Laid back DAC under $800?

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

A lot of excellent advice here.  I'll check out multibit ladder from Schit. Good point about changing out the tubes in the Black Ice.  Not a lot of reviews about it though.  Wonder how it is with features and ease of use.  The D70 is really nice in that department.