$5K DAC OPTIONS

@lordrootman, whatever you do make sure to demo as many DACs as you can, preferably at home, before making any decision. Some folks don’t mind switching between components as their tastes and budgets change. It’s a hobby so you might as well have some fun. But I try to limit the number of $5,000 mistakes I make in a day if I can help it. 
 

  I’m going to recommend the DAC that is in my system, because out of all the different DACs that I listened to the Chord Hugo TT2 sounded the best to my brain using the headphones and speakers that I have at home. 

Don't over look the Sonnet Morpheus.

$3200 proprietary R2R DAC from Cees Reutenburg also of Metrum Acoustics.

He's using a less expensive case then the Metrum DACs  but uses his 3rd generation R2R boards with the option to use the defeatable built in volume control. Also has an MQA board available for purchase. Sounds like a next level Metrum Adagio at a more affordable price.

The Rose is more than just a DAC as I'm sure you know. Are you looking for a combo box or just a DAC? The Holo Audio May KTE is very good and also popular.

I recommend you get a DAC with 12S input(s).

Almost all recommended dacs will sound wonderful and without actually comparing side by side you will be hard pressed to tell huge differences. Myself I'd be buying made in USA for best customer support YMMV