To be honest and with all respects, i find metal cases for devices for which they aren't necessary the most overrated feature ever.
Plastics have come a long way since they were perceived as a cheap, ugly and underperforming replacement for metal and if aluminum cases are forcing producers to make compromises in other departments it would be a shame (i don't know if this is the case, just inferred from amir statement). I have the feeling that the preference for metal cases is just a consequence of the average age of the audio hobbyists or an extension of what can be true for amplifiers or other things. My 2c.
So, you object to Schiit responding to market forces by putting a metal case in, versus improving SINAD x db?
I guess you don't understand how markets work.
If Schiit did this, they would sell LESS because DEMAND for this is low, vs. demand for metal case which is relatively HIGHER for most people than a few db sinad.
You value sound. Others value touch and sight.
DACs perform more than a function of translating bits.