I'd say that quote, coupled with Amir's measurements of the TotalDAC explains a great deal... and it's likely that all of the ultra high-end DACs will measure quite poorly. They practically
have to.
Since transparent is, by definition, inaudible... how do you distinguish your product so that even an untrained listener with deep pockets hears an immediate difference while auditioning at their dealer? By coloring the sound in some way. Of course, if I were doing it - I would do so via defeat-able filters - so it could be
measured to be transparent by objectivist reviewers... and then
colored for subjectivist reviewers and audiophile customers.