I have done comparisons. :) It used to be that the key differentiator was a hardware's DAC but I can't say I've noticed that much difference in the last 10 years. Even a cheap Chinese phone I used for a bit sounded equivalent. And that was before I switched to bluetooth.
I do really notice the difference on non-portable hardware though. I have used a bunch of different USB devices and they vary wildly. I have 4 amplifiers and several audio switching boxed rack mounted right next to me (they power 9 speakers, 2 CRT TVs, 4 LCD monitors and a projector :D).
I do really notice the difference on non-portable hardware though. I have used a bunch of different USB devices and they vary wildly. I have 4 amplifiers and several audio switching boxed rack mounted right next to me (they power 9 speakers, 2 CRT TVs, 4 LCD monitors and a projector :D).