| With the recent launch of the Gustard U26 DDC, playback of DSD2048 is now possible to high quality DACs. As I have mentioned in previous blogs, a DSD512 bitstream to a Holo Cyan2 (via USB) is tops for transparency...low distortion and amazing detail. DSD1024 (via USB) improves the level of detail but also increases distortion. Using the Gustard U26 and I2S protocol, a DSD2048 bitstream functionality is possible to Cyan2 but consider Leung H.'s post for sound quality. I will need to invest in a May! |
Thanks to Leung H., Hong Kong for his Gustard U26 feedback.
Got the set of Gustard U26 DDC and Gustard R30 DAC today. I used PGGB-IT to convert tracks from 44.1kHz to DSD2048 at 44.1kHz family rate (90.3168Mhz) which is the maximum rate currently allowed by the U26. I successfully played from a desktop Windows 10 computer with HQ-Player 4 using USB to U26 and I2S HDMI to R30. No hiccups at all. Smooth playing. First impression is that the SQ is quite obviously better than DSD1024. More rich timbre and more detail. Seems well worth the longer processing time. But the U26 and R30 are brand new so need some burning in before accurate assessment of the sound. Then I tried to connect the U26 to Holo Audio May with I2S and played the same DSD2048 tracks. And bravo! Holo May also played DSD2048 successfully with again obviously better SQ. The only thing is that May cannot show is DSD2048 on its screen. After a few days, still not fully burned in but here is my comparison of U26 and DSD2048 versus my Taiko Olympus reference. For the moment. It is definitely not going to knock it out but I will keep U26 and R30/May as my 2nd reference. Consider that the addition of Gustard U26 which retails at less than US$700 in my region, one can get to DSD2048 which is yet another level above the already spectacular DSD1024. I would regard it as a very good cost/benefit ratio in high end gear.
