Jules I have a spare silver fuse you can have if you wish

Hi, I am new to the Audio Standard, and appreciate being here! While I hope to offer feedback to others that might prove useful, at the moment I am here seeking advice. I have followed MartinT’s excellent thread on external clocks on Audiophile Style and am currently using an Etherregen with an external AfterDark clock to great effect with an Audiolab streamer. Not wanting to leave well enough alone, I want to bump up the sound quality and am intrigued with the Gustard X26 Pro, in part because of its ability to directly connect to an external clock. However, my impression is that the goodness of the clock is not necessarily realized only through a direct connection to the X26 Pro, but upstream as well. Which begs the question of whether my contemplated upgrade would be better realized with a quality R2R DAC. I ask this because I listen primarily (but not exclusively) to classical and jazz, and a sizable contingent of acoustic-oriented listeners seem to favor R2R DACs such as the Musician Pegasus, Schiit Gungnir, or Denafrips Pontus II. Sorry for the length of this missive, but any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hi John and welcome to TAS!

You know, of late I have been contacted about the X26 Pro more than any other device since the Beresford SEG. Lots of people are either considering one or have one already.

I agree that reclocking upstream of the DAC helps enormously and I have an EtherREGEN and Mutec MC-3 doing the duties. Using an external clock on the X26 Pro did not bring any benefits for me as the internal K-2 clock is clearly a very capable design.

As for X26 Pro versus R2R, I cannot comment as I've not heard one on my system. From people's description, I'm not sure I would prefer an R2R DAC for my musical preferences and presentation. To my ears, the X26 Pro does not lack the attributes required for classical or jazz, but it must be a highly personal thing, I'm sure.

That is good advice John, and I will have to find a vendor that’s reasonable in this regard. A little challenging if it’s a Chinese vendor because of the shipping time factor, but there really is no substitute for trying it in your own system.

After extensive dithering, I’ve settled upon the Gustard X26 Pro. I reasoned thusly: Before my current Audiolab streamer I actually had an R2R DAC: the Schiit Modi Multibit. Although very early on in my streaming adventure, I thought it sounded quite good, especially considering its digital source: the modest but amazing Chromecast Audio. When I made the switch to the Sabre chipped Audiolab I noticed an immediate improvement in clarity, detail and timing. In no way am I claiming this is an inherent characteristic of the ‘Sabre sound’, but for whatever reason the Audiolab was more pleasing to me. (It was also quite a bit more expensive.) Put another way, since I’m on the Sabre road already, I might as well reach its logical conclusion with the Gustard. I’m buying through Amazon so I have 30 days to return it, and can always go with an R2R DAC. The key question now: what color? Sliver or black?

That was my route, too.  The LKS informed me that the ES9038 chipset was the way to go, and the X26 Pro almost sold itself on build quality and circuit topology alone.

It has proved to be an excellent purchase and I don't think you'll regret it.

It looks great in silver.

Blackity Black !

I remember being slightly puzzled about the clocks but then this is so far into magic territory

Martin, I appreciate the feedback, particularly your discovery that the clock actually has significant impact connected directly to the X26. This seems to reflect the feedback I’ve received from AfterDark as well as Ctronics in Boston (North American AfterDark distributor). AfterDark felt it had greater impact compared to clocking the EtherRegen. Mike, this whole external clock thing may very well reside in the realm of fantasy (for all I know), but all I can say is the effect on my system via the EtherRegen was transformative. Upon reflection, perhaps greater than the EtherRegen itself. My theory: Certain systems such as mine may have more distortion that travels along the ethernet cable, along with all those jittery ones and zeros. It doesn’t mean a great DAC can’t clean it up, but maybe I don’t have a great DAC (so far).