Digital Front End.. help please

Wondering if anyone can offer some opinions on an upgraded digital front end:

My priorities include: lush sound, something analogue-like, wide soundstage, deep tones, warmth over detail

--i'm mating this future front end with ML Aerius i, VTL IT85 (new, and i am totally in love with this integrated!!)

--i think DAC/transport is the way to go, both for best sound, and for future upgradability (am i wrong here?)

--i don't think upsampling, etc, is what i'm looking for; audionote dacs are currently at the top of my list

--i don't have any opinions on transports; haven't really found anything that stands out; some models i've been pondering are: audionote CDT1, CEC TL2, mark levinson 37, vecteur D-2

i could buy an audionote dac 1.1x sig/cdt1 combo, along with cables, for about 4K new. but i really am not in a hurry, and would be willing to buy used. i think i could get more for my money if i did, but i'm nervous about buying used.

your opinion on a good transport to match an audionote dac would be great. cables to match the two would be great too. guess i'm looking at the 1.1x up to the 3.1x... wondering what my money gets me as i move up. maybe the 1.1x will be great!, and i can save to upgrade till later? can i get away with a great transport used for under 1K?

thanks everyone...