IMO - Think, comparable. Your amp(s) and speakers are the foundation of your system. I would get those to the level that you want, and that level should be to the point where you can easily hear differences to whatever else is plugged in. Otherwise, you're playing the game of smoke and mirrors, and wishful thinking. If you're content with your McIntosh amp and speakers, or you think that you're content, then you should hear obvious (big) differences between a $1K Dac and a $32K Dac. If not, then either the $32K Dac is BS, so try something else, or you need to invest in a new amp and/or speakers.
Kenny
Kenny