Comprehshive review as always. Thank you. Could you compare this new dac to SMSL SU-X which you have reviewed previously. I'm interesting becouse both use the same chipset: dual ES9039 and almost similar PSU: toroidal transformers (single in SMSL and dual in Gustard).

Would it be a good idea to pair this DAC with an Onkyo receiver? Or this DAC is designed to pair with an high-end integrated amp only?

I find a remarkable improvement in sound for the Gustard X26 III with the LAN input receiving NAA from HQ Player in preference to the ASIO over a Supra Excalibur USB cable. I don't have a converter for IIS yet. The LAN input is blacker between the instruments and cleaner to reveal more micro details. The USB is warmer and easier. There are also further improvements with using external upsampling in HQ Player and sending that in through the NOS setting with both PCM 768 and converting my PCM files to SDM. When you get to SDM 512, the sound is as good as it gets with even clearer edge definition of the images and fine detail while at the same time providing an improvement in a pleasant and natural timbre. Even if SDM 512 has my gaming laptop pegged at 80 Watts from the wall and at the limits of its cooling, it is worth a few extra electrons to hear that close and deep into the recording

Before buying the Ultra I was using a $10 DAC from Amazon which I connected to my Samsung TV via optical Out of the TV The RCA out into my KRK powered monitors What I heard was very nice and surprising The hi res stood out. I got the Ultra $370 ( I paid being outside usa ) after many excellent reviews on utube When I connected my ultra I was shocked. The results were almost same from both DACs 😢 I played Spotify and Apple Music from the Apple TV app through my Amazon DAC and I was pleased I then heard the same material on my Ultra via Spotify connect and Apple Music via my Apple TV hardware through optical into the Ultra The results were almost alike Maybe a 5-8% better. Apple TV movies again sounded the same on both DACs. The sound imaging was almost alike. The ultra uses the ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M dac chip the same as in the Audiolab 7000A which sells for $1000 * I have been listening to hi end music for many 30 plus years

Anyone uses digital coax from streamer? How is the quality with these Gustards? Thanks

How is the sound quality when playing music via Bluetooth? Plz reply thank u 😊

Topping is doing the best implementation of the TI 3255...

Great review. Look better than Denafrips.

x26 iii is on your top 5 dac? Would you raccomend an upgrade from x26 pro to x26 iii and why? What's the difference between x26 iii and x30 in terms of sound quality?

Those pioneer speakers are excellent 👍

I don't understand why Gustard uses the XMOS XU216 on a unità of 1600$/€... Also for my SMSL DO200 to the DO200 mk2 SMSL upgraded it to the XMOS XU316...

Can I use it as a pure DAC using a different PRE?

Hello Tharbamar! Which speakers are your favourite at the moment?

Thanks to give us good idea and comparaison between various Gustard top model. I havé thé x26 pro,amazing with my totem Forest speakers

Better than Holo Cyan 2?

Can someone answer this question. Do you absolutely need a LAN wire connection in order to operate this DAC? I have a Spotify account but in order to play Spotify connect on this DAC a LAN wire connection is mandatory.

Excellent review as always! How much of an upgrade would this Gustard x26 llI be over an older Loxjie D50 dac I currently own? Looking to upgrade. Thx

yeah sounds really good the vocals are nice bit soft on the top end tho! what amp did you use with it? the a20 will probably sound nice match. also that 100 ohm cat5 cable have you tried it yet?? you're be amazed gives an open sound

I paired up a gustard x30 with hifi rose rs`130 for my system and I am amazed at how it sounds. I have an r26 which isgreat at its price point as well! Gustard is doing some great dacs that are reasonable priced for what you get

This is a good DAC!

There is a discount of 15% for some days on most dacs in some major sites...

Hi, what about versus Topping D90 III Discrete?

Thanks for the review, it's interesting. Denafrips Pontus 15TH - which one do you like more? Thanks

Which Denon amp is that?

Which one sounds better to you, d90 III Discrete or Denafrips Ares 15th, based on your own taste?

Evos sound much better. Have more bass too. Voice more natural. Elysian sound shill, less bass, less body to the voice.

Sounds good but the test track not very good.. musicians good, singer sucks..like most of the audiophille tracks.

Dear Tharbamar, I love your review and I "looked" "heard" almost purchase the KLH 5 but did not. If you Can, Please Explain to me why My 2007 JBL 4 way full range Expert Series 80 towers sounded more "neutral" and more "musical" than the KLH 5 that cost 4x more than what I paid for my speakers 17 yrs ago? Thank you. I am trying to understand what I need to look at for better speaker than what I have?

a streamer would be useful, just a good player without a dac,at a normal acceptable price

Hallo Tharbamar. Pairing with the warm sound of speakers Wharfedale LINTON 85th, is it good an R2R DAC like Pegasus II or is it better something of more transparent like a Sabre delta-sigma (for example D90III or SU-X) in order to balance a bit? Thanks so much.

hi there Thank you again for the excellent reviews. Quick question what usbc to usb b and usbc to usbc cable would you recommend for connecting to DAC equivalent to Oyaide USB Cable Continental 5S. This is a usba cable and I use an apple adapter to convert to usbc. I would appreciate you input.

Your voice so smooooooth and mesmerizing. Remind me at Tidal loudspeaker in Munich show 2023. Are u already married?

How it goes without the IFI added PSU ? What model is that PSU ?

How would you personally describe the difference in sound betweent the external DAC SMSL SU-1 and the internal DAC of your Eversolo DMP-6?

Warm sound, i like them!

Interesting review ....but curious if you might consider trying a tiny chord mojo2 headphone dac / amp/ preamp? As some have used it in a hifi setup and raved about it!

Did you hear this Dac with the TS A20?

Hi Tharbamar, thanks so much for another great review on an affordable HiFi product for us people who don't want to spend thousends of Dollars/Euros to just enjoy HiFi music like other high-end enthusiasts do who have infinite money to spend. My question: Is this iFi Audio ZEN DAC 3 better than the built in DAC in EVERSOLO DMP-A8 which you have reviewed as well already. My chain is: streamer EVERSOLO DMP-A8, pre-amp Musical Paradise MP-701 MK3, amplifier FM300A clone, speakers Wharfedale Elysian 4. If it is better, could you explain what in detail you think is better than the one in EVERSOLO.

How would compare this with your Accuphase E4000?

These speakers suck. The highs are so artificially boosted and the female vocals are recessed and veiled. Typical B&W nonsense.

Hi. Do you think that if I connect EVERSOLO DMP-A6 to SMSL SU-10 (via USB) I could have an obvious upgrade? Anyway, is the difference enought to justify? (I found a used SU-10 at less than 500 Euro). Thanks for your opinion.