R2R next? Don't like ESS

While I am glad you are using listening techniques to make your decision, your premise is incorrect IMHO.  The processing technology alone does not dictate SQ but rather the design intent of the engineering team, especially the combination of the processing technology and output technology.  While outside of your price point, I will give you four examples from my personal experience in choosing my DAC.  Each has different  processing/output technology  - the Mola Mola Tambaqui (proprietary/SS), the Bricasti M1 (switchable chip or ladder/SS, the AR DAC9 (chip/tube), and the DCS Bartok (ladder/SS).  Each is near world class in its own right.   Each has similar SQ attributes while sounding different at the same time (further elaboration is another discussion).  The point is ESS chips implemented in quality designs sound great and some ladder processors in inferior designs do not.  I had a Wyred ESS design for years that had the clarity you seek, sounding “analogue” like.  
+1 @ghdprentice   and though I hate to say it ​@audiotroy.  At your price point it is difficult to get what I describe and what you seek.  I personally recommend you seek a preowned retail $3-5k DAC regardless of the processing technology.  Preowned DACs usually sell for 25-40% of retail. 

Switched from the Benchmark DAC3 with ESS to the MSB Discrete DAC R2R. Difference is night and day. Smooth, liquid analog like. No Digital characteristics. 

I'll second the recommendation for Holo Audio. Just some of the most revered DACs you can buy. Search for reviews on YouTube that compare them with Denafrips. The Cyan 2 may seem out of your budget so I'll invoke the tired old adage "buy once, cry once". Most of us here have been through many DACs and the money spent and lost (when sold) can add up to a lot. I firmly believe it's better to stretch your budget (as long as you can still eat) and get something that you'll enjoy for a long time, possibly forever. You only have so many years before you start losing your hearing, you don't want to waste those years shuffling equipment that leaves you wanting.

Holo Audio products are famously well-built and their DACs measure/perform the best of any R2R DACs (the May is THE best measuring on the market, the step-down Spring 3 is the second best)

One note, Holo has a banner at the bottom of their page that says prices are going up 10-15% on 3/1. Current prices are honored until then. They don't mention tariffs as the reason, just that material costs keep increasing, but who knows. Anyway, it was enough to push me to go ahead and buy now.

I also find it bizarre ESS chip dacs claimed to  not be transparent, never heard that complaint before, colorless, cold, sterile are the typical complaints. If you have any of these complaints with ESS, improperly implemented and likely cheap Chinese variety. I'm with those who suggest moving to higher price dacs, the Laiv Harmony is a great R2R dac at $2700, amazing dac at the price, both forgiving and highly resolving. Dacs in lower price category short term answers, dacs $2-3K range can be reference dac for many.

@jfrmusic Switched from the Benchmark DAC3 with ESS to the MSB Discrete DAC R2R. Difference is night and day. Smooth, liquid analog like. No Digital characteristics. 

Yep, me too. Great specs on the BM DAC3B.  Totally un-engaging for me.  Was quite surprised. Was jumping out of my skin to get back to a good R2R dac, even a simple R2R chip dac. Ahh, much better, music came back.