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Gustard Unveils R30: A Flagship R2R Streaming DAC with Roon, AirPlay & Reference-Grade Engineering

With in-house ladder DAC design, dual transformers, and a built-in streaming board, the R30 aims to redefine what a modern high-end DAC can be.


Silver electronic device with "GUSTARD" on top, black front panel displays "FIXED." Sleek, modern design, set on a reflective surface.


Gustard has pulled the wraps off its all-new R30, a discrete R2R streaming DAC that fuses cutting-edge digital architecture with purist analogue design. Sleek and modern in appearance, the R30 features a front-panel display that doubles as a touch interface, making operation as tactile as it is futuristic.


At its heart is an in-house resistor ladder DAC circuit capable of 27-bit resolution, alongside a separate decoding path for native DSD signals — a design choice that avoids conversion compromises often seen in hybrid DACs.


On the analogue side, the R30 opts for a passive resistor ladder volume control (defeatable for those running a separate preamp) paired with a fully discrete Class A output stage — no op-amps in sight. Outputs include both single-ended RCA and balanced XLR, ensuring broad system compatibility.


Inside view of audio equipment with circuit boards, toroidal transformers labeled "Gustard," and capacitors. Black case, metallic components.

Built-In Streaming That Rivals Dedicated Streamers


One of the most intriguing aspects of the R30 is its Ethernet-only “CelWare” streaming board. Instead of relying on a third-party module, Gustard developed this platform in-house, supporting:


  • Roon Ready

  • Spotify Connect

  • Apple AirPlay

  • HQPlayer NAA

  • UPnP


Each service can be toggled individually via a clean web interface, giving users control and flexibility rarely seen at this level.



Connectivity for Every Source


Beyond streaming, the R30 includes a robust suite of wired inputs:


  • TOSLINK optical

  • Coaxial

  • AES/EBU

  • XMOS XU216 USB (supporting PCM up to 768kHz, DSD512)

  • 4-mode I2S (extending to PCM 1536kHz and DSD1024)


This makes the R30 equally at home as a standalone network DAC or as the digital hub of a more complex system.


Audio device rear panel with multiple input/output ports, including USB, XLR, optical, RCA, and power switch. Text: "GUSTARD".

Precision Engineering Under the Hood

Powering the digital and analogue stages are separate toroidal transformers, isolating noise and delivering stable current to each side of the circuitry. Clocking duties are handled by a high-precision OCXO oscillator, working in tandem with Gustard’s GCLK-02 module and an FPGA for ultra-low-jitter playback. The FPGA also ensures seamless switching between PCM and DSD — eliminating the annoying pops and clicks that plague lesser DACs.


For those chasing absolute clocking precision, Gustard includes a rear-panel 50-Ohm/10MHz BNC input, allowing connection to an external master clock.



Price & Availability


The Gustard R30 is shipping now in black or silver, priced at US$3,599. Full technical measurements have already been published by Aoshida Audio, underscoring Gustard’s confidence in its design.


Why it matters: With its combination of R2R DAC topology, integrated streaming, and reference-grade engineering, the R30 isn’t just another high-end DAC — it’s a bold statement piece that could serve as the digital centerpiece of an entire system.



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