I have had two DACs with the sound so close i could not believe it. Primarily because one was a used, at the time, fifteen year old DAC I bought for $250. The second a new highly praised on both TAS and Stereophile costing $2,300. I had them both when I bought a bunch of other new stuff. I returned the new DAC. Took eight more years for me to find a better DAC. Spent $7000 to buy a SACD Marantz SA-10 to use mainly as a DAC.
As for preamps I own six. and yes they all sound different.
As for preamps I own six. and yes they all sound different.