If it helps, I use it almost like a preamp; CD as transport - digital in to rme. And streamer optical out into the rme. RME goes straight to power amp. Sound is uncoloured, clear, powerful = honest. Some might say clinical, I say “as the producer, recording engineer, mix engineer, mastering engineer intends for it to be heard”
the thing that makes the difference in D/A conversation (in the recording world at least) is accuracy of the clock. RME have one of the best imho.