I can speculate on why there are differences but this won’t be helpful to you because it will remain my speculation. Of course, this very question has been addressed in many related threads so you might find value in reading through them. While YMMV, in my own experience, I found greater differences in moving upstream from a Bluesound node 2 (going into my outboard DAC) than I did in moving into a much nicer DAC.
There are many on here who consistently claim there can be no difference or that they haven’t heard differences. Fair enough. They’re are a number of us here who do. Perhaps it’s placebo. Perhaps not.
There’s really only one way for you to know. If you already have a decently resolving system - audition a couple in home. I would suggest you listen for spatial information (openness in soundstage width and depth) as opposed to tonal differences. Lower quality units sound “flat” to me relative to nicer units.
Best,
There are many on here who consistently claim there can be no difference or that they haven’t heard differences. Fair enough. They’re are a number of us here who do. Perhaps it’s placebo. Perhaps not.
There’s really only one way for you to know. If you already have a decently resolving system - audition a couple in home. I would suggest you listen for spatial information (openness in soundstage width and depth) as opposed to tonal differences. Lower quality units sound “flat” to me relative to nicer units.
Best,