Looking to get the best out of Redbook Cd listening with Dac a d Transport under 5K?

Yes, the Mohican is made.....substantially using the parts of an antediluvian Chinese Opera Audio Consonance CD player.  Search the 'gon for threads on this subject.

There are lots and lots of highly recommended DACs in the $1500 to $2500 range.  Sample a few of the recent threads.  Then add a Cambridge or Audiolab transport and you're done.

OR...……….

Just get the Marantz SA-KI Ruby and be done.  (See the review in the January 2020 Absolute Sound.)