Gustard has just released the highly anticipated R26 II—a comprehensive upgrade to their acclaimed R26 R2R DAC. But what exactly has changed, and is it worth the upgrade? Let's dive deep into the evolution of this flagship decoder.
Introduction: Building on a Legend
When Gustard released the original R26, it quickly became a favorite among audiophiles seeking true R2R ladder DAC performance without flagship pricing. The R26's fully discrete resistor-ladder architecture delivered the natural, organic sound that delta-sigma converters simply couldn't match—with exceptional musicality, three-dimensional soundstage, and that coveted analog-like presentation.
Now, Gustard has taken everything that made the R26 special and elevated it to new heights with the R26 II. This isn't just a minor refresh—it's a comprehensive upgrade that incorporates technology from Gustard's flagship R30, along with significant improvements to the network bridge, Bluetooth connectivity, tuning, and power supply design.
Let's explore what's new and whether the R26 II represents a worthy evolution of this beloved DAC.
What's New: The Six Major Upgrades
🆕 R26 II Key Upgrades at a Glance
- R30 Decoding Module - Flagship DAC technology trickles down
- 26-Bit Processing - Enhanced from 24-bit for superior resolution
- Upgraded Network Bridge - New Saier (塞尔) system for better streaming
- Bluetooth 5.1 - Latest wireless standard replaces 5.0
- Refined Tuning - Enhanced voicing and circuit optimization
- Premium Power Supply Capacitors - Upgraded components for cleaner power
Upgrade #1: R30 Decoding Module - Flagship Technology
Perhaps the most significant upgrade in the R26 II is the incorporation of the R30's advanced decoding module. The R30 is Gustard's flagship R2R DAC, and the R26 II now inherits its sophisticated DAC architecture.
What This Means:
- ✅ Superior linearity: More accurate voltage division across the entire resistor ladder network
- ✅ Enhanced precision: Tighter resistor tolerances and better matching for improved channel balance
- ✅ Flagship-level performance: The R26 II now delivers sound quality that approaches the R30 at a more accessible price point
- ✅ Future-proof design: Benefits from Gustard's latest R2R research and development
This upgrade alone represents a significant leap in performance, bringing the R26 II much closer to flagship territory.
Upgrade #2: 26-Bit Processing - Enhanced Resolution
| R26 (Original): | 24-Bit Processing |
| R26 II: | 26-Bit Processing |
| Improvement: | 4× finer resolution |
The upgrade from 24-bit to 26-bit processing provides four times finer gradations in the digital-to-analog conversion process. This translates to:
- ✨ Exceptional dynamic range: Now exceeding 130dB (A-weighted)
- ✨ Improved low-level detail: Quieter musical passages emerge with greater clarity
- ✨ Smoother tonal transitions: More natural gradations between volume levels
- ✨ Blacker background: Lower noise floor allows micro-details to shine
Upgrade #3: Saier Network Bridge - Streaming Excellence
Modern audiophiles increasingly rely on network streaming, and the R26 II addresses this with a completely upgraded Saier (塞尔) network bridge system.
Network Streaming Improvements:
- 🌐 Enhanced stability: More reliable connection to NAS drives and music servers
- 🌐 Better protocol support: Improved compatibility with DLNA, Roon Ready, and streaming services
- 🌐 Superior sound quality: Optimized data buffering and clock synchronization for cleaner digital signal
- 🌐 Lower latency: Faster response and more immediate playback control
For those building modern streaming-focused systems, this upgrade ensures the R26 II delivers reference-grade performance from network sources—not just USB and S/PDIF.
Upgrade #4: Bluetooth 5.1 - Latest Wireless Standard
| Feature | R26 (BT 5.0) | R26 II (BT 5.1) |
|---|---|---|
| Range | Good | Better ⬆️ |
| Connection Stability | Stable | More Stable ⬆️ |
| Latency | Low | Lower ⬆️ |
| Direction Finding | No | Yes ✨ |
While Bluetooth may not be the primary input for serious listening, the upgrade to Bluetooth 5.1 ensures better wireless performance when you need it—perfect for casual listening or streaming from mobile devices.
Upgrade #5: Refined Tuning - Enhanced Musicality
Beyond the measurable technical upgrades, Gustard's engineers have spent considerable time refining the voicing and circuit optimization of the R26 II.
What "Refined Tuning" Means:
- 🎵 Optimized analog output stage: Carefully selected op-amps and passive components for more natural tonality
- 🎵 Enhanced circuit layout: Improved signal path routing to minimize interference and crosstalk
- 🎵 Better component matching: Tighter tolerances in critical signal path components
- 🎵 More musical presentation: The R26 II sounds more organic, engaging, and emotionally involving
These refinements may not show up in measurements, but they're immediately audible in the listening experience—the R26 II simply sounds more right.
Upgrade #6: Premium Power Supply Capacitors
The power supply is the foundation of any high-performance DAC, and the R26 II features upgraded premium capacitors throughout the power delivery circuitry.
⚡ Power Supply Improvements
- Lower ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance): Cleaner, more stable power delivery
- Better filtering: Reduced power supply noise and ripple
- Blacker background: Lower noise floor allows even quieter musical details to emerge
- Improved dynamics: Better transient response and impact
The result is a DAC that sounds more effortless, with a perfectly silent background that allows the music to breathe.
Side-by-Side Comparison: R26 vs R26 II
| Feature | R26 (Original) | R26 II (New) |
|---|---|---|
| DAC Module | Fully Discrete R2R | R30-Derived R2R ⬆️ |
| Bit Depth | 24-Bit | 26-Bit ⬆️ |
| Network Bridge | Standard | Upgraded Saier System ⬆️ |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 ⬆️ |
| Tuning | Excellent | Refined & Optimized ⬆️ |
| Power Supply | High-quality capacitors | Premium upgraded capacitors ⬆️ |
| Dynamic Range | > 125dB | > 130dB ⬆️ |
| DSD Support | DSD512 | DSD512 (same) |
| PCM Support | 768kHz/32-bit | 768kHz/32-bit (same) |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Coax, AES, Network, BT | USB, Optical, Coax, AES, Network, BT (same) |
| Outputs | XLR, RCA | XLR, RCA (same) |
Sound Quality: How Does It Compare?
🎵 R26 (Original) Sound Character
- Natural, organic R2R tonality
- Excellent soundstage width and depth
- Smooth, fatigue-free presentation
- Good detail retrieval and dynamics
- Musical and engaging
🎵 R26 II Sound Character
- All the R26 qualities, plus:
- ✨ Enhanced resolution and micro-detail (26-bit processing)
- ✨ Blacker background and lower noise floor (upgraded power supply)
- ✨ More refined, natural tonality (R30 module + refined tuning)
- ✨ Better network streaming performance (Saier bridge)
- ✨ More effortless, flagship-like presentation
In short: The R26 II retains everything that made the original R26 special—the natural R2R tonality, three-dimensional soundstage, and musical engagement—while elevating performance across the board with flagship-derived technology and comprehensive refinements.
Who Should Upgrade to R26 II?
✅ Upgrade to R26 II if you:
- Want flagship-level R2R performance at a more accessible price
- Rely heavily on network streaming (Saier bridge is a major upgrade)
- Appreciate the latest technology and future-proof design
- Seek the ultimate in resolution and refinement
- Are building a new system and want the best current option
⚠️ Stick with R26 (Original) if you:
- Already own the R26 and are satisfied with its performance
- Primarily use USB or S/PDIF inputs (network bridge upgrade less relevant)
- Have a tighter budget and want excellent R2R performance
- Don't need the absolute latest technology
Final Verdict: A Worthy Evolution
The Gustard R26 II is not just a minor refresh—it's a comprehensive upgrade that brings flagship R30 technology, enhanced 26-bit processing, upgraded network streaming, and refined tuning to an already excellent platform.
For those building a new system or seeking the ultimate in R2R DAC performance without stepping up to the R30, the R26 II represents exceptional value. The incorporation of the R30's decoding module alone makes this a significant leap forward, and the cumulative effect of all six upgrades is immediately audible.
The original R26 remains an excellent DAC, but the R26 II takes everything that made it special and elevates it to near-flagship status. If you're in the market for a reference-grade R2R DAC with comprehensive connectivity and future-proof design, the R26 II deserves serious consideration.
🛒 Experience the R26 II Today
Flagship R30 technology meets accessible pricing
Shop Gustard R26 II →Published: January 17, 2026
The HiFi Cat Team
