Just want to add my 2 cents regarding noise issues and also what
@rodthebod has reported about stuttering with Bubble in hi rez - I have this issue too, at the beginning of tracks 24/96 and above. It only happens in the first several seconds of a track, then buffering catches up I guess. Definitely not my network or cat8 cable! I don't know if it's the streamer module or Bubble, but it's a bit annoying.
Regarding humming and whining - I've tried everything, including an iFi Groundhog, FW updates, etc and there has been no change in the hum, so I'm just going to live with it. I wonder if it's only happening in 115v or if others in 220 are having the issue?
These are to me smallish issues, because for all else, this DAC is a killer, and very consistent. With tubes it seems like a match made in heaven. There's very little of the "hifi" imaging, I find imaging to be a bit more diffuse, but this is a tradeoff for dimensionality and realism AFAIC. Sometimes I miss those imaging fireworks but I also miss being 28 years old and being able to stay up til 3 and get up and go to work and roll it off!
One lovely result of owning the R26 is that I'm listening through headphones again, because it's bringing all of its traits to my HP chain! I only have a modest HP system compared to some here, Jot2 and some Sundaras and HD650s, but now I'm tempted to climb a bit up the Hifiman chain sometime in the future (really love my Sundaras).