I was a huge DAC sceptic believing it was just 1's & 0's but I didn't comment for years as I hadn't compared any myself.
I have a Topping E30 which I'd bought to try against the onboard DAC in my Arcam SA 30 and couldn't really tell much difference.
I home trialed an Atoll IN 300 amp using it's DAC and the 1st thing I massively noticed was how much wider it's soundstage was and thought that was down to the amp and initially it was completely alien to what I'd heard before, I didn't fell comfortable / like it and my trial was way too short.
I tried a WiiM Pro Plus which has a better DAC than their Mini / Pro with RCA and noticed a slightly wider soundstage.
I eventually bought a Chord Qutest with a 2 week return window, my initial thoughts were the same as the DAC in the Atoll as the soundstage was instantly much wider again and I really wasn't sure .... I should point out my speaker's positioning due to room layout is much wider than ideal so anyone with better placed speakers probably won't have the same initial impression.
I adjusted and got used to the "New Norm" and then started back to backing against what I'd had before and over time realised it was definitely a keeper.
Having decided there was a very definate improvement using WiiM streamers with Opt/Coax out, I'd heard the clock can also make a difference so I bought a WiiM Ultra to try USB out which then uses the Chords Clock instead of the WiiM's .... I also thought, maybe I should try Bluesound as well so got a Nano at the same time.
I signed up for a family instead of individual streaming service and bought a KVM switch so I could instantly switch from one to another .... there was an improvement with the Ultra using USB out vs coax/opt ... but there was an improvement again using the Nano vs the WiiM.
I'd been searching for Mecca and not quite being content with my system for 1 1/2 years until I made these changes in Jan this year. I'm listening to it as I type and I'm still completely blown away and have absolutely no intention of making any other changes.
The DAC makes a huge difference and will probably change the signature whatever you're using it, but what feeds it makes a difference as well.
When I went on holiday for 2 weeks I lent my neighbour my Nano so he could trial it against his previous generation Node, he noticed a considerable difference which I'm guessing is possibly down to an improved DAC and it prompted him to upgrade to an Icon.
He also borrowed my Chrod and is e-baying various bits and when he has enough will get a Qutest as well.
A brief summary of the differences I've experienced are, much wider and slightly deeper soundstage but it's the detail and clarity of notes that makes the biggest difference.
I also want to say much warmer / richer, if somome said that to me without hearing it, I'd instantly think stuck down in treacle sauce and muddy and it's just absolutely not ... maybe due to the better seperation.
All I can say is, anybody thinking about trying similar, bide your time until a 2nd hand one comes up at a dealer with a return window.
If you want to try a different streamer, get one from Amazon with a 30 day retun window ... cost you nothing if you don't like it but make sure you have a decent way of back to backing it with instant changes against your current setup.
Every step I took I made sure I had a return window as I wanted to genuinely satisfy myself the cost was worth it as I have a number of other hobbies calling for funds so don't spend money unless I genuinely believe it's worthwhile.
Aplogies for a long post but I didn't want to just give part of my experience.
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