I record all my bass tracks (and quite a few of other people's) DI'ed through a DHA VT1 EQ. It's lovely at fattening up the bottom end, and can give a LOT of crunch if you need it, without losing low frequencies. Not everyone's first choice, as technically it's an overdrive pedal, but it's got loads of clean boost and a whisper quiet DI output. Way under your budget too.