Holographic DAC With Air And Decay

Sorry, I did not address air and decay.  Both the 10th Anniversary and M3 have the ability to produce silent backgrounds.  Both are excellent at reproducing micro as well as macro dynamics.  Both are excellent at detail retrieval at their price point.  Air, ambience, secondary harmonics and decay are well reproduced if the recording engineer has done his job to record them.  Listen to any of the recordings from 2L, Stockfish, or simply put on Dire Straits On Every Street album.  

OH , I think you would like a SMSL DO300EX !!! 

Can’t beat the Yggdrasil!

It is a $1000 above your price point but I think it is worth the stretch.  I compared a slew of DACs this past year and the Holo May KTE was the clear winner.  Used price with a bit of bargaining ought to be right around $4k.  Huge stage with depth, air, dynamics and tonal density.  It easily beat out the PS Audio Directstream MK2, Berkeley Ref 2, Gustard R26, Eversolo A8, and ANK 4.1x LE.  I have also owned the Pontus II, Aries, and Gustard X26 and they are simply not in the same league.  If you are on a tight budget the Eversolo A8 is a very respectable DAC and an excellent streamer.

Denafrips Pontus II fed by an IRIS in front + Klipschhorns powered by a good SET.