GUSTARD H26 Headphone Amplifier Review
A fully balanced discrete Class A headphone amplifier from GUSTARD with a switchable preamp output, listed at $1034.10 across six options of color and US, UK or EU specification. The listing text gives no power or distortion figures.

Our verdict
A Class A headphone amplifier with a switchable preamp output for someone who values a described discrete, fully balanced design at $1034.10. Look elsewhere if you need published output power, THD or input lists, because the listing text gives none. The main caveat is that the page is mostly marketing wording: the design points are the maker's claims and the Specification option is unexplained.
- Best for
- Someone shopping for a fully balanced Class A headphone amplifier that can also act as a preamp.
- Skip if
- You want published power, distortion or input figures before buying.
Gustard's H26 is a headphone amplifier whose page describes a fully balanced, discrete Class A design built on 8 pairs of power transistors. The page adds that the headphone stage can be switched off so the unit works as a dedicated preamp output, which uses two LM49720 dual op-amps. Volume uses a matrix relay design across four channels. The store lists it at $1034.10 across six orderable options.
Options and pricing
There are six orderable options: Black or Silver, each with a Specification choice of US, UK or EU. All six cost $1034.10. The page does not say what the Specification choice changes, so check that before ordering. The page shows $1149 crossed out beside the price, which is the store's own comparison and not something we checked.
How it compares
The TOPPING A900 is $1019.15 and the SONCOZ SGP1 is $1099, against $1034.10 for the H26. The MUSICIAN Monoceros costs $1169.99 and its listing text describes a pre-amplifier. Unlike the A900 page, the H26 listing text gives no output power, THD or dynamic range figure to set beside those prices.
Shipping
- Methods and costs. The store's shipping page offers Standard Shipping (4PX, Yanwen or Yun Express), free for most countries, and Express Shipping (DHL Express, FedEx or SF Express) at 15-50 USD depending on the country, free for orders over 270 USD in most countries (checked 2026-11-11).
- Large items. The page says headphones and desktop DAC/AMPs count as large items, for which Express is free only for orders over $499.99.
- Delivery times. It says an in-stock order ships within 3 working days, Standard takes about 2 weeks after shipping out (up to 1-3 months for some countries, and the store makes no refund for that transit time) and Express takes about 3-7 days. Festive seasons and other circumstances can change the timing.
- Taxes and fees. The buyer pays any customs, import or processing fees. The page says Standard via YunExpress is tax-inclusive for some countries, that remote areas can carry extra Express charges, and that a parcel refused or left uncollected over taxes is deducted two-way freight and may be destroyed with no refund.
- Where it ships. The page says the store can generally ship to most countries by Express and many by Standard, and to confirm Standard with the team for your country. It cannot ship to PO boxes or APO/FPO addresses and can only use Express to Hawaii. It does not name the US, Canada, the UK, Australia or New Zealand, so confirm before you pay.
- Lost parcels. If a parcel has been in transit for at least 3 months, the page offers a one-time reshipment or a full refund for orders under $50 and a 50% refund for orders above $50.
Returns and warranty
- Returns. The return page allows returning any non-customized product that is still factory sealed within 30 days of receiving it, with the buyer paying the shipping. Email [email protected] within that period; the store asks for the return to be shipped within 5 working days of the RMA instructions and in most cases processes a refund within 5 business days of inspecting it (checked 2026-11-11).
- Opened items. A product opened within the first 7 days after delivery can be returned for the price minus a restocking fee of 35% of its retail value, including when it still works properly.
- Refund or credit. The buyer can choose a refund to the original payment method (PayPal or card) or store credit; with no answer within 48 hours of confirmation the default is store credit, which can also be prioritized during promotions, final-sale events and for items 40% or more off retail.
- Not returnable. Customized products, including faceplate designs, are non-refundable, and the page says the same applies to carry cases, cables, ear tips and other accessories, "due to hygiene purposes". If one item in a package is defective, incorrect or missing, the refund or replacement covers only that item.
- Warranty. The page gives a 1-year warranty on products, excluding carry cases, ear tips and other accessories, and 3 months on cables and adapters, from the date of purchase. It covers factory defects that affect proper function, not damage from human error, negligence, accidents, dismantling, water, abuse or modification (checked 2026-11-11).
- Not covered or limited. It does not apply to items bought elsewhere (AliExpress, Amazon, local dealers and the like), prize or giveaway items, normal wear or colour change, commercial use, or items that were stolen or went missing. Coverage is limited for products 40% or more off retail, for review units and for items repaired or modified by anyone Linsoul has not authorized.
- Claims. Email [email protected] with the order number, the issue and photos and videos of the fault. The store may ask for the unit back for a replacement. It covers shipping for some defects reported within 7 days of delivery if the fault can be shown on video or photo; after 7 days the buyer ships it back. For wrong or missing items an unboxing video of the whole sealed parcel is required.
Before you buy
Linsoul says it was founded in 2016 by the Crazy HiFi team to bring Chinese HiFi makers closer to listeners worldwide, and that it now sells other makers' products alongside four brands of its own, THIEAUDIO, Kiwi Ears, ZiiGaat and Tripowin (checked 2026-11-11).
We have not read any independent review of this product or of the store. Ratings and owner reviews shown on the store's own pages are the store's and were not verified.
What we liked
- The page describes a fully balanced discrete Class A design with 8 pairs of power transistors
- The headphone stage can be switched off to leave a dedicated preamp output, per the page
- Matrix relay volume control across all four channels is described
- All six options cost the same $1034.10, so color and region do not change the price
Worth noting
- The listing text gives no output power, impedance range, THD or input and output list
- The page does not say what the US, UK or EU Specification option changes
- The page names the capacitors 'Nikon Nichicon', which looks like a typo, so that detail is unclear
- Quality statements on the page are the maker's wording and cannot be checked from the listing
Questions before you buy
What kind of amplifier circuit does the H26 use?
The page describes a fully balanced discrete Class A amplifier using 8 pairs of power transistors, plus two LM49720 dual op-amps for the preamp outputs.
Which options does the H26 come in?
The page shows Color (Black or Silver) and Specification (US, UK or EU), six orderable options in all at $1034.10. It does not say what the Specification choice changes.
Can the headphone stage be switched off?
Yes, per the page: the headphone amplifier's power can be switched off independently, which leaves a dedicated preamp output.
Can I return it if I change my mind?
The return page allows returning a non-customized product that is still factory sealed within 30 days of receiving it, with the buyer paying shipping. An opened product returned within 7 days carries a 35% restocking fee. Refunds go to the original payment method or to store credit, which is the default if you do not choose.
How long does shipping take?
The shipping page says in-stock orders ship within 3 working days. Standard Shipping takes about 2 weeks after shipping out, up to 1-3 months for some countries, and Express takes about 3-7 days. Standard is free for most countries; Express costs 15-50 USD and is free over 270 USD (over $499.99 for large items such as headphones and desktop DAC/AMPs).
Does Linsoul ship to the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand?
The page says Linsoul can generally ship to most countries by Express and many by Standard, and to ask the team about Standard for your country. It names no restriction for the US, Canada, the UK, Australia or New Zealand, but it does not list them either, and it can only use Express to Hawaii.
What warranty does it have?
The page gives a 1-year warranty on products from the purchase date for factory defects, not for human error, accidents or modification. Coverage is limited for items 40% or more off retail and for review units, and it does not apply to items bought from other sellers.
Sources & verification
What this review is based on and the day we last read it. Specs and claims from the maker are the maker’s own; the verdict and the rating are ours.
From the store
- GUSTARD H26 product page: specs, options and price (the buy buttons go there)Specs, options and the listed priceRead November 11, 2026
- Linsoul shipping pageStandard and Express shipping, costs and times, import taxes, lost parcels, couriers, trackingRead November 11, 2026
- Linsoul return policy and warranty page30-day returns of sealed items, 35% restocking fee on opened ones, 1-year and 3-month warranties, exclusions, how to claimRead November 11, 2026
- Linsoul support FAQThe same shipping, return and warranty rules in question form, plus order changes and cancellationsRead November 11, 2026
- About LinsoulFounded in 2016 by the Crazy HiFi team; names its own brands; the awards listed there are the store's own accountRead November 11, 2026
What we couldn’t verify
- Per the page, the design and sound statements (fully balanced input stage, fidelity) are the maker's claims and were not checked here.
- The page names the capacitors 'Nikon Nichicon' (4 of them for main filtering), which reads like a typo, so the part is unclear.
- The listing text gives no output power, impedance range, THD or input list, and does not explain the Specification option (US, UK, EU).
- We have not read an independent review of this product or the store, and the store's own ratings were not verified. We read the store's catalog description only: a specification table or image shown just on the live page was not read.
- The shipping page names no US, Canada, UK, Australia or New Zealand times or fees: its figures are general and we could not confirm them for these countries.
Spotted an error or something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it and update the date.


