When Audio-GD first became known to me was with their first generation Compass. And that was a game changer for me, because I now had a device for desktop setup that was a DAC/Headphone Amp and had variable output for powered monitors, or just a DAC output for speaker amps. There weren't any other devices that I found that did it all at that price.
That device served me well for many years and so had the NFB11 for the same purpose. I'm not big into spending $$$ in audio, Topping EX5 is the current replacement, but while I can understand why this forum may like to bash Audio-GD, but just throwing it out there, before the craze for headphone audio, and every brand trying to get their hands relying on their brand power, they provided a product that took little space on the desk and did it all. It was and is very convenient. I really don't care to have stacks of audio gear.
My media/movie setup is Su-8 to LSR308s, not ideal, but it works fine. USB from the desktop and optical from the TV. So I don't use Audio-GD in the main setups any more, but the NFB11 is still next to my bed. It still gets use and I honestly don't find anything wrong with it really in terms of sound. It works :/
TBH my laptop headphone output gets the most play from me, but that's where I am with audio. I just listen to music.