I bought the Gustard A26. This does look interesting. Its not super expensive, but not exactly cheap either. I see its a full width component now. So ya I would like to take one for a test drive...cant wait to hear the reviews.

My USB sounds awesome, but my USB chain has been tweaked considerably and is expensive. I use a NUC12i7, but that is also all M.2/SSD drives and put into a fanless case. Honestly if you were thinking of getting an A26/R26 just try the lan. If you want more options maybe get a DDC. If you went...

I am not a millionaire and I didnt buy the Stealth Audio USB cable new. A really nice wealthy audiophile that I know sold me the Stealth USB cable for considerably less than the new price otherwise I wouldnt have it. I bought the Innuos Phoenix a couple/few years ago used. I used USB and no...

My experience was the opposite. I hooked up the A26 via the Innuos Phoenix I already owned. Why would I not use the Phoenix.. The USB sounded awesome, I will continue to use the USB. I tried to use the LAN, but it wasnt near as good. In my system the USB is noticably better, its not even close...

probably time for you to put down the pipe...this is a comparison between A26 and R26 thread, you dont own either. I am completely satisfied and totally 100% happy with the A26, I highly recommend it. You should vist the Ares 2 thread or Audio GD thread and help everyone there, thats where your...

what are you even blithering about. I have an old RCD971 to spin a disc. I dont even listen to CDs and havent for years. I just gave the RCD971 a try with the A26 just to see what it would sound like, I did it because it was there. You blithered on saying how it was shyte and how you modded...

So what DAC do you own anyways?...and was it delivered by the pet detective???

I have absolutely zero desire to butcher the old tech RCD971 when it is a perfect transport to feed the A26. We dont even need to debate the merits of it as a CD player. I really dont give a shyte how and what mods you gave a RCD951...wow you are my hero lol. My observations were the RCD971...

people are going to tell me to shut up or s t f u soon lol. I hadnt played a CD at home for years now. I broke out my Rotel RCD971 and Robbie Robertsons (RIP) first solo CD anyways I used the digital coax out on the RCD971 and fed it into the A26...wow it sounded fn awesome.

@sajunky Reviewing the last couple of pages. You said some may not like R2R DACs. I had read that before so that was another reason why I went with an A26. I had ES9038s in a tube DAC and figured the A26 might be the better balance for me. I do listen to alot of acoustic music and female...

I dont have tube amps, just a tube preamp. What I was thinking was maybe the R26 with its somewhat softer sound might be to much of a good thing with my tube pre. I think the A26 has a wide soundstage, probably not as deep as it is wide. Of course wider and deeper would have been better. I like...

Ya the USB works great, I would imagine it must be the same for the R26. I have had my A26 up and running for near a couple months. Mine came with latest firmware. I dont think reliability is going to be an issue, I havent had any problems with mine. The pricepoint made the A26 R26 quite...

I ended up buying the A26 I liked the styling of the A26 better. For me it was a tuff decision A26 or R26. The A26 has supposedly better detail whereas the R26 has a bigger soundstage. Well in a perfect world you want both. In the end I decide maybe go for the detail and it might work better...

I didnt use a fancy FMC converter, I did try the LAN though. I dont do any streaming, I only use local files. I find the USB much much better...to be fair I do have expensive USB cables and I am also using the ultra expensive Innuos Phoenix USB decrapifier

So how is it correct? after connecting the USB cable, the on/off button should light up and then it's ok?....I was just wondering what he asked