I use my iPhone DAC mode into the Sony RSX GS9, it works, can do phone calls over bluetooth, no wifi hotspot nonsense for streaming. That was my issue when I was running the FiiO X7 Mk ii, the amount of setup I had to do, the clunky coax cable, slow UI.
I love to scream at siri to play nickleback.
BUT! budget wise a DAP is the way to go.