Laid back DAC under $800?

The D70 is an very good implementation of an AKM chip... way more laid back compared to ESS chips. 
If you want a more “soft“ DAC, I suggest you go Multibit ladder. Schiit is on the low end and great way to dip your toe in without a huge investment. Chord is really solid on the higher end... 

Chord is fpga not ladder. Its great and costs more. 

If you can find a Metrum Octave it'll fit the bill.  Great DAC very organic sound.

Whoops... my bad. You are correct. Chords are on the “soft” side of DACs though.

The Jolida Black Ice dac is likely a very good choice.  You can actually custom taylor the sonic signature by changing out the tubes.  It can be anywhere from very high resolution fast responding sound or a very soft laid back sound or a very textured warm FET type sound.