have you removed the board which has the 2 opamps and tested whether it works and what does not work as a result? maybe that way you can localize what it's there for.
e:
i think this is the circuit. see my picture. The 9038Q2M chip is green. but in the end it leads to an opamp again, which again cannot be balanced.
You have the answer in the picture ) You see here the whole board, module has been removed here.
But if you mean : If I tested the DAC wihout that module, NO : I don't want to take any risk ))))
Since I am not the designer of this DAC, I can't answer about the rule of each OP amps and to what they are linked...
In my dual AK4497 : I also have 4 OP amps : 2 are dedicated to the RCA and 2 to the XLR.
We should ask to the manufacturer about the architecture of this DAC...We can assume a lot of things ...
BUT : I made a long listening test yesterday and switched between the Gustard X16 and the Leaf and I am very impressed by the Leaf. Both are very good and if I close my eyes : I would find it hard to make a difference when listening ....
Should be cool to see another member getting the Leaf so we can get another opinion )