Does an external clock have any benefit if I'm not running multiple clocked digital components in the chain that need syncing? I know the easy answer is to try it and see, but ordering a $750 Chinese component to try is risky imo.
I have two r26 DACs, love them. On my desktop system I do use a Denafrips iris to clean up the signal from my Mac (USB to i2s), but if I was investing in an external clock it would be on my main system where I have CD (coax) and Chromecast puck (optical) into the r26. So that would just be bypassing the r26 internal clock, I don't understand how that would help.
The Iris i2s does have a different i2s pinout than the Gustard that flips R/L channel which I correct at the Mac source, just FYI in case anyone was considering that pairing.