Chord DAVE DAC

@kneptune 

Yes and this is not an uncommon occurrence. People kindly  respond with good and worthwhile recommendations. The Original poster just vanishes away. Indeed, what was the point?

Charles

@melm 

IMO, though, Chord products are the most cheaply built (except for their cases), overpriced DACs on the market.  The DAVE has a very inexpensive to make switch-mode power supply and at the heart of its analog stage are two $1.50 TI chips.

Noteworthy.

Charles

@itsjustme 

 If you believes measurements no one would spend more than about $100 for a DAC and $300 for an integrated amp. No tubes (terrible measurements). Certainly no vinyl

Yet there are those who vehemently make that very case. If the component has excellent measurements at that price point, you exhibit gullibility by paying more. Listen to it? Why do I need to do that?

Charles

@hilde45 Subjective opinions are valuable if… their tastes are similar, their rooms are similar, their equipment is similar, their recordings are similar. Virtually no one goes to any trouble at all to verify these things. We just have people saying, "This DAC is analytical" or "This amp is smooth" and then others — with a completely different setup and tastes (maybe) then chime in and either agree or disagree.

I honestly get your point. The ideal way to judge and evaluate an audio component is to get it into your system and listen with your own ears. Then you make a judgment call. Unfortunately this scenario isn’t always a possibility. So what alternatives are available?

1 Read professional reviews.

2 Communication with those who have owned or heard the audio product.

3 Rely on test bench measurements.

I can only speak in regard to my own actual experience. Feedback and human to human communication with those familiar with a product serves me best. Second in line would be information gathered from a professional audio review.

Reliance on measurements from my perspective/experience a very distant 3rd option. I do find measurements very helpful during a selection process (Determining compatibility potential) but woefully inadequate in regard to determining sound quality.

I accept the reality that through verbal and written communication isn’t perfect and extrapolation is required, understood. Feedback and listening impressions from other experienced music lovers has just served me very well on multiple occasions.

In those circumstances where home auditioning isn’t feasible, I’ll take my chances with other humans who can offer hands (Ears) on feedback. @hilde45 if your past experiences are different, I understand.

Charles

One last thing. If the number of “taps” used by an upsampled seems important to you because of what Chord says, remember that a equivalent software package can do the same and more for $150 (FPPB-RT). You don’t need a $5000 box from Chord to do it (M-scaler).

Noteworthy and reasonable to look further into.

Charles

@retiredfarmer It tells me anytime  some one says a really cheap piece is better than a top flight piece You know the only thing that has happened is the good piece is showing  how bad the rest of there system is

You give them more benefit of the doubt than I. My strong suspicion is they haven’t even heard the more expensive product they’re so dismissive of. I believe that it is more philosophical in nature. Anything more than they can/want to spend is simply the result of hype, clever marketing and of course a good dose of the ever present snake oil.

Charles