Gustard R26

The X26 PRO has been my dac since January and I am completely satisfied with its delta-sigma based chip. I never went up the chain with R2R but the Aries II did not do it for me. With the Gustard, set the filter to gentle and it will bring the sound close to R2R but with so much more details. Set on vivid and even more details but can be overly bright with some recordings. Either way the Gustard X26 PRO offers filter adjustments that give you the best sound no matter the darkness or brightness of a recording. So it makes me think that moving to the R26 would be an insignificant improvement, or lack thereof, from the X26 PRO. I read on another site this guy got both and said if you don't have the PRO, buy the R26, if you do, don't. Good advice.

Going from Aries II to Gustards X26s is definitely a big step up. I know nothing about the holo but Sandu does and says it measures well.  Says Gustards are as good as the up to $3,500 range if I recall correctly.

For what it's worth, the I2s on the Jay's CD2 MK3 is a perfect match to the Gustard X26 PRO.

Meaning both AQ and Wireworld hdmi are meant for video also and hurt nothing.

You guys need to relax. Plugging a standard hdmi cable into a Gustard is not gonna hurt.anything. It's not the cable that is different, it's the plugs at each end. The Gustard has a smaller number of connectivity than a regular hdmi because it doesn't need to offer video. You can find the exact schematic of it at very bottom of the X26 PRO page at the Chinese authorized dealer. I sent that to Alvin when I wanted to connect to the Jay's before I bought the gustard. He in turn asked the main guy at Jay's if it would work with the gustard. Answer: exactly the same design. Prior to that I bought the PS Audio perfect wave CD transport and had to return it since plugging it into the I2s of the Gustard resulted in nothing but a distant faint distorted signal.  So far using audioquest carbon 48 hdmi and wireworld silver 7 hdmi between gustard and jay's. Both work well but I like the AQ best, clearer and more presence. 

Soix, I would not be concerned. Me plugging the PSAudio into the Gustard did not hurt the dac whatsoever even so the connection sounded like a cat's tail stepped on.

Interesting, there never was any update for the x26 I have had for 9 months. Obviously the r26 is new technology to them.