Gustard R26 vs hi end streamer

Picked up a used R26 (recommended by fellow Agon’r) last year ($1100) for my second system to replace a Black Ice Glass DSD Dac and Ifi Zen Stream. Simplified and vastly Improved functionality over the temperamental  Zen Stream.   Noticably improved sound quality  is excellent and I am very happy and I have no issues with it’s streamer.  I do notice it isn’t quite as warm and full sounding when comparing it to my Mojo Mystique Evo Dac / Bricasti M5 on my main system.  But it definitely holds it own and I am very happy with the way it draws me into the music just in a different way.  My simple second system is Raven Blackhawk Integrated Amp, Gustard R26, Stack Audio Smooth Lan, optical FMC filtering, Sonictransporter Roon Core, Roon, Fritz Monitors.

@deep_333 

I am not sure if you actually own Linton or had given it a fair trial.  The trerrific soundstage, flat response (see below) and nimble bass are the three main reasons I kept them for a good two years and might be many more years to come.  Look at the flat in-room response from Erin's measurements.  Lack of details, might be, but that is not the trait I had concern with. 

The concern I am having is related to the elevated treble beyond 10khz.  The tactic is to mitigate it is to toe them out a bit but that does not fully address the issue.  That is why I am looking for a DAC that could do the trick, starting with r2r DAC.  I acquired Saga 2 when it was announced and like it.  But the Cambridge Azur 851A's preamp could sweeten the sound as good as Saga 2 if not better.  I had tried AKM chips-based DAC but sound is a bit too warm for me.

I will give R26 one more week and, if not working, move onto the next which might be Qutest, gumby (as you have suggested) / yggi or hybrid or pure tube DAC like Black-Ice.

I could eq the treble region too but not really like what wiim pro + sounds in comparison (w/ MXN10).  Additionally, eq sound does not really sweeten / liquify the sound I found.

I don't know what your budget is, but I can recommend the Gustard X-30 dac.  It's pretty awesome.  I bought mine direct from Aoshida for $2,700 shipped.  They have a decent return policy.  If you return it, you would pay shipping to North Carolina and around $135 in PayPal fees. 

I'm using it with my Innuos Zen Mk3 streamer.

There are several positive review videos on the X-30. 

@lanx0003 I've had the X-30 for a couple of weeks.  Not really long.  If you go direct to Aoshida, they don't charge sales tax.  Amazon will. They are very good about replying to emails although their time is about 12 hours different.  I saved over $500 by purchasing direct (with the discount and tax savings). Normal price is $3,000 + tax.

I'll try to take a listen to the violin, but I haven't heard many real violins, so I don't know if I'll be a good judge for you.  I'm very familiar with other acoustic instruments as my mother and son are both musicians.