Best dac under $2500 - comparing build quality and technologies


I have been in the  Audio field for over 4 decades and have owned some pretty exclusive audio gear 
I was listening to a 3 years old R2R dac the R7 from AudioGD a 20 year old company which won several awards  which is not known much in the U.S yet  ,This New R8-MK2 is better still.
it is  very well built using 3 R core transformers rarely seen unless spending $$. Their latest and best value is the New R8 mk2 dac. This dac just came out late April 2021 ,over a year went into the redesign the Owner stated this unit has several advancements vs previous designs , and runs much cooler for less money then  the previous R7 but better ,their is also a mk2 R7 also as well as a Flagship R7 HE with power regeneration,which I wanted but could not afford .The dynamics and realism is what sets this apart it’s massive power supplies and over 130k uf 
of capacitance is more then most amps has a lot to do with it I will be getting my dac next week and put side by side with  very well know competitors  it was noticeable better  in several areas , and it has 7 sonic adjustments all FPGA based 
4- non over sampling ,including a vinyl mode, and 3 over sampling  other dacs just a minor OS option 
you literally can Taylor the sound to your audio system .it weighs 26 lbs ,Underwood Wally is now the U.S distributor and service center  . I will give a full rundown once I have logged a week or two on it ,2 R- core transformers go to the pure class A  analog output section, the 3 rd transformer -digital is now fully servo controlled and runs much cooler and much better specifications . Check out link below.
http://www.audio-gd.com/R2R/R8mk2/R8mk2EN.htm
128x128audioman58
Hi julie_priest,

Surely, the words DAC and end game do not belong in the same thought process?  Nothing personal, Julie, but it still appears that 40 years along, digital recording and playback is still in its infancy.  My Tech and I are currently exploring cutting edge redbook resolution of 24/48 vs up/down changes done by streaming services and high res loading.  Early results are EXCITING!!  More Peace, Pin
It was at, upgraded, $2500.
Mojo-Audio r2r Mystique 2  (USB only input) dang pretty nice.
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If I buy the AudioGD Dac  what is my best connection method?

 

Currently I have my TV optical out to my streamer dac, there to my Musical Fidelity m9xi

My only sources are fire cube and a streamer (dac streamer) 

I was in same price range for a dac, but knew not being able to demo thought I would experiment and buy 2 dacs on different end of spectrum. I kept total for both around $2500. I bought 2 dacs I knew I could sell fast. I picked up a RME adi-2 with Teddy Pardo power supply and a MHDT Orchid thinking I would figure out If I prefer r2r or delta sigma sell both and pick a $2500 either r2r or delta. I did this a year ago and still have both and haven’t moved on yet.  I really enjoy flipping between the 2 on the Auralic app, R2R on usb rme digital cable.  If I want a more analog sound orchid if I want clear as a bell, fast presentation RME for complex music. I tend to use the no over sampling filter more but still enjoy the sharp filter and others also at low volume the loudness button is nice. On the RME I like the NOS filter on the CJ amp and sharp on Don Sachs amp. RME also sounds great as a preamp.