Gustard A26 experiences playback glitches with internal renderer over Ethernet (ref#G06IIO)

[rob3 (Rob)]

What best describes your playback issue?

· Music stops playing unexpectedly

What type of Zone is affected by this problem?

· *Network Zones* are affected.

Is the affected network Zone connected with Ethernet or WiFi?

· Ethernet

Does the issue affect all file formats?

· The issue *only affects one file *format.

Which format is giving you trouble?

· FLAC

Is your device connected directly to the Roon Server via cable or over the network, or is it chained through another device (such as a streamer, Roon Bridge, or Roon Remote)?

· It is connected through a different device (e.g Rasberry Pi)

Does the device play audio from another source when using the same connection?

· The device has no problems with another audio source

Have you checked that Roon is whitelisted in any firewalls?

· I've checked the firewall and the issue remains

If the device has multiple output options, do the other options work as expected?

· Only one output type is affected while the other output type works as expected

Is the device using the latest firmware as per the manufacturer?

· Firmware is up-to-date but the issue remains

What are the make and model of the affected audio device(s) and the connection type?

· Gustard A26 via Ethernet

Describe the issue

Hi, I have a Gustard A26 that glitches when using the internal renderer connected via an Ethernet cable. It is the only device in the house connected to Roon with this issue and Gustard have no answers. I’ve since put a Pi running Ropieee next to it and connected via a coax cable. Although the sound quality had dropped, at least the music no longer cuts out. Perhaps I made a bad choice buying this DAC.

Describe your network setup

Fibre into the house, powered network switch in the garage and another behind the hifi rack. The Room server and A26 are plugged into the same switch.

[Marin_Weigel (Bram Stoker's Cappuccino)]

Just another (ex)user here.

@rob3

… Ropieee … connected via a coax cable [and] sound quality had dropped …

No idea about your problem using Ethernet, but …

It seems, you’re using a HAT on the RPi to output via coax - any reason not to circumvent this inferior connection and go with USB instead?

[tripleCrotchet (Tony)]

Gustard is not roon ready:

https://roon.app/en/partners

[Suedkiez (Just a fellow user like you)]

Does this work on an RPi? I figured it needs Windows drivers?

Unable to connect Gustard R26 with built-in Roon (ref#HYDK4A)

Hi @edorr9, @Marin_Weigel is correct - the Gustard R26 is not a Roon Ready device, but the USB input can function as an input to create a Zone in Roon using the provided driver, depending on your RoonServer machine’s OS.

[Marin_Weigel (Bram Stoker's Cappuccino)]

@Suedkiez

Does this work on an RPi?

TLDR - didn‘t remember researching the Gustard a while back

Well, likely not all the way up to 768kHz/DSD512, but it should still muster higher rates and less jitter than coax.

[rob3 (Rob)]

Indeed, it does. Only thing in the house dropping out is the A26. My Pi projects and DACs running through PCs etc. are all perfect. Even a random HomePod works better. Loading the recent firmware update has made no difference either. I am not using any Muse enhancements such as up sampling on this device whereas I have no problems with the Pi. I brought it a one box DAC/streaming solution which clearly, it is not.

[benjamin]

Hey @rob3,

Thanks for taking the time to write in and share your report - it’s good to see you on community again!

It’s unfortunately true that the Gustard is not Roon Ready, and isn’t something we’d be able to provide detailed support with. We’d recommend continuing to investigate with the manufacturer directly.