I would rather have a 10 year old 40K DAC for 4K than a brand new 4K DAC. It would be a leap of faith but my guess is the 40K unit even at 10 years old will still be better. I recently compared in my home a 35K DAC setup with a 5K DAC setup and it's not even close, sorry to say but you are really missing a lot with the lower cost setup. I didn't want it to be true but it's just magic with really nice gear like that. Guys can kid themselves all they want that there isn't a big difference but there is to my ear. Maybe some people jump in a porsche and think it's not better than a toyota so those kind of products aren't made for those types.
Buy a $40,000 used DAC for $4,000 or a new one for the same amount?
The advancements in DAC technology make them one of this hobby's most perishable products. But ... what if you can buy a 10 year old DAC for $4,000 that initially cost $40,000? Is it a bargain or waste of money compared to a new DAC that is $4,000? I understand it depends on the specific model etc. But in general, has the technology gotten that much better? And how quickly will the new DAC become outdated? Is it like computers? Past their prime about 3-4 years so you plan to replace them regularly? Thanks for all comments