Four years ago, the original Gustard R26 completely flipped the script. It was the first R2R DAC that dared to challenge units costing a few times more…and somehow, it actually did. Fast forward to today, and Gustard is back with the R26 II, offering a better wired streamer, a redesigned clocking system, and 26-bit R2R modules that offer a higher dynamic range.
But here’s the crazy part. In a world where everything got more expensive, this one didn’t. Not a single cent more. In fact, adjusted for inflation, it’s technically cheaper today than it was in 2022.
I spent quite some time with it in both my headphone and speaker setups, pushing it through its limits, comparing it to everything I have around… and the results might surprise you. Let’s dive deep into it 
