UPGRADE PATH FROM CHORD QUTEST DAC

I know you said "serviced in the US" - but you could always try a Gustard from Amazon just to get a comparison unit.  This would enable you to have at least 2 DACs in your possession at one time.  I have an X26 Pro (which I consider a great value) and I think they may have upped their game with the R26.  There are upgrade paths with the Gustard such as an external DDC an external clock (which admittedly results in more boxes and interconnects) but the power supply is internal.  I do prefer the I2S input on my X26, which requires a DDC (mine is a very inexpensive Douk Audio with an LPS)

Not sure if you have Whole Foods where you live, but that's how I do my Amazon returns. They also do returns at the UPS Store. Pretty low risk and an easy way to get another "point on the curve"

Find a used Chord Dave, you shuold be able to get one in your budget or very close to it, then you will never need another DAC upgrade. I sold mine a few months back for $6500 canadian under your $5000usd budget. Thats a world class DAC ($15000usd retail) for a fraction of the cost new and you wont be disapionted. Chord is not replaceing the Dave this year/next year acording to my dealer so its still current. 

Now that i have moved i'll be saving up for another one. 

@boulder_bob   Gustard has a newish model, the X30.  Looks really interesting.  It's $3k, but seems like a lot of bang for the buck. There are rumors of a R30 which would be an upgrade to the R26 r2r dac.  Not sure when it might be out.  

I have a R26 with U18 ddc and LHY ock-2 clock.  I'll probably ride with that for the unforeseeable future. 

@kjl1065, after I had become infatuated with the sound of my Chord Qutest, the logical next step up for me was to acquire a TT2, which I got at a fantastic price by trading the almost new Qutest for a floor model TT2. Shortly thereafter the motherboard on the TT2 had to be replaced, and luckily it was serviced in Texas and returned to Minnesota in a little over a week. So no problems with overseas repairs. 
If I was starting all over again I might have jumped directly into a gently used Chord Dave. A cursory search on eBay produced two used Dave DACs going for around $6,700 USD. I’m still really happy with my TT2 and Hugo m scaler combo to the point that I haven’t thought about changing audio gear in over three years. I use 15-16v Sbooster linear power supplies with both units. 

@sls883 appreciate the comment - I can't find a way to "like" on this forum