|
|
Post by Clive on Sept 24, 2022 15:59:31 GMT
Here’s a short update now that I have over 30 hours on the R26.
In the initial few hours I sensed some “spitch” on vocals, it wasn’t so bad as to call it sibilance but it could be there on occasion…it’s something I’m particularly sensitive to. It’s gone 🙂. It’s now natural, which is perfect as getting rid of it totally results in a lack of presence. It’s a fine balance and it’s now right.
Something that really stands out is the flow or musicality on instruments such as guitar and piano. Possibly it’s tempo…but what I notice is how well notes lead into the next ones. When a sequence of notes approaching a scale are played the music takes me on the journey along the notes. This tempo makes me move to the music.
I’ve not yet tried my 300Bs and I’m not rushing to either. The R26 brings qualities I associate with my 300Bs - spaciousness, rich mid etc - but without what can sometimes be downsides of SE valve amps.
I’ve yet to use any other source than my streamer, I like to take it slowly at early stages. I’m over the moon so far!
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Sept 24, 2022 16:16:44 GMT
I am glad it paid off for you as well, Clive
|
|
|
|
Post by Clive on Sept 24, 2022 16:39:56 GMT
I am glad it paid off for you as well, Clive Thanks John for being our beta tester, very helpful! |
|
|
|
Post by HD Music & Test on Sept 24, 2022 17:33:23 GMT
Its fair to middling, it responds really well to a BETTER front end no question. If this is your first forae' into an all in one box then it will be a nice addition for those that have a good DT then just use the dac section only.
|
|
|
|
Post by Clive on Sept 24, 2022 18:25:35 GMT
Its fair to middling, it responds really well to a BETTER front end no question. If this is your first forae' into an all in one box then it will be a nice addition for those that have a good DT then just use the dac section only. I’m genuinely interested in what are better £1.4K dac options for those who value aspects of R2R character. I’m sure there are alternatives, presumably others have better input processing/reclocking etc. So far I’ve only used spdif, optical and coax. I understand your previous comments about China and have a lot of sympathy with your viewpoint. |
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Sept 24, 2022 19:30:30 GMT
I'd also be interested to know if the R26 measures better than previous R2R DACs by the likes of Audio GD ...
|
|
|
|
Post by Clive on Sept 24, 2022 20:21:18 GMT
I'd also be interested to know if the R26 measures better than previous R2R DACs by the likes of Audio GD ... Also some of the Metrum DACs with DAC2 or DAC3 modules. |
|
|
|
Post by HD Music & Test on Sept 25, 2022 9:23:12 GMT
All I can see here is this, for my sins a have a reasonable collection of R2R's dac genuine ladder & R2R chip dacs, so far very few have come close to those pinnacle uber dacs that use a DS style set up. Some of which deliberately sacrifice real world performance to squeeze the last few points of SINAD & S/N.
I have one dac that measures blindingly good and I mean class leading in both those classes, however it doesn’t come anywhere close to being involving, musical & captivating. This are measrebator & audio obsessives dac's
My own personal dac's reach around 118 s/n ratio and can only hint at some of the figures I have measured recently. While the FFT looks very dirty on comparison. (IE: against two small third order harmonic spurs)
However, listening to music is very different to measuring a specific trait on a dac or an amplifier.
So far none of the touted ultra-fi dac can hold a musical candle to ability we have here. Some has a touch more staging; some almost manage a bit of detail (although this is at the expense of three dimensionality and giving a more leading-edge definition).
How you like your music is very personal and we all associate with different traits and sounds they are a great many products on the market currently, but only a very, very few that will captivate you imho.
|
|
|
|
Post by HD Music & Test on Sept 25, 2022 9:28:36 GMT
I’m genuinely interested in what are better £1.4K dac options for those who value aspects of R2R character. I’m sure there are alternatives, presumably others have better input processing/reclocking etc. So far I’ve only used spdif, optical and coax. I understand your previous comments about China and have a lot of sympathy with your viewpoint. Clive
The R26 has alot of traits that the usual stock of Chifi R2R's doesn't, it can delivery a healthy dolop of PRaT, the only other CHIFI unit is the Denirips Terminator + its quirky and has a sound NOT like any of the others Holo etc.
Metrome I have three of those including the Pervane again think Holo Spring/May style of presentation very safe/Zero edges and polished to a engineered hifi sound very well. A classic audiophile ideal component no question.
If you like the style of sound of the R26 then the logical step up is a Rockna Wavelight (not a plug at all it is the closet in respect of PRaT)
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Sept 25, 2022 9:48:39 GMT
The Rockna Wavelight would be my DAC of choice if a lot more funds available
|
|
|
|
Post by Clive on Sept 25, 2022 10:45:44 GMT
I’m genuinely interested in what are better £1.4K dac options for those who value aspects of R2R character. I’m sure there are alternatives, presumably others have better input processing/reclocking etc. So far I’ve only used spdif, optical and coax. I understand your previous comments about China and have a lot of sympathy with your viewpoint. Clive
The R26 has alot of traits that the usual stock of Chifi R2R's doesn't, it can delivery a healthy dolop of PRaT, the only other CHIFI unit is the Denirips Terminator + its quirky and has a sound NOT like any of the others Holo etc.
Metrome I have three of those including the Pervane again think Holo Spring/May style of presentation very safe/Zero edges and polished to a engineered hifi sound very well. A classic audiophile ideal component no question.
If you like the style of sound of the R26 then the logical step up is a Rockna Wavelight (not a plug at all it is the closet in respect of PRaT) Thanks, it’s always illuminating to gain from your considerable experience. I had a Metrum Musette direct from Cees, he included his DAC2 modules. It was very “nice” sounding but in comparison to newer DACs it was a bit meh. Even my Gustard A22 was quite a step up. Maybe the Metrums only get good when they are operating in dual differential mode, ie with two sets of chips per channel. Re the Rockna, I read somewhere that the line stage/output stage is rather good and this may contribute a lot to it’s quality. |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Sept 25, 2022 11:39:14 GMT
Which all goes to show that you can't use measurements to judge DACs, you have to listen to them.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Sept 25, 2022 12:26:48 GMT
All I can see here is this, for my sins a have a reasonable collection of R2R's dac genuine ladder & R2R chip dacs, so far very few have come close to those pinnacle uber dacs that use a DS style set up. Do you have, or have you heard, any of the Audio GD DACs Tony? |
|
|
|
Post by stellabagpuss on Sept 25, 2022 12:35:16 GMT
Which all goes to show that you can't use measurements to judge DACs, you have to listen to them. Very true Martin, if l had gone with my past beliefs that every DAC that measures well is superb,l would nevered taken the route of purchasing a R26. The R26 measurements are pretty average, but like myself, it's easy to get caught up in measurements that are beyond the threshold of hearing, you read it on ASR chats about what can't be heard. l am glad l took the punt, yes there less digital glare, and how do you convey emotions, only by listening yourself, all l can say as an example an album that would slightly grey due to the 80s production, now makes further sense. If l had a minor point, it's like you have ditch some of that digital grit,you may have grown to enjoy and accustomed to, and initially makes upper mids and frequencies sound slightly rolled,but as said the emotion and insight and communication far outlays this,it could be simply that what l have accepted as my digital being right, has been wrong for many years. Damien |
|
|
|
Post by John on Sept 25, 2022 15:12:32 GMT
I remember that early on when buying blind; you said it does not measure well. I wondered if I had made a mistake with the R26
|
|
|
|
Post by stellabagpuss on Sept 25, 2022 15:33:21 GMT
I remember that early on when buying blind; you said it does not measure well. I wondered if I had made a mistake with the R26 lt's always a risk you take, but your gut was correct on this John. And as time has passed, many reviewers have been giving it high praise indeed. l am bit gutted l can get the l2s to work with the Audio GD, would have loved to hear that, l surprised that there isn't some type of l2s adapter connector on the market yet, to solve these daft issues of connections. Could be a possible conversion job for Tony? l2s via,M400 and GD does have certain benefits over the R26, wider soundstage, percussion has more bite,however doesn't have that emotional connections that the R26 has. |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Sept 25, 2022 15:57:06 GMT
l am bit gutted l can get the l2s to work with the Audio GD, would have loved to hear that, l surprised that there isn't some type of l2s adapter connector on the market yet, to solve these daft issues of connections. Could be a possible conversion job for Tony? I am fairly certain that the AVplay I2S cable on AliExpress is available in different crossed connection variations for just this purpose. www.aliexpress.com/item/4000255873784.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.0.0.3f171802OT3baSScroll down for the different definitions. |
|
|
|
Post by stellabagpuss on Sept 25, 2022 16:08:46 GMT
🤣 The very cable l sold a month ago 😢 shame there isn't a blue jeans version
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Sept 25, 2022 16:31:35 GMT
With the audio gd not much difference between AES and I2s so think you be okay when your AES cable comes
|
|
|
|
Post by Clive on Sept 25, 2022 16:54:43 GMT
I’m finally using the R26 for what it should really be used for….playing records…it’s great! Listening to the metronomic Colman Hawkins - The high and mighty Hawk, the timing is so very good. Using my Puffin phono stage via its coax spdif output.
|
|
