I do a 10lb plate on my forehead for 15-20 reps and 4 sets

In my experience it really just depends on the brand. I have the 7hz timeless, tin t1, audio 64 A18ts and EE Legend X. I’ve heard the Sony z1r (didn’t like them though). The A18ts and Legend Xs can compete with TOTL over ear headphones and absolutely smokes the chi-fi/mid-fi IEMs I’ve heard.

You are fucked.

DACs, no. DAC/AMP combos however, only slight differences. When I had a Hugo 2 I blind tested it with my PC audio out into some focal utopias and the only difference was a very VERY small hiss from the pc and that was it.