Better than the digital into what?
This could be what is inferior. It also means Meridian DAC's are very good.

The whole chain counts with regard to the final sound and to say "A" is better than "B" is meaningless without the full context.

In the end, use your ears in your system and enjoy the music, which I am sure you do.

Happy Xmas, Chris smile

No 18 in the Hall of fame smile I have simple tastes; I am content to settle for the best:
GIK monster bass panels, rear wall. QNAP TVS 471i3. Roon into DSP5200SE via 210/ 218 zone... Explorer 2. Bluesound Pulse 2, Mini & Flex. 596v1, 518, Foxsat HD, Sony BDP, Pioneer 5090, 2 Chromecast's for LRB videos. MS200 to F80 for a Roon zone