Looking for a DAC $2500-$4000

I second @mdalton I have a Gold Note DAC and it performs really well. However, I have it attached to an entire stack of Gold Note so the synergy plays well (preamp, amp, tube 1012, power supply).

In my other system, I have the best DAC I have ever owned which is the Audio Mirror Toubadour DAC V. There is a VI version but I haven't upgraded yet. Even the IV version sounds great and can be had in your price range. The Toubadour DAC sounds like a 15K Lambizator Pacific.

I have been extremely pleased with my Laiv Harmony DAC. To my tastes, it hits all of the notes in terms of clarity, accuracy, and overall tonal quality. In my system, it won out against the Denafrips Terminator 15th, McIntosh MDA200, and PSAudio DirectStream Mk2. Obviously I didn't go to great lengths to test every option out there, but the Harmony was a very clear winner for me above the others tested, and the least expensive of the group as well.

Whole lotta discussion in the attached link.  Many of the DACs discussed should fall into your price range if you buy used.

I ended up picking up a used Mojo Audio Evo Pro. Very nice, sounds terrific. 

Keep an eye on the Mojo Audio website as they usually have trade-ins available. 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/six-dac-comparison

100% look at a sonnet Pasithea.

amazing DAC available used in that price category.

Yes, perhaps the Pasithea.  I have the Morpheus MKII that's excellent and they say the Pasthihea is a nice step up.  I've been buying and listening to digital since I first heard the Sony CD-101 on a rainy night in 1983.  The Sonnet implementation is super. Try it.