I know everyone is eager awaiting the Cyan 2…
But no comment to the Gustard A18?
I guess nobody has measured one. And it seems to be out of stock / not available anymore.
2 Likes
Thx Jussi.
Haven’t seen the “out of stock” sign.
I have seen some (not many) used ones.
I had the R26 for a while and the dsd 1 bit dac inside was no bueno!
Moved to the A26 for dsd.
I had the A26 before the R26. I sent it back to my dealer because I thought it had a problem to manage some UPnP streams (I do not use UPnP at all but potentially annoying). I was wrong, the R26 with some firmwares is the same.
The point is, I experienced the A26 in DSD 512 with HQPlayer and was very satisfied by the sound quality.
Now The R26 in PCM 7xx Upsampled with HQPlayer is so good too 
. Had no regrets at all…
Hope @jussi_laako may be do not only focus on DSD filters and modulators but geniuously as he can, may study also PCM streams treatments as well.
PCM is also considered equally, and same filters apply to both. PCM is much simpler to handle from DSP point of view, so it doesn’t take as much development effort. Of course the number of R2R (PCM) DACs is also much smaller than SDM DACs.
3 Likes
Apparently this guy has the Cyan 2 and will be doing a video soon.
I personally don’t care about reading subjective reviews, since I will get to borrow my friends unit and listen with my own ears (and measure!)
But some people like this stuff, so his review will come soon
2 Likes
It is a bless to be able to read some heads up opinions before being radical and order 
A guy in some link above had the purpose of getting from RME’s lean and distinct sound to more “liquid” (?) and hopefully end up with the same sound as the vinyl. Wonder if that is what some of you ment when discussing the Holo vs. T+A? I sold my vinyls years ago, the Thorens player, too.
If so, I am glad to getting this info and re-aim. I will eventually look for the opportunity to borrow a T+A DAC200 from a Swedish supplier. First thing first, though, new HQPe v5 (I think Embedded, but not decided yet).
2 Likes
Hope we get to see Holo MAY measurements from you?
I haven’t seen any?
Especially PCM 20bit ~1.5MHz vs DSD256 / DSD512
1 Like
I ended up buying the DAC200. Everything I wrote before about its sound signature, is still valid. Great and versatile device and sounds stunning with HQP (DSD256).
3 Likes
Holo is more laid back and softer, and T+A is more forward and aggressive. This is a bit exaggerated description, but you get the idea.
Very much worth borrowing and listening yourself what you like. I’m very happy with my system pairings where both are perfect fit for the system where they are.
1 Like
I wouldn’t call it aggressive but yes, more forward. It is more transparent sounding than Holo Spring 3 though. I’d use the word aggressive maybe for something like RME ADI-2 FS, which sounded extremely forward and even “raw” compared to Spring 3. DAC200 also provides clearly better resolution and 3d-image than Spring 3. The sound is clearer and easier to follow. Especially the low end has more punch and impact, more detail and complex bass tunes are easier to follow.
2 Likes
Exactly my cup of tea. I am after the transient respons of real life music, no cosy pillow talk. But the sound of my RME version 2, is no longer any “raw” experience. It is forward, and monitor-like, but it is a studio DAC. Quite opposite the RME engineering opinion, I feed it from a linear PSU. Same PSU feed also the NAA USB controller card Matrix Audio Element H, så USB output shield will not dump shield noise in the DAC, as the most down to earth connection is my NAA mains power protective ground. Hence a silk smooth, yet very forward and dynamic sound with e.g. thunderous drums. I listen to other DAC’s but I must admit I have not yet found any as good. They have been v e r y expensive. But have not been able to “shut up” between the notes, and metal have been ripping my ears to confetti. No longer in my RME. Not even PCM out from HQP with NO filter, NO dither, 16 bit/44.1 kHz. On top of it all, class D mono amps. I am doing everything wrong according to the hifi community I visit.
I never got a chance to listen to the RME with a better PSU. The one it’s shipped with feels flimsy and poor quality. I know a good linear PSU can change things a lot. I liked the RME very much with my DCA headphones. I only briefly hooked it up to my main speaker system to test it there but it was mainly used as a desktop headphone amplifier.
1 Like
I use my RME ADI in DSD Direct with a dedicated 12v linear power supply. It works well.
As I can no longer use the RME preamp in DSD Direct, I use the volume control under Roon via HQP to power ATC 20A PRO active speakers.
I’m thinking about whether there is any real interest in installing an analog preamp between the RME and the ATC?
What impact on sound reproduction? Is it worth investing in an analog preamp?
I’m looking for a good quality analog preamp but within a reasonable budget, I have in mind perhaps a Schitt Kara or Freya+, or an SPL Elector (more expensive).
Other interesting possibilities perhaps?
1 Like
Since I needed a good headphone amp too, my solution for the purpose was Schiit Jotunheim. Visually the two go well together and are roughly same size. I had these stacked.
And what a preamp it was with the Jotunheim ?
In relation to my question, is there therefore an interest in adding an analog pramp then?
Jotunheim is a fully balanced preamp - with a good headphone amp.
Analog preamp brings some simplicity and safety (against volume accidents). But it won’t be as transparent as going without one. If your ATC input sensitivity vs the reference level set in ADI-2 are suitably matched, then the safety part is not an issue, IOW, maximum possible volume is not too bad.
At the moment I’m using Jotunheim volume set to suitable fixed value and then I fine tune the volume from HQPlayer, so a kind of hybrid solution.
My ADI-2 DAC (v2) is attached to a Rotel RC-1590 preamp. I wonder whether this device manages volume in analog or in digital domain. It would be a pity configure the ADI-2 DAC in DSD Direct mode and perform a last analog-digital-analog step at the end of the way.
I asked this question to Rotel but I didn’t receive a reply yet.
You can connect the dac to the preamp only with analog connection … therefore the Rotel works in the analog domain
1 Like