Who makes super quiet XLRs around $1k?

For under $1k, seriously consider the Silent Source Signature.  The top model, the SS Music Reference, brings on much more of the ambiance that you mentioned, but the Signature is a heck of a great start.  It will handily destroy the lower priced Purist, Nordost, Wireworld and Transparent, in both detail and clarity.  There is no smearing going on here/  And, because of its shielding, it worked incredibly well for me some years ago between an MC phono step-up and MM input stage of preamp.