What does your DAC sound like

dvdgreco

For around $5,000 I'd look hard at the new Denafrips Terminator 15th R2R ladder DAC. Denafrips DACs all lean more to the sound signature that you are seeking, and are just plain brilliant IMO. I own the Pontus and have helped a bunch friends install Pontus and Terminator DACs in their systems. Mapman58 here on Agon is a reseller, and he has them for $5,300 I believe?

Don't think you can beat this one near the current sales price of $3,315.

https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/l-k-s-mh-da006-dual-es9038pro-digital-to-analog-convertor-dac

budget wise I have limits . 5k is probably the max unless it’s a piece that can serve well to replace my convergent audio Ultimate mkii preamp. 

@dvdgreco 

This is confusing. Originally it seemed you were targeting a stand alone DAC, but here you seem to be looking for a preamp with a DAC?

The Vermeer looks like an interesting piece. Very analog like with preamp functionality. If dac only 5k max, but if preamp built in could stretch further to 8k range based on sale of convergent ultimate preamp .