Benefits of adding an. External DAC or changing streamer

Equipment / Electronics / Gear / Accessories DACs
1

As a matter of interest, and mining your experience, what are the sound characteristics of:

  1. Quad Artera Play+ and Artera Stereo with Spendors A4s
    with Ess 9038
    With AKM 4493.

  2. Roksan Attessa integrated with with Quad S1s
    With Ess
    AKM

What about theR2R chip….any others?

Each system has a different sound so I wondered what difference the DACs would make on sound. I am finding the ESS with the first system to be a little harsh/unrefined at times with some music and the second a little over warm with the Roksan Burr Brown DAC, but better with the AKM….maybe the ESS would introduce a little more detail?

I will chop and change, but would be interested in more experienced views….and the cables are all hidden well so it is a bit of a trial to move them.
TIA