I do not own any Esoteric hardware currently, but considering a used K01 or a new K01x.
On the subject of the USB playback. I have acquired some experience with streaming Acoustic SOunds, HD Tracks or Qobuz sourced HD, DSD and CD quality files off my Mac mini to Ayre QB-9 DSD and the rest of the Ayre Reference system. About a year ago, I purchased both JRiver and Audirvana+ for Mac. JRiver was an instant disappointment, so much so that I regretted the DAC purchase and thought this was going nowhere. I then added Audirvana+ and it made a Big improvement. It only continued improving in quality with each new release since. I can easily compare both by playing the same music from either, and I can hear the difference immediately.
My advice would be to purchase A+, which also now has an excellent iPad controller app, and give it a try. It is very likely that Esoteric DAC will beat Ayre's but Charlie Hansen has magic tricks of his own.
One last thing, Shunyata power cables have made a very significant impact throughout. Even just adding an Alpha Digital to the DAC made a good improvement.
My 5c
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