Warmth and soundstage
Your goals are crying out for a tubed DAC. At just above your price target there’s the excellent MHDT Orchid others have recommended here. At a bit below your price target there’s the Black Ice Glass DAC. In both cases you have the benefit of being able to tube roll to further customize the sound to your liking if you so desire, and if nothing else it’s nice to have the option. If you’re tube averse a good R2R DAC like the Denafrips Ares II, as others have mentioned, is worth a look. Hope this helps, and best of luck.