Unless one compares it to something better, one cannot possibly know how much harm it’s doing. Logic also dictates that an item purposefully built to delight audiophiles should outperform one designed by engineers who never sought to delight audiophiles.As you stated the Startech was very hard edged and not enjoye, but to another it maybe just their cup of tea.
The OM is actually a simple device. It differs from commercial products in that there is additional circuitry that aims to reduce noise. I think I recall Swenson mentioning use of carefully selected regulators to achieve that. We are fortunate to have this product available to us.
Amen to that.I know I will never find perfection however I am willing to subject myself to that elusive search. Just right now I am content, this may change in week, a month or a year. That is why I am here searching for knowledge and what is working for some.