Gustard R26

this is definitely the dac flavor of the month, going by internet/youtube over-exposure etc etc

seems like another decent candidate for yet one more high value dac offering in the crowded marketplace

Is the Gustard R26 the most capable DAC coming out of China? Anything else considered top of the line? Has anyone connected a 10 MHz master clock to the R26? I have a SoTM sms-200 neo ultra without clock input. I am trying to decide if I want to replace with the same streamer with a 50 MHz clock input and get a new DAC with 50 MHz input as well. Or simply forgo SoTM altogether and replace with the Gustard R26 streamer / DAC in one unit.

@kairosman How are you liking the LHY OCK-2? I was thinking of getting one of the CyberShaft master clocks.

@zeusodin the LHY makes a significant difference. To me in my system EVERY tweak so far has yielded positive results (including good cabling) although I must say the most audible tweak was switching from copper to fiber optic from the switch to the server/streamer.

Here is the digital source chain:

Melco S100 (fiber optic)->Lumin P1->Singxer SU-6->LHY OCK-2->DAC

But my system is $60K and very resolving so the results of tweak components like clocks and linear power supplies etc. can be heard. BUT I can’t say whether these tweaks would make the same kind of difference in your system. One thing to keep in mind is I haven’t used the R26's streamer module but word is that it’s better than the USB input and almost on par with the I2S (the input I use).

The R26 is a great buy and I will keep it in rotation. Right now I have a Lampizator Baltic 4 in the system, a tube DAC, and in most ways I prefer it, but then again it’s $7K so it SHOULD be better.

Understood. I have Legacy Aeris speakers and a distributed bass array ala AudioKinesis. I decided to go with 2 REL 212/SX in front and 2 Rythmik E22 for the rear. So it's possible that my hardware might improve from additional tweaking. Another audio friend came over this past weekend and said Don't spend another dime on anything before treating your room. I live in a large loft with concrete / brick walls and hardwood floors. So it echoes. That's my #1 priority now. When that is done, I will look into the DAC / streamer / clock issue. I think I will replace the SOtM with a  version that has the clock input and then look at a used Esoteric Grandioso D1.

Did you consider spending the purchase price of the R26 only on a DAC since you are not using its streamer? Just curious. But if you have a Lampizator as well, you have DACs in rotation which is a beautiful thing! Lol. A friend sells the Lumin line of products. They are truly amazing.

Thanks so much. I might reach out again after finishing treating my room.

I want to replace with the same streamer with a 50 MHz clock input and get a new DAC with 50 MHz input as well. Or simply forgo SoTM altogether and replace with the Gustard R26 streamer / DAC in one unit.

@zeusodin If going with the R26 I’d suggest getting a DDC (Denafrips Iris, Musician Pisces, Singxer SU-6, etc.) as in addition to re-clocking they also allow you to provide an i2S connection to the DAC, so you’re getting two significant benefits in one.  I added the Iris and using the i2S made a huge difference from running SPDIF without the Iris.  Just my $0.02 FWIW.