With a $2600 budget, you can buy a top tier AR.
That's the way to go.
Most people that build AR's fall into 1 of 3 categories...
1) build on a budget guys trying to save money
2) tinkerers that just want to say that they built it
3) minute of angle chasers that want absolutely every single new and/or proven piece on their rifle to have 1/8" moa accuracy
I have to admit, I fall into at least 2 of those categories!
1. I'm a cheap bastard, and I want the best bang for my buck.
2. I enjoy building and working on mechanical things and figuring out how they work.
3. Accuracy is always a goal, though I don't think I'd chase it to the 1/8th MOA level.
I think you left one out though. Function.
After reading about and seeing people at the range have all manner of issues with even "high end" AR's I wanted something that would perform under the most adverse of conditions, even when subjected to abuse and lack of maintenance. Basically an AR with the reliability of an AK. I based my build on my sons AR due to the fact that after uncounted 3 gun matches, nearly 30,000 rounds, getting dirt and debris inside the gun, and never cleaning it { he says "when it starts to sound shitty, I squirt some oil in it"} it has NEVER malfunctioned. That's right, never, not once. Oh yeah, it still shoots sub MOA! I chose the parts with this in mind, and I haven't been disappointed. Not one single issue from the very first shot, and it shoots sub MOA. Added benefits are that I know the rifle intimately and in the unlikely event I do experience an issue, I'll be able to readily fix it myself.
Not an argument, just my personal line of reasoning. Everyone should do what suits their needs best.