Looking for a DAC w/ balanced XLR line out, budget $1k

Of course moving on up you have the Ayre QB-9 but that is USB only.
OP, what input do you need?

I'm probably going to use a network player compatible with Roon, something like a Bluesound Node 2i, so optical or coax. If there's a network player with balanced line out and a decent built-in DAC I'd consider something like that as well.

If there's a network player with balanced line out and a decent built-in DAC I'd consider something like that as well.

That would be a Lumin D2.... But more like 2k, possibly a little lower but not much.

Unfortunately, balanced line out players don't come cheap.
I recommend an Aurender A10- way above your budget, but after getting a N100 after my Bluesound Node, I can honestly say it is superior.
Bob

Actually there is one I can think of very close to 1k used.
Auralic Altair.

Not heard one but checks all the right boxes and seen a few of late around the $1100 to $1200 price right here and eBay.

Streamer, pretty decent dac the AKM4490, Balanced out, it also has Dirac room correction if that's something you're interested in but not sure you could hang this on a wall. It runs $1200
https://www.minidsp.com/products/streaming-hd-series/shd