Many find non-oversampling CDPs less fatiguing, but lacking detail. Audio Note, Red Wine Audio, Scott Nixon, are a few to consider in that camp. Many are <$500.
I agree that tube output sections also are a step towards what you are after. I found myself in the same situation as you, and have been resonably happy with a Musical Fidelity TriVista 21 dac (Nuvistor tubes) and a Squeezebox and/or older Sony cdp as transport. You can find the TriVista 21 used around $1200. Cheers,
Spencer
I agree that tube output sections also are a step towards what you are after. I found myself in the same situation as you, and have been resonably happy with a Musical Fidelity TriVista 21 dac (Nuvistor tubes) and a Squeezebox and/or older Sony cdp as transport. You can find the TriVista 21 used around $1200. Cheers,
Spencer