First Setup:
Ethernet -> ALLO USB bridge Signature -> USB -> Gustard U18 -> SPDIF AES+Wordclock sync -> Antelope Zodiac -> AVC (abx switch) -> Quad 909 AMP -> Solstice Speakers
Ethernet -> R26 -> AVC (abx switch) -> Quad 909 AMP -> Solstice Speakers
Second Setup:
Ethernet -> ALLO USB bridge Signature -> USB -> Gustard U18 -> I2S HDMI -> X26 -> AVC (abx switch) -> Quad 909 AMP -> Solstice Speakers
Ethernet -> R26 -> AVC (abx switch) -> Quad 909 AMP -> Solstice Speakers
Both Roon endpoints grouped to output at the same time.
TLDR: I compared DAC's #1 Antelope Zodiac Gold #2 Gustard R26 #3 Gustard R26 with a Quad 909 AMP and Solstice speakers
(copied from discord might look weird)
Ok, R26 biggest strength vs X26 is more air
X26 feels very stuffy in direct abx
Bells, whistles and cymbals just appear and disappear into space just floating delicately
long trail
not sure if that's what they call transients or not
but it's the biggest difference between the two
Then I also think R26 has better timbre + texture, not massive, but easily noticeable
I think this is part has to do with sounds having room to breath, and having air
R26 stage just acceptable enough for speakers I'd say
If I had to rank that one aspect
soundstage
Zodiac 9/10
R26 7/10
X26 5/10
So R26 has nice bump over X26, but no giant killer in that category
Instrument separation is better with R26, or at least things sound more defined between each other
X26 slams things together slightly
Tonally
I think X26 is a hair more warm
I think R26 might immediately sound brighter, but it's more that R26 has treble sparkle and air that X26 doesn't
tonally they're pretty close on the warm/neutral/bright spectrum apart from that, again I think R26 is just a hair brighter overall
Zodiac has better separation and tactility than both
R26 has better texture, but Zodiac is more tactile
if that makes sense
anyway, I think R26 is a straight upgrade over X26 imo
R26 and Zodiac more trade blows, more depending on what you value more for that VS
edit:
@roncal missed that question, all the SQ impressions I've posted have been pcm.
I only care enough about mqa/dsd to test they work, for the community.
I will perform no SQ tests with either format, my apologies.