In my experience, yes, yes, yes.
I have had two different MINTs: one powered by 2x9V batteries and one powered by a 24V Elpac. The latter is pretty maxed-out, as it has plenty of power to play with and is built into a chassis with ample space for caps, etc. Both were a clear improvement over an unamped iPod or sound card. But neither sounds as good as my (JMT-built) portable PIMETA powered by a single 9V battery. The MINTs just don't have it. The PIMETA does.
I recently gave away the portable MINT. And after several months of trying, I have also given up on trying to like the little desktop MINT as well, and have commissioned a desktop PIMETA as its replacement. The MINT'll be sold promptly once that arrives.
What is the "it" that the PIMETA has but the MINT lacks? I can only call it "smile factor," because its technical description eludes me. I can't say my MINTs lacked highs, lows or mids -- they seem technically competent. The problem is that they just sound "OK", while the PIMETA sounds tremendously more musical in comparison to them.
If you have the extra $ to spend and care about sound quality more than minimal size, I'd say go for the PIMETA and never look back.