Caeser, I'm not sure which version of the rockna wavedream you have heard. Earlier they used to have an MSB manufactured r2r ladders. With the new 26 bit edition and the 27 bit signature ladder (like mine), i can assure you its not "warming things up", it just transparent as a clear window with lots of details, dynamics and dynamic range and spot on tonality. Coupled with NET, its many Notches better which speaks of source importance regardless which dac you are using. Recently according to skanda, with SGM extreme, its even much better.
I have not heard a total dac ever, but wish to know if the rockna you heard had the new in house modules or not (since few years back they took over the MSB ones). Inside it should say rd-1 for edition version, rd-0 for signature version, and even on screen at start up for a brief moment. The chassis has remained the same since wavedream launch by the way, with minor modifications. Its the guts which were upgraded, low profile kind of upgrade not in a big PR campaign style.
I might be biased to something that i already own, but prior to buying it, scattered all over the forums, I notice a general preference for rockna sound, the description seemed more like i wanted, an unbiased conversion from digital to analog. I wish to get to hear a total dac someday and compare, but the rockna was a very successful blind purchase for me at least ))