DAC upgrade from RME

I agree the RME is doing you no favors in terms of stridency, and although the move to R2R is a logical one I’d beware of going too far into the warm/lush range given where you’re coming from, and Mojo and Border Patrol would be a big sonic shift in that direction from where you are now. Frankly, and although you’re looking to avoid ChiFi, I’d still recommend doing a trial of the new LAiV Harmony DAC as it gives you the benefits of R2R yet still provides a good dose of transparency/detail you’re used to with your RME DAC. Hey, it’s just a trial so you don’t have to necessarily get married, but if it blows you away it might be worth expanding your search parameters a bit. Other DACs from T+A and Rockna would be worth a look as would maybe the Schiit Yggdrasil, and although it’s not R2R this Bricasti M3 would no doubt be a huge upgrade across the board…

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650100253-bricasti-m3-dac/

Just some thoughts FWIW, and best of luck.

You mentioned that you aren't too interested in Chinese r2r dacs. 

Sounds News gave a rave review of the new Gustard X30 dac.  It's Chinese, but not r2r.  Price is $2999.  You might check it out.  I'm very happy with my Gustard dac, but it's an r2r dac. 

https://soundnews.net/reviews/sources/dacs/gustard-x30-dac-review-the-quintessential-delta-sigma-dac/

Thanks guys.

Any users/samplers of the Audio Mirror Tubadour(s)? They seem highly appreciated and I’ve dealt with Vlad in the past. Owned both his 20 and 45 watt single ended amps and still own his older T-61 preamp. Great CS.

Soix - I agree about too far to the soft(er) sound as I do like detail, transparency and a quiet noise floor. 
 

Are tubed DACs designs an oxymoron? Pop the hood on most dacs and they’re an 

testament to extreme engineering compared to something like the Border Patrol, Wavelength even Gishelli Labs. There are times when the KISS theory makes sense. Provided it sounds right - 

I have a Tubadour V..moved up froma Okto Dac8. what I found with the Tubdour..was a wider sound stage..extending outside th speakers..more air/space between instruments. A  fuller more rich sound. Love it...and its gonna be around a long time. 

I almost bought a Tubadour III se...but wanted the reclocker the IV and the V have...ended up splurging a lil and found a deal on the V and coudn't be happier. BTW you can add the reclocker on a III Se.  

Forgot to mention the new LTA Aero DAC that also offers a 14-day a trial period and is made in the US.  I don’t wanna put words in @teajay mouth, but inferring from his review of the Aero and what he’s said of his experience with the Tubadour (can’t recall which version) the Aero maintains the desirable musicality/tonal properties but may hold an edge in detail retrieval especially in the treble region.  Maybe Terry will chime in here, but I’d think the LTA would appeal to you for its strong combination of transparency and musicality versus many other R2R and/or tubed DACs especially in sub $4k realm, and again there’s that trial period.  Ok, that’s all I got.