Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Gustard R26ii is a $1,650 R2R digital to analog converter with an unusual claim: it's a strong standalone DAC that gets meaningfully better when you build an ecosystem around it. In this review, I compare the R26ii against the Schiit Gungnir 2 and Topping D900 in a direct three-way shootout, then add the Gustard S26 music server and U26 digital converter to build a full R2R stack — one that I then compare against a $22,000 Chord reference setup. If you're looking for the best DAC under $2,000, trying to choose between R2R and delta sigma, or wondering whether a modular DAC stack is worth building, this is the video.
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Products in the video
Gustard R26ii
US & CA* - tinyurl.com/AAR26ii
Global* - tinyurl.com/SAR26ii
Gustard S26 Music Server
US & CA* - tinyurl.com/AAGS26
Global* - tinyurl.com/SAGS26
Gustard U26 Digital Converter
US & CA* - tinyurl.com/AAGU26
Global* - tinyurl.com/SAGU26
Schiit Gungnir 2 — schiit.com/products/gungnir-2
Topping D900
US & CA* - bit.ly/TopD900
Global* - amzn.to/44D157g
EverSolo T10 Streamer* - amzn.to/4bmApvM
Tubulus Concentus USB Cable — https://highendcableshop.eu/product/tubulus-concentus-usb-cable/
Ricable Supreme Mk2 HDMI Cable — ricable.com/prodotto/ricable-supreme-hdmi-cavo-video-digitale-hdmi-2-0-bandwidth-29-gbps-con-passaggio-in-canalina-facilitato
*affiliate links help to support the channel - thank you!
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⏱ CHAPTERS
00:00 Gustard R26ii review
00:34 Gustard R26ii vs Schiit Gungnir
04:22 Gustard R26ii vs Topping D900
07:37 Gustard R26ii & S26
11:27 Gustard S6, U26 & R26ii
15:57 Gustard R26ii native DSD performance
17:23 Gustard R26ii with HQ Player
18:32 USB vs I2S on Gustard R26ii
19:50 Gustard S26 music server setup and usage
22:55 Final thoughts
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The Gustard R26ii is a smooth, weighty, and musically engaging R2R DAC — one that prioritises presence and body over the crisp, slightly brighter character of delta sigma competitors at the same price. In a direct comparison, the Schiit Gungnir 2 edges it on vocal texture and separation; the R26ii beats the Topping D900 on presence and musicality. Those differences are smaller than you might expect.Where the story changes is the S26 music server. Used as a source over USB or IIS, the S26 transforms the R26ii into a genuinely top-tier performer — this is the pivot point of the entire review. Add the U26 digital converter and you have a modular R2R ecosystem that I compared directly against a Chord M-Scaler + DAVE stack worth over $22,000. The margin was smaller than I expected.Key takeaways:
— Standalone, the Gungnir 2 edges the R26ii on texture and separation; the R26ii wins on weight, body, and presence
— The R26ii beats the Topping D900 — particularly valuable in brighter or more resolving systems
— The S26 music server delivers the single biggest performance leap in this entire ecosystem
— The U26 adds further refinement — incremental, but audible
— The full R26ii + S26 + U26 stack approaches reference-tier sound at a fraction of the cost
— For PCM sources, stay in PCM — forcing conversion to DSD smooths the sound but costs texture and detail
— IIS vs USB performance varies by source — test both in your specific setup before deciding
─────────────────────────────────
❤️ SUPPORT THE CHANNEL
YouTube Members: youtube.com/@PassionforSound/join
Super Thanks: right here on this video — thank you!
─────────────────────────────────
#audiophile #DACreview #R2RDAC #GustardR26ii #hifi #highendaudio #DACcomparison #bestDAC
The Gustard R26ii is a $1,650 R2R digital to analog converter with an unusual claim: it's a strong standalone DAC that gets meaningfully better when you build an ecosystem around it. In this review, I compare the R26ii against the Schiit Gungnir 2 and Topping D900 in a direct three-way shootout, then add the Gustard S26 music server and U26 digital converter to build a full R2R stack — one that I then compare against a $22,000 Chord reference setup. If you're looking for the best DAC under $2,000, trying to choose between R2R and delta sigma, or wondering whether a modular DAC stack is worth building, this is the video.
─────────────────────────────────
Products in the video
Gustard R26ii
US & CA* - tinyurl.com/AAR26ii
Global* - tinyurl.com/SAR26ii
Gustard S26 Music Server
US & CA* - tinyurl.com/AAGS26
Global* - tinyurl.com/SAGS26
Gustard U26 Digital Converter
US & CA* - tinyurl.com/AAGU26
Global* - tinyurl.com/SAGU26
Schiit Gungnir 2 — schiit.com/products/gungnir-2
Topping D900
US & CA* - bit.ly/TopD900
Global* - amzn.to/44D157g
EverSolo T10 Streamer* - amzn.to/4bmApvM
Tubulus Concentus USB Cable — https://highendcableshop.eu/product/tubulus-concentus-usb-cable/
Ricable Supreme Mk2 HDMI Cable — ricable.com/prodotto/ricable-supreme-hdmi-cavo-video-digitale-hdmi-2-0-bandwidth-29-gbps-con-passaggio-in-canalina-facilitato
*affiliate links help to support the channel - thank you!
─────────────────────────────────
⏱ CHAPTERS
00:00 Gustard R26ii review
00:34 Gustard R26ii vs Schiit Gungnir
04:22 Gustard R26ii vs Topping D900
07:37 Gustard R26ii & S26
11:27 Gustard S6, U26 & R26ii
15:57 Gustard R26ii native DSD performance
17:23 Gustard R26ii with HQ Player
18:32 USB vs I2S on Gustard R26ii
19:50 Gustard S26 music server setup and usage
22:55 Final thoughts
─────────────────────────────────
The Gustard R26ii is a smooth, weighty, and musically engaging R2R DAC — one that prioritises presence and body over the crisp, slightly brighter character of delta sigma competitors at the same price. In a direct comparison, the Schiit Gungnir 2 edges it on vocal texture and separation; the R26ii beats the Topping D900 on presence and musicality. Those differences are smaller than you might expect.Where the story changes is the S26 music server. Used as a source over USB or IIS, the S26 transforms the R26ii into a genuinely top-tier performer — this is the pivot point of the entire review. Add the U26 digital converter and you have a modular R2R ecosystem that I compared directly against a Chord M-Scaler + DAVE stack worth over $22,000. The margin was smaller than I expected.Key takeaways:
— Standalone, the Gungnir 2 edges the R26ii on texture and separation; the R26ii wins on weight, body, and presence
— The R26ii beats the Topping D900 — particularly valuable in brighter or more resolving systems
— The S26 music server delivers the single biggest performance leap in this entire ecosystem
— The U26 adds further refinement — incremental, but audible
— The full R26ii + S26 + U26 stack approaches reference-tier sound at a fraction of the cost
— For PCM sources, stay in PCM — forcing conversion to DSD smooths the sound but costs texture and detail
— IIS vs USB performance varies by source — test both in your specific setup before deciding
─────────────────────────────────
❤️ SUPPORT THE CHANNEL
YouTube Members: youtube.com/@PassionforSound/join
Super Thanks: right here on this video — thank you!
─────────────────────────────────
#audiophile #DACreview #R2RDAC #GustardR26ii #hifi #highendaudio #DACcomparison #bestDAC
