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Post by MartinT on Oct 6, 2023 16:30:58 GMT
Are there any former R26 owners who have switched to an A26 because they preferred its sound? Not me, but there are interesting discussions going on about the three Gustards and their owner preferences. To explain to the uninitiated, they are (in order of release): X26 Pro (ES9038 Pro), R26 (R2R ladder), A26 (AKM). |
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Post by stellabagpuss on Oct 6, 2023 22:49:25 GMT
Are there any former R26 owners who have switched to an A26 because they preferred its sound? I would be very grateful if you could elaborate on the reasons for that change. Thank you l think one of the Appealing things with the R26 is it's good in standard format, but you can transform the sound of the R26 with very little outlay,just by adding a LB clock, and other refinements. I think MartinT has summed things up quite well, it's really down to the sound of the chipsets you prefer, each have positive and negative attributes. |
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Post by John on Oct 7, 2023 6:18:50 GMT
I personally would invest in a clock add some sheilding to the internals put it on some black ravioli big pads and ground the DAC
It would be a different beast
At present you getting no where near the potential of the R26
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Post by julesd68 on Oct 7, 2023 14:19:40 GMT
I think in stock form the R26 is much too warm sounding.
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Post by John on Oct 8, 2023 7:20:03 GMT
Agree but as you know that changes with the addition of a clock
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Post by brettj on Oct 9, 2023 11:33:36 GMT
Are there any former R26 owners who have switched to an A26 because they preferred its sound? I would be very grateful if you could elaborate on the reasons for that change. Thank you A slight variation of the above. I have a Coherent modded Gustard A22. I liked the sound on the Beresford SEG, and the A22 took that a little further, with the mods even more so. My thinking is I most probably will not upgrade again. |
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realfx
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 18
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Post by realfx on Oct 9, 2023 13:40:05 GMT
I have a Coherent modded Gustard A22. Could you be so kind as to give us more details about the Coherent mod? What parts are modified and the change that you have noticed in the sound? Thank you! |
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Post by John on Oct 9, 2023 14:12:11 GMT
I heard the A22 both before being modified and used to own it when it was in original specs
Not modified a step or two below the standard R26. Once modified I thought it had more punch and a step above the R26
Adding a external clock changes that with the R26 gaining the upper hand.
So from my experience I suggest keep the R26 I used the Leo Bodnar precision clock and worked well for me, but plenty of other clocks to purchase. I just can't comment how they perform with the R26
This mod will give a lot more authority to the sound.
You have a good DAC that can get a lot better
If you want to modify the R26 speak to Tony at Coherent Systems, as he has modified quite a few. He can get performing to Rockna wavelight levels
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Post by John on Oct 9, 2023 14:15:43 GMT
The A22 is like a grown up seg. The mods gives it more resolution
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Post by MartinT on Oct 9, 2023 14:19:55 GMT
Adding a external clock changes that with the R26 gaining the upper hand. My theory is that the A22 lacks Gustard's K-2 synthesiser, which makes such excellent use of an external clock for 'disciplining' the internal one. |
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Post by John on Oct 9, 2023 16:37:44 GMT
Yes a good theory as the K2 is good. However, it benefits from an external clock.
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Post by MartinT on Oct 9, 2023 17:57:24 GMT
Yes a good theory as the K2 is good. However, it benefits from an external clock. Yes, exactly. |
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Post by kaufman on Apr 24, 2024 17:02:07 GMT
I have this dac and wondered whether most owners on here used nos mode or os mode and which filter setting?
I've seen posts online quoting the filter they use alongside nos mode being on.
Forgive me if I'm wrong but aren't the filter options only valid if nos mode is off?
I've turned on nos and switched between the filters and not heard any difference in sound. I can clearly hear a difference if nos mode is off however.
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Post by John on Apr 24, 2024 18:06:49 GMT
Yes the filter options are only available if you do not go NOS.
Just play around find out what you prefer its not a game changer imo
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Post by MartinT on Apr 24, 2024 19:47:31 GMT
Yes, the digital filters only work by having NOS mode off. They need oversampling to do their magic, although the differences between them tend to be small.
NOS, or non-oversampling, mode means the DAC runs straight through as a linear DAC without correction.
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Post by nicholas on Apr 24, 2024 20:10:18 GMT
The NOS setting is used with third party software like HQPlayer that provides a variety of filters and sample rates with which to modify the DAC's input signal.
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Post by Clive on Apr 25, 2024 7:43:02 GMT
I’ve stopped using NOS mode as it will occasionally trip my preamp with spurious high frequencies that the filters are intended to prevent.
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rogs
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 7
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Post by rogs on Jun 13, 2024 21:45:52 GMT
Is anyone using a DDC with their R26? I'm specifically interested if anyone's using the U18 & the LB Clock as it makes such great improvement to the R26's sound.
Thanks
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Post by MartinT on Jun 14, 2024 4:31:19 GMT
I use a U18 with my X26 Pro and an AfterDark clock. Tremendously high performing combo, especially when fettled.
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Post by John on Jun 14, 2024 5:26:43 GMT
First of all glad the LB clock works well.
The U18 did not work for me, I am not sure why as in Jules and Martin system it sounds good. I did not have a lot of luck with the DDC's I tried. The audio gd was better sounding, but a pain to use in the real world, especially with its flaky software.
The after dark clocks works well with the power supply Martin uses, hearing the transformation that brought to Martins system, lets just say it was not subtle. I cannot say what is better to use as to me it will come down to price and how far you want to take this. With regards clocks I would also consider the Mutec reference 10. This is a lot more expensive, but just sounds great. I have not heard the ref 10 nano but that might be a real bargain in terms of price to performance levels.
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