DAC Hat vs. Other DAC?

[suzywong]

My heaphone setup is Asguard and Monoprice 1070’s. My 2 channel speaker set up changes ever so often.

Yes, it is all subjective. I appreciate yours and other’s replies to get an idea of all these dacs.

I understand ultimately have to try for myself.

And indeed you have answered your own question.

I also have a couple of RPi+IQAudio DAC Setups. At a cost of around £100 apiece they sound very, very good indeed.

Do they compare with several thousands quids worth of Allo USBSig/Digi1Sig/Shanti and 15 year old Naim DAC+XPS?   No, and I would not expect them to.

Could you tell them apart in a blind test?….certainly.

But ultimately, could I live the rest of my days with the RPi/IQ?….certainly.

The modern stuff really is very good for a modest cost. I expect that you would have to spend a lot more on your WHOLE system to improve on what you’ve got.