I believe the CH-FI products have made great strides in the last couple of years, but still, I find my JDS Atom+ for all of $109 to still be a supurb DAC. I really would like to hear an Aries II though. I listen only to ripped CDs. ( JRiver, WASAPI/exclusive/asynchronous)
I have a Topping DX3pro+. It measures fantastic, but still has a little less than the JDS. I also have a Schiit Asgard with the new ESS DAC board, and it is a step back from the JDS but was a big step up from the original AKM board. My specific sound I hear is the edgieness or sibilance of female vocals like Judy Collins and Joni Mitchel. They hit a few notes that unmask anything wrong. I am an old guy, so all that top in air and depth stuff is lost on me if if it actually exists.