OpenTube

Gustard Audalytic DR70n — Great Sound, Weak App, Serious Value. Affordable R2R Done well!

Old Guy Hifi

13,070 views

*They changed the model number after I had already finished the video. Sorry.*
The Gustard Audalytic DR70n may be one of the most interesting DACs under $500 right now. In this review, I take a deep dive into its R2R ladder DAC topology, built-in streaming capabilities, swappable op-amps, build quality, usability, and most importantly — its sound quality.

Does the DR70n really outperform the competition? Does it truly deliver that smooth, natural R2R sound audiophiles love? And how good is the streaming platform in real-world use?

At under $500, the DR70n packs an awful lot into one compact chassis — but is it actually a giant killer?

If you are interested in Purchasing a DR70n, please consider using one of the affiliate links below.
• https://amzn.to/3PzAd4K
• https://aoshida-audio.com/products/gu...

• If you wish to join the channel please click here: @oldguyhifi

• Community Post Playlists: Post

All of my reviews are completely subjective. I do not accept payment for reviews.

*DISCLOSURE: Some of the links below contain affiliate links from Skylabs Audio, Amazon, eBay or other resellers. If you purchase with those links, I do receive a small commission but, it doesn't affect your price or your ability to return something.

My Reference Set up includes:
• Advance Paris A12 Classic: https://shop.skylabsaudio.com?sca_ref...
• Black Ice Audio F22 KT88 Integrated Tube Amp: https://blackiceaudio.com/integrated-...

Speakers:
• Wharfedale Diamond 12.4 Speakers: https://amzn.to/3WberDp
• Martin Logan Impression 11 ESL: https://www.martinlogan.com/en/produc...
• Magnepan LRS+: https://magnepan.com/collections/buy-...

DACs:
• LAIV Harmony R2R DAC: https://www.laiv.audio/harmony-dac
• Douk Audio Q100 Fully Balanced Desktop DAC: https://doukaudio.com/products/douk-a...
• Singxer SDA-6 PRO2 AKM DAC: https://aoshida-audio.com/products/si...

DDC/Re-Clockers
• Singzer SU-2: https://apos.audio/products/singxer-s...
• Matrix X-SPDIF3: https://apos.audio/products/matrix-x-...
• LAiV μDDC: https://www.laiv.audio/harmony-uddc

Streamers:
• Audirvana is my primary streaming platform. 30 day free trial here: https://audirvana.com/try/
• Cambridge MXN10: https://skylabsaudio.com/products/cam...
• Shanling SM 1.3: https://forte-distribution.com/produc...
• Aiyima HYFIOO DM100 Streamer: https://www.aiyima.com/products/hyfio...

CD Transports/Players
• Shanling ET-3: https://forte-distribution.com/produc...
• ONIX Zenith XST20 Top-loading SACD/CD transport: https://forte-distribution.com/produc...

Analog:
• Fluance RT-84 turntable: https://amzn.to/4aMuZrt.
• IsoAcoustics zaZen I Isolation Platform: https://skylabsaudio.com/products/iso...
• Audio Technica AT-OC9XEN MC Cart: https://amzn.to/3C0PCna

Accessories/Cables:
• IsoAcoustics Isolation Products: https://skylabsaudio.com/collections/...
• Cableing by Wire World: https://www.theaudiolegacy.com/collec...

Desktop gear:
• LAiV Crescendo Verse: https://www.laiv.audio/crescendo-verse
• Philharmonic True Mini Monitors: https://philharmonicaudio.com/product...
• Cambridge Audio MXW70: https://skylabsaudio.com/products/mxw...
• ISOAcoustics Aperta Series Stands: https://skylabsaudio.com/products/iso...
• Sound Solver, Large Desktop HiFi Audio Rack: https://sound-solver.com/products/des...

Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:10 Product Intro
01:42 Product Description
03:49 Close Up Look
11:40 R2R Discussion
14:13 Op-Amp overview
17:02 User Experience
17:47 Market Position
18:47 Listening Impressions & Comparisons
21:31 Summary
22:49 Outro

20 Comments

@OldGuyHifi Creator 4 months ago (edited) Pinned

Thanks for watching everyone. The DR70n ended up being a very interesting product for me. I really enjoyed the natural midrange, smooth treble, and the ability to tune the sound with different op-amps. The streaming app definitely needs improvement, but once set up, the overall experience is quite solid — especially for Roon and Tidal Connect users. For those of you who own the DR70n:
What op-amps are you using and how does it compare to other DACs in your system? If you wish to join the channel please click here: https://www.youtube.com/@OldGuyHifi/membership.

@kempfand 3 months ago

Thank you very much for this very informative review.

I found that using a better, external power supply, really made a bang for the buck.

@michaelwright1602 3 months ago

Thanks Ed, you nailed it with this review. This is an incredible DAC for the money, and sounds much better than the price suggests. I upgraded to the Burson V7 Classic op-amps, I tried the V7 Vivids and found them too harsh or analytical. The Classics kept that R2R sound so many of us like, at least to my ear and gear. I then added a linear power supply with two DC filter banks. For the money, and if you use Roon, this is a killer DAC. I have heard some reviews from actual owners of this DAC, with these upgrades, is darn near equal to the R26. Talk about diminishing returns. Install the LHY UIP and AS6 with an external 10mhz clock like the Aune SC1 EVO, and this DAC is going to give you some incredible sound and musicality. The back end is where the music happens, filtering and clocking that can be used on all of the gear and especially any future DACs one may own.

@JimmShaffer-vr9wu 3 months ago

I've heard that Gustard products are pretty good. This unit sounds nice.Thanks for another wonderful review!

@stephaniecoonce6010 3 months ago

Thanks for reviewing this DR70, Ed. I have been waiting for your opinion and experience with it. I've had this DAC for about two months and will eventually roll the op amps.
I've got some V7 classics l will try but may also try the vivids as they may offer more details in the upper end. Still getting familiar with it's sound for now, as you always suggest. And the DR70 really does sound great in stock form. So thanks for giving an opinion on how it sounds compared to other DACs at similar price. Very helpful! Love your channel and l'v beeen watching you since you first came online, and gotta say l've learned so much!

@RetireSureSim 3 months ago (edited)

I have had the DR70 in my system for 6 months or so. I compared it side by side to the R26ii, Eversolo Z10, Laiv Micro (which I owned and sold keeping the DR70). There was a difference, but not even close to 3-4 times the difference in price. I upgraded to Burson Classics V7 and LPS power supply. I’m done looking for a dac. I have a fairly revealing system as well. Arcam A25+, Eversolo T8, and MoFi SourcePoint 10 ME for reference.

@JohnScheppler 3 months ago

Thanks for sharing another excellent and honest review.

@rafacq 3 months ago (edited)

I see Ed was concerned about spending $170 on the Burson Audio V7 Vivid Pro. I did buy and use the Burson Audio V7 Vivid Pro and believe for less than $600 ($399 + $170), the DR70 is as good as many other DACs costing way above $1K. I like mine so much, I spent another $100 on a Studer900 TALEMA LPS!

Many in the Gustard Facebook group love their DR70. I do believe for the money, it is one of the best buys. I love my Gustard Audalytic DR70!

@bryanr9576 3 months ago (edited)

I purchased this DR70 about 3 months ago, it replaced a SMSL SU-2 after I moved my Topping DO400 to my desk setup and sold my Grace SDAC Balanced, it took all of about 15 seconds for me to realize how stunning this $400 DAC is, my setup is Chane 753 towers, Emotiva PA-1 amplifiers and Ladder Bach II preamp so obviously the SMSL SU-2 was the weakest piece in my setup, I listen to everything from Jazz to house which includes, rock, alternative, Trip Hop and Indie oh and 90's Rap, this DAC blows me away on everything, the clean textured low end is eye opening. Realizing how much I enjoyed this R2R DAC in my setup(my towers have an Eighteen Sound tweeter in a 60x40 compression Horn and are very revealing of poor or mismatched equipment in the chain) compared to any of the Delta Sigma DAC's I have had this DR70 blends nicely in my system from the lows, mids and highs I can't believe this sells for this price and I will explain why next.

So after my findings with this DAC I thought why not go crazy(for me) and grab the Ladder Schumann to match my Ladder preamp, and also the Audalytic HP70 and moved the DR70 and it to my desk setup, I have been running the Schumann in my system for about a week now(it hasn't shut off) and I have also been amazed with the Schumann, but I have found it to sound more closed off and smaller sounding so actually tonight I swapped the Schumann and DR70 around and I listened to music for a few hours and I find the DR70 to have a bigger width and depth and the bass oh my the bass seems more textured compared to the Schumann, I haven't rolled op-amps at all yet but this DAC is blowing me away on it's capabilities in my system, as mentioned in the start of my post "Absolutely Stunning" and for me I have no interest in Delta Sigma anymore as they seem to fatiguing and sharp for my speakers, meaning that my Chane 753's are very very dynamic utilizing a compression tweeter, 6.5" Midrange and three 8" Bass Drivers. Listening to Atlantis EP from FaltyDL the low end is so defined, powerful and absolute, I'm actually surprised you found the low end of AKM DAC to be better than this DR70, thanks for the review Ed

@Austin-u1s5n 3 months ago

I have tried SX52 op amp too and it was my favorite, it was not most detailed or biggist sound stage. But most musical and had very good mid range. And better external power supply really worked with this DAC. I used custom made high current SMPS and it was better than internal SMPS every way.

@Abhörwagen7 3 months ago

Thanks for the video Ed. I was looking for this review for a long time..! 😉

@ancientalien815 3 months ago

It was the texture for me. The DR70 has really good texture.

@whome8192 3 months ago

Just got mine. Love the soundstage and imaging. My best dac yet. Beats my dac in my Rotel preamp and my Geshelli labs Dayzee Dac with dual akm chips.

@grahamstokes2696 1 month ago

Thanks, Ed, for this helpful review!

@BrianCarr 3 months ago

great review as ever 👍

@vendelius 3 months ago

Excellent..Thanks!

@FRL2000 3 months ago

Gustard makes excellent streaming dacs in my experience

@vulcangunner58 3 months ago

Ed, I just put a pair of SX-52Bs in my A5 amp and I can't believe the better imaging and sound stage over the Burr Brown 2134As that I tried previously. The BBs were a definite improvement over stock, but the discrete op-amps really get my attention! Op-amp rolling is a great way for this old guy to tinker with my gear. Btw, I bought a pair of Golden Ear BRXs off of Mr. Bill Crutchfield to improve listening as well. I'm still breaking them in, but they are impressive for their size!

@mikecampbell5856 3 months ago

Great review as usual Young Man! When you said here's some tasteful incidental music, I laughed out loud because of your delivery. You know I did because I didn't just say LOL. As soon as you opened up the unit I thought, oh boy Ed is going to love swapping some op amps. I had to swap op amps on copiers and printers now and then and if you put one in backwards, it results in much smoke and smell and swearing!

@charleskatz2606 3 months ago (edited)

Nice one Ed.Yep I think the DR70 is a good 'un for us on a tight budget as it allows for waiting to see if any streamer comes out to challenge the Ayima 100.Only downside for me is I have a need for volume into an older non remote EL34 amp and as you say digital volume robs sound.But you need to spend to get that..Gotta remember it's 1/5 the Eversolo A8