The build in DAC performs nearly as well and you would need a trained ear to hear the difference

These have a powerful built in amp with 2 DACs and plays music from Audirvana Plus, iPhone, MacBook Pro, etc, and does justice to the hi res FLAC or Apple lossless.

The built in amp is very impressive.

Before you spend 10000+ for a system , give these a listen , you will be as I , amazed