R2R next? Don't like ESS

I know where you can buy one of these well regarded DAC's for $1400. 

https://futureaudiophile.com/weiss-engineering-helios-dac-reviewed/

Oh wait, I just noticed you don't want an ESS DAC, it's not for you- not transparent enough- sorry forget it. 

Implementation is key with dacs, FPGA, R2R and ESS or other chip dacs can all do analog like sound along with transparency. At lower end R2R and older chips will be more forgiving than the ESS.

I can heartily recommend the Denafrips Ares II.  I recently moved up to the Denafrips Venus 15, and the Ares has about 90% of the sound quality of the much more pricey (and bigger) Venus 15.  I think it's one of the best bargains in the audiophile world, especially if you can get a used one.  I compared hi-res streams on the Ares with 1st pressing vinyl (this was with my old Monster Cable Alpha Genesis 1000 cartridge--a very fine cartridge), and they were remarkably close.  If you want an analog sound without digital editorializing, the Denafrips DACs are for you.

If you do buy direct from Denafrips, they're currently offering to cover the tariff imposed by our fearless leader.

+1 for the Schiit BitFrost 2/64. No ESS chips and clever engineering to use 4 chips to optimize performance. Like most Schiit products, it's a phenomenal bargain. I'll upgrade mine eventually but it'll take something special to impress me. 

Go find an Audio Note dac or SW1X dac and you will be set.

Good Luck

Don