Gustard R26 Discrete R2R DAC, DSD512 PCM768kHz K2 Clock R2R-1Bit Balanced Preamp Digital-Analog Audio Converter Streamer with Remote Control (Black)

Pros: Crafted from machined aluminum with refined finishes, it showcases high-quality craftsmanship. It has a large monochrome OLED screen, and a versatile volume wheel that also serves as a shortcut to change digital inputs and access the user menu. Connectivity options at the back, including various digital inputs, Bluetooth, Ethernet for direct music playback via Roon or UPnP, and RCA/XLR outputs with variable or fixed settings, make it a versatile and convenient audio device.The Gustard R26 Discrete has an impressive internal architecture, featuring a custom-built stereo resistor ladders and precision resistors for a fully balanced unit from input to output. It employs shielded 50W linear transformers for analog and digital sections, a Clock synthesizer with a femto-second crystal clock, and a sophisticated Ultra-Low-Noise Clock Synthesizer. The meticulous design has great power filtering, voltage regulation, and FPGA-based R-2R D/A conversion. I am impressed by the high-quality components inside.Cons: It has a very cheap looking remote control….Summary: I have been listening to it and testing it in the lab for two weeks - I am very happy with it.

This DAC was a pleasant surprise. My existing preamp that has blues built in is no longer reliable since BluOS decided to upgrade their software on the mobile devices to 4.0 version. The new Blass 4.0 version is crappy and the audio now reliably cuts out several times a song making it unusable. Damn, you bluos!!!! that update ruined my NAD C 658 preamp/streamer/dac. Fortunately, I found this Gustard R26 DAC and my oh my. I have a system that’s about 50 K and it’s very resolving and this DAC is absolutely perfect for it. I have one complaint and that is that the digital volume control on the DAC is bad. Because it’s a digital analog volume knob by default, the quieter you make this DAC, using its own preamp out, the more degradation of the sound output. And if you were to change it on this DAC to analog, The manufactures of this DAC drop the DB by 30 DB. That is just unacceptable. Yes you can use the volume in analog but you can’t turn it up loud enough to appreciate the analog sound it can reproduce without any effort. My audiophile friends suggested using my NAD 658 preamp RCA line ins and purchase a very solid pair of RCA cord and use the DAC in FIXED volume output and strictly use it as a DAC. So I’m just waiting for those RCA cables to come in and I will be in hog heaven. However, I’m already in heaven with this DAC as is. Nice work Gustard R26!!! By the way, using the DSD on this DAC is phenomenal. You must try. I use dropbox and open up the DSD files with the iOS mobile App called Mconnect HD. It is revolutionary in sound quality. Very capable deck. 10 stars easily if not more!!!

I’ve had the R26 a week now and could not be happier. It’s simply amazing.Setup was a breeze. Had the firmware updated and was playing via usb in under 30 min. I have owned several hi-end DACs. Including most recently the Denafrips Pontus Ii. Which is now relegated to second system duty. No contest the R26 stomped it.I’m using this on a vintage tube system, completely restored(HK Citation I pre and a pair of Citation V tube amps, pushing Tannoy HPD’s)and it pairs beautifully. So if you’re using a vintage system, that is restored and running to spec, the R26 is a great addition for digital.I’m a Roon user and the streamer on the R26 works great with Roon. The streamer via LAN is also the best SQ in my setup. Which concurs with many of the reviews I’ve read. The Streamer is a huge bonus and one less box in the chain. Great!This DAC really is as good as the reviews say! I’ve got about 80 hrs on it and it sounds great. Im not a big believer in ‘burn-in’, but maybe it’ll sound even better after more use.Menu is well thought out and easy to use. Especially with the remote. While the remote is a bit cheap and plastic, it works great and I’m not that concerned with how a remote looks. I buy gear for its playback ability and the R26 is a steal at this price. I believe it is a real “end-game” DAC.The sound is exactly what I wanted. Transparent. It’s not warm or cold. A good dac should not be doing anything to the signal, except decoding and passing it along to downstream gear. The better it does this and the more it gets out of the way, the better the sound.I’ll spare you anymore opinion and/or audiophool descriptions. If you’re looking for a real deal r2r dac. Look no further, it’ll hold its own with DACs costing multiples more.Keep up the good work Gustard!Update 8/12/23:So I’ve had the R26 for a month now. I wanted to address a few things I forgot in my first review of this amazing DAC. First off the purchase went so smooth from Aoshida and I had my R26 48 hours after purchasing, which was amazing. I was eagerly awaiting it and to show up so quick was great.This dac just does not disappoint. It’s got a couple hundred hours or so on it and sounds better each time I listen. I haven’t encountered any bugs or issues either. I predominantly use the streamer via lan being fed by Roon and it’s just perfect. No drop outs, stutter, nothing but sweet sweet music. USB and optical work great as well. I’d give the edge to lan for best sq, though it’s not a big difference, imo. All inputs Ive used show what this dac can do. Especially with competent gear downstream. I use it with a tube preamp in fixed mode, but have messed around with the R26 as the pre and it works great like that as well. Personally I like the ‘mid’ setting for PCM filter.I just ordered a Gustard U18 DDC to go with it so I can try the AES and II2S inputs, cause why not? The galvanic isolation the U18 provides between computer and dac via usb sounds like a good idea. Plus I really want to try the II2S input on the R26. I’ll update when it gets here and I’ve used them.This dac just does nothing wrong imo. It’s transparent as can be and delivers detail and dynamics in spades, while never sounding “digital” or shrill. I wouldn’t call it “warm” but it just sounds like REAL music. Closing my eyes while listening to acoustic instruments sounds like they are literally in the room. I know people say that a lot, but wow…it really happens with this dac in my setup. R2R when implemented right seems to be the reason behind this “real” sound. Several people I’ve had over have commented on its realism. These aren’t “audiophile” types either, just casual listeners. I’m incredibly happy all the way around and a Gustard customer for life! So glad I took the plunge and purchased one based on reviews, specs and build quality alone, without ever hearing one. It’s every bit as good as the reviews say. I really don’t think this dac can be beat under $7k. If you’re on the fence, go for it. If you have a good system that’s running to spec and transparent, get ready. You won’t want to stop listening. I sure don’t!Hey Gustard, if you’re listening/reading, offer an accessory remote. Something metal, similar to Apples remotes would be great, I don’t mind paying! Lol That said, the included remote works fine. Something a bit heavier would be great though, as an extra and to help my OCD.

My DAC journey. So far I have owned the smsl su8 version 2. Then I upgraded to the gustard X16. And then to the gustard x18 and finally the gustard r26. I feel that the gustard r26 is an end game dac. Each upgrade sounded better then the last, but also double the cost. I think I have spent enough on my dac journey and the Gustard R26 is the finest dac I have heard to-date. So if you have the money and a good quality amplifier go for it . It's a great match with my McIntosh ma252

Hi leider bemerkte ich direkt nach dem einschalten ein brummen vom netzteil. Gehäuse sah nach 2 Wahl aus .

Suona in maniera egregia ha un filo meno ricerca dei particolari e della dinamica dell' 'a26 in compenso suona più natura e a volte ti sorprende e molto più profondo e largo e il medio non è in avanti come il suo delta sigma .Mi devo lamentare con Amazon che deve controllare meglio i prodotti l' ho preso usato e ha due raschi che non mi sono stati segnalati mi dispiace per aoshida.scegliete o il r2r ladder oppure il DS di gustard io li ho testa ti tutti e due e sono prodotti meravigliosi il primo sembra un oled il secondo un LCD mini led.Questa e la mia opinione.

この値段でこの音質はあり得ない商品到着食後は、なんじゃこれは？、という酷い音質しかし、エージングが進むにつれて驚愕の音質体験した人にしかわからないレベル買って良かったです癖のない、バランスがとれているだけでななく、音楽表現力の深み等々、なみなみならぬ実力があります中華製だとか、そういうレベルは超越している感じお国柄ではなく、設計者や製造者レベルの文化力・芸術表現力を感じさせてくれます

Great unit ! Performs really well and is an excellent value ! Highly recommended for anyone looking for a DAC that is musical.