Matt - haven't bought a new dongle. Google 2 is what I have as it came with the Pixel 3. Compared to the built in one in my laptop it is definitely noticeably quieter...but playing louder than it can causes the hardwired output to over drive the signal. The noise floor is also significantly lower on the google adapter. It has a bit more roll off on the top end, but not monstrously. I prefer the dongle to the built in.
...of course you made me listen and now both sound flat, lol. Time to shop for a real solution. The Apple dongle seems to be the sub $10 deal, but the output is limited thanks to the EU 85dB requirement that can be over ridden on an Apple but I haven't found a way to do that on the Pixel yet....but haven't looked either. Since I am in my hotel room thought hell I would do some A/B. Tried from Classical, Blues, Jazz to Jamiquai then tried Pandora to see if compressed garbage was way worse.
In general I don't have a dynamic problem with the output....not super loud, but more than enough to power the Alclairs.