Looking for a DAC under 2k


I'm using a Small Green Computer Optical Rendu to bring usb to a DAC.
Looking for a new DAC around 2k new or used.

Recently, I had a Border Patrol Se-i which sounded beautiful with a great soundstage and a relaxed sound. Unfortunately, dynamics and bass definition were weak.

Next up, I tried the ifi Pro iDSD. Detailed and clean, but lots and lots of settings to play with. Became noisy after a couple hours and eventually stopped putting out sound and went silent. Can't deal with that kind of poor quality, but really would have prefer a little warmer sound.

I borrowed my Chord Qutest from my headphone system. Very good with my tube headphone system, and not bad on the speaker system, but would like something a bit more analog sounding, like a Border Patrol with dynamic punch and clearly defined, not muddy bass.

TIA, for suggestions.


traudio
The TDA 1541 chip is rated one of the best sounding of the discreet R2R chips
The TDA1541 is not discrete.

This is the "Chip" TDA1541 (all microscopic resistors are inside it.)
https://img.canuckaudiomart.com/uploads/large/2649100-brand-new-philips-tda-1541-s1-crown-dac-chip.j...

This is the "Discrete" R2R resistor Ladder, "no chip", the hundreds of those resistor (circled in red) are separate and discrete.
https://ibb.co/72znmhd

Cheers George


Musician Pegasus R2R

OR

Denafrips Pontus R2R

These 2 DACs are many many notches above all the other crap out there that is priced the same.

P.S. if these 2 Chinese DACs are crap, every other Euro/American DAC out there at this pricepoint is absolute crap. Good luck patriot, LOL
Musician Pegasus R2R

OR

Denafrips Pontus R2R

These 2 DACs are many many notches above all the other crap out there that is priced the same.

agree on pontus

careful on the other one...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH0MY044X8Q&t=3s
@jjss49

I have seen that video before and went with it anyways based on many positive experiences on head-fi.org. I have the Pegasus in my secondary bedroom setup now and couldn’t have asked for something more perfect at a steal of a price.

This is literally the equivalent of a 10k+ DAC from a couple of names i won’t name yet (you know who!)...Dacs like these get designed/made in China, makes it to North American/European shores, gets a Western brand name and the price tag goes to 20k (2000% markup from a lazy no talent vulture). The audio "patriot" will choose to pay that lazy zero talent vulture a fine sum of 20k, i suppose. But, I guess i’m just not that patriotic!!