Laid back DAC under $800?

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.

Bel Canto 2.5