DAC suggestions

@dpm2340 The T+A DAC 8 is very much a bargain at your $2K budget and luckily there are two on the marketplace in that range, which is rare. I’ve personally done business, with Leonard, who is selling his unit on USAM. I can at least vouch that he is legit and will result in a seamless transaction.

T+A DAC 8 is both soulful and dynamic. All three brands you mention are in that category, but Lampi in those price ranges will not compare to the T+A and Aqua. The T+A may have a bit more bloom and separation than any Aqua units you can get in the $2K range. 

FWIW I am a T+A dealer but the DAC 8 was discontinued before I became a dealer for them. I am just speaking from experience also having owned a DirectStream and Lampi Baltic 3, among about a dozen other DACs. 

A good friend brought over his Schiit Yggdrasil to compare to my Bricasti M3 (yes totally different price points) but Yggdrasil was totally flat sounding with no life to music. Just another point of view

Steven Stone really likes this new Topping, for a "reference" budget DAC. Bargain.

Topping D90SE

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/topping-d90se-digital-to-analog-converter/

I am considering the Denafrips Pontus II (laddered resistor/R2R design), though the similar R2R-design Holo Spring 3 KTE (more $$) gets good reviews too. Alvin at Vinshine, the Denafrips worldwide distributor, is said to be great to deal with. Kitsune Audio, the Holo distributor in WA/USA is too.

Pontus II

Linear Tube Audio is an MHDT dealer, if you want to deal with good folks in USA
LTA - DACs

+1 @rsf507 

That was my impression of the Schitt DAC also.