Gustard A26

Very easy to believe there are inconsistencies between same model DACs…i.e. R26. These are, after all, made in China sold on amazon cheap low quality garbage stuffed with attractive features.
What is hard to believe though is how persistent one can be in a desire to obtain an imaginary perfect copy. After trying several and concluding they’re not good, just move on dude. You think you’re going to hit a literal and stumble upon one that accuse sounds like MSB Reference? If Denafrips made a DAC with streamer, MQA, wifi, display, etc. and it sounded good, it would have a starting price of $6,000. Forget this junk. Get something that’s made to high standards.

@sls883 it’s all relative. It’s good compared to what? Considering the number of these DACs sold and the success rate of just one user reporting discrepancies in sound quality I stand by my previous assessment.

@tubeguy80 yeah the flavor of the month. Think about how that usually evolves. Bargain and miracle seekers splurge on a $1500 DAC based on hype from other bargain and miracle seekers. The baseline is unknown and the bar is low. Let’s not lose sense of reality here. Lol

@magon you step on the rake and it smacks you in your forehead. You believe that’s not really supposed to happen…I have to try it again…and so you do for a total of 4 times.
Your stick-to-itiveness is truly admiring. 
 

I've listened to some expensive DACs. The problem with very expensive equipment is that it often has a distinct signature that detracts from the music. It's like they have to justify the expense by doing something unique. 
 

I don’t know what you heard and what constitutes as expensive in your opinion but yes DACs sound different. That’s why there’s a choice. So that you can audition various make/model DACs until you find synergy with the rest of your system. Building a system that delivers musical satisfaction takes time, effort and unfortunately funds as well. There’s more to it than just buying random components that are highly rated. Everything has to gel together AND with your room acoustics (often overlooked but extremely critical). 
 

So I would recommend, once again, move on and continue trying other DACs. Get off the Gustard bandwagon. Get your room acoustics and the rest of your system in order avoid playing with modifications done by hobbyists in a silo of their own system using different systems, room acoustics and preference for sound that will never translate to what you like. 
 

Good luck!