I can individuate in a blind test what are MP3, Flac, and Alac, with a precision 9 on 10! and I never said to like Flacs so much!
What I found not bad is APE compressor
Anyhow I'm starting to consider the idea that there are song which are mastered to be compressed and other not … so difference is more linked to song that to the technology we use to play them
Anyhow I found pace with my portable rig with Sennhaiser Momentum, no amplifier no DACs, I cannot say the same with house solution ….
Good listening results with all looks like a wheel (anything i s rotating) , frustrating experience with any form of liquid sound No iPad , No Apple TV, No airport express,Ni Macintosh or PCs regardless how can be expensive the DAC worked well … some improvment with volumio .. but far to be so accurate as I had like it will … but they are really close to a good result...
My home HIFI is made by an MC 6900 a pair of Minotor audio PL 200 and an aura CD. I change DAC very frequently now s an Emotiva, past week I tested a Wadia 121.
I tested ARACM RDAC, W4S, Antelope, Ibasso, TEAC, Stello Emotiva and others ...