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Looking at 3 options as an Upgrade from X26 iii

First I wanna say i got this dac as a great deal for less than a thousand almost new in box and it's my first introduction to discrete based dacs and it was quite a surprise. 

However:

I wanna look for my next dac upgrade and keep it at that for years to come and its come down to 3 options:

 

Gustard x30

Gustard R30

orrr....

 

The musetec DA-006.

 

I'm just a sucker for natural effortless sound while not losing any attribute in sound characteristics but can also play well with any genre fast or slow paced music. I really don't listen to orchestral or jazz much. Recently i've come to love the vocals only genre if that makes sense but i mostly listen to everything modern and as far back as synth 80s pop to give an idea.

I hear the x30 is more limitless in soundstage and natural sounding than the x26 III is which is impressive to me but i don't mind saving the xtra bucks for the musetec or even for the R30. So thats where i'm stuck. My setup is neutral for the most part.

izgmoen
sls883
1,054 posts
 

I have a X-30 and I'm very happy with it.  I upgraded from a R-26.

I wouldn't assume that the R-30 is an upgrade, just different.  From the comparisons that I've read, the X-30 is a better choice for me. Very detailed and neutral. I have no harshness or brightness. 

I've also heard a LTA Aero dac in my system. I couldn't say which one is better. 

A Gustard U-26 ddc was an additional enhancement. 

sls883
1,054 posts
 

I think the R-30 is an upgrade over the X-26. I meant that it's not necessarily an upgrade over the X-30.  I think that's personal preference and system dependant. 

izgmoen OP
42 posts
 

@sls883 Basically more natural and effortless than the x26 III then. Would you say a genre master as a whole? If we're not counting the usual orchestral or jazz classical genres. 

I figured that just leaves me with the x30 vs the musetec 

sls883
1,054 posts
 

I listen to a variety of music and the X-30 does it all well.  It doesn't add warmth, etc which is a good thing in my opinion.  It's not overly bright and thin sounding, either. 

I have no experience with the Musetec. 

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