Is collecting enough coins for the Haruna or Hyuga an option?
The Dhonburi is a toy (a fun toy, but still...), with no more crew space than any other CL. It can carry enough belt to be iffy against 8" HE. Firepower is very limited (worse than the Agano), though the FCS, size, and gun options make it possible to concentrate what you have rather well.
The Asama is meh, with serious spread issues at-level on the main guns (4 shell salvos !=fun), and limited AA. With 4.7" duals, it has a lighter broadside than the Mogami/Myoko with 6.1" trips. Also, mind at-level* spread issues, a gap in the T-slots, and low shell damage requiring several hits for most kills (mitigated with the Mogami/Myoko). With the 3.9" As, you get decent damage and a good rate of fire, but somewhat bad range. (Compare with US 5"/38 N, or 3"/70 N/D. The Asama has a vague similarity to the Pensacola here) Dual 3.9"/5" NLD options are limited by the small T-slot size. It is, however, a CA with BB1 crew space, can use any level 52+ IJN sailor as a BO, and the above mentioned AA does work (if unspectacularly).
I am mainly familiar with the B65 by reputation, and will leave a discussion of that to someone like Angus725 or Boom21.
*One "shouldn't" have at-level IJN AA gunners.
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