I sent my DAC to rollo and now I am getting to know the SB3 stock analog output all over again. Look to my early AN posts to see all the problems I was having with shouting, harshness etc. and blaming amps and speakers, speaker wires. It's all back. Listening to some opera tracks (yuk) on Gramophone sampler were unbearably harsh when they really let loose, and the harshness peaks with the output level. Same as before. Kinda funny. Before I bought it I had hoped the DAC would solve the harshness, but I never really did A/B tests, since I already owned it I figured whatever, just use it. It definitely helped. I would imagine it would be the same with any quality DAC, and my point is that a good DAC or other source makes all the difference in the world.
It is very easy to grow accustomed to good audio gear. What is the "sound" of low distortion? You don't appreciate it until it goes away. Eye opener for me.
Rich