Why does EVERYONE like this DAC? Gustard R26 Review

Awesome review, detailed and clear. Thanks! i have at home the Gustard R26 and the Denafrips Pontus II and in my humble opinion talking about Sound Quality i can not say who's the better of these two amazing dacs it's a matter of equipment match. I can say that i prefer the R26 with the Wharfedale Lintons and the Pontus with Sonus Faber Grand Pianos. But talking about value the Gustard is crazy, Streamer, DAC, remote, functionality... amazing!

Great video as usual! I was surprised how so many of the earlier reviewers overlooked the Lan connection. It’s definitely superior, especially with a FMC conversion! Add a little magic from poly-sinc-gauss-long and it’s truly special.

Excited for the HQplayer video!

Excellent review as usual sir ! I got the R26 soon after it came out and I'm very pleased with it, it was a nice upgrade over my previous Gustard A18 and Singxer SDA-6. Cheers

Very nice review, Lachlan, I own this DAC and absolutely LOVE it!!! I agree with everything you wrote, including about the LAN and HQPlayer upsampling observations. Cheers!

One of the best reviews channel on YouTube 👍.

Thanks for comparing native oversampling vs upsampling via HQPlayer. I’m very excited for your HQP review. Not many YT reviewers are covering this wonderful software.

I am old school and only listen to CDs through my audio Lab CD Transport via a 75 Ohm silver coaxial cable. And I have to say I love the results. It's so smooth and natural sounding . The better the recording the better it sounds. I love it. No need to spend more. A great sounding DAC.Good review bye the way. Thanks

Great review! R26 is a wonderful DAC. Connecting it with Aune XC1 external 10Mhz clock improved the sound noticeably, too :)

New subscriber here. I’ve had my R26 for about 6 months. I’m using it as a Roon endpoint. It really matches the qualities I look for and presents them with a smoothness and ease. The soundstage is tall, wide and especially deep. It’s a great bargain especially considering it’s also a streamer. A DAC like this would have cost at least twice as much 2-3 years ago.

Great review as usual ...Thanks Much !.......

I really appreciate you including the HQPlayer considerations, given the NOS mode. That is a big differentiation consideration for NOS DACs. FYI, I read that in order to apply filters, this DAC runs the r2r output through delta sigma stuff for oversampling...dunno if true. But if so, it might be that NOS is the only way to get pure R2R sound. Worth trying DSD with HQPlayer

I have HQPlayer and love it. Looking forward to your review of it. Maybe you could compare the value of HQPlayer vs expensive cables at some point.

I bought the Gustard R26 right when it came out and loved it. I eventually sold the R26 once I got the Gustard A26 as it was just a more satisfying DAC to my ears for the music genres I mostly listen to like Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Metal and Blues. The R26 is maybe a warmer smoother DAC compared to the A26 which has a tad more detail, punch and slam type qualities going on to my ears. I'ver got the A26 paired with the newest version of the Burson Soloist 3XGT with a Lokius tone control in between and it's easily the best synergy and DAC to Amp combo I've ever experienced for my music genre's. My main 2 headphones at the moment are the HE1000V2 (V3)Stealth Magnet and a Stabilized Auteur Classic. I've been selling off a big chunk of my HP's and gear as I'm now in that end game territory with Gear and HP's. Maybe I'll spring for a Stabilized Caldera at some point in the future if Zach does another November event with some stabilized Caldera in the lineup.   And the last thing I'll add is something that Ace already has touched on. I'm now a firm believer that anything over the $2K Range with Audio gear and headphones is seriously entering into that diminishing returns territory. I've been to the top of the mountain with Susvara. Couldn't drive it properly. The easy to drive HE1000V2(V3) Stealth has given me way more enjoyment than the Susvara ever did for $4K cheaper. I had the TT2 & M-Scaler for a few weeks before realizing it was a mistake and way too analytical for me. Luckily I sold them without taking a beating. I would take the Gustard A26($1500) & Soloist 3XGT($2500 Pre order price) paring over the TT2 & M-Scaler every day of the week and twice on Sunday. $4K for the A26/Soloist 3XGT.... vs almost $12K for a new TT2 & M-Scaler. That's a difference of 8 GRAND!! There is nobody on the planet that could convince me the Chord TT2 & M-Scaler setup is $8K better than the A26/Soloist 3XGT combo. I mean if you've got the funds... spend your money however you like. My 2 cents here is for those who are trying to get the best bang for the buck. I've now tried enough HP's and Gear to realize that staying in the $2K-$2.5K Range will deliver you at least 90% of what the massively more expensive TOTL HP's and Audio Gear are doing. Nice review as always Lachlan

Giddy up Gustard! Really looking forward to the A26 review as my main genre is electronic music so I want the detail. My Gustard X16 has been a trooper but the RCA output is starting to do strange things from time to time so the next DAC is in the planning and I can't afford a TT2.

I use my R26 with an upgraded SR Purple fuse, Gustard U18 DDC, and LHY OCK-2 external clock. Each of these things didn't make a huge difference on their own (although noticeable,) but once combined, it's a combination that I believe can compete favorably with basically anything. The sound is absolutely phenomenal. This DAC also sounds incredible in a chain with a tube amp or preamp.

great review

I love how you describe how the DAC sounds, its voicing, tonal balance ect... I would really like your take on the Musician Audio Draco DAC. It is supposed to sound unique, even to its siblings. The Draco is 2/3 the price of the Pegasus. Thank you for this excellent video. Keep em' coming!

I owned the R26 after owning the Denafrips Venus. I preferred the R26 in all areas except the vocals, which I think you imply or mention. It was just thinner in my system, and for that, I moved on to another R2R DAC, but this time Tube, in the Audio Mirror NOS Tubadour IV.

Great review as usual Lachlan! have this DAC for months now and loving it. Just tried to upgrade the firmware with my Mac but was unsuccessful. After clicking on imager, I can’t find the DAC listed on my Mac in order to move on to Write so I am stuck there now.