Holographic DAC With Air And Decay

I think the new Denafrips Pontus 15th would be well worth a try. 

@brylandgoodman - I recommend looking at the Merason Dac1 Mki. You might be able to find a used unit at roughly that budget. @mitch2 - Recently completed a review of six dacs where he reviewed the Merason Dac1 mkii, which has the same - but improved - general presentation as the mki. 

I've had that Dac in both versions and feel it's very musical and feels it's relaxed nature focuses on air and decay vs. the leading edges of the notes. 

There are some used Mytek Manhattan dacs out there in this price range, Stereophile Class A+ recommended.  They sound incredible. Benchmark DAC3 is great too in this price range. 

Look for a preowned BRYSTON BDA-3. You will see one go up every now and then. 

I am a member of aBig Audio club , I Sell Denafrips R2R dacs and products ,I hear most everythung out there ,that’s why I took on this line excellent sonics and value.

 this New Pontus  Gen-15  dac. Retails  for only $2k and built better then Anything at $3k , don’t take my word for it  look at this $3k Venus ,then the Pontus 15 

the Pontus is  exactly the same build ,they discontinued the Venus , with a better Venus coming out in Nov , dual decks 2 Big independent 80VA transformers for the D&A conversion ,not just one . 005 tolerance resistors , dual TCOC clocks 

very expensive white Evox capacitors from Japan. The sonics and build are without peer at its price point  just compare several rave reviews coming out soon .