What's unique about the brand
What reviewers are saying
We read all the reviews. Here's what reviewers feel most strongly about:
- Gustard consistently utilizes high-quality components in its products, such as Accusilicon clocks, toroidal transformers, and discrete analog output stages.
- The brand's DACs often feature a comprehensive array of digital inputs, including I2S via HDMI and Ethernet ports for network streaming capabilities.
- Gustard emphasizes providing a refined and smooth audio presentation, prioritizing musicality and natural sound over solely focusing on measured results.
- They offer advanced internal clock management via custom-built synthesizers and precise femto-second clocks, reducing jitter for a cleaner audio signal.
Our favorite reviewer quotes:
- "The mid-frequencies and voices are crystal clear and crisp with a sonic purity enviable by competitors. Musical instruments are also reproduced effectively in all frequencies, and even in complex tracks, the sound reproduction is so distinctive that you can distinguish between every instrument." (https://www.sartoriacustica.it/en/hifi-reviews/2022/02/12/gustard-x18-review)
- "The X30's ability to extract minute details without sounding analytical is noteworthy. Both DACs performed exceptionally well, the X30 edged out the terminator in detail retrieval and rhythmic drive, surprisingly the x30 was not far behind in three dimensionally, (I am going to add a further update to this section because the more hours the x30 is getting on it, the closer its getting in this area)" (https://audiophileshop.com.au/blogs/news/review-gustard-x30-dac-streamer)
- "It sounds very clean, fast, and precise – traits that only the best DACs possess. In fact, I don't remember ever testing a DAC at this price point that could match this kind of speed, clarity, and sheer detail retrieval." (https://iiwireviews.com/gustard-a26-dac-review-better-than-r26)
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Products
Lineup comparison
We think it's helpful to understand how their products compare. To learn more about each, scroll to the section above to click through to individual product pages.
DAC-X16
- Positioning: Entry-level line, designed for affordability and compactness.
- Description: Offers a balanced sound with full MQA capabilities and advanced Bluetooth codecs. Compared to the DAC A-18, it provides a more neutral sound, suitable for those who prioritize measurement-focused performance in small spaces or portable setups.
DAC A-18
- Positioning: Mid-range option, balancing performance and value.
- Description: Known for its detailed and transparent sound, with a robust build quality that enhances spatial imaging. It offers a more natural and dynamic sound compared to the DAC-X16.
DAC-A22
- Positioning: High-performance model, focusing on soundstage and depth.
- Description: Features dual AK4499 chips, providing a warm and engaging sound with impressive holographic imaging. It surpasses the DAC A-18 in tonal balance and offers a more immersive experience.
DAC-X26
- Positioning: Premium model, designed for high-end audio systems.
- Description: Celebrated for its class-A warmth and impactful bass, offering a refined and natural sound. It outperforms the DAC-A22 in terms of detail retrieval and transient response.
DAC-R26
- Positioning: Reference-grade model, emphasizing musicality and engagement.
- Description: Uses a discrete R-2R ladder design, delivering a highly musical and lifelike sound with exceptional soundstage depth. It offers a unique blend of technical excellence and emotional engagement, surpassing the DAC-X26 in naturalness.
DAC-X30
- Positioning: Flagship model, representing the pinnacle of Gustard's DAC technology.
- Description: Features a quad-mono design with four ES9039 PRO chips, providing exceptional resolution and dynamic range. It offers a more refined and expansive sound compared to the DAC-R26.
Used
Gustard
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About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
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Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
Most probably the unorthodox approach to design, even when using off-the-shelf components: we love to think out of the box and give a personal view of the used components in order to reach the best sound quality for the budget. This takes us to the second appeal point for our products, which are always regarded as "sounding better than competitors' products costing more than twice as much."
What's your approach to customer support?
For warranty claims, usually, customers are required to contact the dealer who sold them the product: he's in charge for handling the claim. Whenever the warranty has expired, then the customer may either contact the dealer or directly M2Tech/Manunta. This usually happens with second-hand products. We ask customer to ship the product to Italy, we inspect it and propose a budget for repair/replacement.
Quite often, we also propose the customer to trade the old product for a newer one, usually with some addition by the customer. This is very useful with older products which are no longer reliably supported by Windows and no longer supported by MacOS. The customer is invited to take back a more recent product.
We are quite proud to state that we always service an old product, back to the ones released in 2009, to the extent this is possible, with regards to spare parts availability.
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
Well, that's hard to tell, as we have a listening panel made up of people with different tastes and experience. Personally, I often use a track by Tiger Okoshi from his XRCD Two Sides To Every Story, track No. 5: “Yuki No Furu Machi O.”
Another track I like for its openness in the middle-high range and the nice soundstage is “There'll Be Some Changes Made” from Mark Knopfler and Chet Atkins’ Neck And Neck. But pay attention: I use the old Columbia CD, as all remasters I found on Qobuz and Tidal are dark and dull in comparison.
Finally, I'd mention another jazz track from a Red Records CD: The Next Step (Mantilla / Watson / Walrath / Mathews / Lundy / Lewis). It’s the first one on the CD: “Mantilla's Jam.” The entire CD is highly enjoyable, though. Then there are many more tracks, from CDs, LPs, and streaming.
What other products pair best with yours?
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
Featured products
About the brand
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
