DK Design VS.1 Ref. mk II ,& a good matching CD.

I used a Northstar Model 192 DAC & Transport with my DK amp for about 8 months. It was a great combination. The Northstar units could be had used close to your 2k budget and are excellent for redbook. Lots of good choices already mentioned.

I have one of the first productions of the DK amp, VS1-MI, and have been using an Opera Consonance, as others have suggested here, with good results. I would try to listen to the players first (I personally think that testing at home with all your accompanying gear would be the best, but, probably not easily done. Depends on your dealer).

Bignerd100,
I am planning on a second listening room. What other amps would you recommend (as you pointed in your post) aside from DK in the same price range? I am happy with my DK but would like something different for variety. Thanks.

Really like the Exemplar Audio by John Tucker.
It's a universal player based on the chassis of the
vaunted Denon 3910, with a couple of tubes thrown in for good 'measure' sorry couldn't resist.
This is one player that sounds like theyre supposed to.
Rewired with Siltech, better internals on the audio side, (hey it already gets 'top' video measurements as it is--)plus who is better to deal with than the inimitable John Tucker?
Great gear. Terrific 'sound'.
lrsky

Really like the Exemplar Audio by John Tucker.
It's a universal player based on the chassis of the
vaunted Denon 3910, with a couple of tubes thrown in for good 'measure' sorry couldn't resist.
This is one player that sounds like theyre supposed to.
Rewired with Siltech, better internals on the audio side, (hey it already gets 'top' video measurements as it is--)plus who is better to deal with than the inimitable John Tucker?
Great gear. Terrific 'sound'.
lrsky

Mumum,
I like the YBA integraeds very much. As with all things YBA, the specs are cryptic at best (much like the specs for the DK). Their attitude is "Listen to our amplifier, and love it. Now stop asking questions." Their Passion 100 is a big bang for the buck in that price range.
It may be worth looking at the Magnum Dynalab receiver. It has been available for a little while now and in spite of the fact that it got a rave review in Stereophile this month it should prove to be a decent receiver (though I have yet to hear one).
Some of the Audio Research integrateds can be had in that price range as well.
NAD has a new line of electronics that looks promising (replacement for the Silver Series). The integrated is jam packed with useful features that may or may not be of interest to you.

As with all of this stuff it is wise to audition at home with your equipment. Sometimes logical combinations sound really bad.

Good luck!