Best DAC for around $2,500 or less


What are your opinions on the best DAC for under $2,500?  Looking at the Schiit Yggy or many of recommend Denafrips so looking at their Pontus.  Any thoughts on how these two compare?  It might be misguided by I tend to think your getting a little more for your money with a direct to consumer company like Schiit and I know they are highly regarded for their DACS.  Anything else to look at in this price range? 
mvrooman1526
How more on you getting for 2500 that you can't get for half that say an RME ADI2 and then how much better is that over a Denefrips Ares or Topping D90?  Is it worth going to higher priced units?
i would consider, in no particular order:
  • Denefrips
  • Chord Qutest
  • Mytek Brooklyn
  • Schiit (but that is my least fav - they shine at the low end)
  • Allo for like $450 with fancy power (seriously)problem with Allo is that its basically "roll your own"

You also need to ask "do i want a network connected DAC or is USB/SPDIF sufficient?". I strongly urge getting a network connected DAC. It;’s at least as good sounding and seriously flexible/convenient. Some reasons it is technically (sonically) superior too.
I have had Oppo 105 and Oppo 205 used as DACs.  Also Had Wyred DAC2 v2.  Better than all of those is the Matrix Audio X-Sabre    https://matrix-digi.com/en/products/318.html  They are good enough for a friend's TAD References.  Although an apples vs oranges comparison they are a better product than my magicos.
A very good Dac is the EAR yoshino Dac 4. Not sure what the used price for one would be. 
Now own a Tubadour III SE .... within your price range.
Best Dac I ever owned.
So musical

Here are my comments from my listening experiences - don't take them personally please  I build a R2R DAC but way out of your price range.

From what has been mentioned above - I was not impressed at all with the following:
Wyred
Schitt
Benchmark
Mytek
Lampy AMber
Bel Canto

In your price range:
Ayre Codex - heard this at Audio Connections - very nice sounding

Audio Mirror - see SnoPro comments regarding his comparison of the Denafrips - I trust his ears personally - I think there are upgrades offered for this unit 

I would also look into the Electrocompinient (spelling) - I heard this over the weekend and it was way musical and open with excellent sound stage dimension - so musical you could listen all day long to any type of music.

Also, just because a DAC has R2R does not mean anything unless the design is good.  The DAC we offer has an R2R discrete but it also has a 30 pound power supply, uses V-Capacitors, AC filter chokes, copper plates, etc.  I have also built the same design using the Sanbre 32 bit.  Both sound excellent - we prefer the R2R for overall musicality.  You can by R2R DACs form China that would not sound anywhere in the same league.

No offense please.- your experiences may be much different that what my ears heard.

Happy Listening