*DAC

Yes, cables can have profound influences on sound quality. I used to think that cables had less impact on the overall sound quality of my systems than a component change. Now, I think of them as a component change. 

@paulcreed I have read a bit about the DDC on the Gustard R26 thread but it gets a little confusing when it comes to the i2s cable. It sounds like it’s difficult to match up for some reason? I will try to decipher this better, time permitting. Thank you.

@nrthomas2 yes, I definitely want to change out some cables, @audphile1 had some good suggestions, I just need to figure the exact, best option for my Martin Logan speakers first, so I will have to go back and read his comments. Thank you as well.

It’s funny, different systems, different results..... I bought an R26 simply for streaming, because (I thought), my sample rate converter (Mutec 6) had died.

I’ve owned quite a few DAC’s, Yggy, Holo KTE3, AMR 777SE, and more. I have recently been using a "hot rodded" Theta Gen Va (hence, the Mutec converter). I bought the R26, and was pleasantly surprised with the tonality/musicality, combined with the level of detail. So much "quicker" than the "old" R2R sound.

In my system, the R26 has an abundance of what you are missing in yours. All the "inhales", lips parting, pluck of strings, that initial "stick" of fingers sliding on strings, transients, decays, ALL present in a non "hi-fi", musical way. Plus a soundstage even more expansive than the old/new Theta.

Different systems, different synergies.

(For reference, my system...... Don Sachs DS2, bi-amped, Wells Innamorata II (mids/highs), CJ 2500A (lows), highly modified Tyler H3’s).

Do some research on the much cheaper Schitt Yggi+ Less is More. It was designed by a guy named Mike Moffet. I was telling a friend about the DAC 2 days ago. He is in the HiFi business, and he told me I was the 4th person that said great things about the LIM to him.

He also told me that he had a long conversation with Mike Moffet years ago when he did a project with Schitt and he thought MM came across as a digital genius.

I had the Gustard X26 Pro. It was bettered by the Musetec 005. It was bettered by the Lumin X1. It was bettered by the Schitt Yggi+ LIM. In fairness, the X1 is also an incredible streamer.

A used X1 at around $7.5k maybe a great choice using fibre optic streaming directly into the X1. Just need a very low-cost network switch with fibre support. If you only stream (no analog sources) then the X1 becomes even more attractive with the amazing Leedh volume control on the DAC. It is the ONLY DAC I heard that did volume close to the level of my Benchmark LA4 preamp. The Yggi+ does not do volume but I think it is a better DAC.

@yyzsantabarbara OK, I will check out the Schitt Yggi+ LIM soon!

@rikkitik as a few have mentioned here, maybe my system just needs a little tweaking. Dealing with some family issues at present but will try to address as many suggestions as I can as time permits. 

Thanks all!