Gustard R30 streamer/DAC

Yeah I haven’t heard it but from what I’ve read it should be a considerable step up in performance over the Qutest, and it looks like a very formidable piece especially at its price point.  I’m sure you’ve seen it already, but I’ll link this review for others because it’s very thorough and includes comparisons to the R26 and Denafrips Venus 15th that I found particularly interesting, and that it held its own versus the reviewer’s $27k reference DAC is also highly impressive for a $3500 DAC.  It’s definitely high on my radar as a DAC upgrade as well. 
 

https://soundnews.net/reviews/sources/gustard-r30-dac-review-the-r2r-perfection/

I have a R30 with approximately 100hrs on it. I was originally planning on selling my Eversolo A8 and going the Eversolo Z10 & T8 combo but stumbled on the R30 and decided to try it with the intention of comparing it with a Z10. Well that never happened.
Even brand new out of the box I was impressed. I didn’t have a Z10 yet but did compare it with the A8. The R30 has a similar sound to the A8 in that it’s very detailed without sounding harsh and bright. Although similar, the R30 bested the A8 in fullness (weight ) and especially in sound staging both in depth and width.
Now I’m definitely not an expert and haven’t owned many $5k plus DACs so take this for what it is, this is the best sounding DAC I have ever heard in my system.

After one day with the R30, I  decided not to buy the Z10 and I put my A8 up for sale. Would the Z10 sound better than the A8?, I’m guessing it would ( same chips - better power supply -isolation ) but the R30 just made me not want to deal with that A/B comparison. 
I used the A8 as a streamer into the R30 via iis and USB. Both sounded excellent with the iis sounding better IMHO ( more openness in the music and wider soundstage ). The A8 has been sold  and I’m currently using an Aurender N150 via USB ( of course ) and it simply sounds amazing. I did not do a direct A8 / N150 comparison as I did not have both units here at the same time. I plan on picking up a T8 soon and will definitely compare it with the N150. 
I have only gone PCM so far too, so no comments on DSD and  UpSampling yet. 
Anyway, those are my thoughts. I believe you will not be disappointed in the sound of the R30. Now the remote and Streaming Platform is another story. ( I’m primary a Qobuz user )

Regards, Dj

I have now enjoyed my R30 in my second system for a few weeks.  It set up easily and has performed flawlessly.  I picked up a “like new” open box unit for $2599...what a deal for this level of a DAC/Network Streamer. The R30 replaced my R26 which is a very nice sounding DAC that I really enjoyed for 2 years.  Adding a Sonore OpticalRendu to the R26 took the R26 to another level.   Comparing the R30 to my R26 (with the OR) put a smile on my face.  The R30 is definitely in a different league.  It just does everything better.  Detail, clarity , 3D imaging, clean punchy bass, fantastic realism and tone.  Everything just sounds so natural and real with zero fatigue.  I only stream music with Qobuz/Roon so when I compared the R30  built in streamer to the R30 with the Optical Rendu I preferred the R30 streamer better. It’s a bonus to have a simpler combined unit and simplfy the system.   Gustard really stepped up  game on the R30 DAC and it’s streamer.  Highly recommended!

You'll find a lot more information here:

Gustard R30 Thread

It seems that Gustard R30 and X30 owners including myself (X30) that have tried different inputs concluded that the direct ethernet connection sounds the best.

Like several other X30 owners, the connection gets lost couple days or so and I have to power down/up to get it back.

I have an older R26 in a second system, also direct ethernet connection on the same network, that never looses signal. Go figure.

I agree with those above and many others at the Head-Fi link; hard to beat Gustard at the price. I'd love compare a R30 against my X30 in my main stereo.

@tksteingraber Is your R30 ethernet connection stable?