R2R next? Don't like ESS

Our club did an informal shoot out between the PS Audio Driectstream Mk 1 and the Holo Audio May KTE.  Output level matching was a little challenging but after we got that dialed in, the actual sound difference between the two was negligable.  I slightly preferred the Holo but for the price difference of picking up a used PS Audio over a new May, it was a no brainer.  I would get the PS Audio and never look back.  

I’ve owned dacs from many brands including Denafrips, Line Magnetic, Topping, Questyle, Electrocompaniet, Eversolo, Parasound, Musical Fidelity, SMSL and Chord. Multiple models from some of these brands. And I’ve experienced/heard many more than those. 

My favorite among these has been the Topping E70 Velvet, a $400 DAC that can hang with $1500+ DACs all day and better them in many cases. One of its filter settings is filterless, so in a sense it is like you get multiple different DACs in one. You can have that old-school filterless sound with a rolled off top end or ultra-resolving and extended, or something in between. This is one of only two DACs I’ve owned where the filter differences are quite profound (assuming you have a highly resolving system). 
 

If you don’t want a “Chi-Fi” DAC as it goes, the Electrocompaniet ECD-2 is exceptional for the used market price. 

I don't doubt your experience regarding the E70, I had a similiar revelation with Aune SC9 dac there some affordable dac's that punch way above thier price points.

+1 for Border Patrol - essentially hand-made with R to R chip. Tube rectification may be selected. Well thought out linear power supply a very strong point. Non-tiring listening experience.  May be too simple and effective for elite a-fools.

I’ll add my happiness with the Eversolo A8. It replaced a fully upgraded Schiit Bifrost, an ARC solid state preamp and a RPI/PcP streamer. 
 

Wishing you good hunting.