GUSTARD - A26
Desktop DAC & Network Audio Streamer/RendererGET 18% GST INPUT
One of the reasons headphones and earphones in India are more expensive than overseas is because of the Goods &
Services Tax in India.
Don't let the GST input go to waste especially if you can avail an offset.
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Browse EMI Plans
Low Cost EMI Options through Credit Cards
ICICI Bank
3
Low Cost EMI
₹ 51,338
₹ 4,015
₹ 3,236
6
Low Cost EMI
₹ 26,179
₹ 7,073
₹ 5,722
9
15.99%
₹ 17,797
₹ 10,170
12
15.99%
₹ 13,609
₹ 13,307
18
15.99%
₹ 9,428
₹ 19,699
24
15.99%
₹ 7,344
₹ 26,250
HDFC Bank
3
Low Cost EMI
₹ 51,339
₹ 4,018
₹ 3,236
6
Low Cost EMI
₹ 26,179
₹ 7,077
₹ 5,722
9
16%
₹ 17,797
₹ 10,176
12
16%
₹ 13,610
₹ 13,315
18
16%
₹ 9,428
₹ 19,712
24
16%
₹ 7,344
₹ 26,267
SBI Bank
3
Low Cost EMI
₹ 51,381
₹ 4,144
₹ 3,332
6
Low Cost EMI
₹ 26,105
₹ 6,630
₹ 5,339
9
15%
₹ 17,725
₹ 9,530
12
15%
₹ 13,539
₹ 12,465
18
16%
₹ 9,428
₹ 19,712
24
16%
₹ 7,344
₹ 26,267
Axis Bank
3
Low Cost EMI
₹ 51,339
₹ 4,018
₹ 3,236
6
Low Cost EMI
₹ 26,179
₹ 7,077
₹ 5,722
9
16%
₹ 17,797
₹ 10,176
12
16%
₹ 13,468
₹ 11,617
18
16%
₹ 9,428
₹ 19,712
24
16%
₹ 7,344
₹ 26,267
Other EMI Options through Credit Cards
Citi Bank
3
14%
₹ 51,171
₹ 3,514
6
14%
₹ 26,031
₹ 6,184
9
16%
₹ 17,797
₹ 10,176
12
16%
₹ 13,610
₹ 13,315
18
16%
₹ 9,428
₹ 19,712
24
16%
₹ 7,344
₹ 26,267
Kotak Mahindra Bank
Tenure
Interest%
Installment
Interest
3
16%
₹ 51,339
₹ 4,018
6
16%
₹ 26,179
₹ 7,077
9
16%
₹ 17,797
₹ 10,176
12
16%
₹ 13,610
₹ 13,315
18
16%
₹ 9,428
₹ 19,712
24
16%
₹ 7,344
₹ 26,267
RBL Bank
3
13%
₹ 51,087
₹ 3,262
6
14%
₹ 26,031
₹ 6,184
9
15%
₹ 17,725
₹ 9,530
12
15%
₹ 13,539
₹ 12,465
18
15%
₹ 9,358
₹ 18,439
24
15%
₹ 7,273
₹ 24,552
Standard Chartered Bank
3
13%
₹ 51,087
₹ 3,262
6
13%
₹ 25,956
₹ 5,739
9
14%
₹ 17,654
₹ 8,885
12
14%
₹ 13,468
₹ 11,617
INDUSIND Bank
3
14%
₹ 51,171
₹ 3,514
6
14%
₹ 26,031
₹ 6,184
9
15%
₹ 17,725
₹ 9,530
12
15%
₹ 13,539
₹ 12,465
18
15%
₹ 9,358
₹ 18,439
24
15%
₹ 7,273
₹ 24,552
HSBC Bank
3
12.50%
₹ 51,045
₹ 3,136
6
12.50%
₹ 25,919
₹ 5,516
9
13.50%
₹ 17,618
₹ 8,563
12
13.50%
₹ 13,433
₹ 11,194
18
13.50%
₹ 9,252
₹ 16,539
YES Bank
3
13%
₹ 51,087
₹ 3,262
6
13%
₹ 25,956
₹ 5,739
9
14%
₹ 17,654
₹ 8,885
12
14%
₹ 13,468
₹ 11,617
18
15%
₹ 9,358
₹ 18,439
24
15%
₹ 7,273
₹ 24,552
Bank of Baroda
3
13%
₹ 51,087
₹ 3,262
6
14%
₹ 26,031
₹ 6,184
9
14%
₹ 17,654
₹ 8,885
12
15%
₹ 13,539
₹ 12,465
18
15%
₹ 9,358
₹ 18,439
24
16%
₹ 7,344
₹ 26,267
American Express
3
14%
₹ 51,171
₹ 3,514
6
14%
₹ 26,031
₹ 6,184
9
14%
₹ 17,654
₹ 8,885
12
14%
₹ 13,468
₹ 11,617
18
15%
₹ 9,358
₹ 18,439
24
15%
₹ 7,273
₹ 24,552
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Why GUSTARD is Special
Designed in China
Young Maverick Brand
New on the scene, but bringing seasoned expertise!
This headphone or gear might come from a fresh, up-and-coming brand, but it boasts the quality and innovation of a well-established name.
If you see a product marked as "🥊 Young Maverick Brand”, it means you're getting cutting-edge technology and top-notch performance from a brand that's already making waves in the industry.
Specialist
A masterpiece from the experts who know audio inside and out!
This headphone or gear is crafted by specialists who know their stuff, ensuring every detail is perfect.
If you see a product marked as “🌟 Specialist”, it means you're choosing a device designed by experts who specialize in creating this specific category of device.
Why we love this DAC/Amp
Premium Economy
Sensible spending and class above in quality.
This headphone or gear offers top-notch sound and performance without much impact on your pocket, promising a delightful experience that exceeds your expectations at an economical price point.
If you see a product marked as “💎 Premium Economy," it indicates that you're getting a high-quality audio product with exceptional sound clarity and reliable performance, all at a budget-friendly price.
Serious Audiophiles Only
Diving deeper into exploring the hobby is never enough.
If you're an audiophile on a hunt for a device that meets your high standards, this is one such headphone or gear designed for discerning audiophiles like you in mind.
If you see a product marked with “🦈 Serious Audiophiles Only" we assure you that this device can match your depth of knowledge and expertise to take your passion for audio to the next level.
Connect With Cable
This device comes with multiple connectivity options. Be sure to check if your source and output support these input and output options.
Built like a Tank
No need to worry about durability.
If you're seeking a headphone or gear with a strong, rugged build, this snapshot indicates that this is the one for you.
If you see a product marked with “🪖 Built like a Tank", it means this product is crafted with metal in its design, ensuring exceptional robustness and durability.
Why it Sounds Amazing
DAC Chip
Know the secret to your pristine audio.
This headphone or gear reveals the secret sauce behind superior audio quality, highlighting the presence of a high-performance DAC chip for pristine sound reproduction.
If you see products marked as “⚙️ DAC Chip”, expect to experience your music with unparalleled clarity, detail, and fidelity, ensuring that every note and nuance is faithfully reproduced for your listening pleasure.
Balanced Output
Upgrading from single-ended to balanced can be the easiest way to improve your sound.
This DAC, Amp or Hi-Res player offers a balanced output, ensuring pristine audio quality with minimised interference and enhanced clarity for your listening pleasure.
If you see a product marked as "⚖️ Balanced Output”, get ready for a symphony of crystal-clear tunes, free from any unwanted noise drama!
Sampling Rate And Bit Depth
Ever wonder how those ones and zeros on your computer magically transform into the rich melodies that fill your room?
The secret lies in a tiny device called a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). Think of it as a translator, taking the digital code of your music and meticulously sculpting it back into a smooth, analog wave that your speakers can understand. But just like a sculptor needs the right tools, achieving audio nirvana with a DAC depends on two key factors: sampling rate and bit depth.
Sampling Rate:
Imagine your favourite song as a complex rollercoaster track. The sampling rate refers to how often the DAC takes measurements of this digital track, measured in kHz (kilohertz) or thousands of times per second. A higher sampling rate, like 96 kHz, is like taking a ton of pictures of the track, capturing every twist and turn with incredible detail. Lower rates, like the standard 44.1 kHz used in CDs, are like taking snapshots at a theme park – fun, but you might miss some of the subtler details that make the ride truly exhilarating.
Bit Depth:
Now, think about the sculptor's tools. Bit depth refers to the precision of each measurement the DAC takes. Imagine the number of colours available to the sculptor. With higher bit depth (e.g., 24 bits compared to 16 bits), each measurement can capture a wider range of values. This allows the DAC to recreate subtler variations in the sound wave, resulting in richer and more nuanced audio. It's like having a broader colour palette for building a more detailed and lifelike sculpture of the sound.
DESCRIPTION
INTRODUCING THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED HI-RES DAC, THE MAGNIFICENT GUSTARD A26
Gustard is a high-end HiFi audio manufacturer of desktop-grade audio products. They have provided several incredibly high-quality products, including desktop DACs, power amplifiers, headphone amplifiers, and other Hi-Fi equipment. Building on the lineage, Gustard is proud to introduce Gustard A26, a brand-new flagship Desktop DAC + Network Streamer & Renderer. The Gustard A26 promises to deliver flagship performance with rich tonality, exceptional clarity, and a wealth of details thanks to its high-quality components. It includes a dual DAC arrangement with the industry's best independent digital-analogue architecture and high-performance LPF and I/V circuits. Additionally, it offers Renderer and Streamer features with support for various applications and protocols. The Gustard A26 is here to blow your mind away with exceptional performance without any compromises!
FEATURES HIGH-END DUAL AKM DAC CHIPS FOR AN EXHILARATING SONIC PERFORMANCE WITH MQA SUPPORT
Gustard has trusted AKM Technologies with their flagship AK4499EX DAC chips for the core of A26. The Gustard A26 features dual AK4499EX DAC chips to deliver rich tonality and excellent details. The engineers at Gustard have designed a balanced audio circuit consisting of dual AK4499EX DAC chips arranged independently for each channel. This design architecture with an independent power supply and grounding for each channel eliminates electromagnetic interference and delivers an ultra-pure signal for you to experience pure sound. An AK4191 modulator chip for analogue and digital circuits (independent) supports this design architecture. Gustard has featured XMOS’s XU216 16-core USB processor for unprecedented USB signal transmission. It enables high-resolution PCM, DSD audio signals supporting up to 32-Bit/768kHz PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) and Native DSD512 (Direct Stream Digital) audio signals. It also has full MQA rendering and features multiple digital filters for PCM and DSD signals.
NOTE:
1. To know more about MQA and how it improves or enhances the listening experience, refer to the FAQ section.
2. To know more about digital filters for PCM and DSD signals, refer to the FAQ section.
A TRUE INDEPENDENT DESIGN FUSED WITH GUSTARD’S K2 ULTRA-LOW NOISE CLOCK SYNTHESISER AND FPGA TECH
The Gustard A26 is designed in and around independent regulators with various stages of bypass capacitors to avoid interference. It also hosts two specific toroidal transformers for audio applications, isolating the digital and analogue power supply. The Gustard A26 features one exclusively designed FPGA architecture (Field Programmable Gate Array), which includes Signal routing, Clock management, 2nd order PLL, DoP decoding and Depop for PCM & DSD (pop-and-click protection/suppression). The Gustard A26 houses an independent femtosecond crystal oscillator and Gustard’s in-house developed K2 ultra-low noise clock synthesiser. It works flawlessly with built-in and external clock interfaces with 10MHz clock input.
DOUBLES-UP AS A STREAMER & RENDERER HOSTING AN ICONIC DESIGN WITH A TOUCH PANEL OLED SCREEN
Gustard A26 brings easy access to high-quality online music streaming with app support, including Room, UPnP, and HQPlayer NAA. The Gustard A26 is not just a high-end Desktop DAC; but also a Network Streamer and Renderer. Gustard has created a completely symmetrical design, placing its OLED screen display directly in the centre to get rid of physical buttons in favour of elegant touch panels. This DAC has a sharp appearance, and its approachable user interface ensures its viability in the future.
NOTE: Gustard is working to add more protocols and applications to the A26’s supported list.
SPECS
IIS/USB/LAN | DSD64~DSD512, PCM 44.1K-768K, MQA 8X |
COAX/AES/OPT | DSD64(D0P), PCM 44.1K-192K, MQA 8X |
LAN | Roon/UPnP/HQPlayer NAA (more in the future) |
10M CLOCK IN | 50 Ω BNC, 0dBm-20dBm, square wave 0.2-3.3V, sinewave 0.5-3.3V |
FREQUENCY RESPONSE | 20-20kHz/+-0.2dB |
DYNAMIC RANGE | 127dB |
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO | >126dB |
CROSSTALK | -139dB @ 1kHz |
THD+N | <=0.0001% @1kHz |
IMD | ≈0.001% @ -1dbfs |
RCA | 2.5Vrms (VOLUME FIXED) 100Ω |
XLR | 5.0Vrms (VOLUME FIXED) 100Ω |
XLR PINOUT | 1-Ground 2-Hot 3-Cold |
POWER SUPPLY | AC115V/230V 50/60Hz |
POWER CONSUMPTION | <30W |
SIZE | 330mm (Width) * 260mm (Length) * 65mm (Height) (protrusion not included) |
PACKING SIZE | 420mm (Width) * 360mm (Length) * 175mm |
WEIGHT | 7Kg (with package) |
SANDBLASTED ALUMINUM ALLOY CASE | Black/Silver version |
BOX CONTENTS | 1. GUSTARD A26 |
2. Remote Control |
OTHER DETAILS
GENERIC NAME | DAC & Amp |
IMPORTER DETAILS | Importers Name: Ferrari Video Address: 63/18, 1st Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Chennai - 600020 Contact No: 044-24420733 |
NET QUANTITY | 1 |
PACKAGE CONTENTS | GUSTARD A26 Remote Control |
FAQs
What is the warranty on the GUSTARD A26?
All GUSTARD products come with a 2 year warranty. You can simply get in touch with us to claim the warranty.
Where is GUSTARD brand based?
GUSTARD is a brand based in China.
What are the stand-out features?
High-end Dual DAC Chipset featuring dual AK4499EX DAC Chips.
Independent Digital-Analog Architecture With AK4191+AK4499 Chips.
Exclusively designed FPGA low-jitter technology.
Latest XMOS USB Processor supporting Hi-Res 32Bit/768kHz PCM, Native DSD512, and full MQA Rendering.
Streamer and Renderer Function.
10MHz K2 Clock Interface.
Multiple DSD, and PCM Filters.
Independent Power Supply Design.
Fully-Functioning Remote Control.
IIS Input Support.
Balanced/Single-Ended Analog Outputs(XLR/RCA).
What DAC chips are used in the A26?
The GUSTARD A26 features dual AK4499EX DAC chips to deliver rich tonality and excellent details.
What are the sampling/decoding rates supported?
It enables high-resolution PCM, DSD audio signals supporting up to 32-Bit/768kHz PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) and Native DSD512 (Direct Stream Digital) audio signals.
Does it support MQA?
Yep! It does support full MQA decoding.
How does MQA work?
When an analogue sound is converted into a digital signal, temporal blurring occurs, smearing transients through time. As a result, our ears can't tell where individual sounds are coming from, and recorded music sounds flat compared to 'live'. MQA is able to clean up this distortion to create a truly accurate 3D soundstage unlike anything you've ever heard.
Does it have touch panel control?
Yep! It does have touch panel controls.
Is the GUSTARD A26 easy to operate?
Yep! The GUSTARD A26 is an easy-to-operate desktop device with fully-functioning remote control. It has an OLED display with a touch-sensitive key panel for easy operation.
INTRODUCING THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED HI-RES DAC, THE MAGNIFICENT GUSTARD A26
Gustard is a high-end HiFi audio manufacturer of desktop-grade audio products. They have provided several incredibly high-quality products, including desktop DACs, power amplifiers, headphone amplifiers, and other Hi-Fi equipment. Building on the lineage, Gustard is proud to introduce Gustard A26, a brand-new flagship Desktop DAC + Network Streamer & Renderer. The Gustard A26 promises to deliver flagship performance with rich tonality, exceptional clarity, and a wealth of details thanks to its high-quality components. It includes a dual DAC arrangement with the industry's best independent digital-analogue architecture and high-performance LPF and I/V circuits. Additionally, it offers Renderer and Streamer features with support for various applications and protocols. The Gustard A26 is here to blow your mind away with exceptional performance without any compromises!
FEATURES HIGH-END DUAL AKM DAC CHIPS FOR AN EXHILARATING SONIC PERFORMANCE WITH MQA SUPPORT
Gustard has trusted AKM Technologies with their flagship AK4499EX DAC chips for the core of A26. The Gustard A26 features dual AK4499EX DAC chips to deliver rich tonality and excellent details. The engineers at Gustard have designed a balanced audio circuit consisting of dual AK4499EX DAC chips arranged independently for each channel. This design architecture with an independent power supply and grounding for each channel eliminates electromagnetic interference and delivers an ultra-pure signal for you to experience pure sound. An AK4191 modulator chip for analogue and digital circuits (independent) supports this design architecture. Gustard has featured XMOS’s XU216 16-core USB processor for unprecedented USB signal transmission. It enables high-resolution PCM, DSD audio signals supporting up to 32-Bit/768kHz PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) and Native DSD512 (Direct Stream Digital) audio signals. It also has full MQA rendering and features multiple digital filters for PCM and DSD signals.
NOTE:
1. To know more about MQA and how it improves or enhances the listening experience, refer to the FAQ section.
2. To know more about digital filters for PCM and DSD signals, refer to the FAQ section.
A TRUE INDEPENDENT DESIGN FUSED WITH GUSTARD’S K2 ULTRA-LOW NOISE CLOCK SYNTHESISER AND FPGA TECH
The Gustard A26 is designed in and around independent regulators with various stages of bypass capacitors to avoid interference. It also hosts two specific toroidal transformers for audio applications, isolating the digital and analogue power supply. The Gustard A26 features one exclusively designed FPGA architecture (Field Programmable Gate Array), which includes Signal routing, Clock management, 2nd order PLL, DoP decoding and Depop for PCM & DSD (pop-and-click protection/suppression). The Gustard A26 houses an independent femtosecond crystal oscillator and Gustard’s in-house developed K2 ultra-low noise clock synthesiser. It works flawlessly with built-in and external clock interfaces with 10MHz clock input.
DOUBLES-UP AS A STREAMER & RENDERER HOSTING AN ICONIC DESIGN WITH A TOUCH PANEL OLED SCREEN
Gustard A26 brings easy access to high-quality online music streaming with app support, including Room, UPnP, and HQPlayer NAA. The Gustard A26 is not just a high-end Desktop DAC; but also a Network Streamer and Renderer. Gustard has created a completely symmetrical design, placing its OLED screen display directly in the centre to get rid of physical buttons in favour of elegant touch panels. This DAC has a sharp appearance, and its approachable user interface ensures its viability in the future.
NOTE: Gustard is working to add more protocols and applications to the A26’s supported list.
IIS/USB/LAN | DSD64~DSD512, PCM 44.1K-768K, MQA 8X |
COAX/AES/OPT | DSD64(D0P), PCM 44.1K-192K, MQA 8X |
LAN | Roon/UPnP/HQPlayer NAA (more in the future) |
10M CLOCK IN | 50 Ω BNC, 0dBm-20dBm, square wave 0.2-3.3V, sinewave 0.5-3.3V |
FREQUENCY RESPONSE | 20-20kHz/+-0.2dB |
DYNAMIC RANGE | 127dB |
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO | >126dB |
CROSSTALK | -139dB @ 1kHz |
THD+N | <=0.0001% @1kHz |
IMD | ≈0.001% @ -1dbfs |
RCA | 2.5Vrms (VOLUME FIXED) 100Ω |
XLR | 5.0Vrms (VOLUME FIXED) 100Ω |
XLR PINOUT | 1-Ground 2-Hot 3-Cold |
POWER SUPPLY | AC115V/230V 50/60Hz |
POWER CONSUMPTION | <30W |
SIZE | 330mm (Width) * 260mm (Length) * 65mm (Height) (protrusion not included) |
PACKING SIZE | 420mm (Width) * 360mm (Length) * 175mm |
WEIGHT | 7Kg (with package) |
SANDBLASTED ALUMINUM ALLOY CASE | Black/Silver version |
BOX CONTENTS | 1. GUSTARD A26 |
2. Remote Control |
OTHER DETAILS
GENERIC NAME | DAC & Amp |
IMPORTER DETAILS | Importers Name: Ferrari Video Address: 63/18, 1st Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Chennai - 600020 Contact No: 044-24420733 |
NET QUANTITY | 1 |
PACKAGE CONTENTS | GUSTARD A26 Remote Control |
What is the warranty on the GUSTARD A26?
All GUSTARD products come with a 2 year warranty. You can simply get in touch with us to claim the warranty.
Where is GUSTARD brand based?
GUSTARD is a brand based in China.
What are the stand-out features?
High-end Dual DAC Chipset featuring dual AK4499EX DAC Chips.
Independent Digital-Analog Architecture With AK4191+AK4499 Chips.
Exclusively designed FPGA low-jitter technology.
Latest XMOS USB Processor supporting Hi-Res 32Bit/768kHz PCM, Native DSD512, and full MQA Rendering.
Streamer and Renderer Function.
10MHz K2 Clock Interface.
Multiple DSD, and PCM Filters.
Independent Power Supply Design.
Fully-Functioning Remote Control.
IIS Input Support.
Balanced/Single-Ended Analog Outputs(XLR/RCA).
What DAC chips are used in the A26?
The GUSTARD A26 features dual AK4499EX DAC chips to deliver rich tonality and excellent details.
What are the sampling/decoding rates supported?
It enables high-resolution PCM, DSD audio signals supporting up to 32-Bit/768kHz PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) and Native DSD512 (Direct Stream Digital) audio signals.
Does it support MQA?
Yep! It does support full MQA decoding.
How does MQA work?
When an analogue sound is converted into a digital signal, temporal blurring occurs, smearing transients through time. As a result, our ears can't tell where individual sounds are coming from, and recorded music sounds flat compared to 'live'. MQA is able to clean up this distortion to create a truly accurate 3D soundstage unlike anything you've ever heard.
Does it have touch panel control?
Yep! It does have touch panel controls.
Is the GUSTARD A26 easy to operate?
Yep! The GUSTARD A26 is an easy-to-operate desktop device with fully-functioning remote control. It has an OLED display with a touch-sensitive key panel for easy operation.
Don't sweat it, this
GUSTARD - A26 comes with a 2 Year warranty
from GUSTARD that covers manufacturing defects.
All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.
Read more about GUSTARD's warranty in India.
Affordable Excellence in Audio: The Shenzhen Revelation
Explore CollectionGold Award
Soundnews.net
Jan, 2023
"A26 was always refined and velvety, preserving the soul of the music as no other chip-based converter did to this day. There’s an abundance of energy every time I hit that play button, getting positive vibes along the way. "
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