The comparison between the X26 pro is interesting, at times he compares it to the mighty Rockna Wavelight
What I like about it is that it does everything I like and might work well as a DAC/streamer.

Interested to hear the results John

It certainly seems like it is excellent. The LAN interface is an interesting addition, although I don't use Roon, Sandu says it supports UPNP.

Oddly enough I was discussing this John last night, the biggest difference between R2R's dacs and the usual DS etc is quite simple tonal and temporal accuracy. The vast majority of them will not match your thack and awe factor you hold so dear. Thats not what they are about, they never have been. If that's your bag look elsewhere.

They major on delivering a more musically insightful and involving sound and compared to more tradition dac's they can sound imho somewhat understated with virtually no wow factor. For quite a few potential purchasers its a non-starter.

However things are evolving with dynamics contacts and swings really coming on leaps and bounds BUT not at the expense of timbre or layering.

Personally I have built a few dac prototypes using R2R ladders as the foundation, the key here is design and FPGA for filters and internal OS, as in case you have not worked out by now most owners do NOT use the NOS filter that much (Unless it’s a Holo product and the internal OS is marginal at best which is why a great many use HQ player).

Currently I have four all in one streamer dac units which if you boil it down is yhe same as the old conundrum CD transport & Dac V's all in one box CD player, both have their advantages and drawbacks

The new Gustard has been created by bunch a Chinese well trained bods who spend time reading many different forums and working out that the majority of the users wish for minimal boxes, minimal wires, simplest control interfaces and connections. They can bang one of these out using off the shelf platforms for streamer modules and dac's within two weeks max for prototyping a few dozens to the usual review sites to jizz over and hey presto instant 2000+ sales, no middle man job done.

Any self-respecting Chinese business owners seeks many different opportunities and avenues to increase their business in any product arena. The question you have to ask yourselves is this, in fifteen years’ time or less) where 95% of all audio is coming out the Shenzon silicon valley version of China and pretty much all the other electrical items are as well and they dictate the worlds econamy and have taken over the world's monitory circulation by back door stealth as everyone didn't care because it was so cheap lol without firing a shot. Do check out how much UK land they are buying up currently on the QT and how near it is to you. Off soap box now lol

Back to the question, like CDP's I can see this new Gustard making a lot friends, as John mentions It ticks a lot of boxes and its nice small size, the chance reduces the box count is very tempting for a lot of people the other units that are all in one box are further up the price ladder.

The review is pretty much how I expected it to pan out given what equipment and how the guy sets up and uses. Influencers don't you just love them in ALL product arenas.

This is a price point issue, regarding this level of product and what you are obtaining for your money given the lack of boxes and what is required to achieve this.

Would you like it Martin?, I feel probably not, however they will be more people that will take this Gustard over the X26 pro this is personal taste here.

A very useful summary of the aural differences, Tony. I bought an X26 Pro in Germany out of curiosity to compare with the Lab12 R2R DACs I use both in Germany and here in the UK. I had only owned one Delta/Sigma DAC previously and that was an old Meridian 263 (I bought it S/H to compare with the 203 I was using with the 200 CD transport). My Lector DACs, Teddy Pardo and previous Lab12 unit were all R2R and so I wanted to hear what, if any, differences I could. In terms of resolution, the X26 appeared to provide no significant edge over the Lab12, but there was certainly something I preferred about the 'quality' of the sound from the Lab12 and it suited well the more 'acoustic' music I have been favouring of late.

I’m interested in the R26. In common with John I have a Gustard A22. In a trade off between dynamics and soundstage I’d chose soundstage providing the dynamics were still very good. Other would chose dynamics…it’s great to have choices! I’m wondering how the R26 streamer might be set up. For my local file I have a UPnP server so in the internal streamer in the DAC should simply see my files. I also use Qobuz, it’s this I’m less clear on. Maybe I simply use my existing streamer into the DAC. Any other suggestions? More importantly I need to think about whether to get an R26…

You are of course correct John!  I am trying to contain myself :-) 

What I can say regarding the R26 is this , if you wish to later add a digital transport and streamer to feed it, the improvements to SQ can be dramatic. As as stand alone unit it is very good.

Staging is nothing without control, oh wait wasn't that a tyre advert? lol