Holographic DAC With Air And Decay

See if you can demo the Lab 12 DAC 1 Ref or order the LTA DAC with a 14 day trial period.  
 

I own the Lab 12 and like it a lot.  Used ones are out there for $2200 or so. New they are $3300.  The LTA is more than your budget but is supposed to sound great.  

Used Aesthetix Pandora

I'm not sure  you can buy air by the pound. Can I ask how you arrived at 3K? We all live in a budget I realize but are you looking for the last DAC you'll ever buy or just an interim DAC until you're financial situation improves? 

If I'm just voting I really liked my PSAudio Mk1.  They can be had for less than 3k used and were originally a 6K DAC.  There are better DACs I'm sure but just for the money they are hard to beat.

I think the new Denafrips Pontus 15th would be well worth a try. 

@brylandgoodman - I recommend looking at the Merason Dac1 Mki. You might be able to find a used unit at roughly that budget. @mitch2 - Recently completed a review of six dacs where he reviewed the Merason Dac1 mkii, which has the same - but improved - general presentation as the mki. 

I've had that Dac in both versions and feel it's very musical and feels it's relaxed nature focuses on air and decay vs. the leading edges of the notes.