allhifi
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2017
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godmax: Excellent review/overview.Before the Gustard I used the Ares II almost exclusively with the GS-X mini and had many DACs come and go (Musician Pegasus, RME ADI-2 DAC, Audiophonics EVO-SABRE, Cayin iDAC-6 MK2, Geshelli Labs JNOG, M2Tech Young MKIII). But now with the X26 Pro I prefer this combination to the Ares II. Since soundstage, clarity, detail and authority in the bass are slightly better. With the X26 Pro you can get this 'slam' quality (if the headphone is also capable of) that the Ares II can not provide in this quality due its more softer/rounder approach. Its still a very good DAC overall, but now is only 2nd tier on the GS-X mini.
From a pure DAC point of view not even the TT2 is better than the Gustard in my opinion and preference.
Which amp did you use the D90 and X26Pro with? Since lack of 'meat to the bones' I can not attest in combination with my GS-X mini
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