OP,
I would forget about streaming cards and platforms and go listen to some streamers. It is obvious from your post that you don’t want to believe streamers make a difference. You want to believe that bits are bits and high cost streamers are marketing hype. Sorry to disappoint you. I tried to maintain that illusion for many years. It came crashing down when I bought my first real streamer, Aurlic Aries G2. From there, quickly jumped up stepwise to a $22K streamer… which I consider an outstanding bargain for the sound quality provided.
I have followed digital for forty years trying to achieve the highest level of sound quality. I have extensively auditioned or owned about 7 or 8 high end streamers from Aurlic, Aurender, and Linn. In general, the sound quality varied tremendously and roughly varied pretty much in line with price… from $3K to $22K. The variation in sound quality amazing… from good to audiophile / analog level.
The most abundant BS around is that high end streamers don’t matter and are all the same. My rule of thumb, invest the same in a streamer as you would a DAC, Turntable, Phonostage, preamp, or amp. They must be carefully chosen and compatible… then you get your jaw drop moment of “wow, that sounds incredible!”