I paired up a gustard x30 with hifi rose rs`130 for my system and I am amazed at how it sounds. I have an r26 which isgreat at its price point as well! Gustard is doing some great dacs that are reasonable priced for what you get
I find a remarkable improvement in sound for the Gustard X26 III with the LAN input receiving NAA from HQ Player in preference to the ASIO over a Supra Excalibur USB cable. I don't have a converter for IIS yet. The LAN input is blacker between the instruments and cleaner to reveal more micro details. The USB is warmer and easier. There are also further improvements with using external upsampling in HQ Player and sending that in through the NOS setting with both PCM 768 and converting my PCM files to SDM. When you get to SDM 512, the sound is as good as it gets with even clearer edge definition of the images and fine detail while at the same time providing an improvement in a pleasant and natural timbre. Even if SDM 512 has my gaming laptop pegged at 80 Watts from the wall and at the limits of its cooling, it is worth a few extra electrons to hear that close and deep into the recording
@@Tharbamar One of the other X26 III users is now encouraging me to try the Gustard U18 DDC to convert my USB to IIS as they find it even better sounding than the LAN which they also agree is already better sounding than the USB.
Hello Tharbamar Is the digital volume control good enough that it won’t be necessary for an external preamp with analog control for example the pre90? Cheers
yeah sounds really good the vocals are nice bit soft on the top end tho! what amp did you use with it? the a20 will probably sound nice match. also that 100 ohm cat5 cable have you tried it yet?? you're be amazed gives an open sound
@Tharbamar but you're not using any CAT cable as interconnects for digital signal? did you not try the galleon a20 amplifier with this DAC? didn't used it last time ?
x26 iii is on your top 5 dac? Would you raccomend an upgrade from x26 pro to x26 iii and why? What's the difference between x26 iii and x30 in terms of sound quality?
I have upgraded from X26 Pro to X26 III. The III is slightly better in every aspect of sound: fine detail, soundstage, dynamics, bass texture and depth, midrange voice. It adds up to quite a lot better and is a no-brainer at the price.
Comprehshive review as always. Thank you. Could you compare this new dac to SMSL SU-X which you have reviewed previously. I'm interesting becouse both use the same chipset: dual ES9039 and almost similar PSU: toroidal transformers (single in SMSL and dual in Gustard).
Hello, a general question: I have a streamer DAC MATRIX AUDIO mini I-3 PRO, which upgrade would you suggest that worth the change? for eample the EVERSOLO A6 might be a good upgrade or a waste of money?
@@Tharbamar i understand your reason, in your opinion is there any streamer DAC in 1.000$ range that you believe be better than the matrix audio i-3? even just a DAC to connect as external to the matrix audio..?
@@sebastiencouleau4330 Oh that distortion is from recording caused by extreme peaks, nothing to do with DAC and probably your headphones can't handle those peaks very well either and maybe more noticeable with added gain from sound blaster making it significant. Try without sound blaster or use simple monitor headphones like Sony MDR-7506 or Yamaha HS-5 Studio Monitor speakers can easily differentiate between distortion from recording and actual sound of a DAC. BTW FYI: in modern DACs there is no DAC that make that sort of noise, AND this X26 III is SOTA DAC in every regards.
I tried directly without the sound blaster too. Now that i'm used to listen with digital attenuation before the digital filter i'm more sensitive to clipping. Do you provide digital headroom? I'm pretty sûre that almost every record leads to clipping dac if we don''t atténuate a little the signal before the digital filter. As with gustard the custom filter is in a dsp before the digital atténuation of the dac we cannot now if there is headroom. It's the same with my c100 i atténuate with the digital volume because some CD leads to clipping at full volume. Sound is les digital and less harsh then. I believe the ess harshness wad because of that and the new ones have digital volume before the oversampling filter instead after.
Can someone answer this question. Do you absolutely need a LAN wire connection in order to operate this DAC? I have a Spotify account but in order to play Spotify connect on this DAC a LAN wire connection is mandatory.
A follow up question. If I chose to use AirPlay to play Spotify music from my iPad to this DAC, a LAN connection is not necessary right? I know AirPlay is not as good as using Spotify connect.
Definitely, X26 III is better in many ways and bass control is much better, as always sound is subjective but in general X26 III is better choice IMHO.
I paired up a gustard x30 with hifi rose rs`130 for my system and I am amazed at how it sounds. I have an r26 which isgreat at its price point as well! Gustard is doing some great dacs that are reasonable priced for what you get
Yes, Gustard DACs are great value for money!
Thanks to give us good idea and comparaison between various Gustard top model.
I havé thé x26 pro,amazing with my totem Forest speakers
X26 Pro is a great DAC, thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks for the review, it's interesting. Denafrips Pontus 15TH - which one do you like more? Thanks
I have not tried Pontus 15th in my system yet, thanks
I find a remarkable improvement in sound for the Gustard X26 III with the LAN input receiving NAA from HQ Player in preference to the ASIO over a Supra Excalibur USB cable. I don't have a converter for IIS yet. The LAN input is blacker between the instruments and cleaner to reveal more micro details. The USB is warmer and easier.
There are also further improvements with using external upsampling in HQ Player and sending that in through the NOS setting with both PCM 768 and converting my PCM files to SDM. When you get to SDM 512, the sound is as good as it gets with even clearer edge definition of the images and fine detail while at the same time providing an improvement in a pleasant and natural timbre.
Even if SDM 512 has my gaming laptop pegged at 80 Watts from the wall and at the limits of its cooling, it is worth a few extra electrons to hear that close and deep into the recording
Great feedback on the X26 III's performance with LAN input and HQ Player, sounds like you've unlocked some serious sonic potential!
@@Tharbamar One of the other X26 III users is now encouraging me to try the Gustard U18 DDC to convert my USB to IIS as they find it even better sounding than the LAN which they also agree is already better sounding than the USB.
Those pioneer speakers are excellent 👍
Excellent review as always! How much of an upgrade would this Gustard x26 llI be over an older Loxjie D50 dac I currently own? Looking to upgrade. Thx
It is good upgrade, it would be significant in right system, thank you.
Hello Tharbamar
Is the digital volume control good enough that it won’t be necessary for an external preamp with analog control for example the pre90?
Cheers
I would say more than good enough to get the job done, thanks
Hello Tharbamar! Which speakers are your favourite at the moment?
Hi, two of my main speakers that you see in the videos, thanks
@@Tharbamar I hope you will review the Wharfedale Super Lintons in the future!
This is a good DAC!
Great review. Look better than Denafrips.
yeah sounds really good the vocals are nice bit soft on the top end tho! what amp did you use with it? the a20 will probably sound nice match. also that 100 ohm cat5 cable have you tried it yet?? you're be amazed gives an open sound
I’m using with Accuphase E-4000 amplifier, all CAT5 cables I have 100 Ohm to tell you the difference 😀
@Tharbamar but you're not using any CAT cable as interconnects for digital signal? did you not try the galleon a20 amplifier with this DAC? didn't used it last time ?
@@hoobsgroove I’m only using CAT8 cables now for networking, yes I did try TS A20 it was ok
x26 iii is on your top 5 dac? Would you raccomend an upgrade from x26 pro to x26 iii and why? What's the difference between x26 iii and x30 in terms of sound quality?
I have upgraded from X26 Pro to X26 III. The III is slightly better in every aspect of sound: fine detail, soundstage, dynamics, bass texture and depth, midrange voice. It adds up to quite a lot better and is a no-brainer at the price.
Are you using a streamer connected to the x26 iii?
Comprehshive review as always. Thank you. Could you compare this new dac to SMSL SU-X which you have reviewed previously. I'm interesting becouse both use the same chipset: dual ES9039 and almost similar PSU: toroidal transformers (single in SMSL and dual in Gustard).
SU-X is more transparent, X26 III is deeper and richer, can’t go wrong with either one in refinement and overall sound quality. Thanks
There is a discount of 15% for some days on most dacs in some major sites...
Hello, a general question: I have a streamer DAC MATRIX AUDIO mini I-3 PRO, which upgrade would you suggest that worth the change? for eample the EVERSOLO A6 might be a good upgrade or a waste of money?
It’s not upgrade more like going sideways, as always sound is subjective.
@@Tharbamar i understand your reason, in your opinion is there any streamer DAC in 1.000$ range that you believe be better than the matrix audio i-3? even just a DAC to connect as external to the matrix audio..?
Wow the sample sounds very distorded!
Do you listen with headphones?
With akg 545 and sound blaster x1. At 17:15 to 17:20 for exemple voice is distorded.
16:15 to 16:25 too. It's ear bleeding
@@sebastiencouleau4330 Oh that distortion is from recording caused by extreme peaks, nothing to do with DAC and probably your headphones can't handle those peaks very well either and maybe more noticeable with added gain from sound blaster making it significant.
Try without sound blaster or use simple monitor headphones like Sony MDR-7506 or Yamaha HS-5 Studio Monitor speakers can easily differentiate between distortion from recording and actual sound of a DAC.
BTW FYI: in modern DACs there is no DAC that make that sort of noise, AND this X26 III is SOTA DAC in every regards.
I tried directly without the sound blaster too. Now that i'm used to listen with digital attenuation before the digital filter i'm more sensitive to clipping. Do you provide digital headroom? I'm pretty sûre that almost every record leads to clipping dac if we don''t atténuate a little the signal before the digital filter. As with gustard the custom filter is in a dsp before the digital atténuation of the dac we cannot now if there is headroom. It's the same with my c100 i atténuate with the digital volume because some CD leads to clipping at full volume. Sound is les digital and less harsh then. I believe the ess harshness wad because of that and the new ones have digital volume before the oversampling filter instead after.
Hi, what about versus Topping D90 III Discrete?
It’s in different price point.
@@Tharbamar
Hi Tharbamar,
And what about the sound, price is not always the way for the best ...
Thanks for your answer
@@arnaudbaudon845 So I got to be more specific, sonically X26 III is in different language that’s why I said different price point.
Can I use it as a pure DAC using a different PRE?
Yes 👍
Can someone answer this question. Do you absolutely need a LAN wire connection in order to operate this DAC? I have a Spotify account but in order to play Spotify connect on this DAC a LAN wire connection is mandatory.
LAN is necessary, most Gustard DAC do not use WiFi.
A follow up question. If I chose to use AirPlay to play Spotify music from my iPad to this DAC, a LAN connection is not necessary right? I know AirPlay is not as good as using Spotify connect.
@ please keep in mind without LAN X26 III will be offline but X26 still show up on airplay list but it will not connect without LAN in my experience.
Anyone uses digital coax from streamer? How is the quality with these Gustards? Thanks
All SPDIF input sound great, I did use COAX input on X26 III with WiiM Ultra.
Roon sounds better in my Gustard r26 setup utilizing a simple CCA puck via optical out compared to the R26 internal steamer via LAN input.
I hope they drop the build in streamer and preamp one day and offer a pure dac 🤞🏻
Does the X26 mark 3 has tidal connect?
Hi Tharbamar from memory, compared to the X30, here you can hear less ambient "noise", the sound it is very detailed but more "forward" or am I wrong?
Sorry it’s been explained in the video, thanks
Better than Holo Cyan 2?
I don't think so!
Definitely, X26 III is better in many ways and bass control is much better, as always sound is subjective but in general X26 III is better choice IMHO.