Best DAC for around $2,500 or less

Thanks everyone for sharing their thoughts and recommendations.  It's been an educational experience.  I ended up buying an Audio Mirror Trubidor III used here on Audigon just now.  For now, the Node 2i will be the streamer until I'm able to update that to a dedicated streamer.    What is your preferred method to hook up your digital source to your DAC?  From the Node it looks like my options are either Coax or Optical.  I think I'll go with balanced XLR's from the DAC to the pre-amp.  

I also have the AM Tubadour and love it.  I would use coax over optical. 

While I have no idea if it’s the “best” under $2500, I too have been mighty impressed by the RME ADI-2. It is really smooth and detailed and comes pretty damn close to my PS Audio DirectStream - the PS Audio is more analog sounding for sure, with better scale, but in other aspects I have to strain to hear the difference. It’s impressed me much more than the Ayre Codex I had a while back. Need to try it with a better power supply, I suspect it may help the bass and scale. Review forthcoming.

I agree wholeheartedly with jjss49 comments, Chord Qutest is the route to go. Whilst I am not familiar with some of the DAC's referred in this blog as I'm in UK, I undertook considerable testing with a number of DAC's some costing double the Qutest price tag and for me, it still came out on top. It also offers the sonic characteristics you are seeking because neutrality, timing. clarity, depth and space i.e. the same sonic characteristics of the Benchmark you refer are in abundance in the Qutest and whats more, it will save you some money. I've done some investigation in the last hour on other DAC's referred in this blog and nothing I have read changes my mind that Chord Qutest is the route to go. Don't take my word for it though, go test it against Benchmark's DAC2, Wyre4sound DAC-2v and others and if testing doesn't allow in current Covid-19 environment, buy the Qutest with confidence from a reputable & trusted dealer you know on the basis of home trial and if not convinced, return it.I bet you'll be throwing the box away within an hour.

I like my Brooklyn, especially for the money.