to get a good sound out of the RPi you should really get some DAC or Digi board so you push out to your DAC.
The worst is to use analogue output on RPi.
I just got this little kit
AUDIOPHONICS I-Sabre V3 DAC ES9023 TCXO and whit the
great help of this guys here i have it fully operational
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znJ67VzzlSY
And I tell you, it sounds really good for what it costs. I have this on decent setup I would say, not some teenage boombox
and my music taste is a bit fine too
(Spendor D7, Sugden A21, Clearaudio Concept+Clearaudio Nano Phono, Pioneer SC-LX59, Philips CD753 with TDA1549,...)
So yes, you can get a really good sound out of it, but it needs some time and a bit of fiddling. But this is all about it, isn't it? If you get the into RPi than this is what it costs. Otherwise, better to buy ready made closed-end streaming device from well known brands as Naim, Linn, McIntosh, ...
But honestly, I took it to my local high end dealer and I coming there to buy stuff and for the events so we are pretty close.
We put this on quick test against streamers and DACs which cost around £4000
And I going to quote him "wow, this little thing sounds really good. What was the price?...£150? wow...this is very close to device which cost almost £4000...)
Only problem he has was the remote application for iPad/iPhone. We could not fine any which would allow stream from Tidal into this. But this is no issue on Android devices as I using Bubble uPnP which is OK
So give it try, a bit more time if you can. Try more things and play around. You have nothing to loose here. This is all free so it cost you nothing, just your time and nerves
I know that time has highest value but if you can spare some it may pay back
EDIT: check out
this YT channel, he is really good with his DAC reviews etc
