Too many choices for R2R DACS--opinions appreciated

After 49 emails exchanged with Audio GD about a R1 dac, they asked me to send it back at my expense for a refund.

Idid, mentioning what I had paid for it. The Chinese customs wnated to apply import duties based on that amount.  

Audio GD sais they told me to lie and put a low 100 $ value. They did not tell me that and refused to pay or clear the matter with Chinese customs, who eventually forcibly destroyed the unit. Netither DHL or Paypal assumed any responsability.

Audio GD has some nice products, but no business ethics.

The DENAFRIPS Pontus I now use is detailed and not fatiguing. Much more open than the Audio GD. R2R generally don't have this ringing that I hear on oversampling DACs.

Audial S5 is a great multibit non oversampling dac using the tda1541a chip.  Great non bright treble.  Perfect synergy with my bliesma beryllium tweeters

@lucmichaud1 That is very disturbing and has somewhat soured me in buying a Chinese DAC. I was going to buy a Holo Audio May today but may need to rethink my options. Even though your problems were with Audio GD, they have no control over Chinese Customs.

Another happy BorderPatrol R2R DAC owner and I know Gary Dews personally.  He's terrific and always looking to make improvements to his equipment.  In fact, I have two of his DAC's.  You really can't go wrong, and I seldom see these for sale, so if you find something you like better, you can always sell it.  Highly-recommended !  

@willywonka 

That is very disturbing and has somewhat soured me in buying a Chinese DAC. I was going to buy a Holo Audio May today but may need to rethink my options. Even though your problems were with Audio GD, they have no control over Chinese Customs.

Be careful, as you are conflating in a manner that may restrict your choices unnecessarily. I am not aware of any similar stories relating to Denafrips or Holo Audio, to pick two obvious examples, and doubt very much that anything similar would happen if a return were necessary.

It is damning that Audio GD behaved as reported, and I wouldn't go near their products because of that alone. But while I have moved on from a Denafrips DAC, my dealings with Alvin, their worldwide representative, based in Singapore, were comparable to the positive experiences that I have had with American and European companies.

If you are interested in a Holo DAC, why not contact them and ask specifically how returns would be handled. My bet is that you wouldn't be on the hook for any Customs charges, even if it were necessary to ship the unit back to China.