DAC Question: Delta-Sigma vs R2R

@buddyboy1 the Topping e30 for the same price is an excellent valuefor a DAC.

I can confirm that about the Topping E30.

I recently made my Rega Saturn CD player the transport for such a one.

It is the only thing I changed (plus adding the necessary el-cheapo no brand 75ohm digital coax cable).

I dare not mention anything about any superlative changes in what I hear or I may lose any shadow of credibility that I may or may not have with the multi thousand dollar boys and girls.

I went with a FPGA dac for many reasons:

* it’s software based so you aren’t locked in with todays technology. Try adding MQA support to a dac that didn’t come with it from day 1, it’s almost impossible.

* the designer/software writer of the dac can update the software of the dac that can give you better sq with every release.

The  hardware technology of the dac does make a difference since I only use Ethernet or i2s inputs, the only inputs that sound any good

I have an Azur 851N as well, but also have the Schiit Loki. The addition of the Loki is all positive (no downside at all). I also, just recently, added the Synergistic Research MiG's under the 851N, and am blown away at the improvement they made, so much so that I feel I now have an upgraded DAC, and no longer certain I need to upgrade it. FWIW - you might want to consider these two additions before replacing the 851N's DAC.

At a little more than your $1500 price range, another well reviewed denafrips r2r is the pontus ii.

Since your gear may not be up to hearing the differences, (your human hearing gear that is) you may be served just as well by their ares ii. 

Both r2r, they are often described as the 'analog of digital' giving you that smoother presentation that your hearing will probably respond best to. I'm in similar situation with my aging metal drummer ears and recently ordered the ares ii for similar sonic reasons. 

I don't have standalone dac experience, this will be my first adventure so I'm total newbie if that helps at all.