GUSTARD - A26

Desktop DAC & Network Audio Streamer/Renderer

Sale price₹ 149,999
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Color: Black
Talk to a Headphone Guru
DELIVERY

1. What is a Pre-Order product?
A Pre-order product is a product that we especially order for you from the brand. Once you place an order with us, we will order it from the brand for you.

2. How do I know when the product will be delivered?
There is a rough timeline on the product availability and once it has been confirmed with the brand, we will inform you.

3. Do you order the product from the brand as soon as I place the order?
We do not immediately order the product but add it in the upcoming order.

4. Will you be giving me updates?
Once we have ordered the product and have a confirmed timeline, we will give you an update.

5. I’d like to make changes to/cancel my order?
You can only cancel/make changes to your order until we place the order with the brand. Since the product is specifically being ordered for you, we will be unable to cancel/make changes once we order the product from the brand.

Free Shipping
7 Day Replacement Guarantee

In case you receive the GUSTARD - A26 with a manufacturing defect, please raise a return request within 7 days of delivery.

However, if you receive an incorrect / damaged / different product or one with missing accessories, please raise a return request within 24 hours of delivery. In case you receive a product with a missing, incorrect, or faulty accessory, you will be given a replacement accessory instead of the entire product.

Please make sure that the product is in the original packaging with all the accessories it came with. We'll also need an unboxing video and images of the parcel to investigate about the discrepancy. You may be asked to share images of the product and the packaging received for us to determine the damage or defect prior to approving the return request. The free replacement will be shipped only once the original order is returned.

A replacement will be issued only if:

- It is found to be defective
- It is determined that the product was not damaged while in your possession
- The product is not different from what was shipped to you
- The product is returned in original condition (with brand’s/manufacturer's box, MRP tag intact, user manual, warranty card and all the accessories therein)

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Warranty & Services

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.

Club Audiophile

Join Club Audiophile to begin your pursuit of great sound. Earn points and save on every purchase.

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Why GUSTARD is Special

🇨🇳

Designed in China

Young Maverick Brand

New on the scene, but bringing seasoned expertise 🌟!


I get excited about young maverick brands because they often bring fresh perspectives and cutting-edge innovation that challenge established players. These companies combine youthful energy with serious technical expertise, often demonstrating remarkable attention to detail and commitment to pushing boundaries. Think of them like startup tech companies - they might be newer, but they're hungry to prove themselves and often deliver incredible value.


Drawing on deep industry expertise and passion for audio excellence, these brands often demonstrate remarkable attention to detail and commitment to technological advancement. They frequently deliver cutting-edge technology and performance that rivals established competitors 🚀.


When you see "🥊 Young Maverick Brand" products, expect innovative excellence from companies that combine fresh energy with serious technical expertise to deliver impressive results.

Specialist

A masterpiece from experts who know audio inside and out 🔧!


I tend to describe specialist manufacturers as "audio artisans" who focus exclusively on perfecting specific categories of equipment. These products are meticulously crafted by dedicated experts who possess deep knowledge of sound reproduction, ensuring every technical aspect is refined to perfection. Think of them like master craftsmen who spend their entire careers perfecting one specific skill - their focused expertise shows in every detail.


These dedicated experts bring years of specialised knowledge to the design process, resulting in products that consistently achieve exceptional performance standards through focused engineering excellence 🎯.


When you see "🌟 Specialist" products, expect focused expertise from manufacturers who dedicate their entire efforts to perfecting specific audio equipment categories.

Why we love this DAC/Amp

Premium Economy

Sensible spending meets sophisticated quality in perfect harmony 💫.


I tend to describe premium economy products as finding that sweet spot where exceptional value meets refined performance. Think of it like business class comfort at economy prices - you're getting significantly more than what you paid for. These headphones deliver a refined listening experience that rivals more expensive alternatives, making them an intelligent choice for discerning listeners who appreciate both value and excellence.


This thoughtfully curated selection demonstrates our commitment to bringing you outstanding sound quality and robust construction without requiring a significant financial investment. Each product has been meticulously evaluated to ensure it delivers performance characteristics typically associated with higher price brackets.


When you see "💎 Premium Economy" products, expect refined audio experiences that bridge the gap between entry-level and high-end offerings, delivering impressive clarity and features at accessible price points.


Serious Audiophiles Only

For those who have ventured deep into high-fidelity audio 🎯, the pursuit of sonic excellence becomes an endless journey of discovery and refinement. I believe that serious audiophiles demand equipment that can satisfy the most exacting standards and deliver performance that pushes boundaries. These products represent the pinnacle of acoustic engineering, incorporating advanced technologies and meticulous craftsmanship that enable them to reproduce music with utmost fidelity.


Each product has undergone rigorous evaluation to ensure it delivers exceptional performance that discerning listeners demand, from precise frequency response to impeccable detail retrieval and sophisticated sound staging. These devices incorporate premium components and engineering excellence that justify their position at the apex of audio performance.


When you encounter "🦈 Serious Audiophiles Only" products, expect uncompromising performance that satisfies the most demanding requirements and elevates critical listening to new heights.

Connect With Cable

In my experience, there’s still nothing like the dependability of a wired connection when it comes to audio 🎧. I love describing it as the direct flight of music — no delays, no turbulence. When a product says “Connect with Cable,” it means you’re getting the most reliable signal path, with zero wireless compression and minimal interference.


Here’s what’s actually happening: a physical cable transmits uncompressed analog or digital signals directly from your source to your gear. This results in lower latency, no signal drops, and consistently better sound — especially when paired with a good DAC or amp. It’s ideal for critical listening, gaming, and professional use. The trade-off? You’re tethered — but for a lot of audiophiles, that’s a small price to pay for sonic purity.


When you see '🔗 Connect With Cable' products, expect: pure, uninterrupted sound quality that lets your gear perform at its full potential — perfect for focused, high-fidelity listening.

Built like a Tank

Durability concerns? Rest assured 💪.


I tend to describe these products as audio equipment that's built to survive anything you can throw at them. These headphones incorporate high-grade metal components and reinforced design elements that ensure they can handle demanding conditions while maintaining structural integrity. Think of them as the military-grade vehicles of the audio world - over-engineered for reliability and built to last decades, not just years.


The metal construction provides exceptional strength and longevity while contributing to a premium feel that serious audio enthusiasts appreciate. Whether you're a professional who needs reliable daily-use equipment or someone who values long-term investment in audio gear 🏗️.


When you encounter "🪖 Built like a Tank" products, expect unmatched robustness and durability you can count on for years of intensive use.


Why it Sounds Amazing

DAC Chip

I like to say the DAC chip is the heart of any audio device — it’s the part that actually transforms digital files into music you can hear 🎧. Think of it like a chef decoding a recipe to create a delicious meal. The better the DAC chip, the more faithfully it translates your music. And in my experience, a great DAC can completely change how your headphones sound.


Now, here’s what’s actually happening: a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) takes digital signals (your MP3s, FLACs, or streams) and converts them into an analog waveform your ears can enjoy. Different DAC chips — like those from ESS, AKM, or Cirrus Logic — offer their own sound signatures, levels of clarity, and noise performance. A good DAC ensures accurate timing, minimal distortion, and exceptional resolution.


When you see '⚙️ DAC Chip' products, expect: clean, detailed audio and better synergy with high-quality headphones — perfect for anyone upgrading from average sound to audiophile quality.

Balanced Output

I often say balanced output is like using both hands to carry something heavy — it distributes power evenly and keeps things stable. In audio gear, balanced output helps reduce unwanted noise and interference, especially over longer cables. Think of it as a cleaner, more efficient way to transmit your music, ideal for anyone using high-end DACs, amps, or studio-grade headphones 🎧. You’ll typically find it on gear with XLR or 4.4mm connectors, and it's a must-have if you’re chasing that ultra-clean signal path.


Here’s what’s actually happening: a balanced output uses two separate signals, one inverted, so when interference is picked up along the cable, it gets cancelled out when the signals are recombined. The result? Cleaner audio, better dynamic range, and more power output — especially when paired with balanced headphones. The trade-off? You’ll need gear that supports balanced connections on both ends to really enjoy the benefits.


When you see '⚖️ Balanced Output' products, expect: ultra-low noise, more headroom, and better synergy with high-impedance headphones or sensitive IEMs — ideal for serious listening setups.

Decodes Upto

When I see "Decodes up to" listed in product specs, I think of it like a music translator that speaks more languages than you’ll ever need. It tells you how far a DAC or audio device can go in handling hi-res formats—think PCM, DSD, or MQA—and at what resolution. 🧠🎶


Technically, this refers to the maximum bit depth and sample rate a DAC can process—like 32-bit/768kHz PCM or DSD512. The higher these numbers, the more detailed and lifelike the audio can potentially sound. But remember, real-world improvements depend on the recording quality and your headphones, not just specs alone.

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!

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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.
MQA

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.

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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.

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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.

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2 Year Warranty

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

Headquartered in one of China's leading tech hubs – the city of Shenzhen – GUSTARD is a company with research and development at its core. Its goal is to provide music fans with high-performance audio products at affordable prices.

GUSTARD is one of those names that has had a strong pull in the audiophile world and are known for their desktop audio solutions, with a particular focus on headphones. Their line-up of products primarily includes headphone amplifiers, DACs, clocks, and recently integrated streaming devices.Gustard is one of the most secretive and mysterious audio equipment manufacturers out there. But GUSTARD sure knows what they are doing when it comes to digital audio. They are known for utilising high-quality components like toroidal transformers, embedding dual DAC chips in a dual-mono configuration and equipping a fully discrete class-A output stage in their gear.

Explore Collection
Soundnews

Gold Award

Soundnews.net
Jan, 2023

Soundnews

"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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