Hi Glokta: How much time was required before the 'X-26PRO' 'settled' (i.e. Break-In time) ? pj

'i2S' should sound better than spdif. Interestingly, that's not always the case. Case-in-point; channel reversal/error -non i2S standard/spec. Naturally, separate 'Wrd. Clk' would be best, and lately the dual BNC or AES/EBU options have surfaced, yet comparisons/superiority remains sparse. pj

(RE: " ...But the left and right channels are reversed on the i2s connection.") I noticed this too -and thus cannot use i2S !?? (On both X-22 and X-26PRO) Anyone know if this can be internally changed -DIP switch ? Or whether Gustard even knows of this, or has a 'fix' ? Thanks, pj

Great point. And what cables (digital and analog) and AC power source (Wall, Balanced, AC Re-Gen) and even where the DAC/component is placed (stand/shelf/platform) ! Or whether the device was given enough 'settling/break-in' time. All of these things have a dramatic impact on performance/SQ. pj

Its been over one year since I heard of the then new Musetec/LKS 'DA-005'. It looked like an amazingly built/designed DAC, easily worthy of its $3K price. And then the months rolled by, and almost no reviews ?? I doubt the $3K (USD) price-point was the reason; there are dozens of $3-$5K DAC's...

Amazing, insightful review ! However, to dismiss (the X-26PRO) because you feel/believe the 'timbre' is "off", is unfortunate. I'd suggest listener's provide such a highly-resolving (very well engineered) DAC a fine Balanced/Symmetrical power supply (or AC Regen.), premium (all-silver) Analog...

godmax: Excellent review/overview. I was particularly struck (and believe it) when you said: " ...From a pure DAC point of view not even the TT2 is better than the Gustard in my opinion and preference." As the Gustard 'X-22' easily bests the Chord 'Qutest'; it ain't even close ! pj

Quinto: Nicely said (Gustard X-26PRO) ! pj

( RE: " ....Sandu claims that the Dac Pegasus is noticeably better than Ares II?" ) 'Sandu this, Sandu that'. He said, did, spoke and blabbered some more. WHO IS Sandu? Experience, age, qualifications ? Zooming in on one (questionable) source is a recipe for going nowehere fast. The dialog...

I asked a simple question, and your reply is quoting somebody's book -with over "200" tests, yet you can't point to ONE that shows your assertion that: " ...If a person can hear a difference in electronic circuits, there are tests that can easily measure that difference." ? Name one. pj

I see. You say: " ...For the very small differences likely to be heard between well chosen op-amps, your memory will start to fade in 10 seconds." If such suggested 'small' differences are noted, it hardly represents a difference at all -or rather, not a very consequential one. In which case...

sl424: You offer some cautious advice. It's always wise to pay heed to such concerns as raised. Yet, I hear this so often, that I must take exception on your assertion that: " ...... and then losing all audio memory of what it sounded like before." Whoever spoke to this -put it into the hi-fi...

Lol ! Yeh, Lardass cables are pretty crappy -from your remark I note it (Cardas) hasn't changed over the past 30+ years ! Perhaps the Cardas 'Clear' may be more accurately referred to as Lardass Crap/Creep? Oh, Cardas Smear ! pj (P.S> sorry Cardas users)

malcyg: Wonderfully written; insightful, and truthful. pj

That works too ! Good call. Excellent equipment, bottom line, is required. The Antipodes certainly qualifies. pj

Kenny: Well said; it is the smart thing to do -the waiting game. The M-Scaler/DAC is a MUST. Simply consider a modest Network Player (Cambridge Audio CXN, or '851' -heck even a Raspberrry Pi/Odroid -SBC -with 'free' OS) > to Scaler/DAC. Beyond that, one may wish to consider something like...

Hi Gizmoh: How is your X-26 performing/sounding ? I'm considering a X-22/X-26 Gustard; but the high-heat of X-26 is concerning. BY CHANCE, have you ever tried one of the following (?) : (My own Cut/Paste -sorry bou't that) I should have known better; the 'limitation' with on-chip filtering...

Xymordos: Thanks for that -reply. I should have known better; the 'limitation' with on-chip filtering was elucidated by Gustard in their X-26 product introduction 'blurb. Instead, they Sharc'd 'off-chip' for greater computational processing/filtering capability. I suspect that is where the...

ccd: Did you receive/listening to your X-26 ... and ... ? peter

LOL. What you're missing is the ilogic of the Schiitsers; for such experience they apparently have, the manner in which they conduct business (arrogant and /indifferent) is invisible to them. They clearly don't "see" the illogical nature of this: selling (clear-out no less) at the same price as...

austinpop: Indeed, Roy's contributions are priceless- very insightful. Precisely what one would expect from commercial audio mag's -that's proven NOT to be the case. Far more hand-on experience/expertise can be garnered from site/writer's such as we have here. Indeed, such (instant) valuable...

Thank you. Oops, I did not realize (English not native), you write very well. I thought perhaps it was simply a 'typo' -so I thought I'd make a joke. That failed. Miserably at that. Sorry. pj