Having done this test (different streamers into the same DAC), the differences are pretty easy to hear. My experiences suggest that while the tonal quality will be similar, the better streamers are more “open” spatially. I have a Node 2 in a system going into an outboard DAC. While it’s a killer device for the price, it sounds “flat” relative to my Aurender N100 and Auralic Aries G2. Tonally they’re pretty close. Spatially no contest. And, I took them to the dealer who sold me the Node 2 - he heard the same improvement. Only way for the OP to know is to try themselves.