I haven't owned the Sonica, but I did have an Oppo HA-1 and have an Oppo 105D. If the Sonica has the same "house" sound, then there are more musical (which to me means "less digital" sounding) DAC's out there.
A used Auralic Vega will come in way under your budget and be a big improvement. A new Auralic Vega G1 would stretch your budget, but includes streaming (the original Vega is a DAC only).
A used Auralic Vega will come in way under your budget and be a big improvement. A new Auralic Vega G1 would stretch your budget, but includes streaming (the original Vega is a DAC only).