Here’s A Digital Conundrum
The DAC chip makes a huge difference IME. An analogy is like it being the cartridge, and the output stage being the phono stage.
The only reason multibit DACs aren’t really around anymore is because they are so expensive to produce, but look around and there are many current production units using them.
Mana Acoustics Racks / Bright Star IsoNodes Decoupling >> Allo DigiOne Player >> Pedja Rogic's Audial Model S DAC + Pioneer PL-71 turntable / Vista Audio phono-1 mk II / Denon PCL-5 headshell / Reson Reca >> LFD DLS >> LFD PA2M (SE) >> Royd RR3s.