That's been my experience with Gustard too. Lots of rave reviews and happy users, I have had 3 different units fail be for one reason or another. Maybe just bad luck but I am done trying their products.
Bryston BDA3 is a very competent device. I actually do like the Benchmark DAC3 B as well, after really disliking all the prior Benchmark DACs. It's still on the sharper more incisive side, not nearly as much as the prior models though. I also like not having their built in headphone amp as that part doesn't sound good to me at all.
Benchmark and Bryston are both big name brands so easy to find from a dealer with good in home trial terms.