Unforgiving DAC or add Tube Preamp??

A couple DACs from the listings under $2K:
A bit esoteric but a highly regarded Japanese DAC:
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9a71i-47-laboratory-4705-progression-dac-with-4799-power-dumpty...

Not to bombard you with Japanese DACs but this Reimyo is one I’ve wanted for years if you can bargain them down a few $100 its in your price range:
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9a0a1-reimyo-dap-777-20bit-k2-amazing-dac-da-converters

And Electrocompanient is known for warmer sounding SS gear this DAC is quite well reviewed and under your price range:
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9a4b5-electrocompaniet-ecd-1-da-converters
Good luck and happy listening!

Border Patrol DAC is the ultimate answer to your problem.

Jond why would the OP seek out dac’s that are nearly impossible to hear?

The Electro stuff is good but lacks many of the features people want and the Remiyo was very good but does not have the resolution of today’s more modern dacs we had one it was very good in 2008.

The Ifi DSD pro has both tubes and burr brown dac chips at $2500 including streaming and a heaphone jack seems like quite a bargain again we haven’t heard it but the reviews from six moons and stereophile pitt this little $2500 dac vs really expensive dacs and the OP can get a demo of the product it is currrent and can be demoed.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

@audiotroy One of the advantages buying used is essentially an "in-house audition" if you are smart and buy right you can listen at your leisure then resell and move on, I did it for years. And frankly resolution is overrated. There are plenty of older dacs that have fine resolution and excellent musicality. My current DAC an original Audio Note Dac-3 Signature was built in 1995 and sounds great.  Audiogon is at its heart a website for buying and selling used equipment I was offering the OP a few good looking used options from the listings.

What about a tube pre amp? Not a solution?