[SquareOFortune]

Hello all!

I picked up a gently used Schiit Asgard 3 amp that has their older AK4490 DAC module integrated (before they switched to ESS after the AKM factory fire).

It’s been hard finding solid comparisons on various forums or video reviews between common integrated modules vs discrete DAC products. What I’ve dug up seems to suggest that it’s usually better to have a discrete DAC, even if it’s the same price as an optional integrated module, but I’d love to hear from any of y’all who have A/B’d this scenario and kept all the other variables the same (amp, cabling, headphones, source type).

If there are other threads discussing this, please feel free to link them below and I’ll give them a read. I may not have been googling the right terms or something and am totally ok apologizing for a duplicate thread.

I’ve tapped out my audio budget for the time being, but can’t see myself being able to afford a nice mid-range or higher DAC for a long while. But if a sub-$300 DAC would be 50% better than an integrated module, I could definitely save up for that kind of improvement. So my main curiosity is whether it’s truly worth spending another few hundred bucks to get a stack instead of using my Asgard as an all-in-one, and *how much* better would that be. Here are some specific examples:

• Is even a cheap $100 discrete DAC (such as a Modi or Topping D10s) better than an Asgard’s integrated $100 module?
  • Is it 20% better clarity/dynamics/instrument separation? 15%?

• How much better are $200 DACs compared to the module? 50% or more improvement?

• How much am I missing out on with my integrated module?

I know this stuff is largely subjective (raw measurements don’t tell the whole story of enjoyability, a la tube amps for instance), but I’d still love to hear your thoughts if you’ve compared discrete vs integrated DAC setups.

Thanks!

[As an aside, I do know that the DAC chip itself shouldn’t affect audio quality per se if it’s high enough quality, and that it’s the analog stage that can introduce coloration and tonality differences in how the source bits are translated into analog signaling.]

 

[surfgeorge]

I cannot answer your very specific question but want to share some of my findings from the past 30 years.

I learned that the DAC plays a much more essential role in a system than I could have imagined when I started. If I had to reduce my system to the bare minumim, I would spend more money on the DAC/Amp combo than the headphones or IEMs.

I had heard differences before, but the breakthrough experience came when I bought a CHORD Mojo and found it to sound more alive and real than my 20 year old $4000 DAC in the 2-channel system. There was a new quality to the music reproduction, it sounded much more real and I would just not want to stop listening to music. I compared the Mojo to some other, more expensive DACs and DAPs, but always found the Mojo to sound more natural and real. So I replaced the system DAC with a used CHORD 2Qute, and in 2020 I bought a CHORD Hugo 2.

How does this relate to your question?
CHORD just released the Mojo 2 which drives the prices for used Mojos down.
You should find them for around 250 for a unit in good condition, and try it out.
Added benefit is that it's mobile. If you don't like it you can easily sell it with little loss.
BTW - the Mojo does not have a conventional amp section but instead a D/A conversion that is directly powerful enough to drive headphones. That means you can hook it up to an amplifier without any quality loss.

If you do, please report on your findings!

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Hello all!

I picked up a gently used Schiit Asgard 3 amp that has their older AK4490 DAC module integrated (before they switched to ESS after the AKM factory fire).

It’s been hard finding solid comparisons on various forums or video reviews between common integrated modules vs discrete DAC products. What I’ve dug up seems to suggest that it’s usually better to have a discrete DAC, even if it’s the same price as an optional integrated module, but I’d love to hear from any of y’all who have A/B’d this scenario and kept all the other variables the same (amp, cabling, headphones, source type).

I wouldn't bother worrying about whether integrated or stand alone is better because that depends on each circuit. At best, integrated DACs will not have a separate power supply circuit, but if the amp's power supply design is good and can handle it, then you're not losing out noticeable performance.

Or in some cases, making tradeoffs either way. For example I have a Meier Cantate.2 with an old PCM2702 DAC board (other DACs only use that as a USB receiver), and using it reduces the maximum voltage output of the headphone output stage by about 2V (so from about 13.xV you drop to 11.xV). Here's what that's like vs other DACs, DAPs, and CDPs (when up against a CDP I used FLAC out of a laptop or Android vs the CD I ripped them from).

Ibasso D-Zero : Generally same tone and imaging, but at 1.2V line output vs 2V coming out of the built in DAC, the Meier gets louder faster. And despite being a battery powered unit the noise is higher, ie, crank it up with the music paused and at somet point there will be noise. Otherwise when using the built in DAC (or other DACs, including those on wall power, as well as CDPs) the Meier can get cranked up full and still no noise.

SuperPro707 : Too hot. Not just too high output voltage, it was extremely fatiguing to listen to.

ODAC : More sparkle up top but while there's no grain there is a tendency to get sharp.

Cambridge 35x : Bass is literally up front. Won't recommend.

Marantz CD80 : Like the built in DAC but a bit more sparkle at the top end, not sharp at all. If the perpetually broken disc tray mechanism AND not reading CDs that have PC content (it assumes it's not a CD as it can't understand the instruction set to go past the first few rings with the data on it to get to the audio) I'd still be using this today.

DAC Ah NOS DAC with Mundorf caps* : Smoother than CD80, even lower noise than CD80 or even the Meier USB DAC making for deeper-sounding lows
* not sure how much this does, I bought it used that way; this uses the same DAC as the CD80, but eight of them "bridged" (don't know the actual term, but this is more like a bridged amp or SLI/Crossfire except instead of power or FPS it's error correction, ie, so NVLink on a workstation?) instead of two in parallel stereo

Marantz CD6006 and a contemporary NAD : More depth in the percussion image but without making them sound weaker; NAD has a bit more weight on the bass drum. Treble is similar to ODAC but a smidge less sharp. Without listening side by side they'd be practically the same, ie if anyone asked whcih one to get I'd say get the Marantz in case it's cheaper or don't bother importing the NAD if that's the only way to get it. If you don't use CDs at all don't bother and get the ODAC or a Modi.

Some Shanling at the same shop as the Marantz and NAD : If I had $2,000 easy I'd buy it just to match the Meier (they're using a similar chassis, but the Shanling is deeper front to rear), top end also smoother.

Some Wadia at the same shop as the Marantz and NAD : WOW. Just that it's not "sell my kidney" wow.
Arcam CD72 : Smoother at the top, much clearer image (as best as it gets without recordings mastered specifically for headphone playback).

Hidizs AP80 : Lower range is closer to the Meier's weight; overall very black background; treble has more brilliant sparkle vs ODAC but also still has the tendency to get a bit sharp on some recordings. Don't really mind though - as much as I liked the built in DAC if a driver issue is preventing me from using it then I can't even use it.

I’ve tapped out my audio budget for the time being, but can’t see myself being able to afford a nice mid-range or higher DAC for a long while. But if a sub-$300 DAC would be 50% better than an integrated module, I could definitely save up for that kind of improvement. So my main curiosity is whether it’s truly worth spending another few hundred bucks to get a stack instead of using my Asgard as an all-in-one, and *how much* better would that be. Here are some specific examples:

• Is even a cheap $100 discrete DAC (such as a Modi or Topping D10s) better than an Asgard’s integrated $100 module?
  • Is it 20% better clarity/dynamics/instrument separation? 15%?

Not specific enough given I heard a USB receiver-DAC combo chip on a tiny daughterboard sharing a power supply with an amp circuit beat a $350 CDP and everything in between.

• How much better are $200 DACs compared to the module? 50% or more improvement?

Well the built in DAC on my $600 amp was much better than a $120 portable DAC-HPamp (with line out), a $170 DAC that inexplicably pumps out way more than 2V when using USB (not that it was fantastic with SPDIF), a $350 CDP to the tune of "if I wanted to replace anything I'd go with the $1200 CDP," except by that point everything was switching over to FLAC even for home use so I didn't get the Arcam and got to use my Android via USB OTG.

• How much am I missing out on with my integrated module?

I know this stuff is largely subjective (raw measurements don’t tell the whole story of enjoyability, a la tube amps for instance), but I’d still love to hear your thoughts if you’ve compared discrete vs integrated DAC setups.

Thanks!

[As an aside, I do know that the DAC chip itself shouldn’t affect audio quality per se if it’s high enough quality, and that it’s the analog stage that can introduce coloration and tonality differences in how the source bits are translated into analog signaling.]

Two inputs?

And given you seem to be able to use it, effectively, not much. Unless you have a source that you'd much rather use the other two inputs for, ex there's USB noise so you want to use SPDIF on the Modi.

 

[SquareOFortune]

I learned that the DAC plays a much more essential role in a system than I could have imagined when I started. If I had to reduce my system to the bare minumim, I would spend more money on the DAC/Amp combo than the headphones or IEMs.

…

That’s some incredibly helpful insight! I’ve heard wonderful things about Chord, though I didn’t look into their line too much due to the cost and worries about the brightness/treble sparkle (my current planar magnetics already needed some toning down in EQ because of their natural treble spikes), but I’m more convinced now that I need to check them out.

I’ll poke around on the used market and report back if I’m able to pick something up and compare. Thanks so much!

 

[SquareOFortune]

I wouldn't bother worrying about whether integrated or stand alone is better because that depends on each circuit. At best, integrated DACs will not have a separate power supply circuit, but if the amp's power supply design is good and can handle it, then you're not losing out noticeable performance.

Or in some cases, making tradeoffs either way. For example I have a Meier Cantate.2 with an old PCM2702 DAC board (other DACs only use that as a USB receiver), and using it reduces the maximum voltage output of the headphone output stage by about 2V (so from about 13.xV you drop to 11.xV). Here's what that's like vs other DACs, DAPs, and CDPs (when up against a CDP I used FLAC out of a laptop or Android vs the CD I ripped them from).

Ibasso D-Zero : Generally same tone and imaging, but at 1.2V line output vs 2V coming out of the built in DAC, the Meier gets louder faster. And despite being a battery powered unit the noise is higher, ie, crank it up with the music paused and at somet point there will be noise. Otherwise when using the built in DAC (or other DACs, including those on wall power, as well as CDPs) the Meier can get cranked up full and still no noise.

SuperPro707 : Too hot. Not just too high output voltage, it was extremely fatiguing to listen to.

ODAC : More sparkle up top but while there's no grain there is a tendency to get sharp.

Cambridge 35x : Bass is literally up front. Won't recommend.

Marantz CD80 : Like the built in DAC but a bit more sparkle at the top end, not sharp at all. If the perpetually broken disc tray mechanism AND not reading CDs that have PC content (it assumes it's not a CD as it can't understand the instruction set to go past the first few rings with the data on it to get to the audio) I'd still be using this today.

DAC Ah NOS DAC with Mundorf caps* : Smoother than CD80, even lower noise than CD80 or even the Meier USB DAC making for deeper-sounding lows
* not sure how much this does, I bought it used that way; this uses the same DAC as the CD80, but eight of them "bridged" (don't know the actual term, but this is more like a bridged amp or SLI/Crossfire except instead of power or FPS it's error correction, ie, so NVLink on a workstation?) instead of two in parallel stereo

Marantz CD6006 and a contemporary NAD : More depth in the percussion image but without making them sound weaker; NAD has a bit more weight on the bass drum. Treble is similar to ODAC but a smidge less sharp. Without listening side by side they'd be practically the same, ie if anyone asked whcih one to get I'd say get the Marantz in case it's cheaper or don't bother importing the NAD if that's the only way to get it. If you don't use CDs at all don't bother and get the ODAC or a Modi.

Some Shanling at the same shop as the Marantz and NAD : If I had $2,000 easy I'd buy it just to match the Meier (they're using a similar chassis, but the Shanling is deeper front to rear), top end also smoother.

Some Wadia at the same shop as the Marantz and NAD : WOW. Just that it's not "sell my kidney" wow.
Arcam CD72 : Smoother at the top, much clearer image (as best as it gets without recordings mastered specifically for headphone playback).

Hidizs AP80 : Lower range is closer to the Meier's weight; overall very black background; treble has more brilliant sparkle vs ODAC but also still has the tendency to get a bit sharp on some recordings. Don't really mind though - as much as I liked the built in DAC if a driver issue is preventing me from using it then I can't even use it.





Not specific enough given I heard a USB receiver-DAC combo chip on a tiny daughterboard sharing a power supply with an amp circuit beat a $350 CDP and everything in between.



Well the built in DAC on my $600 amp was much better than a $120 portable DAC-HPamp (with line out), a $170 DAC that inexplicably pumps out way more than 2V when using USB (not that it was fantastic with SPDIF), a $350 CDP to the tune of "if I wanted to replace anything I'd go with the $1200 CDP," except by that point everything was switching over to FLAC even for home use so I didn't get the Arcam and got to use my Android via USB OTG.





Two inputs?

And given you seem to be able to use it, effectively, not much. Unless you have a source that you'd much rather use the other two inputs for, ex there's USB noise so you want to use SPDIF on the Modi.

This reply is packed with so much incredible experience and info! I’ll be pouring over these models and comparisons for a bit, looking up models so I can visualize them and compare your notes to their specs so I can see what matters (sometimes) and what isn’t as helpful on the spec sheet.

I especially appreciated the tidbit about the HPamp; that kind of info is invaluable for me as I’m diving into this stuff.

I also thought the SLI/crossfire analogy was awesome since that world was my first deep hobby so I always try to relate as much audio jargon to PC jargon as possible (though I’m finding more and more situations where that’s completely not an ideal way to think of stuff, partially due to how subjective audio is, and partially due to how vastly different, counterintuitive, and even volatile price-to-performance ratios can be when comparing the two hobbies).

FanTASTic read; thank you so much!

 

[surfgeorge]

That’s some incredibly helpful insight! I’ve heard wonderful things about Chord, though I didn’t look into their line too much due to the cost and worries about the brightness/treble sparkle (my current planar magnetics already needed some toning down in EQ because of their natural treble spikes), but I’m more convinced now that I need to check them out.

I’ll poke around on the used market and report back if I’m able to pick something up and compare. Thanks so much!

The original Mojo is not bright at all, it's actually on the warmer side.
It has very detailed and natural mids, the treble is smooth and at times even called slightly rolled off (I personally think that's coming from comparison with DACs that have aggressive treble). Bass is on the warmer and fuller side, more rounded and mid bass focused.
It's just very pleasing to listen to. "Analogue" is what comes to mind.

 

[guitarizt]

The original Mojo is not bright at all, it's actually on the warmer side.
It has very detailed and natural mids, the treble is smooth and at times even called slightly rolled off (I personally think that's coming from comparison with DACs that have aggressive treble). Bass is on the warmer and fuller side, more rounded and mid bass focused.
It's just very pleasing to listen to. "Analogue" is what comes to mind.

This sounds amazing to me. I like warm V-shapes. How would this compare to something like the go blu or magni+modi?

 

[surfgeorge]

This sounds amazing to me. I like warm V-shapes. How would this compare to something like the go blu or magni+modi?

I haven't heard them but a quick search in the Mojo thread brough up this comparison of Mojo to Modi:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/chord-mojo-dac-amp-☆★►faq-in-3rd-post-◄★☆.784602/post-13200954

What I like as an engineer is that the developer of the CHORD DACs really know his business, was a designer of conventional military DAC chips and has spent 20+ years to develop his FPGA based DACs to have a solution that avoids the inherent issues with conventional DACs. If you are interested in it there are tons of technical explanations from Rob Watts like this one: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/chord-mojo-dac-amp-☆★►faq-in-3rd-post-◄★☆.784602/post-13991327

If you can afford the $250 for a used Mojo and the form factor and features fit your use case it's a really attractive offer.

PS: My listening station with Hugo 2 and portable Hiby R3/Mojo stack:

 

[guitarizt]

I haven't heard them but a quick search in the Mojo thread brough up this comparison of Mojo to Modi:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/chord-mojo-dac-amp-☆★►faq-in-3rd-post-◄★☆.784602/post-13200954

What I like as an engineer is that the developer of the CHORD DACs really know his business, was a designer of conventional military DAC chips and has spent 20+ years to develop his FPGA based DACs to have a solution that avoids the inherent issues with conventional DACs. If you are interested in it there are tons of technical explanations from Rob Watts like this one: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/chord-mojo-dac-amp-☆★►faq-in-3rd-post-◄★☆.784602/post-13991327

If you can afford the $250 for a used Mojo and the form factor and features fit your use case it's a really attractive offer.

Thanks, those two links helped a ton. Looks like a used mojo is best. I was debating between magni mobius or magnius mobius so ~250 for something that sounds warmer and is more mobile is amazing. I hate harsh treble.

 

[HomeSlice]

I’m not one of the experts here, by a mile.

I don’t know if discrete is better or not from an audio standpoint, but IMO it offers more flexibility.

I recently upgraded from an Asgard with a multibit card to a Lyr with no module and a modius.

If I decide later to swap to a different Amp, I’ve got options without having to get another dac. I also wanted to add a lokius, which I couldn’t do with an integrated dac.

The trade off if a little higher cost and a bigger footprint, so it depends on how important those things are vs flexibility.

 

[miuywu]

Hello all!

I picked up a gently used Schiit Asgard 3 amp that has their older AK4490 DAC module integrated (before they switched to ESS after the AKM factory fire).

It’s been hard finding solid comparisons on various forums or video reviews between common integrated modules vs discrete DAC products. What I’ve dug up seems to suggest that it’s usually better to have a discrete DAC, even if it’s the same price as an optional integrated module, but I’d love to hear from any of y’all who have A/B’d this scenario and kept all the other variables the same (amp, cabling, headphones, source type).

If there are other threads discussing this, please feel free to link them below and I’ll give them a read. I may not have been googling the right terms or something and am totally ok apologizing for a duplicate thread.

I’ve tapped out my audio budget for the time being, but can’t see myself being able to afford a nice mid-range or higher DAC for a long while. But if a sub-$300 DAC would be 50% better than an integrated module, I could definitely save up for that kind of improvement. So my main curiosity is whether it’s truly worth spending another few hundred bucks to get a stack instead of using my Asgard as an all-in-one, and *how much* better would that be. Here are some specific examples:

• Is even a cheap $100 discrete DAC (such as a Modi or Topping D10s) better than an Asgard’s integrated $100 module?
  • Is it 20% better clarity/dynamics/instrument separation? 15%?

• How much better are $200 DACs compared to the module? 50% or more improvement?

• How much am I missing out on with my integrated module?

I know this stuff is largely subjective (raw measurements don’t tell the whole story of enjoyability, a la tube amps for instance), but I’d still love to hear your thoughts if you’ve compared discrete vs integrated DAC setups.

Thanks!

[As an aside, I do know that the DAC chip itself shouldn’t affect audio quality per se if it’s high enough quality, and that it’s the analog stage that can introduce coloration and tonality differences in how the source bits are translated into analog signaling.]

Depends on the monitors needs mostly (iems< headphones< high power headphones < speakers), but the main bottleneck at lower costs will be amp power/quality. This will determine the amp's ability to power the monitors sufficiently and whether or not the amp-ing is of high quality.

Even without that context tho the modi won't be a substantial upgrade over the Asgard 3. You're good to be happy with it for now unless you want to upgrade to a higher tier later on.

In descending order of bottlenecks, you want:

1. monitors that can output the full resolution of the signal the amp gives it (and in a coloration you enjoy)
2. amp that can sufficiently power (Watts per Ohms) the monitors while maintaining the resolution of the signal given by the dac (you can add some coloration here too)
3. DAC that can sufficiently convert data (song files, bluetooth stream, media streamer / vinyl) to signal without losing detail / distorting.
   1. DAC will only be problem once:
      
      1. 1 and 2 are way above DAC in resolution
      2. input is high res (DSD, CD streamer, etc)

 

[SquareOFortune]

I’m not one of the experts here, by a mile.

I don’t know if discrete is better or not from an audio standpoint, but IMO it offers more flexibility.

I recently upgraded from an Asgard with a multibit card to a Lyr with no module and a modius.

If I decide later to swap to a different Amp, I’ve got options without having to get another dac. I also wanted to add a lokius, which I couldn’t do with an integrated dac.

The trade off if a little higher cost and a bigger footprint, so it depends on how important those things are vs flexibility.

I’m definitely looking forward to expanding my input/output options in the future when I can build my savings back up, so that’s a great call-out. I’d love to have optical SPDIF, balanced XLR in/out, etc. so no matter what source hardware I want to use, I’ll have an option available.

Based on what I’ve heard from others the past few days/weeks, it sounds like my next DAC should either be the Ares, D90, or Bifrost 2. I can’t see myself ever spending above those price points for a DAC unless I hit the jackpot. Before that though, I’d need a wider selection of higher quality headphones AND and better balanced amp to justify needing a better DAC (a la miuywu‘s advice below), so that’ll be quite a ways in the future methinks.

As it stands, I’ve definitely caught the audio bug and am addicted to my little Sundaras after EQ’ing them with oratory1990’s Harman-esque settings (plus a bit more sub-bass). I know there’s much better out there, but I’m extremely happy with what I can afford for the time-being.

Depends on the monitors needs mostly (iems< headphones< high power headphones < speakers), but the main bottleneck at lower costs will be amp power/quality. This will determine the amp's ability to power the monitors sufficiently and whether or not the amp-ing is of high quality.

Even without that context tho the modi won't be a substantial upgrade over the Asgard 3. You're good to be happy with it for now unless you want to upgrade to a higher tier later on.

In descending order of bottlenecks, you want:

1. monitors that can output the full resolution of the signal the amp gives it (and in a coloration you enjoy)
2. amp that can sufficiently power (Watts per Ohms) the monitors while maintaining the resolution of the signal given by the dac (you can add some coloration here too)
3. DAC that can sufficiently convert data (song files, bluetooth stream, media streamer / vinyl) to signal without losing detail / distorting.
   1. DAC will only be problem once:
      
      1. 1 and 2 are way above DAC in resolution
      2. input is high res (DSD, CD streamer, etc)

Excellent break down! That makes it so much simpler to remember going forward, and thinking about it like this will serve me well next time I get the itch to try some new gear.

Following this recommendation, my next savings-dump should be some new cans. I’ll probably get something with different strengths than my Sundys (so probably closed-back dynamics) since I’m not ready to “replace” them anytime soon and think it’d be wiser to acquire new experience opportunities instead.

 

[miuywu]

I’m definitely looking forward to expanding my input/output options in the future when I can build my savings back up, so that’s a great call-out. I’d love to have optical SPDIF, balanced XLR in/out, etc. so no matter what source hardware I want to use, I’ll have an option available.

Based on what I’ve heard from others the past few days/weeks, it sounds like my next DAC should either be the Ares, D90, or Bifrost 2. I can’t see myself ever spending above those price points for a DAC unless I hit the jackpot. Before that though, I’d need a wider selection of higher quality headphones AND and better balanced amp to justify needing a better DAC (a la miuywu‘s advice below), so that’ll be quite a ways in the future methinks.

As it stands, I’ve definitely caught the audio bug and am addicted to my little Sundaras after EQ’ing them with oratory1990’s Harman-esque settings (plus a bit more sub-bass). I know there’s much better out there, but I’m extremely happy with what I can afford for the time-being.


Excellent break down! That makes it so much simpler to remember going forward, and thinking about it like this will serve me well next time I get the itch to try some new gear.

Following this recommendation, my next savings-dump should be some new cans. I’ll probably get something with different strengths than my Sundys (so probably closed-back dynamics) since I’m not ready to “replace” them anytime soon and think it’d be wiser to acquire new experience opportunities instead.

There's a lot of fun in discovery to be had so enjoy it while you still got a long ways to go!

From what I've noticed, don't discount nuanced differences in equipment because other people can't hear the difference. If you make a major upgrade, give it time and many songs before you decide if you can hear the difference or not - the nuanced niceties may be hard to be conscious of until you go back to a component that can't give you those micro details. Also the longer you spend listening critically, the better you'll get at it and the more you can grow to appreciate the small things you didn't hear before.

An obvious one I've heard a lot is "dacs all sound the same" pretty easily to see this is not true once you break the $500 - 700 barrier and you have a sufficient amp to make use of the better dac. Something "transparent" like a THX 789 will get you far if you wanna critically listen to your DAC and headphones, after that is done, play with amps for a color or staging that you enjoy.

The downside is that price / performance scales down fast - actually a good thing because this means low cost components get you most of the way there.

Generally mid tier is endgame for folks:
Low to mid tier headphones will rely mostly on color / tone for differentiation and listening experience.
Mid tier is where you start to see high res headphones.
high tier will all be at least mid tier in resolution. Some will focus on super high res or they will maximize a certain tone's experience (natural feel, detail feel, etc)

Low to mid tier amps will focus on color / power
mid tier amps will focus on accuracy, transparency, power and resolution
high tier will expand on good resolution to great resolution or other nuances that change experience such as sound stage and smoothness.

Low to mid tier dacs will mostly try to be sharp and clear - very noticeable in quality difference.
Mid tier dacs will all be accurate and also add some nice touches - noticeable but kinda samey.
High tier dacs will never miss a beat and differentiate from eachother in many nuanced ways that result in a significant experience difference - but only noticeable if you are really into the music at this point.