Tough to top @jjss49 in terms of his description. At that level (<$2K), no question Chord is clearer (and brighter) than the R2R units that you have listed. Neither good nor bad, really depends on the balance of your system and what you like best.
There is no clear "best" solution. R2R, FPGA and delta sigma solutions can all be brilliant. In the extreme, Esoteric (delta sigma), dCS (FPGA) and MSB (R2R) all make some of the worlds most expensive, and best sounding DACs. Each has its proponents. Each has its haters.
In general it is true that FPGA DACs tend to be brighter but that is Chord and dCSs house sound. PS Audio FPGA DACs tend to be much warmer depending on the OS. R2Rs tend to be warmer but again, that is driven by house sound of the brands that use that tech. There is nothing warm about the Rockna Wavedream Signature for instance as it is surprisingly neutral. Delta sigmas run the gamut with output stage and implementation playing huge parts in terms of house sound. Jadis vs. Esoteric vs. Ayre vs. Mytek are going to sound very different.
I have a bunch of DACs here and I am currently using a Chord DAC in my tube based system, a Rockna R2R with my Class D tube hybrid and a Musical Fidelity delta sigma in my solid state system. All are excellent and appropriate for the sound of the equipment they are paired with and my budget associated with each system.
This is a very longwinded way of saying, if you need a warm DAC to balance your system, Chord is probably not the right choice. Alternatively, if a dose of brightness will liven up your system and/or you want improved clarity, Chord all the way.
There is no clear "best" solution. R2R, FPGA and delta sigma solutions can all be brilliant. In the extreme, Esoteric (delta sigma), dCS (FPGA) and MSB (R2R) all make some of the worlds most expensive, and best sounding DACs. Each has its proponents. Each has its haters.
In general it is true that FPGA DACs tend to be brighter but that is Chord and dCSs house sound. PS Audio FPGA DACs tend to be much warmer depending on the OS. R2Rs tend to be warmer but again, that is driven by house sound of the brands that use that tech. There is nothing warm about the Rockna Wavedream Signature for instance as it is surprisingly neutral. Delta sigmas run the gamut with output stage and implementation playing huge parts in terms of house sound. Jadis vs. Esoteric vs. Ayre vs. Mytek are going to sound very different.
I have a bunch of DACs here and I am currently using a Chord DAC in my tube based system, a Rockna R2R with my Class D tube hybrid and a Musical Fidelity delta sigma in my solid state system. All are excellent and appropriate for the sound of the equipment they are paired with and my budget associated with each system.
This is a very longwinded way of saying, if you need a warm DAC to balance your system, Chord is probably not the right choice. Alternatively, if a dose of brightness will liven up your system and/or you want improved clarity, Chord all the way.