"YMMV, but you'll get there if you become a great driver"
I shave with my straight razors 98% of the time. I use a DE in two situations, if I can't carry a straight razor because I'm traveling on short notice or if I have a sunburn.
DE for close shave when there is no straight razor available: Merkur 38C barber pole with a Perma Sharp Super blade
DE for sunburned skin: a Goodfella razor with a Perma Sharp Super blade, very gentle shave which spares the skin, not quite as close, of course. Extremely light for travel.
I think the great DE shave combinations actually shave microscopically closer than a well honed straight, but the straight razor shave leaves the whiskers just a touch longer and softer (pure speculation, no supporting facts). I compare it to the difference between the feel of closely cropped grass to that of a lawn which is a tiny bit taller. I think the "softer" feel of the straight razor shave mirrors the slightly longer grass cut in that comparison. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the "shaved skin feel" lasts longer with a straight razor shave. I can straight razor shave the night before and still be "shaved" for a workday. I can't do that with a DE shave. I need to DE shave again that day if I want to go out after work looking clean shaven. The stubble feeling returns sooner with the DE shave.
As for DE vs straights, it doesn't matter. What matters is expertise. I wouldn't bet against expertise. Ever. What a human being can accomplish with practice and attention is truly amazing. That's why I think the quality of the shave is the result of the accumulated skill, preparation and judgement of the shaver. Comparing methods DE vs. straight vs. whatever is not productive, since it all depends on the skill of the shaver and his(her) experience with the chosen method.