07 GMT
Oh, I can wait. I shall watch this hit the reviewers with interest. Your just waiting on that SINAD report and review from ASR.... 🤣 |
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Post by MartinT on May 31, 2024 22:15:28 GMT
Oh, I can wait. I shall watch this hit the reviewers with interest. Your just waiting on that SINAD report and review from ASR.... 🤣 LOL! Oh yes, I follow their every word for my next purchase  |
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New DACs
Jun 1, 2024 6:14:36 GMT
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Post by stellabagpuss on Jun 1, 2024 6:14:36 GMT
Had a glance at the board layout, nice effort made, especially with the psu board.
Of course l'd love to see some sheilding and the transformers out of the enclosure, but it's a advancement.
Sadly l'm like the guy who invented the the ever lasting light bulb 💡 And got fired, as they stopped production.
Manufacturers will always leave you wanting more,as they wouldn't exist anymore.
I hope they will do a R2R version 🙏 as well.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 1, 2024 6:32:25 GMT
Gustard really are pushing the envelope of what can be achieved (and let's not forget stability, too). It's a shame they are not taken more seriously by the misinformed who consider them a 'midrange' brand.
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bencat
Rank: Quartet
Posts: 353
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Post by bencat on Jun 1, 2024 8:06:32 GMT
I see they have all of the usual measurements at the bottom showing all the Sinad results . If I knew how to read them it would be great but they are just pretty pictures . Looks very nice and very well made . Notice that it has a 50 Ohm External clock input as well which is very handy . Suspect this will not be cheap .
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Post by MartinT on Jun 1, 2024 8:27:52 GMT
Believe me when I tell you that the measurements say nothing about how it sounds.
My X26 Pro has an external clock input which I use (which I feed via I2S rather than BNC).
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New DACs
Jun 1, 2024 11:14:23 GMT
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Post by stellabagpuss on Jun 1, 2024 11:14:23 GMT
I see they have all of the usual measurements at the bottom showing all the Sinad results . If I knew how to read them it would be great but they are just pretty pictures . Looks very nice and very well made . Notice that it has a 50 Ohm External clock input as well which is very handy . Suspect this will not be cheap . Although we all ribb ASR measurements, they are good as a rough guide. But there's so much more going on,thats not rreported. And why TAS has a healthy amount of Modders and people to experiment. Will be interesting to know the price point, but generally Gustard are normally better prepared in terms of issues being iron out. They also have more westernised rate on releasing components,unlike Topping or SMSL seem to be changing every six months. As a guess.. l would around £1600 |
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Post by HD Music & Test on Jun 1, 2024 11:16:47 GMT
The interesting fact here is that for the last four ears I've have been demonstarting that having a SINAD of 126+ really isn't any sign of sound quality, just a a rather nice FR plot possibly? Or that the vast majority of the latest & greatest are merely a sideways movement. The ability to be totally immursed within an all emcopassing soundscape that completely involves you on a human emotional level is difficult to obtain imho.
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New DACs
Jun 1, 2024 11:35:20 GMT
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Post by stellabagpuss on Jun 1, 2024 11:35:20 GMT
The interesting fact here is that for the last four ears I've have been demonstarting that having a SINAD of 126+ really isn't any sign of sound quality, just a a rather nice FR plot possibly? Or that the vast majority of the latest & greatest are merely a sideways movement. The ability to be totally immursed within an all emcopassing soundscape that completely involves you on a human emotional level is difficult to obtain imho. Well said Tony... The R26 is great example of SINAD, its pretty poor in terms of that measurement, but yet sounds so much more engaging than other DACs. Will you be getting your hands on a X30 when released. |
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Post by HD Music & Test on Jun 1, 2024 12:25:12 GMT
The big issue for myself (& remember I am a dealer alledged lol) is trying to source equipment that is musically engaging, involving & keeps you rooted to your listening positon for hours on end no matter what the music. I have (had) some of the best measuring audio reproduction equipment available (save for the Wadax and I draw the line at that cost, I mean thats a Lecroy Wavemaster 8000HD 33Ghz with one tribus probe (just one probe only Vasily) which has the ability of generating income!)
As good as their are, amazing sound stage, crystal clear details, monster room filling abaility, slam to die for etc. IMHO they lack real emotional conveyance right cross musical spectrum. These are high fi jewellery and uber-fi posh PA systems which can be mightly impressive, yet unfulfilling musically.
The real gems are not in the price stratosphere but firmly in the affordable region, you just have to look past the slick salesman/ASR zealot rhetoric that fills forums/you tube and on line communities. People that use such words & phrases as Urbanisation/specific demographic/circle back round/meaningful appreciation.
Real music playback is out there, it doesn't need a needle or an arm or a optical reader, you just need to dig a little deeper than most imho.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 1, 2024 16:34:30 GMT
The real gems are not in the price stratosphere but firmly in the affordable region Well, that's what I've been saying. My X26 Pro is going nowhere because it delivers hugely on the musical presentation that I like. Until I hear something better I won't be swayed by bling and supposed better DACs. And no, I won't be "upgrading to an R26" as at least one person suggested! I know I'm a lone voice in this regard, but I really couldn't give a damn! I have heard many high ticket price DACs at shows and not been persuaded to even shortlist them. Some, such as the Chord Dave, have left me completely cold on more than one occasion. |
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Post by nicholas on Jun 1, 2024 16:45:17 GMT
You actually aren't the lone voice in your preference for the Gustard X26 Pro... I have both the R26 and the X26 Pro which reside respectively in my office and main system. The R26 is a milestone product but didn't cut it in my main system. Performs wonderfully in a second system though... |
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Post by Slinger on Jun 1, 2024 17:06:29 GMT
...Some, such as the Chord Dave, have left me completely cold on more than one occasion. I believe you mean the Chord Rodney. Only Trigger calls it "Dave". |
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Post by HD Music & Test on Jun 1, 2024 18:38:14 GMT
Fact, we use a Chord Dave as a door stop it's that bad with it it's inability to play music, one of the most overhyped and underperforming dac's on the market
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 1, 2024 19:33:14 GMT
Like most decent DACs the R26 depends on how it's pimped. I have heard it sounding everything from broken to superb.
The first time I heard one was when I was collecting my power amp from a seller who had one. In his system it was warm and mushy sounding - imagine a 1970's valve DAC if there was such a thing, it was about as dynamic as Songs of Praise from Surbiton.
The last time I heard one was in John's system when it could not have sounded more different and sounded very, very fine indeed with superb tone and timbre, with the Goldnote speakers being the icing on the cake.
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Post by nicholas on Jun 1, 2024 21:00:09 GMT
Like most decent DACs the R26 depends on how it's pimped. I have heard it sounding everything from broken to superb. So true that... both the X26 Pro and R26 improved enormously with the addition of SR Purple fuses, tungsten cubes, Afterdark clocks, ground boxes and proper cables. Really brought out the best in both. |
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