Gustard R26

@soix is correct. It's rarely mentioned in these discussions that I2s specs say no longer than a 10cm (~4 inches) cable.

Most folks with a R26 find that it sounds the best with the LAN connection.

There is a huge thread over on head-fi:

Head-Fi Gustard R26 Thread

and an interesting master clock thread:

Head-Fi Master Clock Thread

@soix I was given an amazing opportunity today to purchase the Esoteric Grandioso D1. So I did so. Do you think a DDC is still necessary?

@zeusodin Im sorry, I’m not familiar with your DAC so I can’t say.  I’d certainly reach out to Esoteric and ask them what input is best and go from there.  If they say their DAC works best with an i2S input I wouldn’t hesitate to get a good DDC, but at that level I’d be looking at the Denafrips Hermes or Musician Leo given their better clocks.  If i2S is the best connection according to Esoteric, then hell yeah I view a DDC as mandatory. 

I was looking at the Audio-GD DI-20HE DDC. Will look at the Musician Leo as well. Will reach out to Esoteric. Thanks so much.